The first 6 months of pregnancy you marvel at the fact that you have a baby growing inside of you. And then you worry about going into labor.
“HOW AM I GOING TO GET THIS BABY OUT OF ME!?”
“What’s going to happen when I go into labor?!”
“Seriously, am I going to be publicly humiliated when a tsunami casts a tidal wave across the grocery store?”
“Am I going to have one contraction and deliver a baby in the middle of Starbucks?”
If you are going into labor, what can you expect?
A whole lotta NOTHING most of the time. Labor often starts very gradually and almost imperceptibly, especially if it is your first time. And here’s my advice to you—- girrlllll IGNORE IT! Pretend nothing is happening for as long as you possibly can. Easier said than done, I know, but it really is the best thing you can do.
Here’s what you’ll want to do: call your partner, call your best friend, call your mother, sister, and maybe even your first grade art teacher.
You will be SO EXCITED and you’ll want to scream from the rooftops about your baby coming soon!
you may even be tempted to put a post on every social media platform you use. Something like “Guys, this baby is on his way!” You’re gonna want to walk, run, pace the halls. The adrenaline will be coursing through you; you will hardly be able to wait! (Let’s keep that adrenaline down since it stalls labor.) Letting people know your baby is potentially on his way makes 456,786,995 people want to text you, call you, and send you unsolicited advice at a rapid rate.
This can cause unnecessary pressure for you.
Pressure to rush the process, and pressure to do everything THEIR way; when really, this is a time that you get to do things YOUR way, unapologetically.
The best thing you can do in early labor is try to IGNORE IT. Downplay it. If you feel a contraction, visualize a wave passing through your body. Once it’s gone, you will never feel that wave again. But every time you feel a wave, know that you are one step closer to celebrating your baby’s birth DAY!
When labor begins, what can you do instead?
Bake a cake— after all, it’s going to be your baby’s birthday! Welcome that little nugget with a cake— or eat it yourself- a girl’s gotta eat doesn’t she?! If Betty Crocker isn’t your style, go get a pedi! You no longer need anyone to avoid your ankles- go nuts, pay for the extra foot rub! Get a delicious lunch! Go see a movie at the theater- maybe wear a super absorbent pad– just in case! My point is do SOMETHING that is only for you. Pamper yourself because it’s gonna be a hot minute before you’re going to get a chance to do it again. Eat when you’re hungry, drink when you’re thirsty, and sleep when you’re tired, ‘cuz next week- no one’s gonna remember you and your needs, unless you hired a postpartum doula.
When things begin to intensify, you will know it. I promise you, this baby is not going to surprise you. However, at any point if you feel unsure- it is ALWAYS okay to call your doula. It is ALWAYS okay to call your medical provider. Trust yourself, my friend- and remember: Your body was MADE TO DO THIS.
Oh yea, and congratulations—you have a really big day coming up!
Written by Laura Martin
