Denver Birth Photographer - Monet Nicole
Denver Birth Photography
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Powerful Birth Stories Across Colorado

Denver Birth Photographer, Monet Nicole, shares her most recent birth stories here. Browse through home births, birth center births, and hospital births. See beautiful and inspiring birth photography taken across the front range of Colorado. One of the leading birth photography blogs in the United States. 

The Five Best Things to Do in Early Labor from a Denver Doula

Early labor. For some, this experience can last for a few hours…and for others…a few days or even a few weeks. Early labor can be one of the more challenging mental stages of birth because the contractions or sensations are often noticeable, but not strong enough to truly get our mind out of the game.

What that means is that many of us spend a lot of time analyzing. How often are they coming? Are they getting closer? Farther apart? Are they patterned? Are they mild? Should I call my midwife? Should I notify my doula? Should I text my birth photographer? What if they go away? What if I wait too long?

In other words: we question. Largely because we’ve been (wrongly) taught that birth is always linear. Contractions start. They get stronger. Closer. And then we have the baby.

In reality: the process often starts and stops…and this is normal.

Whenever I work with clients, I always remind them to rest, nourish, and ENJOY the early labor process. And while there is absolutely nothing that you need to DO during this stage of labor, below is a list of a few things you might find helpful or enjoyable during this sometimes confusing part of the birth process.

  1. Eat. Because we never truly know if this particular bout of early labor will lead directly into active labor…it’s always a good idea to assess how nourished you currently feel. Are you hungry? When did you last have a full meal? Could you enjoy something that is nutritious and delicious? If possible, eat something that you LOVE - make it or go out to dinner!

  2. Rest. There is perhaps nothing more beneficial to a laboring person than rest. Rest will not stop laboring from progressing. Rest will not impede progress. If you feel like you could take a nap or go to sleep for the night…then do it. Let your body do the work! If early labor is supposed to progress to active labor at this time - IT WILL STILL HAPPEN REGARDLESS IF YOU REST OR BOUNCE ON YOUR BIRTH BALL ALL NIGHT. But your body and mind will appreciate any and all rest you can get while you’re in the liminal space of waiting.

  3. Foster Connection and Intimacy. Oxytocin is known as the love hormone. During early labor, one of the best things you can do is to spend quiet, intimate time with your partner. This doesn’t have to mean sex - but being close, snuggling, massage, napping together can give the amazing love hormone oxytocin an extra boost.

  4. Ignore it. Go on a walk with a friend. Go see a movie. Make a dinner reservation. Go to the park with your kids. If you can still walk and talk through contractions, then don’t pay them much attention. Let your day or night unfold as if it was any other.

  5. Miles Circuit. (This suggestion is for all the folks that really want something “to do” during early labor.) I love the Miles Circuit because it is gentle and can help baby find the most ideal position of birth. It also ends in a very restful position…and many of my doula or birth photography clients will naturally fall asleep! Again - you don’t NEED to do anything during early labor but if you’re having a hard time letting go…the miles circuit can be a nice task to focus on.

But the most important thing? Trust and let go. Active labor will happen. Your baby will come. The confusion and uncertainty won’t last forever.



Monet MoutrieComment