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If you want to give birth without pain relief, this might also be the part when you find it the trickiest to stick to your plan. If this happens to you, don’t worry: it’s totally normal. Toward the end of the first stage of labour, your cervix will be about 7cm to 8cm dilated.Ī lot of women find this the hardest, most painful part of giving birth and you might feel like you are out of control. (NICE, 2017 Which?, 2018) First stage of labour: what happens at the end

Ask about your baby’s movement in the last 24 hours.

Possibly conduct a vaginal examination and record your pulse, blood pressure and temperature.

Ask you about the length, strength and how often your contractions are coming.

(WHO, 2013) First stage of labour: how it will progress

Supporting you while you try different positions.

Helping you with relaxation and breathing techniques.

Speaking to you about pain-relief options.

Getting you those crucial energy-boosting drinks and snacks.

Massaging your back (if you can bear it… some women can’t).

Encouraging you (especially through contractions…) and reassuring you.

Speaking to midwives or doctors if you’re not able to.

Things your birth partner can do to help you are: Having a supportive birth partner can give you a sense of control, comfort and competence and make complications less likely (Hodnett et al, 2013). When your contractions start coming every five minutes and last at least 60 seconds, give your midwife a call (NHS Choices, 2017).

manage the pain with paracetamol (if needed).

ask your birth partner to rub your back.

do some relaxation or breathing exercises.

drink a lot of fluids and healthy snacks.

In the early part of labour, you’re likely to be at home.

(NHS Choices, 2017) First stage of labour: managing pain at home Your midwife will then ask questions and assess you based on your:Ĭall your midwife or a doctor straight away if: So before you head off anywhere, give them a call. Your midwife will know how far on you are and whether you need to be in hospital or at your birthing centre yet. Early labour pain management and calling your midwife Unlike Braxton Hicks, they don’t go away when you change your position or relax. The contractions you’ll experience during established labour are different from the Braxton Hicks contractions (false contractions) that you probably felt while you were pregnant. Contractions versus Braxton Hicks contractions The good news is that contractions will come and go so – if you can – try and relax in between them (WebMD, 2018).