What to Expect When Going Into Labour: A New Mom's Guide

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Are you nearing the end of the third trimester? Are you a bundle of nerves and anxiety as you anticipate the arrival of your first baby? Do you have any clue what to expect when going into labour? I’ve got you.

The fact that you clicked on this blog post suggests you’re a little curious about what you should expect when going into labour.

Even if you’re just curious, it’s really important to know what you’re going to be getting into. Too late to turn back now!

Knowing the stages of labour and when you’re in labour provides a sense of preparedness. It not only contributes to your education but also:

• helps you make informed decisions
• reduces your fears and anxiety
• helps you set realistic expectations when it comes to your labour’s progress
• fosters a positive birth experience
• helps you recognize the signs of progress
• promotes better communication with your healthcare providers and support partner

By familiarizing yourself with the labour process and knowing what happens in each step, you'll feel more at ease and reduce any hiccups and complications.

In this blog post, I’ll cover what the different stages of labour are, how you’ll know when labour is around the corner, signs that you’re going into labour, and what the process is like when you get to the hospital/birthing centre.

Ready? Let’s get into it.

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What Are the Stages of Labour?

There are three stages of labour.

The first stage of labour starts when your contractions are about 3 to 5 minutes apart and can last anywhere from 5 to 19 hours.

Your labour is considered active when you reach 6cm but this stage doesn’t end until you’re 10cm dilated.

The second stage can last anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours and ends when you deliver your baby.

Finally, you’re in the third stage of labour after your baby has been born. The whole process of labour ends when you deliver the placenta.

The length of labour can depend on whether it’s your first time giving birth and if an epidural is in place.

For example, I was in the first stage of labour for about 20 hours. It was my first birth and I was on an epidural.

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What Are the Signs That Labour is Approaching?

There isn’t a concrete answer for what the early signs of labour are because certain symptoms you experience could be anything…but you can watch for some subtle clues that labour is approaching.

You might feel more abdominal, back, and false labour pains (more on that below), you’re not gaining as much weight, and might even feel less out of breath with decreased pressure on your diaphragm.

The loss of your mucus plug is usually an indicator that labour is near.

What is the mucus plug? So glad you asked.

It’s essentially like blob of discharge that usually comes out all at once.

The thing is, some women don’t even realize when their mucus plug comes out. Sometimes only a little bit comes out and just seems like regular discharge.

That’s why contractions are often the best indicator that your baby is coming.

Note if you do see your mucus plug before you’re 37 weeks pregnant, contact your healthcare provider.

How Do You Know When You’re Actually in Labour?

When I was searching the internet to understand how I’ll know when my baby is arriving, I was just confused.

Most of the information just says to pay attention to the frequency of your contractions and to call your healthcare provider if your water breaks.

At the same time, the internet says that there’s such thing as false labour pains (aka Braxton Hick’s contractions) and that your water won’t always break right away.

So, I was even more confused. What do contractions even feel like?

You’re in false labour when the sensation is uncomfortable but bearable. There’s no pattern to the sensations and the pain doesn’t escalate.

Typically, when you change your activity, the sensation will go away.

The best way I can describe real contractions: you'll just KNOW.

Real contractions will stop you in your tracks and you pretty much won’t be able to concentrate on anything else. There will also be a pattern to them.

Contractions might start at 10 minutes apart or longer.

To cope with contractions while you’re still at home, you can:

• take a lukewarm bath
• take deep breaths
• do an activity that distracts you
• ask for your partner to massage you
• practice visualization

It’s important to time your contractions so you know it’s time to go to the hospital or birthing centre. You can use the stopwatch on your phone or a tool that will count the number of contractions you’ve had, how long they’re lasting, and the time in between contractions.

It’s time to call your healthcare provider or the maternal triage when you have one or more of the following: contractions that last for at least one minute and are 2-3 minutes apart, you’re water breaks, and/or your bleeding (aka your “bloody show” is coming out).

What Happens When You Arrive At the Hospital?

When you’re in labour, make sure to contact your midwife or OB to let them know you’re on the way to the hospital.

You can also ask the nurses to do this for you when you arrive.

Because I had to be induced, I had no choice but to give birth at a hospital. I can’t speak about what happens at birthing centres or home births, but I imagine there are overlaps between each setting.

When you arrive at the maternal triage, you’ll either have to wait in the triage or go straight to your delivery room. Either way, you’ll be assessed for symptoms and your baby’s heart rate will be monitored.

Unfortunately, you’ll also have a rather uncomfortable cervical check to see how dilated you are.

If you’re at least 3cm dilated, they’ll ask you to stay.

While your baby’s heart rate is being monitored, the frequency of your contractions will also be watched over.

You can ask to be seated in a different position during this process if laying on your back is too uncomfortable.

Most likely, you’ll be put on an IV, but if you don’t want to, you can ask your nurse if it’s necessary in your situation.

Throughout your stay, you’ll likely see many different nurses come and go.

They’ll be taking care of you the entire time, will watch your vital signs and contractions, and will look out for complications. They will be the main person to speak with your midwife or OB.

If you have a midwife, they’ll be with you every step of the way and will work with an OB if any complications arise that require a Caesarian section or another intervention.

Need more support in your pregnancy journey? Here is a FREE pregnancy guide just for you!

When Will You Be Given Pain Management?

If you’re like many women going into labour, you’ll likely want the pain of contractions to go away stat.

Fortunately, once you’re in the delivery room, you shouldn’t have to wait much longer for the anesthesiologist to give you your epidural.

To say I was relieved to get an epidural is an understatement.

Some of you might be set on having a natural birth and that’s OK, but remember if the pain is unbearable, don’t be afraid to ask for the epidural. You won’t be a bad mom for wanting one and you won’t harm your baby.

The downside to an epidural is that you’re bed-bound and a catheter will be inserted into your bladder.

Now, if you do choose to have a natural birth, there are a few things you can do to alleviate pain:

• Stay active: walk around or use an exercise ball for example
• Ask your support partner to give you a massage
• Take a warm bath if your room has one
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is considered safe for you and your baby - it sends an electric current through your body which may help you, though no evidence suggests it does

What is the Role of Your Support Person?

At my hospital, my room could have two support people. I chose my partner and mom. A doula is a good option as well if you can afford one.

Their role is to be your advocate and keep you relaxed.

They can help you focus on taking your deep breaths while you push your baby out and they can hold your hand if you need that.

They are there to support you.

They can also cut the umbilical cord if they feel comfortable.

My partner did and it was such a wonderful moment to capture.

In my delivery room, there wasn’t a bed for a support person so if you’re going to be at the hospital overnight, make sure they pack a pillow and blanket for themselves so they can at least catch some sleep on the floor!

What to Expect During Delivery

Basically, once it feels like you need to poop, it’s time to get pushing.

If you have a midwife, she’ll be there the entire time. If you have an OB, they won’t be there until the crown of your baby’s head appears.

While pushing, your instinct will be to get loud; however, that’s the smartest thing to do because you want to spend your energy on pushing, not yelling.

Instead, the technique that my nurses taught me was to take a big deep breath in and push as hard as I can for as long as I can.

When tired, I'd stop pushing and would take a couple of deep breaths in and out. It was over an hour before my little one came out.

The whole thing took a while for me. It was funny watching different nurses come in and out as their shifts ended.

In my experience, the contractions were painful and exhausting (until I had my epidural) but the delivery part was just exhausting.

What Happens After You Deliver Your Baby

When your baby comes out, you’ll be able to have skin-to-skin contact with them immediately, provided there are no concerns.

Unfortunately, I was only able to hold my son briefly because the midwife had to empty fluids from his lungs.

While he got some tests, I pushed the placenta out which was unpleasant but bearable. After that, I had to get some stitches due to minor tearing.

The nurse will likely massage your abdomen to help contract your uterus and decrease bleeding. The nurse will bring you to the bathroom so you can clean up and go pee.

Warning: there will be a big mess as you make your way to the bathroom, but don’t worry a nurse will always be there to help you during your stay at the hospital.

After, you’ll finally get some time with your baby to do skin-to-skin and breastfeed (if that’s your choice).

Reminders for When You Go Into Labour

1. Every mom’s labour experience is unique and flexibility is key in adapting to the unexpected: you may need stitching, you may need a Caesarean, and you may start off wanting a natural birth but change your mind. You may hold resentment if these things happen. These don’t change the outcome for your baby. The more open to these possibilities you are, the easier it will be to overcome and accept them.
2. Knowing the signs of labour and recognizing when you’re in labour will make the process smoother for you and your partner. You’ll be able to grab your bags and get to the hospital with no questions asked.
3. The labour process starts with contractions that are 2-3 minutes apart and ends with the delivery of your placenta. You’ll have some skin-to-skin contact with your baby when they come out. Afterward, your healthcare provider will complete some tests on your baby while your nurses care for you. You’ll get lots of time with your baby once you're both deemed to be healthy

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I hope all of this information makes you feel better and empowers you as a new mom.

The labour process is very stressful and my partner and I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I don’t want the same for you.

Still, I have fond memories of my hospital stay once my baby arrived and it truly is a beautiful process.

Giving birth is even easier with a plan.

I'd love for you to share this article with anyone else who is new to pregnancy so they can prepare. If you’ve had a baby before, let me know in the comments if there’s anything else you’d add!

I hope you enjoy the rest of your week 🙂