A Doula’s Guide to Early Labor for a Pregnant Person

“Help! I’m in early labor! What should I do?”

As doulas, we get this question ALL the time! And luckily, we have plenty of ideas that we share with our clients for how to spend this time.

Our goals during early labor are to 1) settle your mind, and 2) utilize this early labor time to prepare for later stages of labor. Here’s how we suggest to do that:

Eat!

Try for every two hours to eat something comforting and nourishing, such as

• Soups and smoothies, preferably with good protein

• Hydrating drinks, such as lots of water, tea or an electrolyte drink

Rest!

Not sure if you can sleep? Try laying on your side with your knees in a right angle or facing down using a swim donut or breastfeeding pillow to cradle your baby.

Get lots of love!

Oxytocin is the name of the game. Laughs, pleasure, orgasms you name it - it will help you relax and get your mind right for the next stage of the game.

Reach out!

Your provider can give you any information on special considerations, and your doula can offer emotional support, physical support, movement and positional recommendations and help you navigate the early labor time.

Need to move? Check out these

• An easy walk

• Miles Circuit or Spinning Babies postures

• Slow dance with your partner

• Circle or figure 8 on the Birth Ball

• Pelvic Inlet Openers

• Take a shower or a bath

• Kneel over a couch back, or set pillows on the ground to kneel on & rest your arms on a chair

Curious to learn more tips for labor?
Join us in Asheville, NC for our prenatal series or childbirth education for functional movement for pregnancy, labor, & birth!