A Dad’s Guide to Recognizing Early Labor

Dad can you recognize the signs and symptoms of early labor?  Do you know what to do if she is experiencing signs of early labor?  Dad here is a great guide to help you recognize the difference before false and real labor and prepare your role during early labor.

• Braxton Hicks Contractions – During early labor your wife make experience painful Braxton Hicks contractions, these are similar to real contractions but they don’t cause the cervix to open.  It is important that you time these contractions, so that you can determine whether she is having BH or real contractions.  Make sure that you time the contractions and call the doctor when she has 4 or more Braxton Hicks in an hour, her doctor may want to verify that the contractions aren’t causing dilation.  I have learned that Braxton Hicks contraction are often irregular and don’t get stronger, they don’t come at consistent intervals.  Most of the time Braxton Hicks contractions will stop or slow down when mom changes positions.  If she is having regular BH contractions, have her take a bath or change positions to see if the pattern changes.  
• How to Determine if She is Having Real Contractions – Real contractions will get stronger and closer together.  As the contractions begin getting stronger she will have to begin using her breathing techniques to work through the contractions and may take her breath away.  Often times she will also be unable to talk when she is having a contraction.  Contractions often feel similar to menstrual cramps accompanied by lower back pain.  She may also pass her mucous plug and may see some spotting, which is called bloody show.  If she is experiencing painful contractions, this is the time when you will need to coach her to use her breathing techniques and help keep her from fighting the contractions.
• Broken Bag of Waters– The bag of water may gush or it may be a trickle depending on the location where the bag of waters broke.  If you are unsure if the water has indeed broken, you can suggest that she put on a pad and monitor the pad.  If her water is leaking, the pad will begin collecting fluid.  If you think you water is has broken or is leaking, note the time and call your doctor immediately.  Also, she can go to the doctor’s office or hospital for a simple test to determine if her water has in fact broken.  Once the water has broken, you have to deliver baby within 24 hours to avoid complications from infection.
• Timing Contractions – Timing contractions is very important and a great way to help determine whether it is time to go to the hospital or not.  There are free applications for your cell phone that can be used to monitor contractions, if fact, they can even log them for the doctor or nurse.  As contractions progress you will want to go to the hospital to be checked when her contractions are 3 to 5 minutes apart and are lasting for 30 seconds, unless her doctor has given her instructions to come in sooner, especially, if she has a history of short labors in the past.  Contact her doctor or midwife if you are unsure if it is time to go to the hospital or not.  Most doctor’s offices offer after hours answering service that can page the doctor on call, to answer any questions about possible labor.  If you can’t reach your doctor’s office, you can also call labor and delivery and they can give you instructions as well.
• Avoid Going to the Hospital to Soon – As a new mom or dad, it is always hard to determine when it is the right time to go to the hospital, especially, if her water hasn’t broken.  If you go to the hospital too soon, it is possible that they will send her home and give her instructions to go for a walk to help progress labor.  My personal motto is to do what you feel is best: if you feel the need to go hospital to be checked it is always better to go in and be sent home than to be in active labor and you wait too long to go to the hospital.  If your doctor office is open, contact them for an appointment instead of going to labor and delivery.  During early labor you should encourage her to rest as much as possible or find things to do to take her mind off the clock because early labor can last 12 hours or longer.

The best thing that you can do while she is in the early stages of labor is to help keep her as comfortable as possible.  Encourage her to rest and sleep as much as possible to help reserve her energy for active labor.  If she is willing, walking or bouncing on a birthing ball can help her progress and keep things moving.

Encourage her to stay hydrated.

Do offer massage her back, if desired.

Dad are you prepared for delivery day?