Many new dads don’t know what to expect during the labor and delivery process, especially, if they are a first time dad. If you have ever seen a tv show or movie that shows a woman giving birth, let me assure you that most labors don’t look anything like what you have seen on television. A woman typically labors for many hours before she is ready to deliver her baby and it is rare for her water to break on its own. So if your wife or significant other tells you that she thinks that she is in labor, there is no reason to panic and rush to get her to the hospital unless she is in active labor and having regular contractions every 3 to 5 minutes and last about a minute. Typically, active labor can last up to 6 hours unless she has a history of short labors or this isn’t her first baby, so if you think your wife or significant other is in active labor you should head to the hospital or birthing center.
Disclosure: This post is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t be substituted for medical intervention. I am not a doctor, midwife, or nurse. If you think that your wife or significant other is in labor, please contact her doctor or midwife or take her to the nearest labor and delivery unit for observation.
Determining if Mom is In Active Labor
Once you arrive at the hospital, the nurses will admit her into the hospital so that they can monitor her contractions and determine if she is in active labor. The contraction monitor will measure the intensity, duration of the contraction, and how frequently the contractions are coming. They will also monitor the baby’s heart rate to ensure that the baby is tolerating the contractions. After they have her hooked up to the monitor, the nurse will do a pelvic exam to check her cervix. Most hospitals won’t keep mom in the hospital unless she is dilated to 4, her water has already broken, or continue showing signs that her labor is progressing. If she isn’t dilated to a 4, they may encourage you to walk around the hospital or monitor the contractions for an hour to see if there is any progress from the first pelvic exam. If there is no change, they will send her home and tell her to come back when she is in active labor.
10 comments
This post brings back memories! Your angle, for dads, is neat. I remember my second baby’s birth taking fentinel, a pain med. It worked so well I was tempted to name my son after it, lol! (jk!)
Thanks Lisa, I hope that these posts will be helpful for a new dad. 🙂
Great tips! You might get a laugh by Googling “men in labor video.” I dont think these guys will ever mistake the signs after this experience!
I have seen that video, it is hilarious. Maybe that is where I got some inspiration for some of the dad posts but I feel that they aren’t always in the loop when it comes to pregnancy and don’t always know how to ask their other half about sensitive topics.
I would not have gotten through labor very well without my husband’s support. Dads, we really do need you! This child birthing thing is NOT easy.
I agree dad’s are very important.
Wow, I have to tell you, what sticks out here for me is going to the hospital too early. And we (dad and me) were both panicking. We were so excited and so ready to be finished with the discomfort and frustration of the final trimester! Husbands are indeed vital in those end stages of confusion and angst. Great post.
I went to the hospital with my third because I was having some pretty painful braxton hicks contractions and I was shocked that they sent me home. The contractions on the monitor were pretty strong, I was worried that I was going to be sent home to have a baby there.
Knowing when to go to the hospital is so hard! With my son I was induced, so no problem there, but I nearly didn’t make it to the hospital with my daughter because I waited too long. Thank goodness we got there in time!
Yes it is. I knew with my first pregnancy because my water broke. I was induced with my second baby. And after several false labor runs with my third, I ended up with a c-section.