Preparation helps you feel confident and ready when labor begins.
When Will Labor Start?
The honest answer: Nobody knows exactly!
Due dates are estimates:
- Only 5% of babies arrive on due date
- Normal to deliver 2 weeks before or after
- First babies often come later (average 40 weeks 5 days)
- Subsequent babies may come earlier
Full term: 37-42 weeks (but 39-40 weeks is ideal)
Your body and baby decide when it’s time.
Signs Labor Is Near (Days to Weeks Before)
Lightening (Baby Drops)
Baby settles lower into pelvis:
- Usually 2-4 weeks before labor (first babies)
- May happen at start of labor (subsequent babies)
- Breathing easier (less pressure on lungs)
- More pelvic pressure
- Need to pee even more frequently
Cervical Changes
Detected at pelvic exam (after 38 weeks):
- Dilation (opening): 0-10 cm
- Effacement (thinning): 0-100%
- Softening of cervix
- Cervix moving forward
Some women walk around dilated for weeks! Not reliable predictor.
Nesting Instinct
Sudden burst of energy:
- Urge to clean and organize
- Preparing baby’s space
- Can happen days before labor
- Don’t exhaust yourself!
Loose Bowels
Diarrhea a day or two before:
- Body’s natural preparation
- Hormones relaxing intestines
- Clears out system
True Signs of Labor
1. Regular Contractions
Real labor contractions:
- Regular pattern
- Get closer together (5-10 minutes apart)
- Get stronger (can’t talk through them)
- Get longer (lasting 30-60 seconds each)
- Don’t stop with movement or position change
Time your contractions:
- From start of one to start of next
- Note how long each lasts
- Track pattern
2. Water Breaking (Rupture of Membranes)
Amniotic sac ruptures:
- Gush of fluid or steady trickle
- Clear, pale yellow, or pink-tinged
- Odorless or slightly sweet smell
- Continues leaking
Happens before labor starts in 10% of women
If your water breaks:
- Note time it happened
- Color and smell of fluid
- Call your healthcare provider immediately
- Don’t put anything in vagina
- Wear pad (not tampon)
- Infection risk increases after 24 hours
Go to hospital even if no contractions yet.
3. Bloody Show
Mucus plug releases:
- Thick, pinkish or blood-tinged mucus
- May happen all at once or gradually
- Can be days before labor or at start
- Means cervix is changing
Normal and expected. Not an emergency.
When to Go to Hospital
The 5-1-1 Rule (For First-Time Moms)
Contractions:
- 5 minutes apart
- 1 minute long
- For at least 1 hour
For Subsequent Babies
May progress faster!
- Use 5-1-1 rule or
- Earlier if you live far away
- Earlier if previous fast labor
Go Immediately If:
🚨 Water breaks (especially if fluid is green, brown, or foul-smelling)
🚨 Bright red bleeding (more than period)
🚨 Severe pain (different from contractions)
🚨 Decreased fetal movement
🚨 Intense pressure (feeling like you need to push)
Trust your instincts! If something feels wrong, go.
Better to be checked and sent home than to deliver in the car.
Hospital Bag Essentials
Pack around 36 weeks – just in case!
For Labor
Must-haves:
- Insurance card and ID
- Birth plan (copies for nurses)
- Phone and charger
- Snacks for partner (you won’t eat)
- Music or relaxation aids
- Massage tools (tennis ball for back labor)
- Lip balm (breathing dries lips)
- Hair tie
- Glasses (if you wear contacts)
Consider:
- Birth ball (check if hospital provides)
- Aromatherapy oils
- Focal point object
- Camera
For After Delivery
Clothing:
- Comfortable clothes for going home
- Nursing-friendly if breastfeeding
- Underwear (bring old ones – they’ll get bloody)
- Comfortable bra (nursing bras if breastfeeding)
- Socks and slippers (non-slip)
- Loose, comfortable outfit (you’ll still look pregnant)
Toiletries:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body wash
- Deodorant
- Face wash and moisturizer
- Hairbrush
- Any medications you take
Hospital usually provides:
- Pads (bring extra)
- Mesh underwear
- Peri bottle
- Sitz bath supplies
- Basic toiletries
But bring your favorites for comfort.
For Baby
Hospital provides most supplies, but bring:
Outfit to go home:
- Onesie
- Sleeper
- Hat and socks
- Blanket
- Outfit in two sizes (newborn and 0-3 months)
Car seat:
- Installed and inspected
- Can’t leave hospital without one
- Practice installation before labor
Optional:
- Pacifiers (if you want to use)
- Special blanket
Creating a Birth Plan
Document your preferences for labor and delivery
What to Include
Pain management preferences:
- Epidural, natural, or decide in moment?
- Other pain relief methods (water, position changes)
Labor preferences:
- Freedom to move and change positions
- Intermittent vs. continuous monitoring
- Who you want in room
- Music, lighting preferences
- Use of mirror to see baby being born
Delivery preferences:
- Delayed cord clamping?
- Who cuts cord?
- Immediate skin-to-skin?
- Vitamin K and eye ointment timing
Feeding:
- Breastfeeding or formula
- No bottles or pacifiers (if breastfeeding)
Postpartum:
- Rooming in with baby
- Circumcision (if having boy)
- Visitors
Keep It Flexible
Plans change!
- Unexpected complications arise
- You may change your mind about pain relief
- Medical necessity overrides preferences
Think of it as preferences, not demands.
Discuss with your healthcare provider to ensure realistic expectations.
Give copies to:
- Your doctor/midwife
- Labor and delivery nurses
- Your partner/support person
Choosing Your Support Team
Who Will Be With You?
Partner:
- Most common choice
- Provides emotional support
- Advocates for you
- Catches baby (if desired)
Doula:
- Trained labor support person
- Continuous support through labor
- Helps with positioning, pain management
- Doesn’t replace medical staff
- Reduces need for interventions
Family member or friend:
- Can provide support
- Choose someone calm and supportive
- Not someone who’ll stress you out!
How many people?
- Hospital policies vary (especially post-COVID)
- Most allow 1-2 support people
- Check hospital policy
Support Person’s Role
During labor:
- Time contractions
- Remind you to breathe
- Help with position changes
- Apply counter-pressure for back pain
- Keep you hydrated (ice chips)
- Advocate for your wishes
- Provide encouragement
Your support person should:
- Understand your birth plan
- Know your pain management preferences
- Be comfortable in medical settings
- Put your needs first
- Stay calm under pressure
Practical Preparations
Home Prep
Before baby arrives:
Meals:
- Stock freezer with easy meals
- Accept meal train offers
- Paper plates reduce dishes
Cleaning:
- Deep clean house
- Fresh sheets on bed
- Stock up on household supplies
Baby basics:
- Nursery set up
- Clothes washed and put away
- Diapers and wipes stocked
- Safe sleep space ready
Pet care:
- Arrange care during hospital stay
- Gradual introduction plan
Work Arrangements
Before leaving:
- Inform supervisor of leave
- Complete handover
- Set up out-of-office message
- Arrange coverage
Childcare for Older Kids
If you have other children:
- Arrange care for labor/hospital stay
- Pack their bag too
- Prepare them for your absence
- Plan how/when they’ll meet baby
- Have backup plan
Transportation
Getting to hospital:
- Know the route (multiple routes!)
- Practice drive
- How long does it take?
- Where to park?
- Which entrance to use?
- Where to check in?
Don’t plan to drive yourself!
Hospital Tour
Schedule tour around 32-36 weeks
What to See and Ask
Labor and delivery:
- Check-in process
- Labor rooms
- What’s provided?
- Can partner stay overnight?
- Shower/tub available?
Postpartum rooms:
- Private vs. shared
- Amenities
- Visiting hours
- Meal service
Nursery:
- Rooming in policy
- When baby goes to nursery
- Security measures
Policies:
- Parking
- Visitor restrictions
- Photography rules
- Length of stay
Familiarity reduces anxiety when you arrive in labor.
Perineal Massage
May reduce tearing during delivery
What It Is
- Gentle stretching of perineum (area between vagina and anus)
- Increases elasticity
- Start at 34-35 weeks
- 5-10 minutes, few times per week
How to Do It
- Wash hands
- Use oil or lubricant (vitamin E, coconut oil)
- Insert thumbs into vagina (1-1.5 inches)
- Apply gentle pressure downward and outward
- Gentle stretching, not painful
- Partner can help if more comfortable
Evidence is mixed on effectiveness, but unlikely to hurt.
Mental and Emotional Preparation
Managing Fear and Anxiety
Common worries:
- Pain during labor
- Something going wrong
- Not making it to hospital in time
- Medical interventions
- Caring for newborn
Coping strategies:
- Childbirth education classes
- Talk to your provider about concerns
- Read positive birth stories
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Know that women do this every day
- Trust your body
Relaxation Techniques
Practice now, use in labor:
Deep breathing:
- Slow, deep breaths
- In through nose, out through mouth
- Focus on breathing, not pain
Visualization:
- Imagine peaceful place
- Visualize cervix opening
- See yourself holding baby
Meditation and mindfulness:
- Stay present
- One contraction at a time
Affirmations:
- “My body knows what to do”
- “Each contraction brings me closer to my baby”
- “I am strong”
Childbirth Classes
Highly recommended, especially for first baby:
- Understanding labor stages
- Pain management options
- Breathing and relaxation techniques
- Medical interventions
- Breastfeeding basics
- Newborn care
When to take: Second or third trimester
Types:
- Hospital classes
- Lamaze
- Bradley Method
- HypnoBirthing
- Online classes
Partner should attend too!
Final Weeks Checklist
37-40 weeks:
✓ Hospital bag packed (yours, baby’s, partner’s)
✓ Car seat installed and inspected
✓ Pediatrician chosen
✓ Birth plan written and shared
✓ Hospital tour completed
✓ Childbirth class finished
✓ Support person(s) identified and prepared
✓ Freezer meals prepared
✓ Home cleaned and organized
✓ Childcare arranged (if applicable)
✓ Know signs of labor
✓ Know when to go to hospital
✓ Phone charged, gas tank full
✓ Relaxation techniques practiced
Remember
You can’t plan everything about labor and delivery, but preparation helps you feel more confident and ready.
Trust your body. It was made to do this.
Every labor is unique. Stay flexible.
Soon you’ll meet your baby. The wait is almost over!
You’ve got this, mama.