But when in labour what does that actually mean? So many women I work with want something more tangible to go on. A checklist or timing. An app. Or just someone to tell them.

Why not just go into hospital immediately - if you are birthing there?

I’m afraid that maternity wards are busy places. If you arrive with a great deal of time to go they would rather sensibly offer the space and care to a woman further along in labour than you.

Also, where will you physically and mentally be most comfortable? A waiting room? A shared antenatal ward, with just curtains for privacy? Or your home, with quiet comfort, your own food, cushions, bed, blankets, hot water bottles, bath and shower?

The three surges (contractions/rushes) in a ten minute window is a nice guide. If you have three full-on surges within a ten minute time frame you are possibly well on your way. However, it doesn’t always give the full picture. Many women may reach the 3 in 10 stage but actually not be in established labour, so leaping into the cab and heading to hospital using only this guide may be unhelpful.

So, let’s get into the feeling of it.

You have noticed that a tightening and aching is occurring and this is happening fairly rhythmically. While it is happening you need to breathe and focus, but when it stops you are good for moving around, chatting and getting on with things. This is probably not established labour.

When those surges require you to sink down into the sensation, breathe, move, close your eyes and possibly make noise, and in the gaps in between you are so focused you do not chat or just carry on doing things, then this is probably established labour.

You may find yourself wanting to head to the bathroom, you might possibly be sick. You may want to retreat to the quietest room in the house and not talk to anyone. It feels as though your body is just taking over. At this point you are probably in business.

Many women birthing for the first time worry about arriving at the hospital too late. This is very rare though. If you start to feel that heavy fullness inside the pelvis, a pressure against the lower back and the pubic bone then you will still have time to get there (assuming you are not miles and miles away of course!) and now is a good time to go.

This will mean less time hanging about at the hospital. You will, I trust, be so deep into your labour that you will be less distracted by the journey or arrival. There will also be less opportunity for unnecessary intervention or artificial speeding up of labour once there.

So, stay home as long as you can.

Or perhaps consider home birth? 💗