As we navigate the current COVID-19 pandemic, many Edmonton, Alberta families are choosing to labour at home longer to reduce their exposure risk to COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in parents preferring to reduce the number of hospital staff they come into contact with, wanting to decrease the amount of time they spend in the hospital environment, lessen their personal impact on healthcare resources, and avoid medical interventions that could increase the amount of time they need to stay in hospital with their newborn after birth.
Waiting to go to the hospital until you are in active labour has benefits. Many doctors and midwives recommend it. If all is well, being at home during early labour can enhance your natural oxytocin production, reducing the need for synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin or Syntocin) to help establish consistent contractions. You may also find you are better able to relax and get comfortable in your own space.
Families who want to labour at home longer often seek out the support of a birth doula to provide physical, emotional, and educational support during labour. Birth doulas help labouring people stay home longer by:
· providing comfort measures for managing the intensity of contractions
· reassuring the family when labour is progressing normally
· helping to identify possible signs that labour is not progressing normally
· providing information to help the family make decisions
Due to social distancing measures, doula agencies like Edmonton Area Family Doulas have had to stop offering in-person doula support. This leaves many families feeling unsure of how to proceed with their plan to stay home longer during labour.
If you are pregnant and hoping to labour at home before birthing in the hospital, either in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or because you’d prefer to have labour well established before moving into a hospital environment, we want to help. While we can’t be with you during labour, we can offer virtual support and encourage you to check out our new virtual doula support options, available to Edmonton families. If virtual birth doula support doesn’t feel right for you, below are some tips for comfortably labouring at home before giving birth in the hospital.
Managing the Discomforts of Labour at Home
When labour first begins, it can feel like a dull backache or cramps in your lower abdomen, similar to menstrual cramps. You may notice rhythmic tightening. These cramps or tightenings will gradually increase in length, strength, and duration. Try:
· Sleeping or resting. Labour can be long and the more energy you can reserve, the better. Sleep if you can, or just rest and relax as much as possible. Try using pillows or a birth ball if you’re having trouble getting comfortable.
· Taking a bath or shower. If your water has not broken, you can run a bath or take a shower. Warm water promotes relaxation and may ease the discomfort of your contractions. Your partner can prepare a tub for you. You may want to try lying on your side with a towel over you. Your partner can pour water over you if you find it soothing.
· Nourishing your body. Think about what you might eat just before running a marathon. Slow releasing carbohydrates like potatoes and pasta are best but you might prefer fresh fruit or a smoothie. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, too.
· Using hot/cold therapy. Depending on your preference, a hot water bottle or ice pack on your lower tummy or lower back can feel phenomenal.
· Utilizing a TENS machine. We have TENS units available for rent!
· Changing positions frequently. Options include The Miles Circuit, sitting on a birth ball, lying down, walking, supported squatting, on all fours, etc.
· Enjoying some distractions. Go for a gentle walk, work on a creative project, play with your children, watch a favorite series while you bounce on a birth ball.
Your partner can support you during labour at home by:
· Being present to hold your hand, talk to you, reassure you, or encourage you
· Breathing through contractions with you
· Helping you use a TENS machine
· Looking after your children
· Running you a bath
· Timing your contractions when you can no longer ignore them
· Giving you a massage
· Escorting you on a slow, gentle walk
· Preparing snacks and offering you water
When to go to the Hospital
Your doctor or midwife may give you specific instructions on how to contact them or when to go to the hospital. You should follow those instructions. If you are unsure of when to call your doctor or whether you should go to the hospital, the following are general guidelines.
Call your doctor or go to the hospital if you experience:
· Vaginal bleeding
· Regular contractions for one hour. Regular contractions mean 4 or more contractions in 20 minutes OR 8 or more contraction in one hour, even after resting and drinking a glass of water
· Low back pain that does not go away
· A sudden gush of fluid from your vagina
· Reduced fetal movement (learn more about kick counts here)
Preparing for Labour
In person childbirth preparation classes are cancelled for most regions but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out. Many childbirth educators are now offering online options. In our Birth: The Process, The Pain and The Positions Class you’ll learn what to expect during labour from your body and the hospital you are birthing at. Taught via Zoom, we can help you practice comfort measures and positions with your birth partner.
When the big day arrives, remember, your body knows what to do. Every contraction brings you closer to meeting your baby!
