New Beginnings Doula Training

New Beginnings Doula Training
Courses for doulas and online childbirth education

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Activites to do in early labor

I wrote a post of early labor, but I wanted to add a few tips or activities on what you can do while your waiting for labor to really ramp up.

My first labor I watched Ann of Green Gables.  My husband and I still share fond memories of that movie because of that.  Movies, though, are a great way to use distraction to work through early labor.

After my first one, I realized I loved hot water during my labors.  Thus, for all my other children, the shower was the first place I would go when I realized that my labor was probably starting.

Other things I've done: take a nap, pack my bags, cook, put children to bed, meet with friends, take a walk.

Other things I could think of to do:  play a game, crochet, draw, read a book, journal your experience.

Things that I would do if I were to do it again:  dance with my husband, write a note to my new baby, sing a love song, say a prayer, plant a tree for my baby.

I would love to make it a time for me to focus on my connection to my husband and my new baby. 

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Birth is a Journey: Does it have to be life changing?


  • One woman might have to climb on an overfilled boat, risking her life and nearly dying as she escapes over the ocean to come to this land. This experience could certainly be life altering. It may very well color the rest of her life, positively or negatively. (I overcame this amazing struggle and here I am triumphant! OR Holy crap, that was SO hard I don’t know if I can go on! By the way, neither response is “right”. No one would judge the woman with the 2nd response.)
  • One woman may buy an airplane ticket, sit on a comfortable 747 and fly to America with a nice smooth flight and landing. She is happy to be in America. Those welcoming her are glad she is here safe and sound. She may only travel by plane 2-4 times in her life, so it is pretty memorable. But the journey itself probably wouldn’t be life changing; it would simply be a journey.
  • One woman may learn to fly an ultra-light plane to lead a flock of geese into America teaching them to migrate. This experience could certainly be empowering and life altering.