Early Labour — What to Do, What to Avoid, and Why It Matters
You’ve been waiting for this moment for months—maybe with excitement, maybe with a little dread. But now it’s happening.
You feel crampy. Maybe your waters have gone. You think… this might be it.
So… what now?
Most people aren’t actually prepared for this stage—not emotionally, not practically. And yet how you spend early labour can influence how the rest of birth unfolds.
Let’s talk through it with compassion, calm, and a little realism.
⏰ First—What Is Early Labour?
Early labour (sometimes called the latent phase) is when your cervix starts to soften, shorten, and dilate from 0–4cm. Contractions are often:
Mild to moderate
Short (30–45 seconds)
Irregular
Manageable with breathing, heat, or distraction
Early labour can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days (especially in first births).
And it’s still birth. It’s not “just a warm-up.” Your body is doing beautiful, important work.
💡 What to Do in Early Labour
The main goal? Protect your oxytocin.
Oxytocin = the hormone that drives contractions and keeps things moving.
So focus on things that keep you:
Calm
Safe
Undisturbed
Try:
✅ Resting or napping (even if you can’t sleep, just lying down matters)
✅ Eating nourishing, light food (think toast, fruit, porridge)
✅ Drinking water or coconut water
✅ Using your breathing techniques
✅ Applying heat (hot water bottle or warm bath)
✅ Listening to music or watching something gentle
✅ Letting your birth partner know—but not calling everyone yet
The biggest mistake? Ramping things up too soon.
Going into “GO MODE” before your body’s ready can actually stall labour.
❌ What to Avoid
🚫 Timing every single contraction — It’ll drive you mad. You’ll know when the pattern is strong enough to matter.
🚫 Going to hospital (unless advised or needed) — Early admission often leads to interventions.
🚫 Calling everyone — You don’t need pressure or expectations. Keep your bubble small.
🚫 Overexerting yourself — Save your energy. Labour is a marathon, not a sprint.
📞 When to Call Your Midwife (Especially at Home)
Call if:
Your waters release (especially if the fluid is coloured)
You’re having 3+ contractions in 10 minutes, lasting at least 60 seconds each, for over an hour
You need reassurance or something feels off
You just want a little support!
For home birth: Let your midwife know you might be in labour, and they’ll guide you on when to call back for a visit.
🧘♀️ Why This Stage Really Matters
Early labour sets the tone. If you can keep your body in rest-and-digest mode, oxytocin will build gradually, and your body will keep progressing.
Rushing, stressing, or over-analysing can trigger adrenaline—which slows things down.
So if you remember nothing else from this blog, remember this:
🕯️ Dim the lights
💗 Protect your peace
😌 Trust your body
✨ Final Thought
You don’t need to be a birth expert to handle early labour beautifully.
You just need:
Knowledge
A calm environment
And permission to do… less.
Want to practice your early labour breathing or set up your calm space together?
🎓 I go through it step-by-step in Every Birth Education—or book a one-to-one home birth session and we’ll rehearse it together.
Next week’s blog: “How to Create the Perfect Birth Environment (at Home or in Hospital).” Want it early? Let me know and I’ll send it straight to your inbox. Click Here