-By Bushra Hatahet, UK-Trained Clinical Midwife
Active labour is when your body moves beyond the preparation phase and begins making steady progress towards the birth of your baby.
During this stage, your cervix continues to dilate (open), contractions become stronger, longer and more regular, and your baby gradually moves lower into your pelvis.
For many women, this is when labour requires your full attention. You may no longer feel like talking through contractions, and your focus naturally turns inward. This is completely normal.
Every contraction has a purpose. It is helping your cervix open and gently guiding your baby down through the birth canal.
Your uterus is a powerful muscle.
With each contraction:
Between contractions, your uterus relaxes completely, giving both you and your baby a chance to rest and recover before the next contraction begins.
Your cervix gradually opens from 0 cm to 10 cm.
During active labour, you will usually be making steady progress towards full dilatation.
Although every woman is different, your healthcare team will be looking for ongoing progress rather than expecting your cervix to open at a specific rate.
Remember:
Labour is not a race.
Some women progress quickly, while others take much longer. Both can be completely normal.
As labour progresses, contractions usually become:
Many women describe contractions as waves.
Each wave:
Rather than fighting the contraction, try to breathe through it and allow your body to work with it.
Every contraction brings you one step closer to meeting your baby.
Your baby is not simply being pushed out.
With each contraction, your baby performs a series of remarkable movements to navigate through your pelvis.
These include:
This process takes time, and every contraction helps your baby make small but important progress.
Your body produces several powerful hormones during labour.
Oxytocin
Often called the “love hormone,” oxytocin is responsible for creating effective contractions.
Oxytocin works best when you feel:
Bright lights, fear, stress and frequent interruptions can reduce oxytocin production, which is why creating a calm birth environment is so important.
These are your body’s natural pain-relieving hormones.
As labour becomes more intense, your body naturally produces more endorphins to help you cope.
Adrenaline is useful if you need to respond to danger, but high levels during labour can temporarily slow contractions.
This is one reason why relaxation, reassurance and feeling safe can help labour progress more effectively.
Your midwife is continually assessing both you and your baby to make sure labour is progressing safely.
This may include:
Every assessment helps build a picture of how both you and your baby are coping.
There is no single “best” way to cope with labour.
Many women use a combination of techniques.
These may include:
Your pain relief choices may change throughout labour, and it is perfectly okay to change your mind.
Your birth partner has a very important role.
They can help by:
Sometimes, simply having a calm and reassuring presence beside you is the greatest support of all.
As labour intensifies, you may notice that you:
Many women worry that they are “not coping.”
In reality, becoming deeply focused is often a sign that your body is doing exactly what it needs to do.
Labour does not always follow a straight line.
Sometimes contractions slow down, particularly if you are tired, dehydrated or feeling anxious.
Your healthcare team may encourage you to:
If additional support is needed, your obstetric team will discuss the safest options with you.
“One contraction at a time.
You never have to cope with the whole labour at once—only the contraction you’re having right now. Between each contraction, allow your body to soften, relax your shoulders, unclench your jaw, take a slow breath, and remind yourself that your body was designed to do this. Every contraction has a purpose, and every one brings you closer to meeting your baby.“
If you are looking for calm expertise and genuine continuity of care, let’s talk.
