Labour and Birth

• Train for your labour - be mentally and physically prepared to meet your baby
• Eat healthy food
• Practice birth positions and breathing
• Maintain regular physical activity
• From 34 weeks, practice Perineal Massage daily
• Most importantly, make sure you and your partner are aware of each other’s wishes for the labour and birth of your baby. Be sure that you are confi dent in communicating these wishes
• Discuss any fears or doubts in advance of the labour and birth
• Believe you can do it

• Squatting
• Footpath walking commonly known as kerb walking. 
• All fours position.
• Many women have found the use of acupuncture, homeopathic remedies and complementary treatments helpful.
• Have positive thoughts surrounding the birth. 
• Be fearless.

• Contractions: Contractions are a rhythmic process, building to an intense peak and then fading, it is the only definite sign that labour maybe underway. Normally you need to be having contractions 3 to 4 minutes apart lasting at least 40 to 60 seconds to be in established labour. Remember to rest and relax your body inbetween contractions. 

• Waters break: If your waters break it is necessary to come into the hospital to confirm that they have gone, to record your baby’s heartbeat and make a plan for your baby’s birth. You may experience a gush of fluid or a leak of fluid which keeps leaking making it necessary to wear a pad. The waters may be clear, slightly green meconium or blood stained. If your waters are meconium stained or heavily blood stained, you will have to remain in hospital for monitoring, until your baby is born.

Stages of Labour is fully detailed in our eLearning Hub, click HERE to access.

These signs may indicate that you are about to go into labour. However, there is also a chance that everything will stop and you may carry on being pregnant for a while longer.

It is important not to get exhausted in the early part of labour so rest is very important. If you are getting period-like pains, have a warm bath and go to bed for a few hours. Even if you cannot sleep, just relaxing and listening to some music may help you later on.

Pre Labour

• Pre-labour is the phase in which the cervix thins and softens. If this is your first baby, the process of pre-labour has never happened in your body before and it can take time.
• Thinning of the cervix and getting into the dialation phase is the HARDEST WORK.
• This may go on for 1hr, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days...
• Contractions may be 5-30 mins apart lasting 15 - 30 seconds.
• They may be mild, feel like cramps, pressure pain.

*Remember to rest and conserve energy during this time.

*Labour usually occurs much faster on the second and subsequent pregnancies: Think about coming to the hospital when the contractions are every 5 minutes.

First Stage

• This stage is commonly reffered to as 'Active Labour' or 'Established Labour' whereby the cervix has fully thinned and it is beginning to dilate or open. 
• You will need to dilate from 1cm to 10 cm, wide enough for the baby’s head to pass through.
• The National Maternity Hospital endeavours to faciliate and support womens needs and choice of care management during this period.
• The first stage of labour can last anywhere from 6 to 12 hours.
• It is an endurace process - giving birth naturally requires stamina, determination and mastering the skill of relaxation.
• Our role is to guide and support you through this period in an indivdualised, safe manner.

Second Stage

• This is the period between been diagnosed as fully dialated to the delivery of your baby.
• This stage can last up to 2 hours, particularly if this is your first baby allowing time for the baby to descend down the birth canal.
• Typically you will experience an overwhelming urge to push and great pressure.
• The role of a midwife is to support this spontaneaous process guiding and encouraging when necessary.

All women and babies are monitored closely during labour. The way we monitor your baby will depend on you and your baby's individual circumstances. If you have experienced a very straightforward pregnancy and have no issues which we feel might specially challenge the baby; then we will monitor your baby by listening into the baby's heartbeat every 15 minutes using a doptone.  However; where we feel that a baby has a greater chance of being challenged by labour, we will continuously monitor that baby using an electronic monitor called a CTG (cardiotocograph). this can be used externally or internally.

HSE Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring Patient Information Leaflet

Third Stage

This is from the birth of the baby until the placenta has separated from the uterus and is delivered. There are two modes of management:

• Active management: An injection, Symtometerine / Oxytocin is given just after the birth of your baby. The drugs Synoternine and Oxytocin help the separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. This is to assist with placental separation and to minimize blood loss during the third stage of labour.
•  Physiological management: If you have a physiological first and second stage of labour and have no risk factors the midwives will endeavour to facilitate this. No injection will be given and time is given for the placenta to delivery naturally with maternal effort.

You do not need to ring in advance to say you are coming to the hospital because you think you are in labour. However, if you need advice or if any of the following is happening, do not hesitate to call and ask to speak to a midwife: Tel (01) 637 3100:

• Your contractions are coming every five minutes, lasting longer than 50 seconds and have been getting stronger for at least two to three hours.
• You have severe or constant abdominal pain with a tight abdomen.
• Your water has broken and it is clear or has a tinge of pink. Put on a sanitary pad and check it after an hour. If it is wet, please ring us.
• Your water has broken and it is green or brown. Call us immediately - you will be advised to come into hospital.
• If there is a change in the pattern of your baby's movements.

You notice any vaginal bleeding - bright red vaginal bleeding is not normal

The National Maternity Hospital are pleased to facilitate births in water along with water immersion therapy for eligible women.

The Labour and Birthing Unit at The NMH has one large deep pool. This pool can be used for labour only or for your labour and the birth of your baby. Please read our Birthing Pool for Labour and Birth Information Booklet for more information.

Our multidisciplinary team have developed a comprehensive guide to help you to prepare for labour and childbirth.  Visit The e-Learning Hub Guide to Labour and Birth here.

This module aims to empower you to prepare for, and navigate the physical and emotional challenges of labour. It is designed to complement the information you receive from your caregiver and your antenatal education classes. 

The NMH Guide to Labour & Birth will:

Give you tools to help you prepare for the physical and emotional challenges of labour.

Discuss coping strategies and pain relief.

Guide you through the first, second and third stage of labour. 

Provide you with an insight in what is involved when interventions such as a caesarean section or instrumental delivery is needed.