A First-Time Mum's Guide to Coping with Early Labour at Home

For most first-time mums, the longest part of labour happens quietly at home, long before you head in. This early phase can last hours, sometimes more than a day, and how you spend it makes a real difference to how you feel later on. Here's a calm, practical guide to recognising early labour, staying comfortable, and knowing when it's time to go. It's general information, not medical advice, so always follow the guidance of your own midwife or hospital.

What is early labour?

Early labour, sometimes called the latent phase, is when your body is slowly getting ready. Your cervix begins to soften and open, and contractions start, but they're usually irregular and manageable. For a first baby this phase is often the longest, and it can come and go over many hours. The reassuring part: if your pregnancy has been healthy, this is exactly the stage you're meant to spend at home.

Signs that early labour has started

Labour looks different for everyone, but common early signs include:

• A 'show', a small amount of bloodstained, jelly-like mucus as the plug from your cervix comes away.
• Period-like cramps, or a dull, aching lower back.
• Irregular contractions or tightenings that gradually build.
• An upset tummy or loose bowels.
• Your waters breaking, as a gush or a slow trickle.

Not everyone gets every sign, and they can appear in any order. If you're unsure whether what you're feeling is labour, it's always fine to call your midwife or hospital and ask.

Why staying home (when all is well) is a good thing

If your pregnancy has been straightforward, Australian health services generally advise staying home during early labour. At home you can move freely, rest, and do whatever feels right, which often helps labour settle into a rhythm. There's no need to be at hospital until your contractions are regular and strong. Arriving too early can mean a long wait in an unfamiliar room, which many women find less relaxing than being in their own space.

How to cope with early labour at home

Rest and save your energy

This is the single most useful thing you can do, especially if early labour starts overnight. Try to rest or even sleep between contractions. You'll want that energy later, so resist the urge to stay up timing every twinge.

Eat lightly and keep drinking

Labour is hard physical work. Have small, easy snacks and sip water or a drink regularly to stay hydrated and keep your energy up.

Move and change position

Staying upright and mobile uses gravity to help your baby move down. Walk, sway, rock on a birth ball, or lean over cushions. Simply changing position every so often can make contractions feel more manageable, and getting onto hands and knees can ease a sore back.

Warm water and heat

A warm shower aimed at your lower back, or a deep bath, is wonderfully soothing. A warm heat pack on your back or lower belly is another simple comfort many women reach for early on.

A labour TENS machine

A TENS machine is a popular drug-free comfort option for early labour that you can start using at home. It sends gentle pulses through pads on your lower back and you control the strength yourself. It has no known side effects for you or your baby, and many women like having one ready to go. If you'd like one for your birth, we hire labour TENS machines across South-East Queensland.

Breathe and stay calm

Slow, steady breathing helps keep you relaxed and stops tension building. A long breath out through each contraction, and rest in between. Techniques from antenatal classes or hypnobirthing give you something steady to focus on.

Distract yourself

In the early hours, distraction is your friend. Watch a favourite show, potter around, bake, go for a gentle walk, or nap. The more relaxed and unhurried you feel, the better.

Timing your contractions

At some point it helps to start timing. Note how long each contraction lasts (from the start of one tightening to when it eases) and how far apart they are (from the start of one to the start of the next). You don't need to time every single one, just enough to see the pattern and whether they're getting longer, stronger and closer together. A free contraction-timer app makes this easy.

When to head to hospital or call your midwife

Every hospital gives its own guidance, so follow the advice you've been given. As a common general guide, many services suggest heading in when your contractions are around 5 minutes apart, lasting about 45 to 60 seconds, and have been that way for about an hour. You should also go in, or call, if you live a long way from your birth place, or if you simply no longer feel comfortable being at home. When in doubt, ring the midwives. They will ask a few questions and help you decide, and they would always rather you called.

When to call straight away

Some things mean you should contact your hospital or midwife immediately, at any hour:

• Your waters break, especially if the fluid is green or brown, or you're not sure.
• Any bleeding from your vagina.
• Your baby is moving less than usual, or their movements have changed.
• Contractions start before 37 weeks.
• A severe headache, blurred vision or sudden swelling, which can be signs of pre-eclampsia.

Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance if you think baby may arrive before you reach hospital, or if you have heavy bleeding or those pre-eclampsia symptoms.

A gentle word for first-time mums

Early labour can feel exciting, nerve-wracking and slow all at once, and that's completely normal. Trust that your body knows what it's doing, lean on your support person, and take it one contraction at a time. You've got this, and help is only ever a phone call away.

References and further reading

• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (early signs of labour)
• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (contractions)
• healthdirect (giving birth: contractions)
• Better Health Channel (pregnancy and labour)

Frequently asked questions