Tell Me About... the latent phase of labour

The latent phase of labour, is when the cervix - the opening to the uterus or womb - first starts to soften and thin, and then begins to open or ‘dilate’. The cervix needs to open to give baby an exit to be born.

The latent phase ends when the cervix has thinned(effaced), and is 3 to 4 cms open or dilated - about the diameter of a banana. If you’ve seen my video Tell Me About the Uterus you’ll know I LOVE a fruit analogy! And then the ‘active’ stage of labour starts - this is still the process of the cervix opening or dilating.So the latent stage and active stage together - are stage one of the birth process. Stage two is the birthing stage. Stage three is the placenta arriving.

So what does latent phase of labour feel like?

As the uterus undergoes a surge or contraction, it can feel like your is stomach tightening. It can cause discomfort in the low abdominal area, sometimes it’s described as a strong period like pain but mild enough to speak through the surge, backache can also accompany the tightening of the surges.

The pattern of tightenings can come and go, it can get into a regular pattern maybe increasing in intensity - and then disappear again. This erratic nature of early labour can go on for days, or even for weeks on and off. The surges can come and go, with big gaps inbetween. They may last 20 to 30 seconds, maybe longer.

These surges (contractions), are the layers of muscles that the uterus is composed of tightening and then releasing. As it tightens the top part of the uterus thickens, as the cervix at the opposite end things and then opens. As the birth process continues, the strength, duration and frequency of the tightenings and releasing (the surges) increase in intensity and duration. These surges also help to position baby inside the womb, so their head is in the right position to move through the pelvis.

As the latent phase progresses, you may find you really need to focus on the surge, you may want to move and sway, you may need to use your up breathing to focus and relax you through the surge. Their frequency can be affected by position or activity - they often slow down when sitting and increasing when walking or moving (and why going for a walk is often suggested in early labour).

What to do in the latent phase of labour?

Because it can take a while for your body to get into the swing of things (and often in a first labour it takes longer than a second, third or fourth), distraction technique are great in the latent phase of labour.

Sleeping and relaxing

If the surges/tightenings start at night then try to carry on resting, despite the inevitable excitement! If sleep is difficult then get as comfortable as possible. You can also start practice the up breathing, or listen to one of your relaxation hypnobirthing tracks so you get some rest between tightenings at least. Focussing on your breathing helps to focuses the mind, relax the body and keep you calms, as well as boosting oxytocin and providing a good oxygen supply to your uterus and to your baby too.

Some women find using a hot water bottle can give some comfort, as can getting in a warm bath. You may want to use some relaxing lavender oil in a diffuser or in the bath, or in some massage oil. which can help calm you and reduce anxiety and fear.

Listening to one of your hypnobirhting relaxations, or your partner could read you one can be great to do. As can putting on your playlist of music.

If you have a TENS machine (don’t forget I loan these out for free as part of my course) it can help you to manage through the sensations. The light touch massage technique I teach you will also help to boost your endorphins (the bodys naturally produced painkiller that also reduces anxiety) and help you feel calm and manage the sensations. 

Eating and drinking

If labour begins in the daytime, try to get on with normal life -a great distraction technique while your body gets on with its amazing thing. Eat what you can, and remember to stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluid - remember to pee frequently too.

It’s great to eat energy rich foods, things like porridge, flapjack and energy bars. Wholemeal toast and honey or peanut butter can be great too. Seeds and dried fruit, bananas (think of tennis players), you can also eat sweets like jelly babies, chocolate or glucose energy sweets. Eat whatever you fancy, that makes you feel good and you enjoy. Good food, or food that triggers posiitve happy memories also helps to boost oxytocin levels

Keep moving

Getting on your birth or exercise ball can be great to do. Moving, swaying, circling the hips - moving in ways that help you get through the surges. Be as instinctive as you can. Being active help get your baby into a good position for birth. Going for a walk or dancing to some feel good music are great too. If you get tired and need to nap, then nap. Go with your instinct.

Boost your Oxytocin

Oxytocin is THE big player in the birthing process. It plays a part in starting labour, and controlling the surges all the way through. As well as once baby arrives its heavily involved in bonding and with breastfeeding too. It’s known as the ’love hormone’, as well as the ‘cuddle hormone’ and the ‘shy hormone’ . We release oxytocin when we are relaxed, happy and with people we love and connect with, when we feel SAFE.

All of these things can help you release oxytocin:

~ Watching a funny film or listening to a comedy podcast

~ Getting a massage from your partner

~ Looking at photos from happy occasions like holidays or weddings

~ Eating delicious food

~ Hugs, cuddles, kissing

~ Singing, dancing with your partner

So how to know when you move from the ‘latent’ to the ‘active’ stage?

When the tightenings increase in strength and intensity, and become more regular - perhaps 3 surges every 10 minutes that last a minute each time.  Also it becomes difficult to speak during the tightenings, they demand focussed breathing to get you though the intensity. Each surge will be similar to the last, and intensity will be felt higher in the womb.This is when you move from latent to active labour.

The time the latent phase takes is hugely variable. It takes as long as it takes basically. 6 to 12 hours is an average - it does tend to be longer with first time mothers, shorter or perhaps not even not experienced at all for second and subsequent babies. The duration can also depend on how worried you are - which is why I give you techniques to release fear on my hypnobirthing and antenatal course. Also baby’s position can affect the length of the latent stage, so the movement I teach you in pregnancy yoga will all help to optimally position baby and help them to move into a better position for birth.

Of course if you have any worries at all then call your midwife or triage.

I hope that helps you understand the birth process better. Because as I always say on my no BS Antenatal and Hypnobirthing Courses - knowledge about labour and birth really is power. I’ll be doing another video on the ‘active’ stage, and then on the birthing stage and also the placenta soon

Susan x