Greetings everyone! It’s a pleasure to be back here with you. Labor and delivery are among the most anticipated stages for every pregnant woman. Over the next few weeks, we will explore the various stages of labour leading up to delivery.
Today, our focus will be on the latent stage. The latent stage of labor occurs before the active labor stage. Labor has not fully commenced during this phase, but the body is preparing for it. Your cervix begins to soften and open (dilate) in preparation for the birth of your baby.
You may start experiencing irregular contractions during this stage, but it can take several hours or even days before you enter the established labor phase. Typically, the latent stage is the longest phase of labor.
During this stage, your contractions may vary in discomfort, ranging from mild to more painful sensations. There is no predetermined pattern regarding the frequency or duration of contractions.
In the latent stage, having something to eat and drink is advisable, as you will need energy when labor becomes established.
If your labor starts at night, try to find comfort and relaxation. If possible, take advantage of the opportunity to sleep.
If your labor begins during the day, remaining upright and engaging in gentle activity is recommended. This encourages your baby to descend into the pelvis and aids cervical dilation.
Breathing exercises, gentle massage, and a warm bath or shower can help alleviate pain during this early stage of labor.
Let’s pause here, but don’t worry; we will discuss the next stage in our upcoming episode. Until then, take care of yourselves, stay healthy, and goodbye for now.
