Passing Time During Labour

**Nada.Leona** · 04-29-2010, 08:38 AM

I'm praying that I'll have a super easy delivery like my Mom, but if not, I'm trying to find things I can do to take my mind off the pain and kill time while I'm in labour. What did you do? Any suggestions?

**imagine** · 04-29-2010, 08:51 AM

Yoga moves (simple ones) and ballet leg and arm exercises worked for me. They also eliminated some pain.

Ballet may not work for all but they are so ingrained in my body that they are relaxing and sort of hypnotic.

Music seems to help pass the time too.

Wishing yo an easy delivery.

**Ceashels** · 04-29-2010, 09:01 AM

Favorite comedy movies. Laughing will bring about deeper breathing and relaxation, distraction, and decreases the fight or flight hormones released when stressed.

**nuisance26** · 04-29-2010, 09:13 AM

~My labors were very long. In early labor, lots of walking(around the hospital with my first, around the house with my second), having company over(ask them to bring a dessert or snack and don't feel embarrassed to say excuse me and ignore them during your contractions!), cleaning and hot showers or baths.
When you get to the hospital/are in the later stages of labor, off topic conversation by your support team can really help. Hearing my mom and sister talk about trivial stuff during labor with my first was very helpful to distract me. My DH was the only person I had in with me for my second and he's no conversationalist so I just focused on the room decor. I can pass time very well thinking about room decor for some reason.

It''ll actually go a lot faster than you think once your time comes!~

**PrairieRose** · 04-29-2010, 09:48 AM

I would think that a nice, hot stone foot massage for about 6 hours would be very helpful.....

My sil and her dh took cards and played card games.....
I'm drawing a blank....thinking back on my 3 deliveries.....I think we watched tv, chatted, and then spent a whole lot of time thinking 'are we there yet?'.....

Hoping you have an easy, quick labor and don't even have time to worry about passing the time.

**monkeywrangler71** · 04-29-2010, 10:27 AM

The last thing I want during labour is distraction. I'm weird I guess. I walked around or rested, conversation just annoyed me.

**Iansmommy** · 04-29-2010, 10:46 AM

I don't remember doing much as far as watching tv, games or conversation. I just focused on the contractions and getting through each. The contractions for me were pretty distracting in themselves. I also liked watching the monitor to see how big each one was and when it was starting to come down.

**Debbie-cat** · 04-29-2010, 10:46 AM

Conversation annoyed me as well. I walked alot and listened to some of my favorite songs. I am wishing you an easy and quick delivery!

**TigerGirl1226** · 04-29-2010, 11:08 AM

We watched TV, specifically FoodTV for some reason. Talked and people brought gifts and we opened them.

**Mom2-3** · 04-29-2010, 11:12 AM

Talking and touching annoyed me! I walked or watched TV. My labors were very fast, so there wasn't a lot of time to do anything.

Start your stretching now, it will help

**MomToTwoBoys** · 04-29-2010, 12:21 PM

I usually slept until I had contractions, then I went right back to sleep.

With my first pregnancy, I was in labour for about 14 hours. Most of that time was spent listening to the doctors argue about how to deliver Matthew.

With my second pregnancy, I didn't have time to do much. I woke up with contractions and it got worse throughout the day. We left the house at 5pm and by 7, my water broke. By 10, I had delivered.

My sister had short labors. My mom was completely opposite. I was like my mom.

I'd suggest distractions and having visitors, if you can. Usually talking to people during labor helps take your mind off of things.

**kittykatstrong** · 04-29-2010, 12:35 PM

Ditto mom2-3. I had short labors and talking and touching was a no-no. Just keeping track of when the next one would be over was distractioning enough for me.

**baxjul** · 04-29-2010, 12:59 PM

I didn't talk, visit, watch tv. Nothing. I demanded complete silence in my room. But, it was different circumstances that I'm sure you don't want to hear about. Praying for a fast and safe delivery for you.

**frugalwarrior2** · 04-29-2010, 01:07 PM

Yes labor was it's own distraction.
W/ DD i was dialated to 3 for a week walking around to garage sales. Started a bit of labor at 10A.M stayed home and made dinner for DH and went to the hospital at 7p.m. Was dialated to 8 when they checked me and 10 by the time i got across the hall. The dr. finally arrived and 3 pushes and she was out. No drugs,no I.V.,no mirror, no kidding.

DS was born in 2 1/2 hours total. He had a big head and the bar on the bed was broken otherwise it would have been sooner. Again no mirror,no drugs,no I.V. no kidding. He was born at 12:01 p.m. and we went home the next day at the same time. (after his circumcision.)
I made out 50 announcements and mailed them from the hospital each time.

Good luck. Bring cards and knitting but don't expect to make a sweater while you wait.lol.

**ttistin** · 04-30-2010, 09:22 AM

My longest labor was 8 hours, dr had me on pitocin for each one. For some reason I think he was in a hurry for me to deliver lol

I talked to my mom a little bit and would watch to see when the contractions would come and go lol