Your caregiver's observations
In most cases your caregiver will not be with you much during prelabour, regardless of where you are giving birth. If you go to the hospital or birth centre they will usually only be with you for short periods of time. Prelabour is when your body and baby are getting ready. It is best to carry on as normal as possible during this phase and only contact your caregiver if you need reassurance, or when the labour moves out of prelabour and into the
active phase of 1st stage labour.
NOTE: Contact your caregiver if your
waters break and most importantly if there is any
meconium staining of the amniotic fluid.
If your prelabour seems relentless and fairly strong, a visit to the hospital or birth centre for a check-up may be an idea, then going home again until the labour steps up another notch. Sometimes being where you intend to give birth allows women to relax and get on with their labour. If possible ask to stay for an hour or two to see if this happens. If not, it is probably a good idea to just go back home.
If you are birthing at home (and the sun is up) your caregiver may visit you if they are aware that your prelabour has begun. If your prelabour has gone on over days, then your midwife may visit occasionally to see how you and your baby are going. Again, sometimes if your midwife stays with you for an hour or so the contractions change (become stronger), if not it is a good idea to let your caregiver go home and get some rest.
Your caregiver's observations
A caregiver's observations will usually consist of performing the following checks: