Latent Phase of Labour
This information leaflet has been written to help you recognise the start of your labour and offer you advice and tips to cope with the early phase.
Key Information:
1) Latent phase is the time when changes in your body start occurring in preparation for labour.
2) You may experience irregular contractions that come and go, your waters may break, you may pass some blood-stained mucous.
3) Latent phase can vary in length from a few hours to a few days.
4) Try these at home to help you manage latent phase:
- Have a bath
- Ask someone to massage your back
- Remain upright and mobilise where possible
- Take paracetamol
- Drink plenty of fluids
5) Ring maternity triage if you need advice.
What is the latent phase of labour?
This is the earliest phase of labour. This is the time when changes in the body start occurring in preparation for labour. It is a period of time that will not necessarily be continuous and is unique to each woman.
Your contractions will feel uncomfortable, but they may not be regular. They may be short lasting, approximately 30 seconds and they may stop and start.
It is generally a lengthy phase with slow progress for most women. It tends to be longer in the first pregnancy. Some women will have backache and cramps or have bouts of contractions that may last a few hours and then stop and start up again the next day. This is perfectly normal. As your contractions become closer together, longer and stronger, the cervix (neck of the womb) beings to shorten and open up.
Some women find the pain in this phase so mild that they can hardly believe that labour is going to happen soon; they may not even be aware of these early contractions and feel like they have proceeded directly to the active stage when the time comes.
Other women can be so distressed by the pain of the latent phase that hospital admission and pain relief is sometimes necessary. If this happens, don't be worried, each woman has her own rhythm and pace of labour.
It can be disappointing to be told that you are not considered to be in the active first stage of labour, however, this stage is not in vain as it is preparing your body for labour. Sometimes the latent phase tends to blend into the first stage of labour and you do not experience anything specific to signify the onset of established labour.
How long does the latent phase last?
The duration of the latent phase can be variable. It can take from between 6-10 hours, up to 2-3 days, although it is often considerably shorter for women having subsequent babies! It can be exhausting for you and it will help if you stay as relaxed as possible and stay at home in comfortable surroundings as long as you can. It is a very exciting time, even though it is tiring!
What else may you experience during the latent phase?
You may see some blood-tinged mucus, called a show. If blood loss is more than a streak or you are concerned about the amount, you should contact maternity triage immediately.
Your waters may go - this is called rupture of membranes. This could be a gush of amniotic fluid or a slow leak. If this happens contact maternity triage (0151 604 7111)
Contractions may be experienced in your lower back or abdomen. They may feel similar to menstrual cramping. You'll probably find that you can talk through your contractions and potter around the house.
Increased pelvic pressure due to the descent of the baby into the pelvis.
Increased vaginal discharge.
It is common to have regular tightenings for some hours which may then stop completely. This is entirely normal and is just your body's way of preparing itself for labour. Your body is making preparation in small stages.
How can I help myself through the latent phase?
There are many ways you can help yourself cope through the early hours of your labour.
- Try and remain relaxed.
- Your birth partner/s help you achieve an environment of calm, tranquil support.
- Ask you birth partner to massage your back.
- Try relaxing in a warm bath.
- Distract yourself by listening to music or watching TV.
- When the tightenings become uncomfortable, try using a TENS machine. You can hire them from various places including online. Do remember to take it off if you get into the bath or a birthing pool.
- Focussing on your breathing during a painful contraction can be an effective way of making it easier to bear.
- Do eat well at this stage, in order to maintain energy levels throughout labour.
- High carbohydrate snacks or meals are best.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Follow your usual activities; if it is at night; try to rest and get some sleep, if it is daytime, potter about.
- Remaining upright and mobile can help you progress more quickly- try going for a walk with your birth partner.
- Monitor your baby's movements - call the delivery suite if you feel that the pattern has slowed or they have stopped.
- Simple analgesia - paracetamol
From time to time note the interval between contractions and how long they're lasting. However, don't become a slave to your stopwatch during early labour, it can be stressful and exhausting to record every contraction, and it isn't necessary. You just need a sense of what's going on.
So what is taking place during the latent phase of labour?
The womb is contracting irregularly and the hormones that start your labour and keep it going are being produced.
Contractions will start to soften, thin and shorten the cervix. This is nature's way of changing the cervix from the structure that keeps your baby safely inside you, to the open door which lets your baby be born.
Stress and anxiety can prevent the production of the hormone oxytocin, which is important for labour, therefore you should try to relax as much as possible. During the latent phase, your midwife may advise you to remain at home. However, you are welcome to contact maternity triage at any time or if you are concerned about any of the symptoms you are experiencing.
How will I know I am in labour?
If your contractions become regular (every 5 mins), stronger, you need additional pain relief, or your waters break, you should ring Maternity Triage on 0151 604 7111 and speak to a midwife.
The midwife will ask you about your contractions, if your waters have gone, what pain relief you have used so far and how you are feeling. She will also ask about your baby's movements, if you have previously had a caesarean section and your social circumstances.
If you are advised to attend, or you wish to attend the hospital, you will be assessed on maternity triage and the midwife will do a thorough assessment of you and your baby and advise you about your ongoing care at that point. If you are having regular, painful contractions and your cervix has started to change, you may be advised to stay in the hospital.
Some women may wish to stay in hospital, or may be advised to stay for a short time to see how their labour progresses and some women may be advised or wish to return home again. This will be different for everybody and will be based on how labour is progressing and how you and your baby are coping when assessed by the midwife.