09/02/2023
Birthful Birth Mantra Monday✨ 𝗔 𝟱-𝟭-𝟭 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂.
That 5-1-1 means that contractions are FIVE minutes apart, lasting for ONE minute or more, and this has been going on for ONE hour.
Depending on your provider, that number may be 3-1-1 or 4-1-1, which just means that they are looking for contractions to be 3 minutes apart or 4 minutes apart. This number is used as a guide for when it may be time to go to the hospital or birth center (if you are going anywhere) because that tends to be the character of contractions as you get into active labor.
Usually, that contraction pattern carries an intensity that is hard to miss! A 5-1-1 contraction pattern is not going to sneak up on you, and so you certainly do not need to waste your energy timing contractions that are spread out and not very intense. Trust your body, when it's time go, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄.
In fact, I go as far as to say that timing contractions is the systemic first intervention of labor, since it shifts the focus to a thinking brain, linear process that can actually keep it from advancing.
Instead, ignore early labor until you can't ignore it anymore, and if you are the birth partner, focus your energy on supporting the birthing person, making sure they are well-rested, hydrated, fed, and pampered. Also, make sure the bags are packed and ready, and that you've given your doula a heads-up.
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