​Pre-labor and early labor are important parts of labor where the cervix moves forward and begins to thin. You're between 0 and 6 centimeters dilated. Pre-labor contractions maybe be irregular or start and stop. Early labor contractions may start out 10-15 minutes apart and only lasting 30 seconds, getting closer together and longer as you progress.

Laboring at home as long as possible during this time has many benefits. You can often be more comfortable at home during early labor than you would be in the hospital or birth center. It also increases your chances of having a low-intervention birth. Plan on staying home as long as possible throughout early labor and use these tips to make it the best experience for you.

If you're pregnant or even just know someone who is pregnant, you've probably heard of a birth plan. They're "all the rage" right now and for good reason! Putting together a birth plan is a good way to educate yourself about your options during labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum. 

​listening to the answers helps you get to know your care provider and he/she to get to know you. The goal is to create an environment of mutual respect and build trust between both provider and patient. ​

For most of my clients, I recommend they take a Childbirth Education course of some kind. Be it in person or online, just so long as it's not Dr. Google or the dramatize (unrealistic) movies/TV. I said "for most" because there are a few exceptions to this rule: if you've taken a class recently for a previous birth, for example, you might not need to retake a class. But overall, childbirth education classes are beneficial no matter what kind of birth experience you hope to have (non-medicated, epidural, planned cesarean, etc.).