Many first time mothers go to the hospital or call in their support team as soon as they begin having contractions. They begin using the coping techniques they learned in childbirth class right away. They focus all their attention on the contractions, and soon it seems that labor is taking forever. Women may go to bed, lying there and waiting for something to happen. On the other hand, they may try to make labor stronger by walking, using herbs or nipple stimulation.
Contractions then become more painful, but progress is no faster.
All of these activities are tiring, and the woman may find herself exhausted, hungry and dehydrated before hard labor begins. If a woman has already gone to the hospital, she risks receiving early interventions that can disrupt the smooth course of labor. Help through early labor Early labor may last for only a short time, or it can last for many hours, even days, without much progress. Contractions can be regular for several hours, then space out or stop altogether. Once active labor begins, progress is often quick, no matter how long early labor has lasted up to that point.