Episode 193 - What to do if your labour is FAST
Digest
This podcast episode, hosted by midwife Dr. Melanie Jackson, addresses precipitous (fast) labor, challenging outdated information that portrays it as inherently risky. Dr. Jackson shares her personal experience and reviews research from Japan, France, and Saudi Arabia, concluding that fast labor does not significantly increase risks for mothers or babies. Potential causes like body efficiency, genetics, and underlying health issues are discussed. Practical advice is provided for preparing for a fast labor, including having a plan, arranging support and childcare, and ensuring transportation is ready. Strategies for managing a fast labor in progress, such as positive self-talk and breathwork, are offered. The episode also covers what to do in case of an unexpected home birth and advises against elective induction solely due to a history of fast labor.
Outlines
Understanding Precipitous Labor and Debunking Myths
Host Dr. Melanie Jackson introduces precipitous labor, also known as fast labor, and aims to provide current research and strategies, challenging outdated internet information that often portrays it as risky. She defines precipitous labor as lasting less than three hours and shares her personal positive experience, contrasting it with the negative narrative often found online.
Hypnobirthing and Pain Management Strategies
The episode highlights hypnobirthing techniques as beneficial for managing fast labors, recommending "The Birth Box" by Poppy Child, which includes a track called "The Anchor" for intense labor. Strategies for managing labor pain without medication are also discussed, referencing Dr. Jackson's guide, "The Guide to Giving Birth Without Pain Medication."
Research on Precipitous Labor Outcomes and Causes
Dr. Jackson reviews research from Japan, France, and Saudi Arabia, concluding that precipitous labor does not significantly increase risks for mothers or babies. Potential causes are explored, including the body's efficiency, genetic predisposition, underlying health issues, substance use, placental abruption, preterm or growth-restricted babies, and forceful inductions.
Preparing for a Fast Labor
Practical advice is given for preparing for a fast labor, emphasizing having a plan, preparing support people, arranging childcare, ensuring the car is ready, and packing hospital bags in advance. This includes having contact information readily available and ensuring support persons are prepared for on-call availability.
Managing a Fast Labor in Progress and Unexpected Births
Strategies for managing a fast labor are discussed, focusing on positive self-talk, breathwork, and utilizing resources like hypnobirthing tracks to manage overwhelm and maintain focus. A checklist is provided for unexpected home births, including contacting emergency services, optimal birthing positions, and immediate newborn care while awaiting professional help.
Induction vs. Spontaneous Fast Labor and Conclusion
The host advises against elective induction solely due to a history of fast labor, weighing the risks of induction against the potential challenges of a fast, spontaneous birth. The episode concludes by reinforcing that fast labor is not a pathology and encourages preparedness and confidence in the body's efficiency.
Keywords
Precipitous Labor
Labor and birth that occurs very rapidly, typically defined as lasting less than three hours from the onset of regular contractions to the birth of the baby. Often misunderstood and associated with outdated negative outcomes.
Fast Labor
A colloquial term for precipitous labor, characterized by a rapid progression. Recent research suggests it is not inherently associated with increased risks for mother or baby.
Birth Preparation
The process of getting ready for labor and delivery, including physical, mental, and logistical arrangements. For fast labors, preparation focuses on readiness for a quick event and managing potential overwhelm.
Hypnobirthing
A childbirth method using relaxation, visualization, and breathing techniques to manage pain and anxiety during labor, particularly helpful for coping with the intensity of fast labors.
Pain Management in Labor
Strategies used to cope with the pain of childbirth. For fast labors, the focus shifts to managing intensity and overwhelm through mental and breathing techniques.
Precipitous Labor Research
Studies from Japan, France, and Saudi Arabia indicate that precipitous labor is not associated with a significant increase in complications for mothers or babies.
Causes of Fast Labor
Potential causes include body efficiency, genetic factors, underlying health conditions, substance use, placental abruption, preterm or growth-restricted babies, and forceful inductions.
Preparing for Fast Labor
Practical advice includes having a plan, arranging support and childcare, preparing the car, and packing hospital bags in advance.
Managing Fast Labor
Strategies involve positive self-talk, focused breathing, and utilizing hypnobirthing tracks to manage overwhelm and maintain focus.
Unexpected Home Birth
Checklist for situations where a baby is born before medical help arrives, including contacting emergency services and immediate newborn care.
Q&A
What is the clinical definition of precipitous labor?
Precipitous labor is defined as a labor and birth that is abnormally fast, typically lasting less than three hours from the onset of regular contractions to the birth of the baby.
Does a fast labor increase the risk of complications for the mother or baby?
Recent research indicates that precipitous labor is not associated with a significant increase in complications for either the mother or the baby.
What are some potential causes of a fast labor?
Causes can include the body's efficiency, genetic factors, underlying health conditions like preeclampsia, forceful inductions, or the presence of preterm or growth-restricted babies.
How can one prepare for a potentially fast labor?
Preparation involves having a clear plan, ensuring support people are ready, arranging childcare, preparing the car for a quick departure, and having hospital bags packed in advance.
What strategies can help manage the intensity of a fast labor?
Key strategies include positive self-talk, focused breathing techniques, utilizing hypnobirthing tracks, and minimizing external stimulation to manage overwhelm and maintain coping abilities.
What should be done if a baby is born before medical help arrives?
Contact emergency services, find a safe, soft place to birth, keep the baby skin-to-skin, and do not pull on the umbilical cord.
Is it advisable to plan an induction due to a history of fast labor?
It is generally not recommended to induce labor solely because of a history of fast labor, as inductions carry their own risks. It's important to weigh these risks against the potential challenges of a spontaneous fast birth.
Show Notes
Precipitous labour and birth can be a real surprise if you were mentally preparing for a longer labour. Around 15% of women will have a labour that is less than 3 hours and these quick ones require a little bit of understanding and preparation to help you not become overwhelmed by it. There is often no time for pain management, you are on the ride! In this episode, Mel gives some strategies to help you plan and manage a fast labour and birth and also what to do if your baby comes before you get to hospital or before your midwife arrives.
This episode comes with 2 helpful check lists with quick tips for you and your support people:
- Preparing for a fast labour AND
- Born Before arrival
These are in the podcast resource folder. Get access to them here
This episode has been generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma. She is offering great birth rebellion listeners 25% off the Birth box which includes the oxytocin bubble tracks. Use the code Melanie at the check out to claim your discount.
Get my guide to Working through birth without pain medication here with a bonus section for your partner or support people so they know how to support you through labour and birth without pain medication.
You may also love to join us LIVE! The convergence of rebellious midwives conference, tickets are available NOW. Get your ticket here - it’s not just for Midwives!
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Disclaimer
The information and resources provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. Instead, all information provided is intended for education, with it’s application intended for discussion between yourself and your care provider and/or workplace if you are a health professional.
The Great Birth Rebellion podcast reserves the right to supplement, edit, change, delete any information at any time. Whilst we have tried to maintain accuracy and completeness of information, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or currency of the information. The podcast accepts no liability for any loss, damage or unfavourable outcomes howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.
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All transcripts are generated by ai and may contain errors
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