Early labor

Research on early labor looks at the latent phase, how labor begins, and what care and support people need. A review describes the latent phase of labor, and scoping reviews cover the symptoms of onset of labor and the care needs of pregnant women during early labor. A review of labor dystocia in nulliparous women is also included.

Some papers test ways of supporting this phase. A meta-analysis and systematic review looks at assessment and support during early labour for improving birth outcomes, and a randomized trial compares proactive with standard support in the latent phase. A literature review looks at therapeutic rest as an intervention. Reference entries on normal and abnormal labor and on vaginal delivery give background.

Parents often ask how to tell labor has started, how long early labor lasts, and when to head to the hospital. An educator may want slides that describe the common signs and why timing questions are best directed to the care provider for each birth setting. The papers below are the ones the Hub tracks on this topic.