Episode 49: Normalizing Prodromal Labor

Prodromal labor is one of the most misunderstood topics amongst doulas today.

The hallmark of prodromal labor is uncomfortable and often times painful contractions that stop and start. For some pregnant individuals, this happens over the course of days. For others, over the course of weeks. The changes that prodromal labor bring are not often observable from the outside. As a result, many doulas are taught that the cause for these contractions is a malposition of the baby.

To understand prodromal labor one must first understand the definition:

By definition and function, it is a precursor to active labor.

What it is not, is a pathology. It is not a signal that the baby may be in a bad position. The client’s body is not in some way broken or defective. It is not a sign that there is something that needs to be fixed. Yet these mentalities are prevalent amongst birth workers today.

How a doula responds to a client experiencing prodromal labor will shape the client’s experience in either a positive or negative way.

When a doula is focused on fixing a perceived problem, the client receives a clear message. As a result, they often feel there is something wrong with their body or their baby. In addition, they can later blame themselves for not being able to achieve the outcome that the doula was so focused on. When doulas focus on addressing the client’s emotional and physical discomforts and normalizing the experience of prodromal labor the client often feels more in control.

Come join us as we break down prodromal labor, discuss why it is not a pathology, and how to support clients through this mentally and physically draining precursor to active labor.