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Labor Timeline
Curriculum Topic: Group Activity, Educator Demonstration, Student Demonstration
Activity Type: Multi-topic, Healthy Birth Practice 1, Healthy Birth Practice 2
Supplies: Headings on cards or a paper timeline
Set of cards labeled with various emotional and physical aspects of labor/birth for each group
Instructions:
- Split the class up into small groups of 2-4 people and hand out cards with possible occurrences in labor.
- There are several options for the base of this game: a long, foldable time-line showing the waves of contractions becoming longer, stronger, and closer together may be spread on the wall or the floor; a poster board with the phases of labor as headings and Velcro dots for attaching cards beneath each; or even more simply, print each heading in large, bold letters on heavy paper to place in a line on the floor. Label “Before Labor Begins,” “Early labor,” “Active labor,” “Transition,” and “Pushing” on the timeline.
- Students can then place the cards in a line beneath each header. Written on the cards are such things as “rupture of membranes,” “nausea,” “panic,” “hot/cold,” “leg cramps,” “anxiety,” “walk,” “eat,” “drink,” “empty bladder,” “turn off TV,” “dim lights,” etc.
- The teams discuss the activity and place the cards in the appropriate category. They may use resources if they wish. After all cards are placed, read back through the categories asking for explanation from students, if necessary. Many of the cards may be placed in more than one category showing the flow of labor as opposed to structured divisions. Be sure to note that many of these (“empty bladder,” “walk,” “ROM”) can appear in more than one category, so more than one card with some terms are necessary.
Talking Points:
By making the cards match your desired "talking points", this is fun way to interactively describe the Stages and Phases of Labor. The birthing person's emotional state, physical state, and coping techniques can all be integrated. This is also a good way to "review" after watching a Youtube video about the Stages and Phases of Labor.
Reference: Adapted from the Lamaze Toolkit
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