Early term labor is often labeled as an emergency, leading to a significant push in both medical and natural birthing communities to alter the normal physiological processes of pregnancy and birth at the first signs of “preterm labor.” By definition, any labor that occurs before 37 weeks of gestation is technically considered preterm. However, it is important to note that many mothers have shared their freebirth stories, demonstrating that they successfully birthed well before this gestational age without any interventions, and their babies arrived safe and sound.

Choosing to give birth without assistance before what is typically deemed full term is a personal decision. In my experience, some mothers are simply early birthers; some babies’ lungs are just ready to take their first breaths sooner than expected. If you find yourself feeling as though you are going into labor earlier than anticipated, it may be prudent to triple-check your conception date to ensure there was no error in your original calculations.

Listening to your body and your baby is crucial, and embracing the mystery of the unknown can be a part of the journey. If your baby arrives preterm, it’s important to monitor them closely. Engage in plenty of skin-to-skin contact and practice kangaroo care, which can help your baby adjust to life outside the womb effectively.

Navigating early term labor requires awareness and understanding, but it can also be a trust filled experience for both mother and baby.