When the cervix is fully dilated, the membranes, or bag of waters, usually rupture, and there is a sudden gush of fluid, but the rupture of the membranes does not necessarily mark the end of the first stage. Sometimes, though not often, they break before labor begins, thus producing what is known as a “dry” labor. They may rupture before the cervix is fully dilated or they may not rupture at all until the doctor punctures them to facilitate the baby’s birth. If the nurse is delayed in reaching you, there is a good deal that you can do and have done, during this first stage of labor, in the way of preparing for the baby’s arrival, this preparation relating in general to yourself and to the room including placement of the sterile dressings. As to yourself, try first to picture what takes place during the fifteen or sixteen hours of the first stage. The baby’s head has usually passed through the pelvic inlet and not much happens, now, beyond the widening of the cervical canal, as the bag of waters is forced down by the squeezing of the uterus each time that it contracts. (See Fig. 23.) As the contractions grow stronger and more frequent you may have a desire to help matters by “bearing down,” or straining, but this is very unwise for nothing that you can do will hasten the dilation of the cervix. The bearing down will tire you and then you will not be able to make as much helpful effort during the second stage as you would in a fresh and rested condition. For this reason, if your pains begin at night, don’t get up, but stay in bed and try to get as much sleep as possible. If they begin during the day, keep up and about during most of the time, but lie down often enough and long enough to prevent your getting tired. But above all don’t bear down during the first stage. [Illustration: FIG. 23.—Drawing showing the baby’s descent at the time of birth. The head is passing through the inlet and pressure by the bag of waters has started to dilate the cervix. (Drawn by Max Brödel. Used by permission of A. J. Nystrom and Co., Chicago.) ] Take a warm soapsuds enema; a thorough, warm, sponge or shower bath, scrubbing the inner surface of the thighs and lower abdomen thoroughly, but do not bathe between the labia. Put on a freshly laundered nightgown, stockings, dressing-gown and slippers and braid your hair, preferably in two braids. Drink all of the water you want and about every three or four hours take some form of liquid nourishment such as milk, cocoa, strained soup or broth, with toast or crackers. Such nourishment will help to keep you from getting tired and will do no harm, but it may not be altogether wise to take anything more solid without your doctor’s permission. It is not uncommon for one to feel nauseated toward the end of the first stage and this tendency may be aggravated by taking solid food.