If you see labour in the movies, it’s often, well, dramatic. But most begin gently and gradually develop over hours—even days. Here are the signs it’s started…
You’ve packed your bag, written a birth plan and plotted your route to the hospital, but there’s one thing you still won’t know—how your labour will go. Here’s your cut-out-andkeep guide.
Your waters break
This happens when the sac of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby ruptures. You may feel a huge gush, or have a slow trickle that lasts a few days. “Waters can break any time during labour or birth,” says UK-based antenatal teacher Philippa Bennett.
What should you do?
“Grab a sanitary towel, then call the doc, who will ask you about the fluid: it should be a straw-like colour and have a sweet odour,” says Erika. If it’s green, your baby has emptied her bowels and you’ll need to go straight to hospital to check for infection. Otherwise, stay at home; your labour is likely to start within the next 72 hours.
You have backache
An ache in your lower back can mean your baby is lying with her back to yours and rotating into the right position for labour. “This can take a few days and may be painful,” says Philippa. “Or it could be the start of your contractions— some women experience them more in their back than their stomach,” she adds.
What should you do?
Ease the discomfort. “Take paracetamol, ask your husband for a back rub and have warm baths,” says Erika.
There’s a ‘show’ in your panties
This mucus plug sits inside the cervix during pregnancy, but will come out during labour. “It will look blood-tinged and jelly-like, and can come out either in one go or in bits,” says Erika.
What should you do?
“Speak to your doc to check it’s a show and you’re not just bleeding. Then eat, sleep and relax,” says Philippa.
You feel contractions
“These short, painless, tightening sensations mean your uterus is gearing up,” says Erika. Real contractions tend to start weak, perhaps feeling like period pain, then grow in frequency and intensity.
What should you do?
“Don’t rush to hospital as you may be sent home, but do let the doc know what’s happening,” says Philippa. Instead, take paracetamol and try to relax in any way you can. ‘Established’ labour is usually when you have three one-minute contractions in the space of 10 minutes. When the contractions become so intense you struggle to talk, you’ll know it’s definitely time to head to hospital. MB