Labor is another word for your body’s natural process of childbirth. It starts with your first steady contractions and goes through the delivery of both your baby and placenta. Show
Some women have very distinct signs of labor, while others don’t. No one knows what causes labor to start or when it will start, but several hormonal and physical changes help indicate the beginning of labor. Lightening during labor The process of your baby settling or lowering into your pelvis just before labor is called lightening. It’s also referred to as the baby “dropping.”
Passing of the mucus plug The mucus plug accumulates at the cervix during pregnancy. When the cervix begins to open wider, the mucus is discharged into the vagina. It may be clear, pink, or slightly bloody. This is also known as “show” or “bloody show.” Labor may begin soon after the mucus plug is discharged or one to two weeks later. Labor contractions Contractions are the tightening of the muscles of the uterus. During contractions, the abdomen becomes hard. Between contractions, the uterus relaxes and the abdomen becomes soft. The way a contraction feels is different for each woman, and it may feel different from one pregnancy to the next.
Diarrhea You may notice your poops are loose or watery. This may mean you are within a day or two of labor beginning. Weight loss While you’re pregnant, it may seem like you’re never going to stop gaining weight. But many women actually lose a few pounds in the days leading up to labor. Nesting instinct Some women find themselves with an urge to get ready shortly before their baby’s arrival. That’s known as the nesting instinct. Activity of the baby Your baby may move less as you get closer to the start of labor, but let your doctor know. It can sometimes be a sign of a problem. Cramps and back pain It may be hard to recognize a contraction, especially with your first baby. Many women have what feels like menstrual cramps in the lower abdomen. They may stay the same or they may come and go. You might also have pain in your lower back that either stays or comes and goes. Looser joints If you find yourself “waddling” as your pregnancy winds down, that’s just your body getting ready for the job ahead. A hormone called relaxin loosens up the ligaments around your pelvis to make it easier for the baby to pass through. Water breaking The rupture of the amniotic membrane (the fluid-filled sac that surrounds the baby during pregnancy) may happen before you get to the hospital.
Effacement During labor, your cervix gets shorter and thins out in order to stretch and open around your baby's head. The shortening and thinning of the cervix is called effacement. Your health care provider will be able to tell you if there are changes to the cervix during a pelvic exam. Effacement is measured in percentages from 0% to 100%. If there are no changes to the cervix, it is described as 0% effaced. When the cervix is half the normal thickness, it is 50% effaced. When the cervix is completely thinned out, it is 100% effaced. Dilation The stretching and opening of your cervix is called dilation and is measured in centimeters, with complete dilation being at 10 centimeters. Effacement and dilation are a direct result of effective uterine contractions. Progress in labor is measured by how much the cervix has opened and thinned to allow your baby to pass through the vagina. What's the Difference Between True Labor and False Labor?Before "true" labor begins, you may have "false" labor pains, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions. These irregular uterine contractions are perfectly normal and may start to occur in your second trimester, although more commonly in your third trimester of pregnancy. They are your body's way of getting ready for the "real thing." What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like? Braxton Hicks contractions can be described as a tightening in the abdomen that comes and goes. These contractions do not get closer together, do not increase with walking, do not increase in duration, and do not feel stronger over time as they do when you are in true labor. How do I know when I am in true labor? To figure out if the contractions you are feeling are the real thing, ask yourself the following questions. Contraction CharacteristicsFalse LaborTrue LaborHow often do the contractions occur?Contractions are often irregular and do not get closer together.Contractions come at regular intervals and last about 30-70 seconds. As time progresses, they get closer together.Do they change with movement?Contractions may stop when you walk or rest, or may even stop if you change positions.Contractions continue despite movement or changing positions.How strong are they?Contractions are usually weak and do not get much stronger. Or they may be strong at first and then get weaker.Contractions steadily increase in strength.Where do you feel the pain?Contractions are usually only felt in the front of the abdomen or pelvic region.Contractions usually start in the lower back and move to the front of the abdomen.When you think you are in true labor, start timing your contractions. To do this, write down the time each contraction starts and stops or have someone do it for you. The time between contractions includes the length or duration of the contraction and the minutes in between the contractions (called the interval). Mild contractions generally begin 15 to 20 minutes apart and last 60 to 90 seconds. The contractions become more regular until they are less than 5 minutes apart. Active labor (the time you should come into the hospital) is usually characterized by strong contractions that last 45 to 60 seconds and occur 3 to 4 minutes apart. It’s best to go through the first stage of labor (called the Latent Phase) in the comfort of your home. Here are some tips to help you manage: When Should I Call My Health Care Provider or Go to the Hospital?When you suspect you are in true labor, call your health care provider. Also, call:
Your health care provider will give you specific guidelines about when you should get ready to come to the hospital. SOURCES American Pregnancy Association. March of Dimes: “Contractions and Signs of Labor.” Mayo Clinic: “Stages of labor and birth: Baby, it’s time!” “Signs of labor: Know what to expect.” Saint Francis Healthcare System: “Labor & Delivery.” Care New England Health System: “Signs of Labor.” American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “How to Tell When Labor Begins,” “Preterm Labor and Birth.” |