labor basics
Signs of Labor - When It's Starting
Recognizing true labor signs including contractions, water breaking, and bloody show.
Overview
Knowing the signs of labor helps you identify when it's time to head to the hospital. True labor signs include regular contractions that get stronger and closer together, your water breaking, and bloody show.
Many women experience false labor (Braxton Hicks) in late pregnancy, which can be confusing. True labor contractions have a regular pattern, increase in intensity, don't stop with rest, and cause cervical change.
Labor can start gradually or suddenly. Some women have clear signs like water breaking, while others have a slow build-up over hours or days.
💡 Key Points
- •Regular contractions that get progressively stronger and closer
- •Contractions that don't stop when you rest or change position
- •Water breaking (gush or trickle of amniotic fluid)
- •Bloody show (thick mucus plug with blood)
- •Back pain that radiates to abdomen
- •Cervical dilation confirmed by healthcare provider
📖 What to Know
- →Only 15% of women have water break before contractions start
- →Braxton Hicks vs. true labor: true labor has regular pattern
- →Losing mucus plug can happen weeks before labor
- →Early labor can last hours or days
- →Use 5-1-1 rule: contractions 5 min apart, lasting 1 min, for 1 hour
- →Call provider if water breaks regardless of contractions
- →Trust your instincts - call if something feels wrong
✓ How to Prepare
- →Learn difference between true and false labor
- →Know when to call doctor vs. go to hospital
- →Time contractions with app or stopwatch
- →Have hospital bag packed by 36 weeks
- →Discuss signs with provider at appointments
- →Don't rush to hospital too early unless water breaks
- →Stay calm and hydrated during early labor at home