Signs of labour: how to tell it is starting

The main signs that labour is starting are regular contractions that become stronger and more frequent, and your waters breaking. You may also have backache or notice a pink, sticky discharge. Contact your doctor or maternity unit when you think labour has started, or when you have contractions every 5 minutes or more often.

Signs that labour is starting

Contractions

Your tummy tightens and then relaxes. At first contractions can feel like period pains. Over time they get longer, stronger and closer together.

In the last months you may also have painless or mildly painful tightenings that come and go irregularly. These are practice contractions, and they usually ease when you rest or change position. Labour contractions do not ease.

The show

A sticky, jelly-like pink discharge, sometimes with a little blood, that comes away in one blob or in pieces. It can come a few days before labour or during it.

Your waters breaking

This can be a slow trickle or a sudden gush. Use a pad, not a tampon, and contact your maternity unit.

Other signs

• backache or a heavy, aching feeling
• needing the toilet, because your baby’s head is pressing on your bowel

Early labour

At first, your cervix softens, thins and starts to open. This can take hours, sometimes days, especially with a first baby. You are often advised to spend this stage at home: rest, drink water, eat something light and move around if it helps.

When to contact your doctor or maternity unit

• when you think labour has started
• when contractions come every 5 minutes or more often
• when you are unsure or worried about anything

Call straight away, even at night, if

• your waters break
• you have vaginal bleeding
• your baby is moving less than usual
• you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and think labour may have started
• a contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes
• you have 6 or more contractions in 10 minutes

If you think your baby is coming now and you have a strong urge to push, call emergency services (127 in Albania).

After your waters break

Tell your doctor straight away if the fluid smells, is green or brown, or has blood in it. Labour usually starts within 24 hours. If it does not, you may be advised to have labour induced, because the risk of infection rises slightly.

While you wait, take your temperature every 4 hours while you are awake, and tell your doctor if it goes above 37.5°C or if your baby moves less.

Sources we consulted

• NHS: Signs that labour has begun
• NHS: Preparing for labour and birth

Written by the mam.al editors as general information. It does not replace advice from your doctor or midwife. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.