Most babies are born between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy, often referred to as ‘term’.
Your body will go through some changes to let you know that labour might be starting.
***Key Points***
If your labour is starting before 37 weeks that means your baby might be born prematurely.
Take some time each day to feel what is happening in your body and connect with your baby so you will know when your body is starting to show signs of going into labour.
***Key Points***
***Signs of early labour***
Some of the changes in your body that may indicate the start of labour include:
- Increasing pressure in your pelvic area
- A mucousy discharge called a show or the mucous plug that has been released from the cervix, there might be some streaks of blood in it
- You might be experiencing cramping like period cramps
- your water might release – take note of the colour, odour, amount and time (use the acronym COAT) and put a pad on.
- you might feel nauseous or have some diarrhoea; you might feel emotional, grumpy, short tempered or excited.
When your body is getting ready for labour these are the signs that things are starting to happen. Your cervix is starting to soften and get ready to start opening, the baby will move into position and the hormones of labour will be produced and increase slowly.
This early phase of labour may take a few days before strong, regular, rhythmic contractions begin and active labour starts. There might be times where you are having some regular contractions, which might be a bit like strong period pain, then they will space out again.
***Signs of early labour***
***What can I do?***
If you can, stay home as long as possible during this early phase of labour. You can do things to distract yourself like preparing food, listening to music, taking a bath or shower, reading a book or watching a movie. If it is night time, try resting or sleeping if you can.
If you have other children that will be taken care of by other people you can start to make those arrangements. You can call the hospital to let them know what is happening if you need to.
If you do go into the hospital and they find that everything is okay, be prepared for them to send you home. If you feel more comfortable or safe with someone around, ask them to be with you.
While your body is preparing to go into labour it is important to
- rest as much as you can.
- Try not to expend any energy on this early stage.
- Eat and drink as normal or try frequent nutritious snacks.
- Go to the toilet as needed, open your bowels if you feel the need.
- Try gentle, rocking movement if during the day, or
- try to sleep if it night time, use lots of pillows to help you get in a comfortable position.
- Try to stay home as long as you can.
***What can I do?***
***When to call your midwife or doctor***
Call your care provider if
- your water breaks (put a pad on so the Midwife can check the fluid)
- you have any bleeding (put a pad on so the Midwife can check the fluid)
- your baby isn’t moving as normal
Make sure you put a pad on so the midwife can check the fluid or blood coming from your vagina. If you feel that your baby’s movements aren’t the normal pattern you should also call your midwife or hospital.
When your contractions are strong and regular lasting about one minute and come every 5 minutes and have been coming in that pattern for a couple of hours, active labour may have started. Call your care provider for advice.
***When to call your midwife or doctor***
Resources
Pregnancy Birth Baby – stages and signs of labour
