4 Signs That Your Labour Has Started

You’re probably familiar with the typical Hollywood film depiction of the first sign of labour being a dramatic enactment of the leading character’s waters breaking in a very public place followed by a mad dash to the hospital.

But is this really how most of us can expect the first sign of labour to play out?

Thankfully the answer is no!

In fact, it might surprise you to learn that your waters breaking is usually NOT the first sign that labour has started for most women.  Plus, your first sign of labour could be any one of a number of signs.

In this post I’ll be sharing with you the most common signs  that labour has started as well as other less well known indications - must have knowledge - that we share with all the Mums and Dads on our in-depth HypnoBirthing Courses.

I’m a passionate believer in the power of being prepared both physically and (most importantly) MENTALLY for your birth – so that you give yourself the gift of experiencing the positive birth that you CAN have.

So, let’s begin and find out what your first sign of labour might be:

Contractions

The start of regular contractions, which increase in regularity and intensity over time are what most women experience as the first sign that their labour has started. 

Now, for some women it can be quite hard to tell the difference between Braxton Hicks Contractions and actual labour contractions.  Braxton Hicks are “practice contractions” that many women are aware of from about 20 weeks into their pregnancy and usually feel like a tightening sensation across their abdominal area.

Usually, Braxton Hicks differ from true labour contractions in the sense that they can be quite variable in terms of timing and intensity – and eventually peter out..

Waters Breaking

Your waters breaking might be the first sign that your labour has started – but it might surprise you to know that this is only the case for about 1 in 10 women.

When your waters break, the bag of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby ruptures and releases fluid via the cervix and birth path. You might experience this as a sudden rush or as a slight trickle.

Next week I’ll be talking about what to look out for if your waters breaking happens to be your first sign of labour – so keep an eye out!

Release of Your Mucous Plug

You might have also heard this sign being referred to as its rather less appealing title of a “bloody show”.  But, rest assured, it’s completely painless and a lot less dramatic than it sounds!

The mucous plug that blocks your cervix, begins to loosen as you approach your due date and you’ll notice a reddish-tinge to your cervical fluid. 

You might begin to lose your mucous plug gradually in the weeks leading up to your due date or it might be released all in one go.

Other Signs to Look Out For

There are a number of other less obvious signs that might indicate your labour has begun such as abdominal cramps and an upset tummy .

So, you can see that there are a number of signs to keep an eye out for – and as always you can best support yourself by passing this knowledge on to your birth partner – so have a chat with him/her after reading this post and share what you’ve learned.

In next week’s post I’ll be answering the all important question of WHEN to call your midwife once you think you’re in labour – and yes, it differs depending on what that first sign is.

Please share this practical information with other pregnant women - forward this to your friends and family or share on Facebook.

I just gave you 4 signs that labour has begun, tell me what surprised you most and why in the comments section below.

See you in the comments!

Warmly,

Leyla