Labour
If this is your first baby, this is probably the a question you will ask as your due date comes closer and closer. We will try and explain what happens during labour and we hope that will help you know when you are in labour and when you're not. Signs that labour is on its way
How can I tell if it is real or false labour?
Signs which indicate labour is definitely starting
There are some signs which indicate that labour is on it's way. They do not mean that you will go into labour in a matter of hours or even days, they are just an indication that labour is on its way. These signs include - - Braxton Hicks contractions.
- False Labour. Sometimes women experience 'false labour', when contractions appear to start, but then fade away again. These 'false labour' contractions are usually part of the prelude to labour, and are an indication that labour will start very soon.
- Dropping of the baby. The baby moves down into your pelvic area making breathing easier, but it means you will urinate more often.
- A Bloody show. This may be caused by the opening of the cervix.
- Loss of mucous plug.
- Loss of weight.
- Slight increase in blood pressure.
- Diarrhea
- A burst of energy.
Some women will notice these signs, others will not. Don't worry if you don't experience any of these signs, your body is just preparing in a different way.
| False Labor | True Labor |
| Contractions don't get closer together. | Contractions do get closer together. |
| Contractions don't get stronger. | Contractions do get stronger. |
| Contractions tend to be felt only in the front. | Contractions tend to be felt all over. |
| Contractions don't last longer. | Contractions do last longer. |
| Walking has no effect on the contractions. | Walking makes the contractions stronger. |
| Cervix doesn't change with contractions. | Cervix opens and thins with contractions. |
| Waters have not broken. | Waters have broken. |
There are some signs which indicate that labour is imminent. - A Bloddy show - This is the plug of mucus which seals the cervix shut during pregnancy. As the cervix starts to soften and open a little, the plug comes away. You may notice this as a pinkish discharge. The show can occur at any time from immediately before labour to up to two weeks before labour starts. In many cases, though, it doesn't come away until during labour, when you may not notice it.
- Waters breaking - For about 10% of women, the breaking of the waters is the first indication that labour is imminent. When this happens, some women feel a distinct 'pop' or 'ping' and then a gush of warm clear fluid; others just notice a gentle trickle. For most women, though, the waters don't break until they're well into labour.
- Contractions - Contractions are the muscular tightenings of the uterus, which open the cervix so that your baby can be born. Once these contractions have started, you are in labour.
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