You first feel labor as tightening contractions in your abdomen and lower back, often described as strong period cramps or a wave starting at the top of your uterus and moving down, radiating to your inner thighs. Pain location varies, sometimes intense back labor, but early signs also include a bloody show, loose stools, or the baby dropping, with the key being regular, intensifying pain as labor progresses, not just a single spot.
Labor contractions
The way a contraction feels is different for each person, and it may feel different from one pregnancy to the next. Labor contractions usually cause discomfort or a dull ache in your back and lower abdomen, along with pressure in the pelvis.
There are several signs that labour might be starting, including:
For most women, labour begins with uterine contractions. During contractions, your belly grows tight and hard, and you have pain that lasts at least 20 seconds (see Telling the difference between contractions and other abdominal pain). Many women feel pain in the lower abdomen.
True labor contractions build up over time. They may begin as a cramp or feeling of pressure, but within a few hours, they tend to get stronger and come closer together. You're also more likely to have true labor contractions in the last few weeks of your pregnancy.
What Are the Signs of Labor?
The 7 cardinal movements of labor are: engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, and expulsion.
Pelvic pressure is another sign that labor is near. As the baby drops lower into the pelvis, you might feel a heavier sensation in your lower abdomen. Along with cramps, this increased pressure can signal that labor is approaching, so it's important to pay attention to these kinds of changes and silent labor signs.
In early labor, dilating from 0 to 6 centimeters can take from a few hours up to about 12 hours (though for some people, up to 20 hours). During active labor, dilating from 6 to 10 centimeters generally takes around 4 to 8 hours. On average, you may dilate about 1 centimeter an hour.
Just over half of all births were spontaneous births following labours which started spontanously. These were most likely to occur between 1:00 and 6.59am with a peak around 4:00am, and a trough in the afternoon. They were slightly more likely to happen on weekdays than on other days.
When people give birth on TV or in films, they tend to spend their labour lying on their backs on a bed. But this is not always the best position. In fact, it may slow labour down. Trying different positions and moving during labour can make things easier.
Some of those early labor signs are subtle (known as silent labor signs) and some are eye-poppingly obvious!
Baby dropping, also known as lightening, occurs when your baby settles lower into your pelvis as your body gets ready for labor. This shift often brings noticeable changes, like increased pelvic pressure, a lower belly shape, and symptoms such as frequent bathroom trips or discomfort while walking.
Early Labor
You will experience mild, irregular contractions that feel similar to period cramps. You may notice a thick, stringy discharge of your mucus plug, which can happen up to 2 weeks week before labor. Early labor can last several hours to several days and tends to take longer for first-time moms.
Signs that labour has begun
During a contraction, your womb tightens and then relaxes. For some people it may feel like extreme period pains. If you put your hand on your abdomen, you'll feel it getting harder; when the muscles relax, the pain fades and you will feel the hardness ease.
Oxytocin is the hormone that causes labor contractions. The brain produces it in waves. Some things can promote the production of oxytocin and some things can inhibit it.
1 centimeter fits one finger tightly. 2 centimeters fits one finger loosely. 3 centimeters fits 2 fingers tightly. 4 centimeters is 2 loose fingers.
The first and most important stage of labour, cervix dilation, is thought to be aided by the downward pressure of the baby's head on the cervix. The head-down, chin-tucked-in, back-facing position that your baby should be in for birth can be encouraged by your upright posture and the rocking motion of walking.
An average labor for your first baby can last anywhere from 12 to 24 hours from the start of early labor through delivery of the placenta. Moms who have given birth before often experience a shorter average labor time of six to 12 hours.
5 Signs That You're Really in Labor
To break your water, your healthcare provider inserts the amnihook through your vagina. Once they find the bag of water or amniotic sac, they scratch or tear a hole in it to allow the fluid to escape.
In the last few weeks before birth your baby's head will likely move down into your pelvis. This is called engaging. When it happens any breathlessness you have had may ease, and you might notice your bump dropping lower. First babies tend to engage earlier, but some babies do not engage at all until labour starts.
These aspects can be remembered using the mnemonic called the 5 P's of Labor that include Power, Passageway, Passenger, Positioning, and Psyche. Being knowledgeable about the 5 P's of labor helps nurses understand the factors that must work together for a successful and safe vaginal birth.
As the pregnancy progresses, the hormone progesterone helps maintain the uterine lining, preventing contractions. However, as the pregnancy nears full term, hormone levels drop, triggering a set of events which prepare the uterus for labour. This shift allows the uterus to contract and helps set the stage for delivery.
Some common signs and symptoms of fetal distress include: