Am I in labour?

In the last days and weeks of your pregnancy, you can jump at every niggle and twitch, wondering if they are early signs of labour. You’ve stocked up on postnatal vitamins, you’ve got your maternity bra packed in your hospital bag, and now you’re just waiting, second-guessing every labour symptom. 

But is that twinge actually labour pain, or just regular late pregnancy pain? Here are a few signs to look for.

Labour symptoms

Your waters have broken

Your waters breaking may feel like a trickle or it could be more of a gush of water. Either way, it is a definite sign that things are happening and you’re in labour. If your waters break you should call your doctor, midwife or the hospital to let them know, as they might want you to come in to the hospital straight away for monitoring. (Note that not everyone’s water breaks on its own, however – you might be in labour and not have your water break at all!)

You’re having regular contractions

Early labour contractions or labour pains can feel similar to the cramps you get when you have your period. You might have had some Braxton Hicks contractions or tightenings in the last few weeks, and these would have occurred irregularly and infrequently. If you’re in labour those period cramps will start to increase in intensity, and the time between each one will decrease. 

You have a show

Towards the end of your pregnancy, the mucus plug that blocks your cervix will come away. This is called a show. While having a show doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in labour, it does mean things might be starting to happen. If you have a bloody show – where the mucus has a brownish tinge to it – this can be a sign that labour is close. If at any time you find bright red blood coming from your vagina, you should call your doctor or midwife immediately. 

You feel extra pressure in your pelvis

That extra pressure you can feel is your baby pushing down on your pelvis as she moves into position. That pressure can make you feel like you need to urinate or poo more frequently as your baby is pushing on all the organs around them. Again, while this isn’t a surefire sign you’re in labour, you’ll start to notice the pressure rising, so to speak, as the day approaches. 

You are vomiting or have diarrhoea

As you start to enter labour, it can be quite common to find yourself running to the toilet to empty your bowels. It’s just one of the things your body does to help itself prepare for labour. It’s also common to vomit in the early stages of labour … or at any stage of labour, really! If you’re concerned that your vomiting or diarrhoea is more serious, or it’s causing dehydration, you should seek medical advice. 

If you are in labour

Once you’ve established that you are in labour there are a few things you need to do.

1. Keep calm and prepare to push out the baby! Panic won’t help the process of labour so do your best to stay calm. Think back to the things you did to prepare yourself for the birth. 
2. Call your hospital/doctor/midwife if you haven’t already. They will need to know that you are in labour and advise you of what you need to do.
3. Get your hospital bag ready. If it’s not packed already, pack it now! If it is packed, pop it in the car so you don’t forget it if you leave in a rush. 

Remember that hospitals and midwives are very used to having calls from anxious mums-to-be who aren’t sure if they are in labour or not. If you’re unsure, or there are changes you’re concerned about, such as your baby not moving or you have spotting, it’s best to call for advice to ease your mind. 

If you are in labour, all the best … you are about to go on the most wild and wondrous journey of your life!