Signs that labour may be starting
How to tell early labour from a false alarm, and the clear signs that mean it is time to call.
In the final weeks, it is natural to wonder whether every twinge is the real thing. Labour often builds slowly, and the early signs can be easy to miss or mistake for something else. Here is what to look out for, and when to get in touch.
A common early sign is a show, when the plug of mucus that has sealed your cervix comes away. It may be pink, brownish or streaked with a little blood, and can appear days before labour or as it begins. A small amount of blood-streaked mucus is usually normal. Heavier, fresh red bleeding is not, so contact your maternity unit straight away if that happens.
Contractions are the key sign. Early on they may feel like period pains or a tightening across your bump that comes and goes. As real labour establishes, contractions usually become regular, longer, stronger and closer together, and they do not ease off if you move or rest. Practice tightenings (Braxton Hicks) tend to be irregular and fade away.
Your waters may break, as a gush or a slow trickle. Note the time, and the colour. Clear or pale fluid is usual. If the fluid is green, brown or smells unpleasant, or you notice it is heavily bloodstained, call your maternity unit, as your baby may need checking sooner.
A quick word on skin tone and what to watch. If you have brown or black skin, redness can be harder to see, so judge changes by warmth, swelling, tenderness or how an area feels compared with the skin around it rather than looking only for redness. This matters if you ever notice a hot, tender or swollen patch, which should always be reported.
Call your midwife or maternity unit if your contractions are strong and regular (a common guide is around three in ten minutes), if your waters break, if your baby is moving less than usual, if you have any fresh bleeding, or simply if you feel worried. Trust your instincts. You will never be a nuisance for checking, and your team would always rather hear from you.
This is placeholder content and will be reviewed by a midwife before going live.
Source: NHS