Just as pregnancy is different for every woman, the start of labor, the signs of labor, and the length of time it takes to go through labor vary from woman to woman and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. The primary sign of labor is a series of contractions tightening and relaxing of the uterus that arrive regularly. Over time, they become stronger, last longer, and are more frequent.
Some women may experience false labor , when contractions are weak or irregular or stop when the woman changes positions. Women who have regular contractions every 5 to 10 minutes for an hour should let their health care provider know. It is important to discuss labor and signs of labor with a health care provider early in pregnancy, before labor begins. Some providers may want a woman to wait until she has multiple signs of labor or is in "active" labor before coming to the hospital or birthing center.
Labor contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy are a sign of preterm labor. Amniotic fluid is clear and pale. Sometimes it's difficult to tell amniotic fluid from urine.
When your waters break, the water may be a little bloodstained to begin with. If your waters break before labour starts, call your midwife. Use a sanitary pad not a tampon so your midwife can check the colour of the waters. It's usual to go into labour within 24 hours of the waters breaking.
You'll be offered an induction if you do not because, without amniotic fluid, there's an increased risk of infection for your baby. Until your induction, or if you choose to wait for labour to start naturally, tell your midwife immediately if:. You should take your temperature every 4 hours when you're awake, and tell your midwife if it's raised. A raised temperature is usually above There's no evidence that having a bath or shower after your waters have broken increases your risk of infection, but having sex might.
Find out what happens during labour and birth , and what you can do for pain relief in the early stages of labour. For information and advice you can trust, sign up for weekly Start4Life pregnancy and baby emails. You can find pregnancy and baby apps and tools in the NHS apps library.
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Tell us what you think Thanks for adding your feedback. All rights reserved. Close Sign in. If you go home, you should make sure you eat and drink, as you'll need the energy. At night, try to get comfortable and relaxed. If you can, try to sleep. A warm bath or shower may help you to relax. During the day, keep upright and gently active. This helps the baby to move down into the pelvis and helps the cervix to dilate.
Once labour is established, the midwife will check you from time to time to see how you are progressing. In a first labour, the time from the start of established labour to full dilation is usually between 6 and 12 hours about 8 hours on average. It is often quicker for subsequent pregnancies. Your midwife will tell you to try not to push until your cervix is fully open and the baby's head can be seen. To help you get over the urge to push, try blowing out slowly and gently or, if the urge is too strong, in little puffs.
Some people find this easier lying on their side, or on their knees and elbows, to reduce the pressure of the baby's head on the cervix. Your baby's heart rate will be monitored throughout labour.
Your midwife will watch for any marked change in the rate, which could be a sign that the baby is distressed and that something needs to be done. Read more on how your baby's heart will be monitored during labour. Your labour may be slower than expected if your contractions are not frequent or strong enough or because your baby is in an awkward position.
If this is the case, your doctor or midwife will explain why they think labour should be sped up and may recommend the following techniques to get things moving:. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Information to help you make an informed choice for you and your baby about using water during the first stage of your labour or having a waterbirth. Read more on WA Health website.
Induced labour is a medical treatment to start labour. It may be recommended if your baby needs to be born before labour is due to start naturally. Your doctor may need to intervene to help you have your baby. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Find out why here. Every woman experiences pain in a different way. The way you experience pain depends on your emotional, psychological, social, motivational and cultural circumstances.
Every woman responds and copes differently with the pain of labour and childbirth.
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