First-time moms or not, everyone can have doubts about how to recognize the start of labor, that is, whether the time has come for the baby to be born. We always hear stories of someone who had a quick delivery and didn’t even notice the signs of labor approaching, ending up having the baby before making it to the hospital.
But know that more often than not, there is a sign that labor has begun. What’s different in those women’s cases is simply how quickly everything happens. We usually imagine labor like in movies and soap operas: the woman feels a distinctive pain and that’s it, it’s time to go to the hospital and have the baby. But it’s not always like that, especially in a country where the cesarean section is highly valued1.
IMPORTANT: Even knowing about the contractions and pain other women felt during labor, remember that the pain isn’t always the same. Stay alert!
Some women, regardless of the type of delivery they want, whether vaginal or even cesarean, decide to wait for the signs of labor to confirm that the baby is really ready to be born and come into the world. But what are the main signs of labor and how can you recognize them?
Latent and Active Labor
Labor is basically divided into two distinct phases, the latent phase and the active phase of labor2. Everything starts with the latent phase with more subtle signs. If a woman starts noticing signs of active labor, she should go to the nearest hospital and contact her obstetrician or doula.
You know that day when you feel an urge to clean everything and leave the house spotless? That might be your body and hormones getting you ready for labor! Nature has its way of getting the pregnant woman moving and preparing her muscles for the big moment that’s coming.
Labor varies from woman to woman since every body is different. What’s important is to know when it’s time to head to the maternity hospital
Symptoms of Latent Labor
- Back pain similar to cramps
- Hardening of the belly with irregular contractions, 5 to 10 minutes apart
- Light bleeding or mucous plug
- Feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen and pelvis
- Change in the cervix, which starts to soften (from firm to softer) – but this sign of labor can only be checked by a doctor through a vaginal examination
Sometimes a woman might only feel a slight backache or pain in the kidney area. Labor often starts gradually with mild pains. Some women may also feel stabbing pains in the vagina at the end of pregnancy, which is a sign that dilation is about to happen or may already be starting. This phase of labor can last for days before finally entering the active phase.
Symptoms of Active Labor
The symptoms of active labor are all the same as in the latent phase, but much more intense. The most common features are those well-known by women:
- Vaginal bleeding (loss of the plug if it hasn’t come out yet)
- Painful, rhythmic contractions spaced 1 to 5 minutes apart
- Baby is low and engaged (the bump visibly drops lower)
- Dilation increasing at least 1 centimeter per hour
- Urge to push, like you need a bowel movement
When to Go to the Hospital?
It’s usually recommended to go to the hospital during this phase of labor, when the symptoms are stronger and really indicate that birth is near. You should go to the hospital if you notice a liquid running down your leg forming a puddle on the floor (meaning your water broke), if contractions are regular3 (every 5 minutes), if there’s heavy bleeding (like a period), or if you notice that the baby isn’t moving.
If you want a cesarean delivery but want to know your baby is ready, this may be a good strategy: let your body show the signs and work with your obstetrician to keep them updated on how symptoms are progressing. At this point, from 5 cm of dilation, an epidural can be given, depending on how much pain the mother is in.
It’s very common for a woman to go to the emergency room thinking she’s in labor, only to find out it isn’t time yet. Still, it’s important for moms to pay attention to how symptoms develop and, if necessary, return to the hospital even before the time recommended by their doctor, because labor can vary from woman to woman. Some may take up to 10 hours if it’s their first pregnancy. Others may have only 2 hours of latent labor before entering the initial stages of active labor and already begin the pushing phase — everything happens very quickly!
When birth is really close, the mom feels the strong urge to push — it really is like having to go for a bowel movement! There’s a very strong urge to start pushing the baby out, which is called the expulsive phase of labor. This phase probably comes when the cervix has finally reached the 10 cm dilation needed for delivery. At this point, you can’t turn back and have a cesarean. By now the worst of labor — the pain — has passed, so keep going because vaginal delivery really is the best option for both mom and baby.
Before the proper time, which is from 38 to 41 weeks of pregnancy, labor is considered premature. Usually, a full-term baby can be born from 37 weeks without risk. If any of the symptoms described above happen before 36 weeks, see a doctor right away. But if labor signals show up from week 37 on, you can relax.
In short, labor is very characteristic. Although many people believe your water has to break before labor begins, that’s not true. Other, far more subtle, symptoms can appear before labor becomes active. It’s up to the mother to contact her doctor if she notices anything unusual in her body. By the way, good professionals will always give you their contacts during prenatal care — so keep an eye on this!
Readers’ Questions:
How Can I Speed Up Labor Naturally?
In the final stretch, the feeling of waiting is unavoidable, and to avoid induction with oxytocin there are some tips to help speed up labor naturally. Taking light walks, having sexual intercourse (unless forbidden by your obstetrician), nipple stimulation, and indulging in spicy foods like Mexican and Indian dishes are great ways to help labor progress faster. Squats, dancing, and walking can also help the cervix thin out.
How Can I Relieve Labor Pain?
There are several recommended methods and techniques to help manage or even reduce labor pain. Unfortunately, you can’t make the pain disappear completely as it’s part of the body’s natural process. But relaxation activities, meditation, breathing control, massages, and even warm baths, whether in the tub or shower, can provide a calming effect for the mom at this time.
How Should You Breathe During Labor?
Breathing during labor should be as natural as possible. It’s normal for it to become more rhythmic between contractions and to lose the rhythm only while pushing, but breathe deeply through your nose and release gently through the mouth.
What Happens to the Baby During Labor?
During labor, it’s common for the baby to move less than usual because there’s less space, especially if the baby is engaged. The baby’s heartbeat can also slow down a bit during contractions because of compression of the umbilical cord, but these changes are totally painless for the baby. The doctor will monitor the heartbeat, and if necessary or if there is a risk, will intervene — don’t worry. Many readers have questions about how the baby behaves during labor and what the baby feels.
When the baby “drops,” does it mean I’m already in labor?
Not always, experiences vary from woman to woman. Sometimes when the baby drops, labor may begin within a few hours. For other women, it may still take more than a day. In short, when the baby moves down, it means birth is very near, but not necessarily that labor has started.
Can I eat or drink before labor?
It’s important for the woman to be well-nourished for this energy-consuming task and, above all, well-hydrated! However, it’s not necessary to overdo it. If you feel labor is starting, try to stick to light meals and keep very well hydrated, especially with clear fluids. Be careful not to eat heavy foods, since if anesthesia is needed, overeating can cause nausea and vomiting.
See also: Braxton Hicks Contractions – Identifying False Contractions
Photo: Kala Bernier
