How do you know you’re going into labor?
Early signs that labor near includes the “bloody show,” which may appear as brownish or pinkish bloodstains. This is actually blood-tinged mucus from the vagina which may indicate you are losing or have lost your mucus plug, which seals off the cervix during pregnancy. If there is any more than a small amount of blood, call your caregiver immediately. You may lose your mucus plug or have a “bloody show” hours or even days before actually going into labor, so don’t rush off to the hospital yet!
Water breaking is another sign that labor may be imminent. This is technically breaking of the amniotic sac, which holds fluid around the baby. This may happen in a sudden gush of fluid or in a slow leak. Don’t worry – amniotic fluid continues to replenish. If your water breaks, you should notify your caregiver immediately.
The most important indication that you’re in labor is constant, measurable labor contractions. Your labor contractions may feel like menstrual cramps at first, but you will notice that they come at steady intervals and grow closer together, and last longer over time. The contraction often starts in the back and radiates around to the front. If you’re still not sure, try walking. True labor will grow stronger as you walk. For your first baby, once the contractions are coming five minutes apart for over an hour, lasting a minute each, call your caregiver. Speak with your caregiver for specifics.
When you go into labor:
- Call your healthcare provider first who will contact the maternity unit
- Park in any lot at Hunterdon Medical Center
- During business hours (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.), please enter through the main entrance and use the elevators to get to the fourth floor
- After hours, you will need to enter through the emergency room entrance where you will be escorted to the fourth floor
- You might be placed in a triage room for our nurses to assess your labor status before being moved to the LDR rooms
There are three stages of labor. The first stage starts at the onset of labor and ends when your cervix is fully dilated (open 10 centimeters). In the very early stage, you may experience cramping, the loss of your mucus plug or your water may break. This earliest stage, known as latent labor, may last hours or even days. During this time, your cervix will dilate from 0 to four centimeters.
Discomfort increases during active labor, when the cervix dilates from four to seven centimeters. You may find it’s harder to talk or walk during these contractions.
The end of the first stage of labor is the transition when the cervix becomes fully dilated. This is the most intense phase of labor and can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours.
This is the pushing stage when your cervix is fully dilated. Your baby is moving down the birth canal and getting into position for birth. Usually, your caregivers and coaches will encourage you to push with your contractions to help the baby arrive. This stage may last for minutes or hours and ends with the birth of your baby.
The third stage of labor is the expelling of the placenta from the uterus.
False labor is the term given to the irregular uterine contractions you may feel prior to the onset of true labor. These contractions (known as Braxton Hicks contractions) are your body’s way of getting ready for the big event. These contractions are usually painless and do not get stronger or closer together. They may stop altogether when you walk or rest, and they are usually felt in the front of the abdomen and the pelvic area.