When your cervix starts to soften, you may notice pink discharge or bright red blood. This is called "bloody show. Having sex or a vaginal exam can also disturb your mucus plug and result in some blood-tinged discharge or bleeding, even when labor isn't necessarily starting any time soon. Call your provider if you have bleeding heavier than a period, consistent red bleeding that's not slowing or turning brown, or bleeding in combination with abdominal pain.
In the days and weeks before delivery, changes in the connective tissue of your cervix make it soften and lead to dilation and effacement when your cervix thins and opens. If you've given birth before, your cervix is more likely to dilate a centimeter or more before labor starts. Still, that's no guarantee that labor is imminent. When you're at or near your due date, your doctor or midwife may do a vaginal exam during a prenatal visit to see whether your cervix has started the process of effacement and dilation.
Whether you have this exam is up to you. Cervical exams can be uncomfortable, and they can't predict future labor timing. But exams can be helpful for planning an upcoming induction or for estimating how much time you'll have to get to the hospital if you have a history of fast labors.
You may have experienced Braxton Hicks contractions throughout your pregnancy. If you're having a Braxton Hicks contraction, you'll feel a tightening or squeezing of your uterus, lower abdominal area, or groin. Then it will relax.
Unlike true labor contractions, Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular and usually not painful. More frequent and intense Braxton Hicks contractions can signal that real contractions are coming soon — but not always.
Labor usually occurs sometime between 38 and 41 weeks. While early signs that labor may be approaching aren't at all clear or dependable, these are reliable signs that you're in real labor:. When your uterus contracts, your abdomen feels tight or hard, and you have a sensation of cramping. When the uterus relaxes between contractions, the sensation dissipates. Labor contractions will grow stronger, longer, and more frequent as they cause your cervix to dilate. True labor contractions are too painful to talk through, and they may bring tears to your eyes.
Find out more about what contractions feel like according to moms. You'll want to start timing your contractions — how far apart they are and how long they last. Time contractions starting from the beginning of one until the beginning of the next.
Your doctor or midwife probably gave you directions about when to come in based on the timing of the contractions. If not, give them a call and ask. These videos explain more about how contractions feel and how to time contractions.
If you're having lower back pain along with contractions, it may be a signal that you're having back labor. The pain from back labor continues between contractions, though it may get stronger during contractions. Back pain usually means that your baby's head is pressing against your lower back, though one theory suggests that the pain may be "referred" from your uterus to your lower back.
When the fluid-filled amniotic sac surrounding your baby ruptures, fluid leaks from your vagina. It may come out in a large gush or a small trickle, or anything in between. If you're not sure whether your water broke, call your doctor or midwife to discuss your symptoms.
Labor usually follows soon after your water breaks — regular contractions often start before this, but in some cases, the water breaks first. If your water breaks when you're full term but you're not in labor not having contractions , it's called premature rupture of membranes PROM. If you don't start having contractions on your own within six to 24 hours of your water breaking, your provider will most likely recommend that labor be induced. That's because your baby is more likely to get an infection without the amniotic sac's protection against germs.
Most providers will offer you an immediate induction but give you the option to postpone if you want to give labor a chance to start on its own. If you're leaking amniotic fluid before 37 weeks, it's called preterm premature rupture of membranes PPROM , and it may mean your baby will be delivered prematurely due to the increased risk of infection. Whenever your water breaks, call your doctor or midwife. Call them even if you think your water broke but aren't sure.
Regardless of contractions, if you're group B strep positive you'll need to start on antibiotics as soon as your water breaks to prevent an infection in your baby. Labor usually starts between week 37 and week 42 of pregnancy. If you start having regular contractions that cause your cervix to begin to open before you reach 37 weeks of pregnancy, you're in preterm labor.
It's also known as premature labor. It can be difficult to tell whether you're having preterm labor or not, because some of the symptoms like Braxton Hicks and low back pain may be things you've experienced throughout your pregnancy. Still, call your doctor or midwife right away if you're having any of the following symptoms before 37 weeks:. If you are — or might be — in preterm labor, your doctor or midwife may give you medications to help your baby's lungs mature, and to protect their brain.
You may also receive medicine to stop or slow early contractions. Getting these medications early can improve outcomes for your baby, so be sure to call if you think you may be in preterm labor.
It can be hard to tell at first. But the frequency, length, intensity, and location of your contractions can help you figure out whether you're in true labor or are having Braxton Hicks contractions.
How changing positions, walking, and rest affect your contractions provide more clues. Additionally, if you notice any bloody show with your contractions, they're probably true labor contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions are a tightening in your abdomen that comes and goes. They are contractions of your uterus in preparation for giving birth. They tone the muscles in your uterus and may also help prepare the cervix for birth. They will be able to tell by doing a vaginal examination — if there are no signs that your cervix is changing, it is not labour.
Braxton Hicks contractions feel like muscles tightening across your belly, and if you put your hands on your belly when the contractions happen, you can probably feel your uterus becoming hard. The contractions come irregularly and usually last for about 30 seconds. Braxton Hicks contractions occur from early in your pregnancy but you may not feel them until the second trimester. If this is your first pregnancy, you might start to feel them from about 16 weeks.
In later pregnancies, you may feel Braxton Hicks contractions more often, or earlier. In late pregnancy, you may experience Braxton Hicks contractions more often — perhaps as much as every 10 to 20 minutes. This is a sign that you are preparing for labour — known as prelabour. There are some differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and true labour contractions that will help your doctor or midwife decide whether you are in labour:.
If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, contractions can be a sign of premature labour. Contact your doctor or midwife immediately if:. If you are full-term, you may choose to wait until a bit later in your labour, depending on what you have arranged with your doctor or midwife.
But if you feel uncomfortable, you can try:. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. You'll probably be having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions by now. It's your body's way of preparing for the birth. They should stop if you move position.
Here are answers to 5 common questions about Braxton Hicks contractions: 1. What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like? What is the purpose of Braxton Hicks contractions? Braxton Hicks contractions help tone your uterus' muscles and prepare your cervix for birth.
How can you tell the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and labor contractions? There are three primary differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and true contractions: Pattern Time your contractions from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next. Look for a regular pattern of contractions that get progressively stronger and closer together. Braxton Hicks contractions will remain irregular. Duration Time how long each contraction lasts.
True contractions last about 30 to 70 seconds. Change True contractions continue regardless of your activity level or position. With false labor, the contractions might stop when you walk, rest or change position.
How can you ease the discomfort of Braxton Hicks contractions? Here are a few things to try to relieve any unpleasant feelings: Change your position, such as lying down or going for a walk. Take a warm bath. Get a massage from your partner. Practice your breathing exercises.
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