Labor: How will I know?

Many women who have never experienced labor wonder how they will know labor has begun.  While labor is different for every woman, here are a few things to keep in mind if you think you may be in labor. Full term labor is different from preterm labor. For information on preterm labor, see the previous post. If you are 37 weeks or more along in your pregnancy, this may help you determine if you are in labor.

What are contractions?

Contractions are actually the contractions of the uterus, or a shortening and tightening of the uterus. The uterus is a muscle and contracts just like any other muscle will. In early labor, uterine contractions are usually short (less than 30 sec) and painless. In early labor, contractions may come every 2- 15 minutes. When the uterine contractions become strong enough, they will start to open and thin out the cervix (the opening to the uterus). As labor progresses, uterine contractions become longer (over 45 sec), stronger (increasingly uncomfortable), and increase in frequency (every 2-5 minutes)

                                                     Early Labor              Active Labor

Discomfort                                       Slight                       Stronger

Length of contractions                  10 - 45 sec               45-90 sec

Frequency of contractions          2 -15 minutes           2- 5 minutes

Early labor often mimics what you experience when you have your period, or will be like a very strong period.  If you had backache or menstrual cramps when you had your period, this is most likely what you will experience in early labor. Early labor can be off and on. It can start and stop or it can also be steady.  Early labor in a first time mom can last from 2 to 24 hours. Once early labor is over, the mother usually will experience an increase in the amount of discomfort caused by the contractions as well as an increase in the intensity and the frequency of the contractions.

Quick labors or precipitous labors in a first time mom are the exception and not the rule. Many women hear stories about a friend or sister's labor that was only 2 or 3 hours long. A precipitous can happen, but it is much more likely to happen for women who are having their 2nd or 3rd child. Precipitous deliveries are also more common in a woman who is not yet 37 weeks.  The next time you hear of a story when a woman gave birth very quickly, most likely she was not having her first child or she was not yet 37 weeks.

The water breaking: Always contact your health care provider if your water breaks. The water breaking may bring on the start of labor, or it may happen while you are already in labor. You also can have your water break and labor does not start.  The water breaking does not necessarily mean that labor has begun.

If you think you are in labor, it is good to consult with your health care provider for advice.