How to Tell if You Labor is the Real Thing

Very rarely will labor just hit you out of nowhere like in the movies...here's how to tell what's going on.

So, what is real labor?

True vs. False

False labor is:

• Irregular contractions and aren't increasing with frequency or severity (meaning, the length of time from the start of one contraction to the start of another aren't getting any closer together and the amount of pain isn't increasing).
• Your contractions have stopped if you changed positions, emptied your bladder (a full bladder can cause contractions), or have had two large glasses of water (becoming dehydrated can cause contractions).
• The pain from your contractions is felt in your lower abdomen rather than your lower back.
• Your "show" is more brown than red. Brown can be a result of recent intercourse or a recent exam.
  

True labor is:

• Regular contractions, showing a pattern. They are getting longer, stronger, and more frequent. They get more intense with activity and they don't go away after you've drank water or changed positions. (Call your doctor)
• Contractions start in your lower back and move around to the front, maybe even into your legs.
• Abdominal cramping, like a gastrointestinal upset.
• Diarrhea
• "Show" is either pink or blood-tinged
• Your membranes rupture (your water breaks) (Call your doctor)
  

You should call your doctor immediately if:

• You are experiencing a lot of bleeding (this could be a premature separation of the placenta or placenta previa)
• You have any thick, green fluid coming out (this can mean that your baby has passed meconium into the amniotic fluid and he/she could be in distress)
• There is a loop of umbilical cord hanging from your vagina or you feel like there is something inside of your vagina (possible cord prolapse).
  

Possible Signs:

NOTE: these signs can go on for days or even weeks

• Nagging backache – this is different from the general tired ache that a lot of women experience.
• “Flu-like symptoms” - possible soft stool or diarrhea, maybe some nausea.
• Cramps – these are like period cramps; they'll come and go and might be felt down into the thighs.
• “Nesting” or a burst of energy

Prelabor symptoms:
NOTE: these symptoms do not guarantee that you're going to be having your baby today, its just means that labor (the real thing) is approaching.

• Dropping/lightening/engagement – You may notice that you can breath again. Your baby has dropped down below your lungs and is now sitting on your bladder. I say "may" because this doesn't happen with everyone. First-timers may have it happen around 2 weeks before you deliver, but for other women (particularly those who have already done this) it may not happen until they are actually in labor.
• Braxton Hicks contractions get stronger. If you haven't experienced Braxton Hicks yet, you'll know you're having them when you feel a mild tightening of your belly and a crampy feeling (like menstrual cramps). These contractions wont be as strong as your labor contractions, but they do have a purpose; they are working on thinning (effacing) your cervix so that you may start dilating.
• You'll experience some diarrhea, maybe even some nausea. Labor triggers abdominal cramps that cause loose stool. Its nature's way of clearing out your system before labor begins.
• Your vaginal discharge thickens. You may notice more egg-white or pink-tinged discharge.
• You may experience the "bloody show." This is the blood-streaked mucous that passes out of the vagina as the cervix begins to dilate. A mucous plug seals your cervix and as your cervix thins, tiny blood vessels burst, which causes a pink or red tinge to the discharge you'll see. When you see this, you may go into labor within a few days, or it might be a week or two. You'll continue to pass this throughout labor. A brownish tinge may take place after a cervical exam; this isn't your show. NOTE: a lot of blood is not normal. If you notice more blood than mucous, call your doctor right away.
• Premature rupture of the membranes (a.k.a. - Your water just broke). One around 10 - 20% of women experience their water breaking before labor starts. If your water breaks, your labor will start soon thereafter. If you haven't gone into labor within 24 hours, your doctor may want to induce you do the the risk of infection. If your water breaks you need to avoid any sexual activity and possibly baths.
• You may be 1 or 2 centimeters dilated by the end of prelabor.
  

Positive Signs that you're in labor:

• Your contractions are now longer, stronger, and closer together.
  
• Your water broke.
  

Its time to go to the hospital when:

• The rule of 4-1-1: Your contractions are 4 minutes apart, last 1 minute, and occur for 1 hour.
• Your contractions are so painful that you have to rely on breathing or relaxation or other pain techniques.
• You can no longer talk during a contraction.
• You water has broken.
  

If your water breaks:

Color – what color is it? If it has any color in it, call your doctor right away.

Odor – amniotic fluid has it's own smell, but it should never smell foul. If so, call your doctor right away.

Amount – take note of how much, was it a trickle, a stream, a gush?

Time – how long ago did it break?