Skip to main content
Insurance & Billing Patient Portal Pay Now Request Appointment
Pregnancy

Am I In Labor? A Helpful Guide For Expecting Mothers

Posted on

Pregnant woman drinking water, standing at window. Young expectant lady have rest at home with glass, copy space. Pregnancy, healthcare, thirst concept

You want to be able to recognize the signs of labor so that you can get to a medical center in time to help with the delivery of your child.

That can be easier said than done, because some of the changes that our bodies go through in order to prepare for labor end up mimicking some of the sensations we feel during real labor. Many women end up experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, which are pre-labor contractions that sometimes occur as the body gets ready for the real thing. And while Braxton Hicks contractions can certainly precede real contractions, the presence of Braxton Hicks contractions by no means guarantees your baby is coming anytime soon. Some women experience these contractions as early as their second trimester.

So how can you distinguish between Braxton Hicks contractions and the signs of real labor? We share some tips on how to determine if you are in labor in today’s blog.

Labor Signs To Know

For starters, let’s take a closer look at the differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and labor contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions tend to be non-painful and irregular, whereas contractions that you experience during labor tend to become more intense and have a more regular frequency. Braxton Hicks contractions also tend to weaken or completely stop if you change your body position, whereas labor contractions will continue until you deliver your child.

Aside from knowing the differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and labor contractions, there are some other signs to watch for that may signal you are in labor. Real labor may be imminent or occurring if:

  • You Lose Your Mucus Plug – Your mucus plug forms in the cervix and helps keep bacteria or infection from entering the uterus. The loss of your mucus plug is common in late stage pregnancy, but again, simply losing your mucus plug does not mean you are in labor.

  • Water Breaking – Your amniotic sac that holds your developing baby will eventually break, and this can lead to the release of fluid and the sensation of wetness in your vagina. Your water breaking is a sign that labor is on the horizon and coming soon.

  • Cervical Dilation – Your cervix will dilate as your body prepares for labor. A nurse can check to see how far dilated your cervix is to determine if you are in labor or when it may be expected.

  • Increased Pelvic Pressure – This won’t always be an obvious sign that labor has started, but as your body prepares for labor, the baby’s head descends into the pelvis. This will increase pelvic pressure, but if you are nearing your due date, you may already be dealing with pelvic discomfort and new pressure may not be quite as evident. However, if pelvic pressure is combined with some of the above symptoms, it may suggest that you’re in labor.

  • Increased Vaginal Discharge – If you are experiencing increased vaginal discharge, it’s a sign that your body is preparing for labor. We already talked about the loss of the mucus plug, but increased bloody discharge, sometimes referred to as a bloody show, is a very normal sign that your cervix is preparing for the rigors of labor.

If you are dealing with any of the above signs of labor, contact your women’s care provider. Odds are they have already given you a plan of action, but it’s important to remember that you should never feel embarrassed to call because you’re not totally sure if you are in labor or not. Give your care provider a call, explain all of your symptoms and start measuring the time between your contractions. Together, you and your care provider will be able to come up with a care plan to ensure you are in good hands. We see and talk to patients who are dealing with Braxton Hicks contractions and false labor signs all the time, and it’s always better to err on the side of caution if you are at all concerned about what you are experiencing.

If you are in an early stage of pregnancy and have questions about what to do down the road when labor approaches, talk to your women’s care provider or the team at MetroPartners OBGYN. We know how important it is to have a labor plan, and we’ll answer any questions you have so that you are prepared for the big day. For more information, or for help with a different women’s care issue, reach out to the team at MetroPartners OBGYN today at (651) 770-3320.