3 min read · How to recognise early labour and when to contact your maternity team
A tightening.
A strange ache in your back.
Something that feels different from yesterday.
By the final weeks of pregnancy, almost every new sensation can make you wonder whether labour is beginning.
Sometimes it is.
Sometimes your body is simply practising.
Here are the signs worth knowing — and, more importantly, the situations when you should contact your maternity care team.
1. Contractions that develop a pattern
A contraction happens when the muscles of your uterus tighten and then relax.
During true labour, contractions generally become:
- more regular;
- stronger;
- longer;
- closer together.
They may feel like strong period-type pain while your abdomen becomes firm during each contraction.
What about Braxton Hicks?
Braxton Hicks are practice tightenings that are common towards the end of pregnancy.
They usually do not progressively become longer, stronger and more frequent in the way labour contractions tend to.
If you are unsure which you are experiencing, call your maternity team for advice.
2. A “show”
During pregnancy, mucus helps seal the cervix.
As the cervix begins changing before labour, some of this mucus may come away.
This is often called a show.
It may look sticky or jelly-like and can be pink because it contains a small amount of blood.
A show can happen shortly before labour — or several days before it.
Some people never notice one at all.
3. Backache or pressure
You may notice a heavy aching feeling in your lower back or increasing pressure lower in the pelvis.
On its own, this does not necessarily mean labour has begun, but it can be one of the signs.
4. Your waters breaking
Your waters may break as a sudden gush of fluid.
Or it may be surprisingly subtle — just a slow trickle that you cannot control.
If you think your waters have broken, contact your maternity care team for advice.
Use a sanitary pad rather than a tampon so that the colour of the fluid can be assessed if needed.
5. An urge to use the toilet
As your baby's head moves lower, increased pressure on the bowel can sometimes make you feel as though you need to go to the toilet.
This can be another possible sign that labour is approaching.
When should you contact your maternity team?
Follow the specific advice given by your own maternity unit, because recommendations can differ between healthcare systems.
Contact them for guidance if you think you are in labour or your contractions have become regular.
Seek urgent maternity advice if:
- your waters break;
- you have vaginal bleeding;
- your baby is moving less than usual;
- you are under 37 weeks and think labour may be starting;
- your contractions are unusually long or extremely frequent;
- you feel unwell or something simply feels wrong.
Do not wait until the next day if you are concerned.
What if your baby is moving less?
Reduced movement is not something to monitor at home while waiting to see whether labour starts.
Your baby should continue moving right up to and during labour.
If movement is reduced, stops or changes from your baby's usual pattern, contact your maternity care team immediately.
What happens in early labour?
The earliest phase of labour can take hours and sometimes longer.
If you and your baby are well, your maternity team may advise you to stay at home for part of this phase.
Rest if you can. Drink fluids. Eat something light if you feel able. Keep your phone charged and your hospital bag ready.
Hello World Kit | 0–6 months
Labour marks the end of one extraordinary chapter and the beginning of another. The Hello World Kit can wait safely at home for the first calm awake moments, with thoughtfully selected visual, sensory, motor and memory pieces for your baby's first six months.
Discover the Hello World Kit
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs that labour is starting?
Possible signs include regular contractions or tightenings, a show, backache, increased pressure or an urge to use the toilet, and your waters breaking.
How can I tell Braxton Hicks from labour contractions?
Braxton Hicks usually do not progressively become longer, stronger and closer together. Labour contractions tend to develop an increasingly regular and intense pattern.
Does losing the mucus plug mean labour will start immediately?
No. A show means the cervix is changing, but labour may follow quickly or may still be several days away.
What should I do if my waters break?
Contact your maternity care team for advice. Use a sanitary pad rather than a tampon and note the colour and smell of the fluid.
When should I call urgently?
Seek urgent maternity advice for waters breaking, vaginal bleeding, reduced fetal movement, suspected labour before 37 weeks or any symptom that your maternity team has told you needs immediate assessment.
The Owloo approach
You do not need to know with certainty that labour has started before asking for help.
Notice. Call when you are unsure. Let your maternity team guide the next step.
Written by Tina Krapez, Owloo Co-founder & COO
Tina Krapez is the Co-founder and COO of Owloo. This article provides general educational information and does not replace assessment or advice from your own maternity healthcare team.
Sources and further reading
