Early Labor Signs

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it?

• Labor is the steps your uterus (womb) goes through to deliver (push out) your baby. A contraction is when your uterus tightens and relaxes. Contractions (kon-TRAK-shuns) by your uterus cause the cervix to efface (thin) and dilate (open). The cervix is the bottom part of your uterus. When the cervix is completely effaced and dilated, your baby moves down the birth canal and is born. The last part of labor is when the placenta (afterbirth) is delivered. This usually happens within 30 minutes after your baby is born.
  
  
• Labor usually does not start until you get close to your due date, but may begin before your baby is due. Caregivers will try to stop your labor with medicine if your baby is too small and not ready to be born.

What causes labor to begin? It is not known for sure what causes labor to begin. Hormones made by you and your baby, and changes in your uterus may help labor start.

What are signs that my labor may be getting close? You may or may not notice signs of labor before your labor starts. You may have any of the following signs or symptoms that tell you that your baby will be born soon:

• Bloody show: You may have a thick mucus plug come from your vagina. This is also called "show" or "mucus plug". This mucus plug formed in your cervix during pregnancy to prevent bacteria (germs) from entering your uterus. As your cervix gets softer and starts to open, this mucus plug will come out. The mucus plug looks like clear, pink, or slightly bloody mucus coming from your vagina. You may have bloody show minutes, hours, or up to three days before labor begins.
  
  
• Braxton Hicks labor pains:
  
  
  • These are also called false labor pains or contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions come and go, and do not get close together. These are not true labor contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions go away when you walk, rest, sleep, or drink at least 32 ounces (four 8 ounce cups) of water. Braxton Hicks labor pains usually do not mean that labor is near. These false labor pains are usually felt in your belly, but not in your back. Unlike real labor, false labor pains do not cause your cervix to start opening.
    
    
  • In real labor, the contractions come at regular times. This means that there is an even amount of time between contractions. For example, you may have a contraction every 10 minutes, even if you are walking or resting. As time passes, the contractions get closer and closer together. Real labor contractions do not go away when you walk, lie down, or drink water.
  
  
• Lightening: You may have a feeling that your baby has dropped lower into your pelvis. This feeling may also be called the "baby dropping". Lightening means that your baby's head has settled deep into your pelvis. You may have this feeling a few weeks to a few hours before labor begins. After lightening, you may find it easier to breathe. You may need to urinate more often after lightening.
  
  
• Rupture of membranes: This is when your "water breaks". The amniotic (am-nee-OT-ik) sac or bag of waters is the water-like sac around your baby to protect him during pregnancy. You may feel a slow trickle of fluid from your vagina. Warm fluid may also flow out suddenly when the amniotic sac leaks or breaks. This may happen several hours before labor starts, or any time during labor.

What is dilation and effacement? Your cervix begins to dilate (open) during the last phase of pregnancy, and when you are in labor. Dilation (deye-LAY-shun) of the cervix is measured in centimeters from zero to 10. Your cervix is fully open when it is dilated to 10 centimeters. The cervix is normally about one and one-half inches thick. Your cervix thins and softens as it gets ready for birth. Effacement (e-FAYS-ment) of the cervix is measured in percents. Your cervix is half of its original thickness when it is 50 percent effaced. It is completely thinned out when it is 100 percent effaced. This means that when you are dilated to 10 centimeters and effaced to 100 percent, you can start pushing. Some moms can get to complete and not be able to deliver vaginally. They may need a cesarean section.

When should I call my caregiver? Call your caregiver if your bag of waters is leaking or has broken. Your caregiver should be called if your contractions are less than five minutes apart. He should also be called if you are having contractions that are not going away, or you have heavy vaginal bleeding. Call your caregiver if your baby is moving less often than usual. You may need to go into the hospital if it is not time for your baby to be born. Always talk to your caregiver before taking any over-the-counter or herbal medicine. Only take medicines that your caregiver has told you take, and take them exactly as you have been told to.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your pregnancy and signs of early labor. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care will be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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