The last few weeks of your pregnancy are often filled with great anticipation as you wait for the birth of your baby and sometimes knowing what to expect can assist with your experience when the time comes.
How do I know when I am in labour?
The signs and symptoms of going into labour may include: period-like cramps, backache, diarrhoea, mucous discharge or a ‘show’, leaking a lot or a little water if the membranes break and of course, contractions!
What exactly is a show?
During pregnancy a mucous plug blocks your cervix. Towards your due date, the cervix becomes softer and this mucous plug may start to come away. The process of discharging this mucous is called a ‘show’ . It can contain streaks of red or brown blood. Labour may follow, but it does not give an indication of when this will occur. It is fine to continue to monitor your loss without reporting it. You should phone the Pregnancy Assessment Centre if it is bright red blood and more than just a streak of blood, so more similar to a period or heavier than that or you are continuing to lose watery fluid.
Waters breaking (rupture of membranes)
This may occur before or during labour. Most commonly there is a gush of amniotic fluid. Sometimes it is a slow trickle, but either way you can’t stop it like you can urine. If this occurs, put a sanitary pad on and note the colour of the fluid. Ring the Pregnancy Assessment Centre and tell the midwife what you have observed. You will be asked to come in to the hospital. Sometimes the fluid is green or brownish, that usually means you baby has passed a bowel motion (meconium). It is more common after your due date. Although it does not mean your baby has a problem, it is important to have an early review in hospital if you observe this as it can sometimes be a sign of distress. Once your waters have broken the bacteria in your vagina have access to inside the uterus and your baby. While most of the time this is never a problem but, the longer that barrier is broken, the higher the risk of infection.
Labour contractions
True labour contractions usually increase in strength and duration. Early labour contractions are often likened to period cramps with or without backache. Generally, they get longer and stronger and closer together. In the active phase of labour there are usually 3 to 4 contractions every ten minutes.
When should I call the hospital?
You should call the hospital if:
- your waters break
- you have bright blood loss
- your contractions are regular and five minutes apart
- you are not coping at home with the contractions