Labor is a natural part of the pregnancy journey as your body prepares to deliver your baby. It occurs when your uterus begins to tighten over and over again in an effort to push the baby out.
Understanding the signs of labor can help you know what to expect, feel more confident as the big day approaches, and determine when it’s time to head to the hospital or contact your provider. Being informed and prepared can make the experience more manageable and reassuring for both you and your support team.
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Hi, I’m Andi, I’m a nurse here at Moreland OB-GYN--here today to answer some frequent questions about how to identify when you are in labor.
Today I’m providing guidelines for a typical labor, but please follow the guidelines provided by your doctor.
How will I know when I’m in labor? You will begin to notice that contractions will start at the top of your uterus or the top of your belly, and those contractions over time will become more and more frequent.
Initially, those contractions might come at maybe 10 or 20-minute intervals, and throughout a duration of time, those contractions will eventually become every 1 to 2 minutes. Initially, you may be distracted from what you are doing throughout your day, but eventually, those contractions will be strong enough that no matter what you are doing you will have to stop and take time and breathe with them.
Another sign of labor can be the rupture of membranes. For some women, this is a slow trickle of fluid where you just can’t feel clean no matter what you do. For other women, it’s a large gush of fluid like in the movies where it’s running down your legs. If that is occurring, make note of the time the rupture occurs, the color of the fluid, and the quantity of the fluid you are experiencing. The next step is to contact your doctor.
As women get closer to their due date, they may experience false labor. False labor are bouts of contractions that can occur. These are contractions though that you may experience several of them. Say you are active, you are walking around, you experience contractions, you think that this might be it, but then you stop, you sit, and they go away. It can be very frustrating, especially as you are anticipating your due date approaching. You get excited, you get ready to go to the hospital, and sure enough, you stop, you sit, you drink a big glass of water or you lay down, and they dissolve and they go away. False labor is not uncommon—it’s not meant to feel defeating or discouraging but it’s very normal as your body is preparing for labor in and of itself.
What Should I do if I’m in Labor? For first-time moms, if you’re contracting for every five minutes or less for at least an hour, each contraction is at least 60 seconds or longer, they are taking your breath away, all you can do is breathe with them, you’re distracted from any other activity, we want to know about it. Or if your bag of waters has broken, you are having any bright red bleeding more than a period, or if your baby’s not moving, please contact our office. If this is not your first baby, and you have been experiencing contractions every 5 to 10 minutes, lasting at least 60 to 90 seconds for at least an hour, if you are having any bright red bleeding more than a period, if you think your bag of waters has ruptured, or your baby is not moving like normal, you should also be evaluated.
Another question is what if I’m scheduled for a C-Section and I think I have gone into labor? What we would want you to do is contact us as soon as you think your labor has started, and stop eating or drinking. The reason for that is we would want to prepare for your surgery and know as soon as possible. During operating hours, triage nurses are always available to answer your questions. After hours, holidays, and weekends, physicians are available on-call to answer any of your questions. Please DO NOT send MyChart messages with any questions regarding labor, rupture of membranes, or any concerns regarding the well-being of your baby. And do not hesitate, no questions are considered foolish. We hope you found this video helpful today. Our goal is the lead women to better health.
As your body prepares for labor, your cervix undergoes important changes—namely effacement and dilation. In the final weeks of pregnancy, your healthcare provider may check these changes to assess how close you are to going into labor. These changes tend to progress slowly during early labor and move more quickly as you transition into active labor.
Together, these cervical changes help signal how close you are to delivery. Your provider will guide you based on how your body is progressing and your overall well-being.
Before diving into the signs of being in labor, it’s important to understand the difference between early labor and active labor. Recognizing the shift from early to active labor can help you know when to rest at home and when to prepare for delivery.
Also known as the latent phase, early labor typically begins with mild, irregular contractions that may feel similar to menstrual cramps. These contractions gradually become more consistent but are usually still manageable. Your cervix starts to thin (effacement) and open (dilate) slowly during this phase. Early labor can last from hours to days, and there are things you can do that can help you stay comfortable during early labor, which we discuss below.
Active labor is more intense. Contractions become stronger, longer, and closer together—typically about 3 to 5 minutes apart and lasting around 45 to 60 seconds. You may also notice increased pressure in your lower back or pelvis. When this happens, it is time to contact your healthcare provider or head to your birthing location. Usually, active labor is shorter than early labor, lasting about two to eight hours. Because of this, you want to be at your hospital or birthing center as active labor begins.
Check out Moreland OB-GYN's guidance on when to go to the hospital.
It’s best to experience early labor at home, where you are most comfortable and at ease. Laboring at home during this phase also increases the likelihood of being admitted to the hospital rather than being turned away for arriving too early.
Here are some tips to help make early labor more comfortable:
Having a pre-packed labor and delivery bag ready to go is a great way to ensure you don't forget any of the essentials when you're on the way to the hospital. Learn what to pack now!
Understanding the difference between early and active labor can help you feel more confident as your body prepares for birth. Below are some of the most common signs that you may be entering active labor and it’s time to head to the hospital or birthing center.
Contractions are one of the most recognizable signs you are going into labor. Contractions feel like cramping that begins in your back and moves to the front of your abdomen as your body prepares for delivery. What is happening is the muscles on top of your uterus are tightening, and the muscles on the bottom are relaxing and stretching to help push your baby out.
It's essential to know how to recognize true labor contractions from Braxton Hicks contractions:
The amniotic sac is a fluid-filled membrane that cushions and protects your baby during pregnancy. When the sac ruptures—typically at the beginning of or during labor—it releases the amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. This is commonly known as your "water breaking." You may notice a small trickle or a sudden gush of fluid from your vagina when this happens.
Once your water breaks, timing becomes important. It's crucial to contact your healthcare provider and go to your hospital or birthing center. If labor hasn’t started yet, the longer the delay, the higher the risk of infection for both you and your baby. To reduce this risk, your provider may recommend labor induction, which helps initiate contractions if your body doesn't naturally go into labor after your water breaks.
It’s also important to note not every woman's water breaks naturally. In fact, for many women, the amniotic sac stays intact until well into active labor or even until the moment of delivery. In these cases, your healthcare provider may need to artificially break the water—a safe and common procedure known as amniotomy—to help labor progress. If your water hasn’t broken but you're experiencing regular contractions, you're likely still in labor and should follow your healthcare provider’s guidance.
During your pregnancy, a thick mucus plug blocks the cervix's opening to prevent bacteria from entering your uterus. This plug may move into your vagina during the late third trimester, and you may notice an increase in vaginal discharge that is clear, pink, or slightly bloody. This process could occur several days before the start of labor or right as you begin early labor.
Even if your mucus plug stays intact, you may notice other changes to your vaginal discharge. Your vaginal discharge could become more watery, stickier, thicker, or a little pink before labor begins or during early labor.
***Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you are experiencing heavy vaginal bleeding that would be typical for a menstrual period.
A few weeks or even days before labor begins, you may experience "lightening" when the baby moves lower into your pelvis to prepare for delivery. During this process, you may notice that breathing becomes easier as the pressure on your diaphragm lessens.
However, you may also experience increased pelvic pressure as pressure increases on your bladder, which could result in more frequent urination. You may also notice discomfort in your lower back or hips—this is a common occurrence with increased pelvic pressure, which is a positive sign that labor may be approaching.
When early labor begins, timing your contractions can help you determine when it’s time to go to the hospital or birthing center. You should head in if your water has broken or if your contractions are becoming stronger, longer, and closer together. A helpful guideline to follow is the 5-1-1 rule: go to the hospital when your contractions are 5 minutes apart, last 1 minute each, and have been consistent for at least 1 hour.
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms at any point, contact your doctor or go to the hospital immediately:
At Moreland OB-GYN, we understand that labor can be a stressful or anxious time. If you have questions about the signs of labor, need help interpreting your symptoms, or want to talk about what to expect during labor, please don’t hesitate to contact your Moreland Pregnancy Navigator.
Labor usually begins when your baby is considered full term—between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. Full term means labor can start as early as two weeks before your due date or up to two weeks after. Your Moreland OB-GYN provider will monitor you closely in the final weeks to help ensure a healthy delivery.
Labor typically starts with regular contractions—tightening sensations in your uterus that start in your lower back and move to the front of your abdomen. These contractions:
Other signs that labor may be starting include:
If you experience any of these signs, especially in combination with regular contractions, call your provider.
False labor, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions, can feel similar to real labor but doesn’t progress into active labor. These contractions are irregular in timing, mild in intensity, and often go away with rest, hydration, or a change in position. Try lying down on your side and drinking a large glass of water—if the contractions stop, it is likely false labor.
Start by timing your contractions—note how far apart they are and how long they last. If they are strong, consistent, and about 5 minutes apart for at least one hour (5-1-1 rule), it's likely time to go to the hospital.
Call our office at 262-544-4411 to speak with a provider. We’re available 24/7. After hours, the answering service (1-800-446-3274) will direct your call.
Let us know as soon as your labor begins since you will need to get to the hospital very soon, and we will want to be ready for surgery when you arrive.
Contact your provider or go to the hospital immediately if you experience any of the following warning signs:
Your safety and your baby’s health are our top priorities. Don’t hesitate to reach out with concerns.
Check out these additional resources to help you prepare for bringing baby home after delivery:
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