How to know when you're in labor

When you move into the final month of your pregnancy be sure you know when labor is really starting and when it is a false alarm. Here are a few tips to help you distinguish between the two.

Contractions

• When you are in labor you will start to have contractions that get progressively closer together.
• These contractions last about 30-45 seconds apiece and become increasingly stronger the further along they get.
• Once you have progressively stronger contractions getting closer and closer together it is time to call your doctor.

• Other indicators include the discharge of a little bit of blood mixed with mucus that comes from the cervix—called a ‘bloody show.’
• Or, the mucus plug (which covers the cervix) itself might come out.
• Some women also feel increased pressure in their lower pelvis, which means the baby’s head is descending down into the pelvis.

• Once you get into your 36th week your doctor will start doing internal exams of the cervix, which will let you know if your cervix is beginning to dilate.
• As your contractions start to become more regular the cervix will begin to dilate more rapidly.

• When you reach the final week or so of your pregnancy there are three major things that you should look out for that would require an immediate trip to the hospital.

1. Excessive bleeding: if there is an abnormal amount of bleeding go to the hospital.
2. If you don’t feel the baby moving you should go to the hospital.
3. If you have pain that persists between contractions you should go to the hospital.

• Induced labor is not a harder labor than regular labor. The medicines administered are designed to kick-start and manage labor, which can then follow its normal, natural progression.
• There are only a few instances where a doctor would not recommend an epidural. For example, if you have a coagulation disorder or a severely low platelet count.