How will I know when I’m in labour?

This is the eternal question! However, much you’re told that you’ll know when the time has come, all mothers ask the same thing towards the end of their pregnancy: how will I know that I’m in labour?

Your body will give you some signals, although it doesn’t always happen the same way for all women.

• Bloody show. Not everyone realises. Some women lose the mucus plug little by little, weeks before giving birth. Others lose it suddenly just hours beforehand, which is an effective indicator. If you notice excessive mucus that may even be tinged pink, you’re not far from the big day.
• Keep an eye on those contractions! You may have felt Braxton Hicks contractions throughout much of your pregnancy to some degree. But now you’ll notice changes in the discomfort or pain. Practice contractions are very irregular, not very strong and they stop after a while. But early labour contractions get stronger, more intense and, above all, closer together. Keep your eye on the clock to control how far apart they are.
• Period-like pains. You may start to notice pains that are similar to period pain. Or you may even feel cramps in your lower back at the level of your kidneys. These are contractions!
• Your baby’s head will become engaged and this will make your belly drop. You’ll feel greater pressure and discomfort in your pelvic area. In some women this happens weeks before they give birth. But it can also be a sign that labour is close. If this happens and you start to notice contractions like those described above, labour may be imminent.
• There’ll be no doubt if your waters break, but you may just be leaking fluid. If you start to feel wet, keep an eye on it. Remember that the normal discharge that every woman has will leave a mark on your underwear, whereas amniotic fluid will not leave any mark. If in doubt, go to your hospital.

And if, in addition to the signs your body’s sending you, you notice that you’re nesting, you feel very sensitive or even quick-tempered with strong emotional ups and downs, there’s no doubt about it! You’re in the home stretch.

Do you have any other questions for us?