Every labour and birth is unique, and there is a very wide range of experiences
to be had. You can't predict exactly how or when your labour will start.
Look for these signs:
The show
This is the release of the mucus plug (the operculum), which seals the opening of
the cervix. It might be a blob of pinkish jelly; or it could be a series of smaller
pieces; the colour could be more red than pink. The plug 'escapes' because the cervix
is just starting to stretch and soften - but it doesn't mean anything has to happen
now. It could mean labour will start anything between a couple of hours and a few
days.
Rupture of the membranes or 'breaking of the waters'
The membranes are the bag of waters, or amniotic sac, which hold the amniotic fluid
surrounding the baby. When the membranes rupture, the amniotic fluid (known as liquor
– pronounced 'ly-kwor') comes out. It can happen as a sudden gush of liquid, but
it's more usually a slow trickle. Call your midwife or the hospital if you know
your waters have broken, and ask for advice. They may suggest you come in – there
is a possible risk of infection if the waters break and the baby takes too long
to be born. There's also a risk if your baby's head isn't engaged in the pelvis,
as the waters could bring the cord down as well. This could mean your baby might
compress it – and that could mean a risk to your baby's oxygen supply. Most women
whose waters break go on to have perfectly normal labours, and fairly soon afterwards,
too.
Contractions
Count them and time them. If the contractions come closer together over a period
of an hour or two, and last longer than 40 seconds, and get stronger, they're likely
to be labour contractions.
Qs & As
Q: Just what is a contraction?
A: The uterus is a complex network of muscle fibres. The fibres contract
and become shorter, to pull up the cervix and to increase the downward pressure
at the top of the uterus. At the peak of the contraction, the muscle fibres are
at their shortest.... and then they relax and the contraction dies away. However,
with each contraction the muscles stay a bit shorter than they were. This leaves
the cervix slightly more open than it was and the baby is a little more further
down.
Q: Are contractions painful?
A: Yes, they are for most women. They feel like a gradual tightening over
your stomach – if you've ever had a period pain (which are also contractions of
the uterus), it's a bit like that. Some women feel them in their back, or their
thighs.
