While many young moms may be inclined to consider labour as what they see on TV — pregnant women rushing to the hospital, reaching there just in the nick of time to give birth — it is not necessary to create such a drama! Get to know your body and how this works, and God willing, you’ll be making your way calmly to the hospital with lots of time to breathe and have your baby.
When labour begins
The majority of pregnant women experience their labour between 38 and 42 weeks. In the last weeks of pregnancy, the hormone oestrogen will start to take over from progesterone. Other hormones, namely oxytocin, and prostaglandin will initiate contractions associated with true labour. The pressure of the baby’s head on the cervix and the enlarged uterus all contribute to the onset of labour. The baby also releases certain hormones to help start labour.
Nesting
Pay attention to one particular instinct you might have during the last stages of your pregnancy, where you will feel a sudden urge to clean and organise everything in sight in preparation for the imminent birth. If you find yourself cross with your husband for leaving a spoon in the sink, or feel uncontrollably bent on packing and repacking your hospital bag, or are suddenly engrossed about stocking up on groceries, you may be undergoing something called the nesting instinct. It’s a sign that baby will be here soon.
Pre-labour
Sometimes described as ‘false labour’, pre-labour causes many a woman to rush to the hospital only to find out that it’s still not time yet to give birth. A phenomenon called Braxton Hicks is usually responsible for this. It causes contractions that can be quite frequent and quite strong, and quite easily mistaken for labour pains too! However, unlike actual labour, they tend to be irregular in terms of strength and timing, and eventually, the contractions stop.
The vaginal discharge becomes more prolific during this time. You may also have a show, which is a jelly like, vaginal discharge with some blood in it. A show on its own does not mean, however, that you are in labour.
Whilst pre labour might feel like a whole lot of wasted discomfort, they’re not. On the contrary, all these goings-on within your body is preparing you for the big event.
Eating your meals regularly and resting whenever you can help you to conserve energy where else warm showers or baths may help ease any discomfort.
True Labour (1st stage)
For many women, even at this stage, Braxton Hicks might become more frequent and intense. Until those contractions are regular and increasing in length and frequency, causing the cervix to flatten out and open up, labour has not yet been established.
Once labour is established the cervix will open by 0.5 to 1cm per hour. While there is no harm in being in a hospital during this stage, some hospitals may ask if you’d rather go home for now. That’s because home is generally a more pleasant environment compared to a hospital.
Contractions may start 15 to 20 minutes apart for some women and get progressively closer whilst for others they come 5 minutes apart and rapidly progress to 2–3 minutes apart. The key to recognising true labour is when the contractions get stronger, longer, and more frequent. Most important is they are regular rather than all over the place as they are with Braxton hicks during pre-labour. You will find it increasingly hard to talk or move about during a contraction. You may also begin to feel a bit ‘spaced out’ as the endorphins (natural drugs) flood your system.
If this is your first baby and you are between 38–42 weeks pregnant and everything has been straight forward in your pregnancy then you can afford to put off going to the hospital until the contractions are around 5 minutes apart or if you are unable to manage them at home any more.
If this is your second or third baby then wait until your contractions are around 7 minutes apart before contacting the hospital. Never be afraid to contact the midwives in the labour ward or birth centre earlier if you are worried.
When not to wait
The following are situations when you should not hesitate to call your doctor/midwife or make your way to the hospital:
- There is bleeding that resembles menstrual blood rather than just a ‘show’
- Your water has broken
- You’ve had complications and/or a caesarean section during your previous pregnancy
- If you are having twins or triplets
- If your baby is presenting as a breech (bottom first)
- If you are feeling pressure in your bowel with a contraction and want to push
- If you had a very rapid first labour (2–3 hours)
- If you have Group B Strep and need antibiotics in labour
- If you are really worried or are unable to cope
Has your water broken?
You will know your waters have broken if your pants feel very wet or you have water trickling down your legs. If you think your water has broken, contact the hospital for instructions. They’ll probably ask you to come in to confirm if it has indeed broken and discussed your options further.
Remember though that your water breaking does not have to mean you are in labour, but it does indicate that the time is near.
Facts about labour and birth
- Only about 3–5% of babies are born on their due date.
- Having a show does not mean you are in labour. Your baby may take up to a week or more to be born!
- Breaking your water does not conclude that you are about to go into labour immediately.
- You don’t have to rush to the hospital at the first sign of a contraction.
