Im pregnant, what now? Part 4 - Am I in labour?

One of the hardest parts about being pregnant is wondering if you are in labour. Braxton Hicks (practice contractions) can sometimes be very misleading, and causes millions of women each year to waddle off to the labour ward, suitcase in hand, only to be sent home with the news that it was all a false alarm.

So how can I be sure?

One of the best bits of advice I was given by a midwife, was that if you were having pains but werent sure, try and talk during a contraction. If you can hold a conversation whilst being in pain, youre probably not in labour.

Some other signs to look out for are:

• Your waters breaking. So many people think that they are not in labour until their waters break. This is one of the biggest myths I have ever heard. Some babies, although it is rare, are even born with the amniotic sac intact because the mother's waters hadnt broken at the time of birth. Waters breaking can be very misleading. Some women mistake a leaky bladder or vaginal discharge for broken waters. When it does break you can get either a sudden gush of clear liquid, or even a slow trickle. If there is a greenish tinge at all, get to your nearest hospital IMMEDIATELY. Your baby could be in distress and needing medical assistance. Remember to stay calm, as a sudden rise in blood pressure will not help the situation. If your waters break and its only a clear liquid, you should call the hospital and let them know, and then make your way in no later than 12 hrs after theyve broken due to risk of infection.
• You have a 'show'. No I dont mean home & away is about to start lol I mean you have a thick mucousy discharge that can be stained either pink, red, or brown. This is the mucosal plug that covers the cervix, and it has come out because your baby is on its way!
• Your baby drops. Dont worry, its not about to fall out. When your baby drops, the head is engaged and ready to come out the birth canal. This can sometimes happen a few weeks before birth, but once you get heavy pressure and a real feeling of uncomfortableness, labour is usually not far away.
• Bowel movement. Sometimes in early labour nature decides that its gonna clear you right out so that bubs has a bit of extra room to move when its on its way out. Youll know the difference between this and a normal bowel movement, because it seems like it will never end. There is ALOT of waste. This is completely natural and nothing to worry about.

So, if discover that you are in labour, CONGRATULATIONS!!!  Labour is one of the most empowering times in a woman's life. If you can, try and get as much rest in the early stages of labour as you can, you will need all the energy you can get for the birth. I know it will be hard, with all the excitement of meeting your new little bundle of joy, but try your best. You'll be glad you did!