Feeling nervous or happy when facing the time when your baby is going to see the world? But when and what is the sign so you can have a good prepare. Below are some sign of the labor to help you out.

 

Waters breaking

One third of labors start when the amniotic sac surrounding the baby breaks and the amniotic fluid escapes. Once the baby’s head is engaged the fluid will be separated, with the “forewaters” beneath him and the “hindwaters” above. If there’s only a trickle it’s probably just the forewaters, but if there’s a gush it’s the hindwaters too and full labor is very likely to follow within 12 hours. If your waters break you should call the hospital. You’ll probably be told to come in, as both you and the baby will need to be checked.

 

Contractions

Generally, contractions start slowly and feel a bit like a period pain, sometimes with a backache as well. They will increases in frequency and intensity, rising like a wave to reach a crescendo, and then sinking and disappearing, giving you a short break before the next one. If contractions have started, this is what you should do;

  • 72421289 Carry on as usual, but keep a record of how long each contraction lasts and how far apart they are. Because it is too painful, you can ask your partner to keep track of the contractions so you are able to relax.
  • Contact the hospital you have booked in for delivery and let them know about how your contractions are going. You will probably be told to stay at home if your contractions are over fine minutes apart. If you go in too soon, labor may slow down as new unfamiliar surroundings make you anxious, but don’t leave it too late as your contractions can rapidly speed up. Once they are five minutes apart, it will be time to go to the hospital.

 

Stages of labor

Labor is divided into three stages.

First stage

The first stage of labor lasts from the beginning of labor until the cervix is fully dilated (around 10cm). It is further divided into the following;

Initial (Latent) phase

  • Contractions begin, each one lasting between 30-60 seconds, coming approximately every 5-20 minutes. They become progressively stronger and more rhythmic over time.
  • Pain is minimal.
  • The cervix thins and dilates to about 4 cm.
  • In a first pregnancy this phase usually lasts an average of 8.5 hours, but it can vary a lot.

Active phase

  • Contractions last between 60-90 seconds and come every 2-4 minutes.
  • The cervix dilates from 4cm to 10cm.
  • The baby’s head moves into the pelvis.
  • As the baby descends the mother begins to feel the urge to push.
  • In a first pregnancy this phase averages around 5 hours.

 

Transition
This is the period between the first and second stages of labor, which last anywhere between a few minutes to an hour. Women often describe it as a tunnel they need to go through into the next stage. Transition can seem quite strange; some women feel slightly out of control, while others will become withdrawn and not notice anyone or anything. Some common sighs of transition are;

  • A break in contractions of up to 20-30 minutes
  • Feeling pressure in your bottom, due to the baby’s head moving down the birth canal
  • An uncomfortable trembling in your legs
  • Feeling hot and/or cold
  • Feeling irritable
  • Nausea or drowsiness

 

Second stage

Once your cervix has dilated to 10cm you are officially in the second stage of labor. More than likely you will also feel an intense urge to push as the cervix disappears behind the baby’s head and he is free to move down on to your pelvic floor muscles. As his head touches these muscles, it triggers a reflex which creates the uncontrollable urge to push – this is when standing in the upright position may help.

Sign Of Labour

Your contractions will have changed markedly. Although they become less frequent they are much more expulsive as they are designed to push your baby down and out, and you are now working with your uterus to actually push your baby through the birth canal. Your abdominal muscles contract, along with your diaphragm, to create one big, bodily effort.

Since the second stage of labor requires so much effort it is generally a lot shorter, lasting between 30-90 minutes for a first baby and sometimes only a few minutes for second or subsequent babies.