Whether there is a pop and a gush, like in the movies, or you simply feel “crampy” sensations….it could be the start of labor. Labor is thought to begin when there is a change in hormones. Much to a pregnant woman’s dismay, there is no for sure sign of when exactly it will start or how long it will last. However, there are some signs to look for that will tell you if you are in labor.

The contractions will continue to come, regardless of what you are doing. So change your activities level up every hour or so to see if they still come in a pattern. Take a walk, shower, or take a nap; but keep an eye on your watch so that you know approximately how far apart they are and how long each contraction lasts. When labor has actually begun, the contractions will gradually get closer to together and grow in intensity. Drink lots of fluids to ensure that you are not getting contractions due to dehydration.

You may see some bloody show which is pink or brown discharge. This is when your body is dilating and capillaries are breaking. Only 12% of women will experience a rupture of membranes at the onset of labor, so your water may not break until later in labor. Some babies are even born in the bag of waters, so it is okay if it does not break at all. If it is a high leak, you may just have a trickle of amniotic fluid. If it is a low leak, you may have a gush of fluid. In either case, the fluid will usually keep leaking especially when you change positions.

When I went into labor with my son, I remember thinking “is this it?” every time that I’d have several contractions in an hour. Then the day came that there was a trickle of fluids, I didn’t even have contractions, but my water had broke. Contractions followed several hours later. With my daughter, labor started with contractions and my water didn’t break until just before the head crowned.

Each experience will be different. Some women really feel the hormone changes first and may get a headache or backache, or simply feel flu like symptoms. Others, will get none of these warning signs, but may simply wake up in labor. Only time will tell if it is the real thing.

Share how your labor started, or how you think it might start?