Signs you’re in labour

ESPECIALLY for first-time mothers, many questions about labour and giving birth will arise. Countless stories of excruciating labour pains and wondering if you will be in labour forever will plague most women, who often don’t even know what to look out for apart from the pain. However, according to Dr Keisha Buchanan, obstetrician-gynaecologist at ICON Medical Centre, there are some clear labour signs that will indicate when the baby is ready to put in an appearance.

“Labour is the onset of regular contractions of the womb, causing abdominal pains that result in dilation of the cervix prior to delivery of the baby. Labour pains generally get progressively more severe, generally lasting for less than a minute. Labour is officially present when the pains come every 10 minutes. The labour pains subsequently get more severe as time progresses until the pains start to come every two minutes,” Dr Buchanan explained.

But prior to the onset of labour, Dr Buchanan said that there are also other noticeable signs that the baby is on its way. One common sign is the passage of the mucus plug this is clear or may be slightly bloodstained and pink, and some women may notice increased contractions of the womb. This may start a day or several days before labour, but these usually subside. However, she said that labour can sometimes start suddenly with no prior warning.

Common signs that a baby is on its way include:

• The water usually breaks after the onset of labour, but can break before the onset of labour. “This is marked by a sudden gush of fluid; the fluid is usually clear or may be bloodstained or brown or green from meconium. Bloodstained or meconium-stained amniotic fluid may be a serious sign, and medical attention needs to be sought if you are not already in hospital,” Dr Buchanan cautioned. She advised that at times the water breaks slowly, and may be marked by a repeat soaking of the sanitary pad. So repeat passing of vaginal liquid, even in small quantities, may be a sign that the water has broken, and once this happens you must head straight to the hospital.

•Labour pains may present as a regular onset of intermittent back pains only, which last for a few minutes at a time.

• Some women may experience what is known as involuntary shivering and even trembling in the early stages of labour or while giving birth, even though they may not be cold at all. The body has different ways of reacting to tension, and some women may react in this way. This trembling generally lasts only a few minutes.

•Pelvic pressure may be another sign of labour and may also indicate that the baby’s head is beginning to descend. Pelvic pressure is greatest when the patient is fully dilated and the second stage of labour is present.

• The key sign that you are in labour is the severity of the abdominal pains. Usually labour pains are the most severe that most women will ever feel. Although labour pains are excruciating, the severity will vary from woman to woman: most will experience severe pains, while others will have mild pains.

•The duration of labour varies significantly, and some women deliver in less than five hours from the onset of labour. For some women, however, labour may last for more than 24 hours. It’s best to proceed to the hospital once you are in labour. The duration of labour is usually shorter for subsequent pregnancies.

“Labour is a time greatly anticipated by the mother-to-be and her family. Even though the birth of the baby is an exciting time, the anticipation of labour pains may be a cause of anxiety. Try to breathe, relax, and follow the instructions of your health care team, and you and your little one will be just fine,” Dr Buchanan advised.