List of the signs of early labor.
Call your physician if you notice any of the signs of early labor:
- Your membranes rupture (your water breaks) or you suspect your water is leaking
- You will experience a slow leak of fluid that cannot be controlled or a gush of fluid. Inform your physician or midwife of how much fluid you have lost, what color the fluid is and when you began leaking fluid.
- Contractions are regular and you think labor is progressing
- Mucous plug/bloody show - The mucous plug may come all at one time or in pieces and may happen several days before labor starts. Vaginal discharge increases or becomes more clear and watery or pink-tinged (also called “bloody show”).
- Contractions
- Uterine contractions that occur every 10 minutes or less
- Mild cramps (like you feel during your menstrual cycle)
- Feeling of pelvic pressure as if the baby is pressing down
- Low backache that is constant or occurs off and onWatch for contractions that are closer, longer and stronger. Call your physician or midwife for guidelines on when you should leave for the hospital. To time contractions, time from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next.
- Change in your toilet habits
- Abdominal cramping with or without diarrhea
- Increased urinary frequency
- A feeling of nausea with or without vomiting
- General loss of appetite