Early signs of labour

Here's what to look out for. It's worth knowing the very first signs of labour can happen within a matter of a few hours of each other, or they could be spread out over a longer period of time.

Your labour and birth are unique to you, and there is a very wide range of experiences, all of which are normal — but none of which are exactly predictable.

The first signs are:

the show: this is the release of the mucus plug, or operculum, which seals the opening of the cervix. In some women it comes away as a single blob of pinkish jelly; in others it is a series of smaller pieces, and in others it can be reddish brown. It is a sign that the cervix is beginning to stretch and soften a little, in preparation for labour. It can be several days between the show and the start of labour proper, or just an hour or so, or anything in between;

rupture of the membranes or 'breaking of the waters': the membranes are also known as the bag of waters, or amniotic sac, which is the fluid surrounding the baby inside the uterus. When the membranes rupture, the amniotic fluid, also known as liquor (pronounced 'ly-kwor'), escape. It can happen as a sudden gush of liquid down your legs. More usually, though, it will start to trickle. Telephone your doctor, midwife or the hospital if your waters break;

contractions: these are only a sure sign of labour if they come closer together over a period of an hour or two, and last longer than 40 seconds. You should feel them getting stronger and longer, too.

What is a contraction?

The uterus is a network of muscle fibres, and contractions happen when the fibres shorten. They do this to pull up the cervix and to exert downward pressure at the top of the uterus. The muscles then relax again, as the contraction dies away. But with each contraction the muscles stay just that little bit shorter than they were, leaving the cervix slightly more open than it was and pushing the baby a little bit further down.

Contractions feel like a tightening sensation across your tummy and possibly into your back and thighs. They usually begin gently, build up to a peak and then trail off. They may remind you of period pains (which are also contractions of the uterus). Women have different experiences with contractions, and their level of intensity can vary a lot.

If you aren't sure what to do, contact the maternity unit where you plan to give birth, or else your community midwife. Describe your symptoms, and you will get a professional opinion on whether you need to do anything except wait and see what happens over the next few hours. You may be able to have a visit from a midwife, whether or not you plan on a home birth, who can examine you at home if necessary, and help you decide where the best place is for you.

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Called the gynae when I had the show this morn, he said to wait until contractions come then call him again and he will tell me what to do...so now i am waiting...baby can come in a few hours time...or still can be in a few days...depending...