Labor starts and progresses differently for each woman and for each pregnancy. You labor may start gradually or suddenly. You may experience one or more of the following early signs:

* Backache that is constant, or comes and goes

* Mild Abdominal cramps

* Gas pains or diarrhea

As time goes on, you will begin to have more definite sign of true labor.

The Signs of True Labor are

• Contractions. They often start in the lower back and come around to the front of your belly. Your belly will feel hard during these contractions similar to the consistency of a basketball.
• Contractions occur at regular intervals & gradually come closer together, becoming stronger and lasting longer. They usually get stronger when you walk.
• You may have bloody show (a pinkish or blood tinged mucous discharge from your vagina).
• Your bag of water may break. This can happen in a large gush or in a continuous trickle. The normal color for amniotic fluid is clear or slightly beige. When there is baby’s stool in the water it may be green in color.

Signs of False Labor are

• Contractions are irregular, far apart, and usually do not get closer together or stronger

• You may or may not have bloody show

• Drinking fluid, relaxing, or taking a warm bath or shower makes the contractions stop

If you think you are in Labor

1. Time your contractions. How much time passes from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next contraction. How long is each contraction lasting?
2. Unless your Nurse Midwife gives you special instructions, call us when your contractions are about 5 minutes apart and have been happening for more than 1 hour, or if your bag of water breaks. We will talk with you on the phone and determine if it is time for you to come to the hospital or birth center.
3. Always call us BEFORE going to the hospital or birth center.
4. To reach us call the office number and ask to speak with a RN. If it is after office hours you will speak with the answering service and the Nurse Midwife-on-call will call you back ,if you do not get a call back shortly, call again (we may be at a birth).