Am I in Labor?
This is one of the trickiest things for first time mothers because you have never experienced it
and you have to rely on descriptions by others to figure out what is going on.
Adding to this confusion, your body will often have practice contractions called Braxton Hicks
contractions to prepare the uterus for labor.
Pre-term Labor Guidelines
20 to before 37 Weeks
The first concern is pre-term labor because it can occur between 20-36 weeks. Your baby needs
to continue to grow inside you for the full term of your pregnancy. Labor earlier than three
weeks before your due date can lead to a premature (preemie) baby with many possible health
problems since he is not ready to live outside the womb.
The signs of labor include the following. You may not have all the signs.
• Low , dull backache
• 4 or more uterine contractions per hour. Uterine contractions maybe perceived by
you as:
Menstrual cramps
Sensation of the “baby rolling up in a ball”
Abdomen tightening like a fist
Abdominal cramping (with or without diarrhea)
Increased uterine activity compared to previous patterns
• Increased pelvic pressure (maybe with thigh cramps)
• Sensation that something feels different such as agitation, flu-like feelings ,
sensation that the baby has dropped
• Spotting or bleeding or a change in your normal vaginal discharge
If you experience any of the above symptoms you should
• Stop what you are doing and empty your bladder
• Drink 3-4 glasses of water
• Lie down on your left side for one hour and place your hands on your abdomen
and feel for tightening and hardening of your uterus
• Count how many contractions you have in an hour
• If you have more than four contractions in an hour call either your clinic or Labor
& Delivery Nurse's Station 953-4601/4602 immediately
If you have any of the above signs and the things you do work, tell your health care provider
during regular appointments.