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Contractions

Contractions are one of the first and most important signals that baby is on her way! If you are feeling labor contractions, you may be beginning labor, so it is important to keep track of them, including their length, intensity, and how many minutes apart they are.

You might want to get your partner to help you with this, especially if the contractions become really intense.

True contractions tend to occur at regular and consistent intervals. They will also become stronger in intensity and last for longer periods of time if you are really going into labor.

If your labor pain continues to come at five minute intervals, you should probably contact your health care provider and begin your plan for labor, whatever that may be.

False contractions, also called Braxton Hicks contractions, should feel quite different from real labor contractions. They are often less painful and should eventually decline in intensity.

Unlike real labor pains, Braxton Hicks will not increase in frequency unless you are engaging in particularly heavy work or activity.

Back Pain

You have probably been suffering from a sore and aching back for a while now, but back pain is also a sign that you may be going into labor.

If your lower back feels particularly achy, then it could be a labor sign. If you are in labor, this back pain should also increase in intensity. Back pain often comes along with symptoms similar to those you would get with you period. You may feel particularly crampy or premenstrual.

Water Breaking

On television or in the movies, women always seem to realize that they are in labor because their water suddenly breaks. Unfortunately, things are not this easy in real life.

Many women going into labor never have their water break. Often, your health care practioner will choose to break your water for you in order to speed labor along.

If you do notice your water breaking, that it is probably a sign that you are going into labor or are already in labor. You may feel a huge gush of liquid or perhaps you will only notice a tiny trickle.

If your water breaks you should call your health care practitioner and tell her, so that you can decide on a plan of action together. You may notice that your contractions become stronger once your water has broken. This is definitely a sign of impending labor.