Call Us at 505-843-6168
Is This Labor?
Labor starts differently for each woman and for each pregnancy. Your 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 signs 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 the contractions.
- Contractions occur at regular intervals and gradually come closer together, become stronger and last 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 (with a gush or a trickle).
The signs of false labor are:
- Contractions are irregular, far apart and usually do not get closer together.
- You may or may not have a bloody show.
If you think you are in labor:
- Time your contractions, by writing down when each one begins and ends.
- Call us before going to the hospital.
- Unless your Nurse-Midwife or Doctor gives you special instructions, call when your contractions are about 5 minutes apart, lasting about 1 minute or if your water bag breaks.
- Dial 505-843-6168 (day or night). If your care provider is a Midwife, ask to speak with the Midwife on-call. If you have been seen by a Doctor, ask to speak with the Doctor on-call. The operator will take your name and number and you will be called back within 10 minutes. If you don’t receive a call within 10 minutes, call again! (We may be at a birth.)
If you are in early labor, drink fluids and eat lightly.