How to tell if labor is starting
You’re in the final stretch, and the question on most expecting mums’ minds is…
“How will I know when it’s really time?”
It’s completely normal to feel unsure—especially with so many new sensations in the third trimester. The signs of labor can be subtle at first or feel like a wave of unmistakable change. Every woman’s body gives slightly different signals, but learning the key signs of labor (and how they differ from false alarms) can help you feel more confident, calm, and ready.
Let’s gently walk through what to look for.
⏳ 1. Regular, Timeable Contractions
Real labor usually starts with contractions that get stronger, longer, and closer together over time.
✅ True labor contractions:
- Feel like intense period cramps or a wave of tightening
- Last 30–70 seconds
- Come every 5–10 minutes (and get closer)
- Continue even if you change position, walk, or rest
⚠️ False labor (aka Braxton Hicks) may:
- Be irregular and unpredictable
- Go away with movement or hydration
- Not increase in intensity
💡 Tip: Use a contraction timing app or a notepad to track the pattern.
💧 2. Your Water Breaks (Rupture of Membranes)
Sometimes dramatic, sometimes subtle—your amniotic sac can break in a gush or a slow trickle of fluid.
What to notice:
- It’s usually clear or slightly pinkish
- It doesn’t smell like urine
- It keeps leaking and doesn’t stop
If your water breaks, even without contractions:
📞 Call your healthcare provider or hospital. They’ll guide you on next steps based on timing, baby’s movements, and other signs.
💨 3. You Lose Your Mucus Plug
This jelly-like discharge may come out all at once or gradually and might be tinged with blood (called “bloody show”).
It’s your body’s way of saying cervical changes are happening, but it doesn’t always mean labor is immediate. It could be hours or even days away.
🩸 If you see bright red bleeding or heavy flow, contact your care provider immediately.
⚡ 4. Back Pain and Pelvic Pressure
As baby moves lower into your pelvis, you may feel:
- Constant lower back pain
- Heaviness or pressure in your pelvic area
- Achiness in your hips and thighs
If it’s paired with other labor signs—like contractions—it’s likely your body is gearing up.
💆♀️ Tip: Use a heat pack or warm shower for comfort while monitoring symptoms.
🌙 5. A Sudden Burst of Energy or Nesting Urge
In the days or hours before labor, some women report a sudden need to clean, organise, or “get things done.”
While not a medical sign, this instinctual “nesting” phase may be your mind’s way of preparing for birth.
🧺 Listen to your body—balance bursts of energy with lots of rest.
🫁 6. Baby Drops (Lightening)
In the last weeks before labor (especially for first-time mums), you might notice:
- You can breathe easier again (baby is no longer pressing your lungs)
- Increased pressure in your pelvis
- More frequent bathroom trips
This is called lightening, when baby moves down into the birth canal. It’s a sign your body is progressing—but not necessarily that labor is starting right away.
🚨 When to Call the Hospital or Midwife
Call your provider if you experience:
- Contractions every 5 minutes for at least an hour (especially for first babies)
- Your water breaks (even if no contractions)
- Bright red bleeding
- Baby isn’t moving as much as usual
- Severe or sharp abdominal pain
- You just feel something isn’t right
📞 Never hesitate. Trust your instincts—healthcare teams would rather you call early than wait too long.
💕 Final Thoughts: Trust Your Body
Labor doesn’t always start like the movies—with dramatic water breaking and a rush to hospital. For most mums, it’s a gradual unfolding—your body whispering before it shouts.
Whether your signs come gently or quickly, you are capable, strong, and not alone.
Have your bags packed, support team ready, and remember—you’ve got this.
Warmly,
Team Bump2Baby