by Caetlyn R Campbell

Created on: August 17, 2008

Am I in Labor?

If you are asking yourself or anyone else this question, chances are, this is your first pregnancy and your first count down to meeting your child. It's a nerve wracking time as you don't know what to expect or what it feels like and you're nervous. You may be feeling the beginnings of true labor or just stronger Braxton Hicks contractions (tightening of muscles across your stomach and pelvic area). How's a first time mother supposed to know WHAT she is feeling?

First of all, if you really think you are in labor, go to the hospital or call your midwife. Don't be worried about wasting anyones time, it's better to be safe than sorry, and you really don't want to wait until you're delivering an eager to be born child in a bathroom or a car. It doesn't happen as often as television shows portray, but it does happen. Especially if your mom or sisters had fast deliveries. Family history can be important, so talk to them.

How does one know if "it's time"?

Symptoms of early labor can be many and varied and include the following (and it can drag on for days):

A) When the baby is getting ready to be born it can "drop" its head into the top of your pelvic region. You'll know this has happened when you can suddenly breathe better but you're running to the bathroom to wee more often and suddenly you're walking like a severely bow-legged cowgirl. It can become very uncomfortable in the pelvic region with the baby's head that low (quite frankly it feels like youve got a bowling ball in there), although you may be so grateful to be able to breathe again, that it's worth the new annoyance.

B) You may find yourself running to the bathroom more often for another reason. Diarrhea. While it may not seem like it, this is a good thing. It means your body is eliminating waste to prepare for the birth.

C) You may see a "bloody show". This is where your mucus plug can slowly leave your cervix and can come out in a chunk or so slowly that you never notice it. Please note that a "bloody show" does not mean you start bleeding bright red blood. This is a sign you need to get to the hospital NOW, but is instead a slight bit of blood mixed with mucusy stuff.

D) Another sign that your body is getting ready for labor can be a slight weight loss. However at this stage most women will never notice as the last thing they want to do is get on a scale.

E) You may notice an increase in Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions are usually felt along the front of the stomach and pelvic

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