1. What are some tell-tale signs to watch for before going into labor?

Some women experience very distinct signs of labor while others do not. No one knows what causes labor to start or when it will start, but several hormonal and physical changes may indicate  the beginning of labor. The fi rst stage of labor is called “lightening” or the process of your baby settling or lowering into your pelvis, which can happen anytime from a few weeks or a few hours  before labor. Passing of the mucus plug or “bloody show” and experiencing contractions are also
common signs of labor.

2. What is “false labor?”

Before “true” labor begins, you may have “false” labor pains, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions can be described as a tightening in the abdomen that comes and goes but do not last long, increase in frequency, get stronger, or get closer together over time. These are perfectly normal and may start to occur in your second trimester, although more commonly in your third trimester of pregnancy. These are your body’s way of getting ready for the “real thing.”

3. How do I know if I’m having true labor?

Check out the table below so you can distinguish false labor from true labor.

4. How often are vaginal exams performed during labor?

Upon admission, vaginal examination is very important especially if the patient complains of watery vaginal discharge. During labor, the frequency of vaginal examination would depend on the rate of progress of the labor. If a patient is in early phase of labor, vaginal examinations are minimized since there aren’t many changes expected yet. But as soon as the patient enters the active phase of labor—where the cervical dilation is at a faster rate—then vaginal examination is done every two hours.

However, if the patient’s bag of water already broke, lesser vaginal examinations are performed to prevent infections that can affect the baby.

5. What can I do to relieve early labor pains?

The first stage of labor is best experienced in the comfort of your home. Try to distract yourself: take a walk, or watch a movie. You can also soak in a warm tub or take a warm shower with the approval of your physician. If early labor pains happens at night, try to sleep; you need to store up your energy for active labor.

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