They show us which pages are the most and least popular and how visitors move around the site. They allow us to count visits and traffic sources, to measure and improve the performance of our site. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services (setting your privacy preferences, logging in, filling in forms, etc.). They are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. These timings are just a guide, and they’ll vary from person to person. By the time you’re ready to give birth, the contractions will last about a minute and come every 2 minutes. This also helps to show if they are regular.Ī typical pattern for your early phase contractions is for them to begin by lasting about 40 seconds and come every 10 minutes. You can then count the time between each one. It’s often easier to note down the time each contraction started and how long it lasts for. If you’re able to use a clock or stopwatch, or better still, get your birth partner to help, this will ensure you’re monitoring them correctly. To time your contractions, try and count the seconds between each one. One of the main reasons for this is that when you call your maternity unit to tell them you’re in labour, one of the first things they will ask is how often you are contracting. To help monitor the progress of your labour it’s important to start timing your contractions once they get going. Don’t use tampons, have sex or any hot baths. If your waters break in the early stages of labour the risk of infection is increased, so it’s very important to keep your vaginal area very clean. If in doubt put a pad in place and call your maternity unit. Vaginal discharge can increase greatly towards the end of your pregnancy, and it can therefore be really hard to tell the difference between discharge and waters. It’s normal for the water to be a little bloodstained to begin with. If you’re a little unsure about whether or not your waters have broken, amniotic fluid is clear and a pale straw colour. Some babies are also born in the amniotic sac. Some describe the release of fluid as a trickle, others as a gush. For some women, their waters might break early, but for others it may not be until you’re in active labour. When you are in labour, your waters will ‘go’ or ‘break’, but the timing of this will vary for everyone.

The feelings of discomfort may not seem like anything unusual at first, but if you are in labour they will gradually develop into more regular and intense pains, otherwise known as contractions.ĭuring your pregnancy your baby has been growing and developing in a bag of fluid called the amniotic sac, which surrounds and protects your baby. Remember to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated too. Don’t worry, they are there to help and would rather you and your little one were safe and happy.ĭuring these early stages of labour you may not feel like eating very much, but it’s a good idea to have a snack or a light meal like soup, cereal or toast to keep your energy levels up. If you are in any doubt about whether or not you think you are going into labour, call your maternity unit. It’s also very common to experience diarrhoea or to feel sick or nauseous. You may also have a bit of pain in your lower tummy or back. Lower tummy or back pain – like period pain.įor many women, the earliest sign of labour is a cramping feeling - a bit like period pains.An urge to go to the loo – this is because your little one’s head is pressing on your bowel and/or bladder.

Nausea close to due date