Signs of Labour: How to Know When Your Baby Is on the Way

Waters breaking? Contractions? Both can be signs of labour - but sometimes the signals are more subtle, and it can be hard to tell whether you’re at the start of labour. If you’re a mum-to-be or birthing parent, that uncertainty is completely normal. This guide covers common early signs, what they can mean, and how to spot the difference between true and false labour.

In UK guidance, the earliest part of labour is often called the latent phase. This is when contractions begin alongside cervical changes (including effacement and dilation up to about 4 cm). Established (true) labour is typically when contractions are regular and the cervix continues to dilate progressively from 4 cm.

Your estimated due date is usually based on 40 weeks from the first day of your last period - but it’s only an estimate, and pregnancies commonly range from 37 to 42 weeks. If you’re not yet full term, be aware of signs of preterm labour until you reach 38 weeks pregnant.

True labour vs. Braxton Hicks (comparison)

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you think you may be in labour, contact your midwife or maternity unit.

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Early Warning Signs of Approaching Labour

Many early signs of labour can overlap with normal late-pregnancy changes, so it’s completely understandable to wonder whether anything “means” labour has started. Most people notice a few changes first, then signs may build gradually. Below is a quick guide to common signs labour is coming, with practical pointers on what they can feel like.

Stages of labour

• Start of labour (latent phase): Contractions can be irregular at first as the cervix softens and begins to open. If you can, try to rest, eat and drink to build energy for later stages.

• Pushing and delivering your baby: This stage is often shorter than the first. After birth, you may be able to enjoy skin-to-skin time together straight away.

• Delivering the placenta: Your uterus continues to contract as the placenta is delivered. Your midwife or doctor can talk you through options for managing this stage.

Checklist: common early signs

• Backache or period-like cramps. It’s common to feel a heavy, aching backache or crampy pains before labour begins or in early labour. If it’s new or noticeably different for you, take a moment to rest, hydrate and notice whether it comes and goes. (You can also read more about backache.)

• Pelvic pressure or baby feels lower ("dropping"). Many parents notice increased pelvic heaviness, pressure, or a feeling that the baby is sitting lower. This can be uncomfortable but is often part of your body preparing for birth.

• More frequent urge to urinate. Needing to wee more often can happen as the baby’s head sits lower and puts pressure on your bladder. On its own, it’s usually normal - especially alongside other early signs of labour.

• A “show” (mucus plug). Seeing sticky, jelly-like mucus (sometimes pink-tinged) can be a sign your cervix is starting to open. Labour may follow quickly, or it may still take a few days - and some people don’t notice a show at all. Learn more about the mucus plug.

• Digestive changes (loose stools, nausea, diarrhoea). Some people get an upset stomach or loose stools as labour approaches. This can be unpleasant but may be temporary. Keep sipping fluids if you can, and contact your midwife if you’re worried.

• Regular contractions (see Section 6). It’s normal for tightenings to start gently and become stronger. True labour contractions generally become longer, stronger and more frequent over time. If you’re unsure whether you’re having Braxton Hicks contractions or labour, it can help to compare how they change. You can also read what do contractions feel like.

• Waters breaking (see Section 7). Your waters may break with a sudden gush or a slow trickle. Because your maternity team may want to know the colour and smell of the fluid, it’s a good idea to note what you notice and contact your midwife or maternity unit. More on waters breaking.

• Burst of energy (“nesting instinct”) - anecdotal. Some parents report a sudden urge to organise, clean or get everything ready. This “nesting” feeling isn’t a clinical sign on its own, but it can happen around the time labour approaches.

If you notice a combination of these signs and think you may be in labour - or you’re unsure or worried about anything - contact your midwife or maternity unit for guidance.

Baby Dropping (Lightening) - What Does It Mean?

If it suddenly feels like your bump has “shifted”, you’re not imagining it - many parents notice their baby moving lower in late pregnancy. This is often called baby dropping, and you may also hear it described as lightening pregnancy. In NHS information, this happens when your baby moves head-down into your pelvis in a staged process called engagement. It can feel like a relief because there’s more space in your abdomen, so breathlessness or heartburn may ease.

At the same time, the trade-off is extra pressure lower down - you might need to pee more often and walking may feel more uncomfortable. Importantly, engagement does not mean labour is about to start straight away. You may still have several weeks to go, and the timing can vary from one pregnancy to the next.

If you’re in your third trimester, it can help to think of engagement as one way your body and baby are preparing for birth - not a countdown clock. If you’re ever unsure about symptoms, your midwife or maternity unit can help you understand what’s normal for you.

Cervical Changes: What Effacement and Dilation Mean

As labour approaches, your cervix (the opening to your womb) starts to change in preparation for birth. Two words you may hear are cervical effacement and cervical dilation labour. Effacement means your cervix becomes softer, thinner and shorter. Dilation means it begins to open.

In UK guidance, these changes often begin during the latent phase of labour. Contractions can start alongside cervical change, with dilation progressing up to about 4 cm. When labour becomes established, contractions are typically regular and the cervix continues to dilate progressively from around 4 cm.

During labour, the cervix usually opens to around 10 cm so your baby can pass through. Your midwife will assess your cervix during labour if needed and explain what the findings mean for you. This is not something you need to check yourself.

If you’re told your cervix is “effacing” or “dilating”, it can help to remember that progress varies widely. Some people change slowly over hours or days, while others move through stages more quickly. If you’re unsure what’s happening, ask your midwife or maternity unit to talk you through what they’re seeing and what to do next.

How Can I Tell Real and False Labour Signs Apart?

Seeing extra discharge near the end of pregnancy can be surprising, but it’s often normal. A “show” is one of the common signs that labour may be approaching - and it’s linked to changes in your cervix as it starts to open.

During pregnancy, the cervix is sealed with a plug of mucus. As the cervix begins to soften and open, this plug can come away. This is sometimes called the mucus plug labour.

The NHS uses the term “show” (sometimes called a bloody show) for sticky, jelly-like mucus that looks pink. It’s pink because it contains a small amount of blood. A show may come away in 1 blob or in several pieces. It can mean your cervix is starting to open - but labour may follow quickly or it may still take a few days, and some people do not notice a show at all.

What matters most is the amount and colour of blood. A small amount of pink-tinged mucus is usually expected. If you’re losing more blood than a pinkish show, or you have heavy or bright red bleeding, this is not a show - contact your midwife or maternity unit straight away.

You can also read more about the mucus plug here: mucus plug.

Understanding Your Contractions

Early labour can be unpredictable - it may be hours or even days before things progress, especially with a first baby. If your midwife says it’s OK, you may be more comfortable staying at home a little longer while you rest and notice how contractions change.

If you haven’t already, get your hospital bag packed and use our Hospital Bag Checklist to double‑check essentials.

Comfort measures you can try in early labour

• Walk or change positions.

• Try breathing/relaxation you learned in prenatal classes.

• Have a warm shower or bath if it helps.

• Eat and drink little and often.

For more ideas, see labour comfort measures. Paracetamol can help relieve some early‑stage pain - follow the packet instructions. You can also take our labour pain management quiz to explore options.

What contractions can feel like

A contraction is when your womb tightens and then relaxes. For some people it feels like extreme period pains. Your abdomen may feel firm during the tightening and soften as it eases.

Timing guide

Use this quick method for how to time contractions:

• Frequency: start‑to‑start.

• Duration: how long each lasts.

• Progression: getting longer, stronger and closer together

Braxton Hicks vs labour contractions

Braxton Hicks may feel uncomfortable, but are usually painless and do not build up. Labour contractions tend to become longer, stronger and more frequent over time. If you’re unsure what you’re feeling, read what do contractions feel like.

When to call your midwife or maternity unit

Here’s when to call midwife using NHS wording: call for guidance when you think you’re in labour or you’re having regular contractions every 5 minutes or more often (no “60‑second” rule).

Call urgently if any contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes, or you’re having 6 or more contractions every 10 minutes. Also call urgently if your waters break, you have vaginal bleeding, or your baby is moving less than usual. Call 111 if you cannot reach your midwife/maternity unit. Call 999 if you have a strong urge to push and think your baby is coming now.

When Your Waters Break

Many people’s waters break during labour, but they can also break before contractions start. That can feel dramatic - or it can be just a slow trickle - and either way, it’s a common reason to contact your midwife or maternity unit for advice.

This is often called waters breaking. The fluid around your baby (amniotic fluid) is usually clear and pale (sometimes described as clear/pink/straw). It may be slightly bloodstained at first. If you’re not sure whether the fluid is urine or your waters, using a pad can help you monitor what’s happening.

What to do - step by step

• Stay calm and note the time your waters broke (or when the leaking started).

• Put on a maternity/sanitary pad (not a tampon) so your midwife can check the colour.

• Check the smell and the colour - amniotic fluid colour matters.

• Call your midwife or maternity unit for guidance, even if you do not have contractions yet.

For many people, labour starts within 24 hours after the waters break. If labour does not start and your waters have been broken for more than 24 hours, there is an increased risk of infection, and your midwife or doctor may discuss induction or other next steps with you.

When to call urgently

Call your midwife/maternity unit urgently if:

• The fluid is green or brown, or it has an unpleasant smell.

• You have heavy or bright red bleeding.

• Your baby is moving less than usual.

If the fluid is green or brown, it may mean your baby has passed meconium (poo) - your maternity team will want to assess you promptly. Read more: waters breaking.

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When to Call Your Midwife or Maternity Unit

If you’re not sure whether what you’re feeling is labour, it’s always OK to call. Your midwife or maternity unit would much rather you check in early than sit at home worrying. The guide below follows NHS advice and is designed to help you decide what to do next.

Tier 1 - Call your midwife or maternity unit

Call for guidance if:

• you think you’re in labour

• you’re having regular contractions coming every 5 minutes or more often

• you’re unsure or worried about anything

Call 111 if you’re unable to contact your midwife or maternity unit.

Tier 2 - Call urgently

• your waters break

• you have vaginal bleeding

• your baby is moving less than usual

• you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant and think you might be in labour

• any of your contractions last longer than 2 minutes

• you’re having 6 or more contractions every 10 minutes

These signs mean you need to speak to a midwife or doctor. Do not wait until the next day - call immediately, even if it’s the middle of the night. Call 111 if you’re unable to contact your midwife or maternity unit.

Tier 3 - Call 999

Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if:

• you think your baby is coming now and you have a strong urge to push

In short: when in doubt, when to call midwife is “now” - and if you think you need urgent assessment, this is also when to go to hospital (or to call 999).

Red Flags: Warning Signs That Need Urgent Attention

Most births progress without serious problems, and many “odd” sensations in labour turn out to be normal. But there are a few warning signs where it’s important to get urgent advice. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and contact your midwife or maternity unit straight away.

These warning signs in labour are uncommon, but they matter because they may mean you or your baby needs a prompt check. In the UK, treat these as labour emergency signs UK.

• Heavy or bright red bleeding.

• Your baby is moving less than usual.

• You are less than 37 weeks pregnant and think you may be in labour.

• Constant pain that does not ease between contractions.

• Your waters break and the fluid is green, brown, or has an unpleasant smell.

• Any contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes, or you are having 6 or more contractions every 10 minutes.

Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if you think your baby is coming now and you have a strong urge to push.

If your waters have broken and you develop a raised temperature, contact your maternity team - some NHS leaflets advise calling if your temperature reaches 37.5°C or above.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you think you may be in labour, contact your midwife or maternity unit.

What to Do During Early Labour

Early labour (the latent phase) can be stop‑start and may last for hours - sometimes longer. If your midwife says it’s OK to stay home, focus on comfort and conserving energy. Here’s what to do in early labour in a practical way.

If labour doesn’t feel like it’s moving quickly, that does not automatically mean something is wrong. In the latent stage, contractions can be irregular and the pattern can change. If your labour starts at night, try to rest and stay comfortable. If it starts during the day, staying upright and gently active can help you cope and may help your baby move down.

Your priorities in early labour

• Rest when you can: Relax and sleep if possible - saving energy helps later.

• Eat and drink: Have light meals and sip fluids for energy and hydration.

• Stay comfortable: Use water, movement and breathing to ease tension.

Comfort measures to try at home

Comfort measures can be simple - try a few and stick with what helps most.

• Move in ways that feel good: a short walk, rocking, or changing positions.

• Use water: a warm bath or shower to help you relax.

• Breathe and relax: slow breathing, a calm playlist, or massage from a birth partner.

• Prepare gently: keep essentials handy and, if you haven’t already, pack your hospital bag.

Helpful tools: Hospital Bag Checklist and what to pack in your hospital bag.

Pain relief at home

Paracetamol can help with early labour pain - always follow the instructions on the packet. If you have any questions about what’s suitable for you, ask your midwife.

Contact your midwife/maternity unit if your waters break, if you’re worried about anything, or if contractions become regular and frequent.