What happens when labour starts?
When labour starts, the neck of the womb (cervix) opens (dilates). The muscles of the uterus contract at regular intervals. During contractions the abdomen becomes hard; between contractions the uterus relaxes and softens. During this time the baby begins to move down.
The following changes are signs that labour is about to begin, although not every pregnant woman experiences all of them.
| Sign | When is it felt? |
|---|---|
| Feeling that the baby has dropped lower | From 1–2 weeks to 1–2 hours before labour |
| Vaginal discharge (colourless or slightly bloody) | 1–2 days before labour starts, or at the onset |
What is false labour?
False labour contractions are usually irregular and not as strong as those of true labour. Sometimes the only way to tell false labour from true labour is for your doctor to assess changes in the cervix during a vaginal examination. The irregular contractions typical of false labour are also called Braxton Hicks contractions, and they are usually felt more in the evening.