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True labor contractions give some signs that labor has started. We’ll talk how to time early contractions and what to watch for know you have true labor contractions — AND what to do if you’re sent home from the hospital in early labor.

True labor contractions have some definite signs of labor approaching. Of course, it’s different for everyone, so let’s read on to see what you watch for.

Labor SOUNDS like it will be really obvious. However, a lot of you might wonder as you feel aches and pains if “that” is “it”.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — TV and movies have NOT done us a favor in our impression of how labor starts and progresses. Much like everything, labor in real life is a lot different than how it is on TV.

Of course, not EVERYONE feels labor in the same way.

But, these are some pretty good points for the majority of people. Want to know more about labor — don’t miss my page Am I in Labor Quiz.

**You might wonder why I am an expert in this area (as you should) — it just so happens I’ve been a labor nurse since 2001 — so after helping over a thousand pregnant women — I think “expert” fits!**

True Labor Contractions:

** These are not hard and fast rules, pay attention to your body, your doctor and your gut. As always, never take the advice of something you read or hear, over the advice of your doctor. **

True labor contractions are only great when you’re after 36-37 weeks. Prior to that, early labor contractions can be problematic (you want to go the full forty) and you will want to call your doctor. Be sure to ask your doctor what you should do when you feel contractions!

Early Labor Contractions

Contractions will start out pretty randomly — but with TRUE labor, you’ll want to see them slowly form into some sort of a pattern.

On your first, we’d like to see the contractions every 2-3 minutes, on subsequent babies you’d probably want to head to the hospital when they’re about every 5 minutes (only because labor progresses quicker). I once had a patient come in because she’d had two contractions. I was like, “every two minutes?” She said, “no — just two — but they’re really hard!”

Ala casa, my friend (that means to home, in case you’re not bilingual like me).

BTW, not exactly sure what a contraction is? BloomLife is for you — save on your BloomLife purchase when you click here (no email required — code will show instantly).

Bloomlife monitors can be rented (so nice not to have to keep it around) and with my code it makes the first month SUPER reasonable. It’s an actual contraction monitor that you can view from your phone. If you want more info on why I think it’s a great idea — you can get it sent straight to your inbox — along with that 10% off Bloomlife Promo code!! I also have a whole post about what contractions feel like.

Related Post: Labor Vocabulary

Contraction Timing

Do they have to last exactly a minute — no — but most PRODUCTIVE contractions last about a minute – meaning 45 to 90 seconds. Short ones usually aren’t going anywhere big (Chapter three in my prenatal class gives all the info on how to exactly count contractions).

And like I said above, you want them every 2-5 minutes (depending on what # baby it is — you’ll want to ask your doctor about the specifics he/she recommends).

Wanting to time them, but not wanting to use your phone (I never did) something like this will work.

Pro tip: You’ll want to make SURE that baby is still moving, even if you’re contraction — check out my post on kick counts for more info on that!

How will I know when I’m having contractions?

True labor radiates. It will usually involve your entire torso. Like someone has wrapped a scarf of pain around your midsection. Usually starting in the back and radiating towards the front (or it can go the opposite). If it’s JUST in the back or on a certain area of your belly, it may well not be quite the real deal.

Of course, I discussed a lot of this on my Signs of Labor post — it won’t be JUST contractions. Usually, there’s some other fun going on also, like diarrhea — so, click over there to learn more about the different signs of labor.

The big question in most people’s minds is

How do you know they are true labor contractions?

The answer is cervical change. And usually about a centimeter/hour. If you were to come to the hospital and be only 1-3 cm we’d probably have you walk for an hour and then re-check you. If you haven’t moved a centimeter, it likely means you’re not in true labor and your time would be better spent at home (learn more about vaginal exams in labor).

Now, many women feel dejected after that.

But let me be the FIRST to tell you that this isn’t a bad thing:

You’ve made sure baby is safe and sound inside (babies sometimes move less as you go into labor, so that can be disconcerting)
You might have NO idea what a contraction is and isn’t and when you’re on the monitor it can help show you that (or a Bloom onitor like I talked about above could help that)
You know you’re safe to labor at home for a bit.
By pushing things, and being stuck in the hospital longer, you are increasing your chance of a c-section (be sure to check out my post on natural labor that gives tips and tricks for that!)

Enjoy some natural labor at home!

Oh, and if you haven’t — be sure to find out what to put in your hospital bag!

Early Labor Plans

So, please don’t feel bad if we send you home from Labor and Delivery. Here are a few things to do at home to wait for real labor to get to your uterus (and sometimes that takes a while).

Take a shower. Let that water run on your back and it will really help it feel better. Some nurses recommend a bath — but a) You don’t want the water too hot in a bath, you’ll cook your baby. b) It’s tough to get in and out of the bath 9 months pregnant (depending on your type of tub) — so I always recommend a shower — but a bath can be nice too!
Get some housework done. Do it now, honestly. Distract yourself and be productive. Win-win.
Use a warm pack where it hurts and try to get some rest. Use a microwaveable heating pad just warmed up (not hot) for your back or hips to help you try to relax.
Eat. I wouldn’t gorge myself on the giant burrito from your local Mexican restaurant, but I’d eat something. Something you love. Once you get to the hospital, often, your doctor won’t let you eat.
Sit on your yoga ball — this is my personal favorite (pick a larger one — like this). I think that rotating your hips on a yoga ball can really help that baby descend. Kind of like drilling it down to find the right position.
Move around. Take a walk, dance, whatever speaks to you. But moving around will help distract you as well as finding new positions for that baby to drop into the ol’ pelvis.
TV, Movies, Facebook, apps. Seriously, laze around. Binge watch. Tell your family I told you to. 🙂

Of course, things besides labor can be a reason to head into the hospital — and I go through all of that in my free beginning prenatal class:

Related Post: Labor Epidural

FAQ’s about Labor Contractions

Can you trick a contraction monitor?

Well, I guess. If you’re thinking you’re going to go to the hospital and push on the monitor to make us think you’re contracting so that you’ll have your baby, it’s not a good move. You could MAYBE trick us on one or two contractions (although, a smart nurse will know what you’re doing). But, to sit there and do that over and over — it’s goign to get real old. And honestly, even if you’re contracting, but your cervix isn’t opening — we still won’t keep you as you’d be considered in early labor.

What do pre-labor contractions feel like?

Most women say they feel like cramps. Some women just say they feel “crummy” — of course, most women feel ilke they feel fairly crummy most of their pregnancy, so I’d go with period type cramping feeling.

What do labor contractions feel like?

I actually have a whole post about that here — what do contractions feel like?

When should I go to the hospital?

While I talk about that in my prenatal class, I still recommend you talk to your doctor to ask them their opinion on that. Much of it is based on how far away the hospital is and any past history you have.

Can I be in labor with no contractions?

Cervixes can open with what seems like no contractions. However, most people have some very pain contractions as their cervix starts to open beyond 3 centimeters or so.

Everyone’s pain tolerance is different, so some people might not really “feel” small contractions. But, it is also likely that those contractions aren’t causing much change in your cervix.

What are prodromal labor contractions?

While we mostly use the words “early labor” for this — this is just contractions that aren’t making your cervix open, or at least open very quickly. In order to be in “active” labor we’d like to either see you past 6 cm or opening at least a centimeter per hour.

That isn’t to say that prodromal labor isn’t painful. It can be quite painful.

Where do labor contractions hurt?

Most women feel them either in their abdomen or the belly — or both.

How do contractions start?

Well, the usually start pretty small. I’m not sure if you want to know the hormonal things that cause it — but usually they start because your baby and your uterus have finally decided they’re done with each other.

Labor Contractions Timing

Back in the day I used a piece of paper and a stopwatch. I see a lot of people who’ve used an app.

In reality, you don’t really need it down to the seconds. You can just glance at your clock and say it’s 2:45 — an then, write down the time the next one starts. We talk all about timing contractions in my prenatal class.

Labor Contractions on one Side

In early labor, the position of the baby can play a role in where/how you feel contractions. Often people feel them more in one spot or one side, but that area increases as labor progresses.

Labor Contractions Stopping & Starting

Early labor will go, and stop, and then go again. This is early labor, not TRUE labor. True labor will progress and progress.

Labor Contractions Toco

The toco is the monitor we use at the hospital to measure contractions. It goes on your belly and shows us when you’re having them. It doesn’t exactly show you how strong they are — but should show when you’re having them.

If you have a toco on and you feel like you’ree having them, but they aren’t showing, let your nurse know. She may need to reposition it.

Anyway, as I’ve said before — false labor pains often progress into true labor. And the BEST thing you can do is stay REALLY well hydrated and wait for the labor fairy to call you number. 🙂

And this page — Am I in labor — has ALL of the awesome links for if you’re in the real deal, and more!

If you liked this post — check out all my delivery tips at the bottom (you can find all my pregnancy posts here). Be sure to sign up for my pregnancy email list. Whether you’re 4 weeks or 40, I can help hold your hand during this pregnancy and follow you along towards your due date!