How Will I Know I'm in Labour? A Central Coast Birth Educator's Guide

"How will I know when I'm actually in labour?"

This is hands-down one of the most common questions I hear in my Central Coast birth education classes, and it makes complete sense. You've never done this before, your body has been doing all sorts of unusual things for months, and you've probably heard stories of people who didn't realise they were in labour or who went to the hospital too early and got sent home.

The anxiety around not recognising labour is real, but after supporting births for 10 years, I can tell you that your body will give you clear signals. The key is knowing what to look for and, just as importantly, knowing what doesn't mean labour has started.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know.

The Signs That Labour is Approaching (But Hasn't Started Yet)

First, let's talk about the signs that labour is getting closer. These can happen days or even weeks before active labour begins. They're helpful to notice, but they don't mean you need to rush to the hospital or call your midwife yet.

Braxton Hicks Contractions (Practice Contractions)

You've probably been having these for weeks or months. They're your uterus practising for the main event.Braxton Hicks contractions are:

• Irregular (no pattern to timing)

• Don't increase in intensity

• Often stop when you change position or drink water

• Usually felt in the front of your belly

• Don't cause cervical change

Think of them as warm-up exercises, your uterus getting ready but not actually working yet. They are great way to practice your breathing, visualisations or run through your affirmations.

Lightening (Baby Dropping)

In the weeks before labour, your baby often moves lower into your pelvis. You might notice:

• Easier breathing (less pressure on your diaphragm)

• More pelvic pressure or discomfort

• More frequent urination

• Waddling when you walk (can also be from SPD)

This is a sign your baby is getting into position, but it doesn't tell you when labour will start. First-time parents often experience lightening 2-4 weeks before labour; for subsequent babies, it might not happen until labour begins.

Losing Your Mucus Plug

Your cervix has been sealed with a thick plug of mucus throughout pregnancy. As your cervix begins to soften and thin, you might lose this plug, either as one gelatinous glob or gradually over several days. It can be clear, pink, or blood-tinged (often called a "show").

Losing your mucus plug means your cervix is changing, which is great! But labour could still be days or even a week or more away. Your body can also regenerate the plug, so losing it doesn't mean you're "open" or at risk.

Nesting Instinct

Many women experience a sudden burst of energy and the urge to clean, organise, or prepare in the days before labour. If you suddenly find yourself scrubbing the grout at midnight, it might be your body's way of saying labour is approaching.

Just be careful not to exhaust yourself. You'll need that energy for labour.

Changes in Bowel Movements

Your body naturally clears itself out before labour begins, now this can vary from person to person thanks to two amazing hormones of Prostaglandin and relaxin (these guys smooth the bowel muscle). You might experience loose stools or more frequent bowel movements in the day or two before labour starts. This is normal and actually helpful, nature's way of making more room for your baby.

The Signs That Labour Has Actually Started

Now, the important part. How do you know when labour has truly begun?

Regular, Progressive Contractions

This is the big one. Real labour contractions:

• Come at regular intervals (you can time them and see a pattern)

• Get progressively closer together over time

• Get progressively longer and stronger

• Continue regardless of what you do: walking, resting, changing position

• Often start in your back and wrap around to the front

• Are impossible to talk through at their peak

In early labour, contractions might be 15-20 minutes apart, each lasting 30-45 seconds. As labour progresses, they'll come closer together, eventually about 3-5 minutes apart, lasting 60 seconds or more.

The "Can't Talk Through It" Test

Here's a practical way to gauge intensity: In early labour, you can still talk, joke, and function fairly normally between and during contractions. As labour becomes active, you'll need to stop what you're doing and focus completely during each contraction. When you can't talk through them anymore, labour is getting serious.

Water Breaking

Only about 10-15% of labours start with your water breaking (rupture of membranes). Most people's waters break during active labour or even during pushing. But if yours does break before contractions start:

• Note the time

• Note the colour (should be clear or slightly pink; if it's green or brown, call your care provider immediately)

• Note the smell (should be odourless)

• Put on a pad to track how much fluid you're losing

• Contact your midwife or hospital

After your waters break, contractions usually begin within 24 hours. Some care providers want to see you immediately; others are comfortable waiting as long as everything looks and smells normal. Know your care provider's protocol ahead of time and use those B.R.A.I.N.S!

Important: If your water breaks and you feel or see the umbilical cord, or you feel a bulging sensation in your vagina, call an ambulance immediately. This is a cord prolapse and requires emergency care.

The "Show or Bloody Show"

Different from just losing your mucus plug, the bloody show is pink or red-tinged mucus that indicates your cervix is actively dilating. This is usually accompanied by regular contractions and is a sign that labour is underway.

What Labour Feels Like

Everyone experiences labour differently, but here are common descriptions from the hundreds of Central Coast families I've worked with:

Early Labour:

• Menstrual-like cramps

• Lower back ache that comes and goes

• Mild tightening across your belly

• Still able to talk, laugh, rest between contractions

Active Labour:

• Intense pressure and tightening

• Waves of sensation that demand your full attention

• Deep lower back pain (especially if baby is posterior)

• Needing to breathe or make sounds through contractions

• Feeling like you're working hard

Transition (end of first stage):

• The most intense phase

• Very strong, frequent contractions

• Possible nausea, shaking, feeling overwhelmed

• Doubt ("I can't do this")

• This phase is also usually the shortest

The 5-1-1 Rule (And Why It's Not Perfect)

Many Australian care providers use the 5-1-1 rule as a guide for when to head to the hospital:

• Contractions are 5 minutes apart

• Each lasting 1 minute

• For 1 hour

This is a helpful guideline, but it's not absolute. Some things to consider:

• First-time parents often have a longer early labour at home

• If you live far from the hospital (hello, Central Coast commute from some areas!), you might need to leave earlier

• If this is your second or subsequent baby, labour might progress faster

• If your instinct is telling you something's not right, trust it

• If you're planning an epidural, some hospitals may want you in earlier

• If you're GBS positive, you'll need antibiotics and most providers will want you to head in when active labour begins

Always follow your specific care provider's instructions, especially if you have any risk factors.

Ideally, you want 4 strong contractions in 10 minutes, this is usually what most midwives will be looking for to show sign of active and progressive labour.

False Alarms: When It's Not Labour Yet

It's completely normal to have "false starts." You might have a night of regular contractions that then peter out. This isn't failed labour. It's called prodromal labour, and it's doing important work even if it's frustrating. Your cervix is softening, thinning, and maybe even dilating a bit - That foundational layer is being built for the next phase.

Signs it's not active labour yet:

• Contractions are irregular or stop when you rest/move

• They don't increase in intensity over time

• You can easily talk or sleep through them

• They're all in the front of your belly (often just Braxton Hicks)

If this happens, try to rest, hydrate and have a small nourishing meal. Real labour will eventually establish itself.

What to Do When You Think Labour Has Started

Early Labour at Home:

• Rest as much as possible (sleep if you can, especially at night)

• Stay hydrated

• Eat light, easily digestible foods

• Do gentle activities: walk, watch TV, take a bath

• Practise your breathing and relaxation techniques

• Let your birth partner know labour is starting

• Don't rush to the hospital (early labour is almost always better spent at home)

When to Call Your Midwife or Hospital:

• When contractions follow a pattern and are lasting 45- 60 seconds, feel intense and strong (or your provider's specific guideline or 4 in 10 over and 1 hour)

• If your waters break

• If you have bright red bleeding (more than spotting)

• If you notice decreased foetal movement

• If you have severe pain that doesn't ease between contractions

• If something doesn't feel right

Trust your instincts. If you're concerned, call. That's what your care team is there for.

Special Considerations on the Central Coast

Living on the Central Coast, there are a few extra things to keep in mind:

• Travel time to your chosen hospital (Gosford or private hospitals)

• Traffic during peak times if you're travelling along the M1

• Having a backup plan if your birth partner is at work when labour starts

• Weather conditions (we occasionally get storms that affect travel)

Have your hospital bag packed and in the car by 36 weeks, My clients also have a labour bag and leave a larger bag in the car for a just in case longer hospital stay. Know your route and where to go in the hospital ( avoid that partner anxiety)

You'll Know

Here's what I tell every anxious parent in my classes: Your body is designed to do this, and it will send you clear signals. Yes, there might be some uncertainty in early labour ("Is this it?"), but when active labour establishes itself, you'll know. The intensity, the regularity, the way your body demands your complete attention... it's unmistakable.

And remember, if you go to the hospital and you're not in active labour yet? That's okay. There's no shame in getting checked. It's better to be sent home to labour longer at home than to worry you've missed the window.

Prepare Now, Trust Later

The best way to ease anxiety about recognising labour is to educate yourself now. Understand what labour looks like, what it feels like, and what to expect. Practise your breathing and coping techniques. Create a plan with your care provider for when to call. Then, when the day comes, trust your body and your instincts.

In my 10 years of supporting Central Coast births, I've never met a person who didn't eventually realise they were in labour. Your body knows what to do.

Want to Feel More Prepared?

If you're still feeling uncertain or anxious about recognising labour, or any other aspect of birth, this is exactly what we cover in depth in my Birthability birth education classes. We talk through every stage of labour, what it feels like, when to go to the hospital, and how to cope with the intensity. You'll leave feeling confident and prepared.

Join me for comprehensive Central Coast birth education. Contact Birthability to learn about upcoming classes where we'll cover not just how to recognise labour, but how to navigate it with confidence.

Birthability provides evidence-based birth education on the Central Coast, NSW. With 10 years of experience and specialised training in labour support, I'm here to help you feel prepared and confident for your baby's arrival.