HealthPartners - Your guide to pregnancy

LABOR CONTRACTIONS Some labor contractions cause back or lower abdominal pain. When you think you are in labor, sit down and time your contractions. There’s no need to panic and rush to the phone or hospital, especially if this is your first baby and your water hasn’t broken. Labor may take a while to become regular. Signs of labor can include: • A small amount of vaginal blood or blood-tinged mucus • Cramps and increased back pain • Contractions get stronger, more frequent, and last longer • Walking or changing positions doesn’t stop the contractions • Pain starts in the back and moves to the front • Your cervix begins to dilate

As you get closer to your due date, talk to your health care provider about when to go to the hospital. Ask how close together you should let your contractions get before calling or heading in. Other considerations include whether this is your first baby and how far from the hospital you live. HOW LONG DOES LABOR LAST? Everyone’s pregnancy and labor experience will be different. It may be faster and easier than you expected. Or longer and harder than you thought it would be. Even with modern technology, it is impossible to predict how long you’ll be in labor before your baby is born. Here are some general guidelines: • If this is your first baby, you could spend about 12-18 hours in labor • If you’ve had a vaginal birth before, labor could be closer to 8-10 hours Remember, these are just guidelines and averages. Your labor may be shorter or longer.

WARNING!

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your provider or go to the hospital right away:

•Your water breaks (with or without contractions)

•You have heavier vaginal bleeding (more like a menstrual period) •You have constant severe abdominal pain that doesn’t come and go with contractions •You notice that your baby is not moving as often as usual •You had a previous cesarean birth and think you are in labor •Your health care provider has given you other instructions

50 Your Guide to A Healthy Pregnancy