Signs that labor is starting often include contractions that grow stronger, last longer, and come closer together.
Late pregnancy can feel like a guessing game. Your belly tightens, your back aches, then everything settles. The trick is spotting a pattern that points to labor.
This article breaks down what contractions can feel like, how to time them, and which signs mean you should call right away. It’s meant to help you decide your next move with less second-guessing.
Contractions Signs of Labor: quick check by symptom
Labor rarely arrives with one single signal. A few clues stack up. Use this table to spot patterns and pick your next step.
| Sign | What it can feel like | What you can do next |
|---|---|---|
| Regular contractions that tighten, release, then repeat | A firm squeeze across the belly, sometimes with back pain | Time from the start of one to the start of the next |
| Contractions that get closer together | Breaks shorten over time, even if it starts slow | Track spacing for at least 30–60 minutes |
| Contractions that get longer | Many true labor waves last around a minute | Time each one from start to finish |
| Contractions that get harder to talk through | You pause mid-sentence or need focused breathing | Move to a calmer spot, sip water, keep timing |
| Lower back ache that comes in waves | Dull ache that ramps up, peaks, then eases | Try counter-pressure or a warm shower and re-time |
| Bloody show or mucus plug changes | Thick mucus that’s pink, brown, or lightly streaked | Note the amount; call sooner if bleeding turns bright red |
| Water breaking | A gush or a steady trickle that soaks underwear | Call right away, note the color and time |
| Pelvic pressure or “baby dropped” feeling | More weight low in the pelvis and more bathroom trips | It can happen days ahead; pair it with contraction patterns |
Contractions and signs of labor in late pregnancy
Most people notice contractions before anything else. ACOG lists contractions as a main signal that labor may be starting, along with water breaking and mucus plug loss. ACOG’s “How to Tell When Labor Begins” is a clear, clinic-style rundown.
Still, not every contraction means labor. Your uterus “practices” for weeks. Practice squeezes can be uncomfortable, but they tend to be irregular and may ease after rest, hydration, or a position change. True labor contractions keep coming even after you switch it up.
What true labor contractions tend to do
Think of true labor contractions as a pattern that tightens its grip over time. Watch three things: rhythm, spacing, and intensity.
- Rhythm: they settle into a steady beat instead of popping up at random.
- Spacing: the gap shrinks over time.
- Intensity: they feel stronger and demand your attention.
Many clinicians describe true labor as contractions that move toward a regular cadence, often lasting about a minute each and getting closer together. If your waves are doing that, don’t rely on memory. Time them and write them down.
Clues that point to practice contractions
Practice contractions can feel tight across the front of the belly, then fade. These clues lean toward practice:
- They don’t form a steady rhythm.
- They slow down after rest, hydration, or a position change.
- They stay in the same “lane,” not climbing in strength over time.
If your pattern is getting clearer and stronger, treat that as data. Start timing. Writing it down cuts through the guesswork.
Keep contractions signs of labor in a notes app.
How to time contractions
You only need two numbers: how far apart they are, and how long each one lasts. Timing gets easier after a few rounds. Pick a point in the contraction and stay consistent with it.
Step-by-step timing
- Start: when the tightening begins, start your timer.
- Stop: when it fully releases, stop the timer. That’s duration.
- Measure the gap: count from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. That’s interval.
- Repeat: time at least 5–6 contractions to see if the spacing is shrinking.
The 5-1-1 cue
Many birth teams use a simple cue: contractions about 5 minutes apart, lasting about 1 minute, for about 1 hour. It’s not universal, but it’s a solid trigger for a call or a plan check. Your clinic may set earlier triggers based on your pregnancy, your distance, or a prior fast labor.
When timing feels chaotic
Early labor can be uneven. You might get a cluster, then a pause. If you aren’t sure what you’re seeing, try a reset:
- Drink water and empty your bladder.
- Walk for 10–15 minutes, then rest.
- Re-time for another 30 minutes.
If contractions fade after that reset, they were likely practice. If they hold steady or build, keep tracking and follow your plan.
Other signs that can travel with labor
Contractions are the headline, but other body changes add context. Alone, each sign can happen before labor. Together, they paint a clearer picture.
Water breaking
Your water can break as a gush, or it can leak in small amounts. Fluid is often clear. Green or brown fluid can signal meconium. If you think your water broke, note the time, color, and smell, then call for guidance. Put on a pad, not a tampon, so you can track the fluid.
Bloody show and mucus plug changes
A mucus plug can come out in pieces or in one thick blob. Light pink or brown streaking can be normal. Bright red bleeding that looks like a period is not. Call right away if bleeding is heavy, you pass clots, or you feel faint.
Back labor and pelvic pressure
Some people feel contractions mostly in the back. It can feel like a deep ache that peaks and eases in a rhythm. Pelvic pressure can rise as the baby moves lower. You may also feel a steady urge to poop, or pressure in the rectum during contractions.
Energy and mood shifts
Some people get a burst of energy and start cleaning. Others get quiet and inward. That change alone doesn’t mean labor has started, but it can be a nudge to rest, eat, and make sure your bag is ready.
When to call right away
Some situations call for a phone call now, even if you aren’t sure you’re in active labor. The NHS urgent list includes water breaking, vaginal bleeding, reduced baby movement, and signs of labor before 37 weeks. NHS stages of labour guidance spells those triggers out.
| What’s happening | Why it can’t wait | What to say on the call |
|---|---|---|
| Water breaks (gush or leak) | Timing and fluid color guide next steps | “My waters broke at __, fluid is __, baby is moving __.” |
| Bright red bleeding or clots | Needs urgent assessment | “Bleeding started at __, amount is __, pain is __.” |
| Baby is moving less than usual | May need monitoring | “Movement changed since __, I’ve tried food and rest.” |
| Labor signs before 37 weeks | Preterm labor needs rapid guidance | “I’m __ weeks, contractions are every __ minutes.” |
| Fever, chills, or flu-like illness | Can pair with infection concerns | “Temp is __, waters broke? __, other symptoms __.” |
| Strong urge to push | Baby may be close | “I feel pressure and an urge to push with each wave.” |
| Severe headache or vision changes | Can signal a pregnancy complication | “Symptoms began at __, other symptoms __.” |
What to do at home while you wait
If your care team has told you to stay home for early labor, keep it simple: rest, hydrate, and save energy for later. Small moves can help you cope between waves.
Comfort moves that many people use
- A warm shower or bath if your care team is fine with it.
- Heat on your lower back, or a warm rice sock.
- Counter-pressure on the lower back during back labor.
- Slow walking, side-lying rest, or rocking on a birth ball.
- Low, steady breathing: in through the nose, out through the mouth.
Food and fluids
Stick with small snacks that sit well: toast, yogurt, soup, fruit, or crackers. Sip water often. Dehydration can crank up cramping and can trigger more practice contractions. If you’ve been vomiting or can’t keep fluids down, call for advice.
Get your “go” items in one spot
Keep your ID, insurance card, phone charger, a change of clothes, and baby’s first outfit together. Put your timing notes on top so you can hand them over at check-in. If you have a car seat, install it early and do a quick shake test.
Cases that change timing plans
Some pregnancies come with a “call sooner” threshold. Your care team may set custom triggers, and they’re worth following.
- Prior fast birth: call when contractions settle into a rhythm, even if they aren’t close together yet.
- Scheduled cesarean: call right away if contractions start or your water breaks before your date.
- Induction scheduled: call if you think labor is starting before your appointment, or if your water breaks.
- Multiple pregnancy or known complications: earlier contact is common, since monitoring needs can change.
What to track so your call is quick
A short, clear report helps triage go faster. Write these down as they happen:
- Gestational week and any pregnancy conditions
- Contraction interval and duration (your last 5–6 timings)
- Water breaking: time and fluid color
- Bleeding: color and amount
- Baby movement: normal for you or changed
- Your temperature if you feel sick
If you’re unsure whether what you’re feeling matches contractions signs of labor, say that plainly. Your timing notes give your team something concrete to work with.
One last tip: keep your phone charged and your ringer on nearby. When labor ramps up, the small stuff gets harder.