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Labor and Delivery Early and Later Signs of Labor Approaching

 Labor and delivery definitions and facts
 What are the early symptoms and signs of labor?
 What are the symptoms and signs that labor is near or has begun?
 What are the stages of labor and delivery?
 Stage 1 of labor and delivery
 Stage 2 of labor and delivery
 Stage 3 of labor and delivery
 What are pain control options during labor and delivery?
 What kind of monitoring is done during labor and delivery?

Privacy & Trust Info

 LABOR AND DELIVERY EARLY AND LATER SIGNS OF LABOR APPROACHING

CENTER
 Stages of Pregnancy Slideshow Pictures
 Slideshow of Early Pregnancy Symptoms
 Conception (Egg to Embryo) Slideshow Pictures
 Find a local Obstetrician-Gynecologist in your town

 Labor and delivery definitions and facts

 What are the early symptoms and signs of labor?
 What are the symptoms and signs that labor is near or has begun?
 What are the stages of labor and delivery?
 Stage 1 of labor and delivery
 Stage 2 of labor and delivery
 Stage 3 of labor and delivery
 What are pain control options during labor and delivery?
 What kind of monitoring is done during labor and delivery?

Labor and delivery definitions and facts

Every woman's experience is unique. Below are typical guidelines that will help you
understand what to expect during labor and delivery.

 Normal labor can begin three weeks prior to the anticipated due date up until
two weeks afterwards.
 There is no way to precisely predict when labor will begin.
 In the first stage of labor the cervix dilates and effaces (thins out). Once
contractions begin, they usually increase in strength, duration, and frequency.
 The second stage of labor begins when the cervix is completely (i.e. 10
centimeters) dilated. It ends when, following expulsive efforts (pushing) by the
mother, the infant is delivered.
 During the third stage of labor, the placenta and membranes are delivered.
 There are a number of methods for monitoring the fetus that may be used
during labor.
 Options for pain control during labor include breathing exercises, imagery,
relaxation techniques, medications, and regional anesthesia.

Braxton Hicks Contractions (False Labor) vs. Labor Contractions

Braxton-Hicks contractions "false labor" are uterine contractions that predominantly occur during the third trimester
of pregnancy. Usually, labor contractions are more painful than Braxton-Hicks are.

Click for more about the differences in Braxton Hicks and Labor Contractions »

What are the early symptoms and signs of labor?

  Share Your Story
Signs and symptoms of impending labor are not uniform among all women.

Early symtpoms and signs that labor is approaching are "lightening" and passing the
mucous plug.

Lightening

Lightening is a term used to denote the descent of the fetal head into the pelvis as labor
approaches. It can occur up to two weeks prior to the onset of labor, or it may not occur
at all. At that time, there may be increased pressure on the maternal bladder accompanied
by the urge to urinate more frequently. Many women find it easier to breathe after
lightening occurs because upward pressure on the diaphragm diminishes.

Mucus plug

Release or passage of the "mucus plug" can be another sign that labor is near. Mucus
produced by the cervical glands normally blocks the entrance to the cervix and helps
prevent infection. When the fetal head impinges on the cervix, mucus from the cervical
glands, along with a small amount of blood, is expelled. This results in a blood-tinged or
brownish discharge being expelled from the vagina. Passage of the mucus plug may
occur days before or after labor begins. It is also common after a vaginal examination.
 SLIDESHOW

Stages of Pregnancy: Week by WeekSee Slideshow

What are the symptoms and signs that labor is near or has
begun?

Water breaking

Spontaneous rupture of the fetal membranes is referred to as one's "water breaking." This
means that the membranes that surround the baby have ruptured, and clear amniotic
fluid is often expelled from the vagina at that time. Once this occurs, labor will generally
ensue spontaneously. If it does not, induction of labor may be necessary to avoid
infection ascending upward through the vagina into the uterus. Most commonly rupture
of the membranes does not occur until labor has already begun.
Contractions

Finally, labor begins with the onset of contractions. At that point, the cervix begins to
thin out and dilate. When contractions begin to occur less than ten minutes apart, this
frequently signals the onset of labor. Irregular contractions, known as Braxton-Hicks
contractions or "false labor," occur toward the end of pregnancy during the third
trimester, and they do not necessarily signify that labor is imminent. Some women even
experience these contractions during thesecond trimester. Braxton-Hicks contractions are
usually milder than those of true labor are, and they do not occur at regular intervals.

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What are the stages of labor and delivery?

  Share Your Story

Labor is divided into three stages; corresponding to the dilation of the cervix, the birth of
the baby, and the delivery of the placenta.

Stage 1 of labor and delivery

Stage 1 is the longest stage of labor. It is characterized by thinning (effacement) and

dilation of the cervix. Sometimes doctors subdivide this stage into three separate phases:
the latent phase, the active phase, and the transition phase. Contractions, occurring with
increasing frequency, are present during all phases of Stage 1. Early contractions last
from 30 to 45 seconds and are several minutes apart. During the latent phase, the cervix
dilates to about 3 to 4 centimeters. Many women are admitted to the hospital during this
phase. In the active phase, the cervix dilates to about 7 centimeters, and the contractions
become more intense. During the transition phase, the cervix dilates completely to 10
centimeters, and the contractions are strong and painful. Contractions can occur every 3
to 4 minutes and last from 60 to 90 seconds.

Stage 2 of labor and delivery

Stage 2 refers to the passage of the baby through the birth canal until delivery. It begins
when the cervix has fully dilated and voluntary pushing is initiated. Sometimes this is
referred to as the "pushing" stage. The head is typically delivered first, and sustained
pushing allows for delivery of the infant's shoulders and body. Some women prefer
different body positions during this stage of labor. These may include kneeling, squatting,
lying down, or even on the hands and knees. This stage may take minutes to a few hours.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a
woman giving birth for the first time should complete Stage 2 within 2 hours if no
regional anesthesia has been used, and up to 3 hours if she has received anesthesia. Stage
2 is usually shorter in subsequent pregnancies, up to 2 hours if anesthesia has been given
and 1 hour if none has been used.

QUESTION

Nothing can relieve the symptoms of morning sickness.See Answer

Stage 3 of labor and delivery

Stage 3 begins at the time the infant is delivered. In stage 3, the placenta and fetal
membranes are expelled. The placenta and membranes are sometimes referred to as
the afterbirth. Stage 3 usually takes only 5 to 10 minutes, but it can take up to 30 minutes.
Mild contractions may occur during stage 3, and there may be some associated bleeding.

What are pain control options during labor and delivery?

  Share Your Story
Many women opt not to receive medications or interventions for pain control during
labor and delivery, while others choose medical or procedural pain control methods.
Several different opioid analgesic and opioid agonist medications are acceptable for pain
control. Examples are

 injectable meperidine,
 fentanyl,
 morphine,
 butorphanol (Stadol), and
 nalbuphine (Nubain).

Regional anesthesia is another option. This can be administered as an epidural, spinal, or

combined spinal-epidural block. Research has shown that regional anesthesia is more
effective than injectable medications for controlling pain. Moreover, large-scale clinical
trials did not show an increase in the C-section rate in women who opted for regional
anesthesia.

Women who choose not to receive pain medications can use breathing techniques and/or
imagery for pain control. Relaxation techniques and yoga have also proved beneficial.

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What kind of monitoring is done during labor and delivery?

 During the first stage of labor, you will likely have pelvic examinations to
check the dilation and thinning of the cervix.
 The baby's heart rate is usually checked intermittently with a Doppler device, or
continuous electronic fetal monitoring may be employed.
  External fetal monitoring is accomplished by placing a transducer on the
maternal abdominal wall. The transducer detects the fetal heart rate and
displays it on a visual tracing.
 Internal monitoring is another method used to follow the fetal heartbeat. With
this technology, a small electrode is passed through the cervix and attached to
the fetal scalp.
 The type of monitoring selected depends upon a number of factors, and it will
vary from patient to patient. Your health-care professional will choose the most
appropriate type for your individual situation.
 Continuous fetal monitoring is almost universally used if the woman receives
epidural anesthesia, or if oxytocin (Pitocin) is used to induce labor. It is also
employed with high-risk pregnancies or if the labor is complicated.

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 LABOR AND DELIVERY CENTER

Medically Reviewed on 11/20/2018

References
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Patient Comments

 Labor and Delivery - Signs

What signs did you notice going into labor?

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 Labor and Delivery - Pain Controls

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 Labor and Delivery - Stages

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Complete List

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

Apgar Score

The Apgar score is a method for assessing a neonate's heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, skin color, and
reflex irritability. Each of these signs is give a point value from 0-2. A perfect score of 10 means the infant is
in excellent condition, while a score of 0-3 means the infant needs immediate resuscitation.

C-Section (Cesarean Birth)

C-section (cesarean birth) is surgery to deliver a baby. C-section options, what to expect before, during, and
after the delivery of your baby are important considerations for birth. Reasons for a C-section delivery include
multiple births, health problems, problems with the pelvis, placenta, or umbilical cord. Vaginal birth after a C-
section (VBAC) is also an important issue to discuss with your doctor if you have had prior C-section
deliveries.

Childbirth Class Options

Learn about your childbirth class options such as the Lamaze technique, The Bradley Method, The Alexander
Technique, HypnoBirthing and where to find birthing classes.


Pregnancy Symptoms

Read about early signs and symptoms of pregnancy such as nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), bloating,
tender breasts, and more. Explore first trimester symptoms.

Am I Pregnant Quiz

What are early pregnancy symptoms? In some women, symptoms range from a missed period to feeling
lightheaded. Others may experience typical "morning sickness" and food cravings. Could you be pregnant?
Take the quiz!

Early Signs and Symptoms of Labor

Every woman's experience with labor and delivery is unique for each woman, and thus "Normal" labor varies
from woman to woman. Some of the common signs and symptoms of normal labor include the "baby
dropping," increase urination, back pain, contractions, and diarrhea.

Fetal Development

Take a peek inside the womb to see the stages of fetal development. Learn how embryos develop and grow
during pregnancy. See month by month ultrasound images of your baby in the womb.


Pregnancy

Signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary by stage (trimester). The earliest pregnancy symptom is typically a
missed period, but others include breast swelling and tenderness, nausea and sometimes vomiting, fatigue, and
bloating. 

Second trimester symptoms include backache, weight gain, itching, and possible stretch marks. 

Third trimester symptoms are additional weight gain, heartburn, hemorrhoids, swelling of the ankles, fingers,
and face, breast tenderness, and trouble sleeping. 

Eating a healthy diet, getting a moderate amount of exercise, also are recommended for a healthy pregnancy.
Information about the week by week growth of your baby in the womb are provided.

Pregnancy: Multiple Births, Twins, Triplets, and More

Multiple births occur when a woman bears twins, triplets, or even more babies during pregnancy. More
multiples are born today thanks to assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization
using fertility drugs. Women carrying multiples often give birth via C-section.

Pregnancy Myths Quiz

Being pregnant is a delicate time for both mother and baby. Take this quiz to separate the myths and facts
about being pregnant, and learn the truth behind healthy pregnancies!


Pregnancy Symptoms Am I Pregnant

Pregnancy symptoms can vary from woman to woman, and not all women experience the same symptoms.
When women do experience pregnancy symptoms they may include symptoms include missed menstrual
period, mood changes, headaches, lower back pain, fatigue, nausea, breast tenderness, and heartburn. Signs
and symptoms in late pregnancy include leg swelling and shortness of breath. Options for relief of pregnancy
symptoms include exercise, diet, and other lifestyle changes.

Pregnancy: Birthing and Parenting Classes

Preparing for a baby is an important step in parents' lives. Choosing the right birthing class and method
(Lamaze, Bradley, etc.) is important for the mother, baby, and father or support giver. Parenting classes are
also information for first time parents. Information is provided about diapering, feeding, and bathing your baby
as well as the different stages of child development.

Pregnancy: Placenta Previa

Placenta previa is a condition during pregnancy when the placenta lies low in the uterus either partly or
completely blocking the uterus. Women with placenta previa generally deliver their baby via cesarean
delivery. There are several types of placenta previa: 

o 1) a low-lying placenta, 
o 2) a partial placenta previa, and 
o 3) a total placenta previa, which covers and blocks the cervical opening.
 Women who are at risk of placenta previa are women who have delivered a previous baby by cesarean
section, and are also at risk of placenta accreta, placenta, increta, or placenta precreta.

Third Trimester Tests During Pregnancy

Testing is often recommended during the third trimester of pregnancy. These tests are designed to ensure the
health and safety of both the child and mother. Common tests during the third trimester of a woman's
pregnancy include: 

o group B streptococcus screening,

o electronic fetal heart monitoring,

o nonstress test, 
o contraction stress test, and 
o a biophysical profile.

Urinary Retention

Urinary retention (inability to urinate) may be caused by nerve disease, spinal cord injury, prostate
enlargement, infection, surgery, medication, bladder stone, constipation, cystocele, rectocele, or urethral
stricture. Symptoms include discomfort and pain. Treatment depends upon the cause of urinary retention.


 Vagina Picture

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a picture of the Vagina and learn more about the health topic.

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