How do I know if I'm going into labor?

Question

This is my first pregnancy, so I just want to know the obvious signs before I start freaking out and call my obgyn or the hospital.

Answer

I wasn't sure with my first either. But when it happened, I just new. I woke up with slight cramping every 15 min that got closer together and was 3-5 min apart within the hour. The Dr broke my water after I was already in labor for nearly 24 hours and in the hospital for over 12, so I don't think breaking water is necessarily a good indicator. Just trust your body

Answer

Trust me you know lol x

Answer

Have you looked online?

Answer

I was told to go in if my water broke (and was strange smelling or coloured) and otherwise follow the 5-1-1 rule: contractions every 5 minutes, each lasting 1 minute and continuing for 1 hour. Many women end up going to the hospital early and being sent home. The hospital staff are used to it and super nice about it so try not to stress too much.

Answer

They need to be consistent and to the point you can't walk or talk through them, to me they felt like bad menstrual cramps. Most hospitals won't admit you until they are at least 5 min apart and lasting about a min each.

Answer

My midwife says you will know when you have regular contractions that you can't talk through. It's possible you'd be in labor before that but where I live (as most women) hospitals won't admit you until your 4 cm dilated and that's how you'll know.

How do I know if I'm going into labor?

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