How to Recognize Labor Signs & When to Go to the Hospital
Be Ready for the Moment You’ve Been Waiting For
As your due date approaches, you may find yourself wondering: “Was that a contraction? Should I go to the hospital now?” These thoughts are completely normal, especially if it’s your first baby. Recognizing the signs of true labor versus false alarms can help you feel more at ease and prepared.
At Dr. Richa Gangwar’s maternity clinic in Lucknow, we help mothers-to-be understand exactly what to expect when labor begins, and when it’s the right time to reach the hospital. With the right knowledge, you’ll feel calm and confident as the big day arrives.
The 3 Stages of Labor: A Quick Overview
Before diving into signs, it’s important to understand that labor happens in three main stages:
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Early Labor (Latent Phase):
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Cervix begins to soften, thin, and dilate up to 3–4 cm
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Mild, irregular contractions
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Active Labor:
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Cervix dilates from 4 to 10 cm
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Contractions become stronger, longer, and closer together
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Transition & Delivery:
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The most intense stage leading to the birth of your baby
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Knowing which stage you’re in will help determine when you need to go to the hospital.
Early Signs of Labor: What to Watch For
🔹 1. Regular Contractions
One of the most telling signs of labor is consistent uterine contractions that:
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Occur every 5–10 minutes
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Last 30–60 seconds
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Gradually increase in intensity and frequency
Unlike Braxton Hicks (false labor), true labor contractions don’t go away with rest or hydration.
💡 Tip: Use the “5-1-1 rule” to time contractions:
If they’re 5 minutes apart, last 1 minute each, and have continued for 1 hour — it’s likely time!
🔹 2. Bloody Show (Mucus Plug Discharge)
As your cervix prepares for labor, you may notice:
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A thick, mucus-like discharge (clear, pink, or blood-tinged)
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It may come out all at once or gradually
This is your mucus plug, and losing it means labor may start soon — within hours or days.
🔹 3. Water Breaking (Rupture of Membranes)
You may feel:
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A gush or trickle of fluid from the vagina
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It may be clear or slightly yellowish
This means your amniotic sac has ruptured. If it happens:
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Note the color and time
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Go to the hospital immediately, especially if:
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You’re not yet feeling contractions
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The fluid is green or has a foul smell (may signal infection)
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🔹 4. Low Back Pain and Cramps
You may feel:
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A dull, persistent lower back ache
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Menstrual-like cramps that come and go
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Heaviness or pressure in the pelvis
These are common early labor symptoms, especially in women with a posterior-positioned baby.
🔹 5. Sudden Energy Burst or Nesting Urge
Some women experience a sudden urge to clean or organize just before labor begins — this is called nesting instinct. While not a medical sign, it’s common and can be a subtle cue.
When to Go to the Hospital
Call or visit your maternity hospital immediately if you experience:
🚩 Strong, regular contractions
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Following the 5-1-1 pattern
🚩 Your water breaks
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Even if contractions haven’t started
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Especially if the fluid is green, brown, or smells bad
🚩 Heavy vaginal bleeding
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Different from a light mucus show — heavy bleeding needs urgent evaluation
🚩 Decreased baby movements
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If you haven’t felt baby move in the last 1–2 hours, especially after 28 weeks
🚩 High fever, chills, or intense headache
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Could signal infection or blood pressure issues (like preeclampsia)
What to Pack Before Labor Starts
Keep a ready-to-go hospital bag packed by the 36th week. Include:
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Medical records and ID
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Comfortable clothes and undergarments
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Toiletries and snacks
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Baby clothes and receiving blanket
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Sanitary pads and nursing bras
Our team at Dr. Richa Gangwar’s clinic provides a detailed checklist to all expecting mothers during antenatal visits.
Don’t Worry About False Alarms — It’s Better to Be Sure
It’s okay if you come to the hospital and it turns out to be false labor. We’d rather have you safe and reassured than uncertain at home.
Our clinic staff is always available to guide you — even if you’re unsure. No question is too small.
Expert Pregnancy Care in Lucknow
At Dr. Richa Gangwar’s maternity clinic, we offer:
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Personalized birth planning
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Normal and high-risk delivery care
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24/7 hospital support for labor
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Gentle, calm, and well-monitored labor experience
We ensure that every mother feels safe, heard, and supported, right from her first contraction to her first cuddle.
