Some women just "know" they are in labor while others do not. Throughout my pregnancy I was worried about how to know when I was in labor and how to know when exactly to go to the hospital, but as I've mentioned I ended up being induced and didn't have to worry about that after all!
So signs of labor include:
Lightening (baby moves down, this will make you have to pee ALOT)
Passing of the mucus plug (may be clear, pink or bloody)
Contractions (regular hardening of your uterus) Real labor gets progressively mroe painful!
Water breaking (you will know.... haha)
Effacement and dilation of the cervix
**Note if your water breaks you will be having the baby in the next 24 hours!
So then you might wonder when you should go to the hospital and the answer is when you think you are in active labor which is usually characterized by strong contractions that last 45 to 60 seconds and occur 3 to 4 minutes apart.
If you aren't sure your in active labor click here to check out characteristics of true labor!
My biggest piece of advice to offer is this: if you truly think you are in labor call your doctor or go to labor and delivery and have them check you out. If it turns out its not labor yet, there's no reason to be embarrassed and if you are CONGRATULATIONS!!
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