Warning Signs
Quiz 4 Am I in Labor

A thick mucus plug covers the opening of the cervix throughout your pregnancy. When the cervix begins to dilate, it pushes this mucus into the vagina. Called “show” or “bloody show,” the discharge can be clear, pink, brown, or slightly bloody. Please call your Doctor.

A contraction is when the muscles of your uterus tighten up like a fist and then relax. Contractions help push your baby out. When you’re in
true labor, your contractions last about 30 to 70 seconds and come about 5 to 10 minutes apart. They’re so strong that you can’t walk or
talk during them. They get stronger and closer together over time. If this is happening – you may be in labor. Please call your Doctor.

Your baby develops and grows inside a bag of fluid called the amniotic sac. When it’s time for your baby to be born, the sac usually breaks and the amniotic fluid drains out through your vagina. This is your waters breaking If your waters break naturally, you may feel a slow trickle or a sudden gush of water you cannot control. To prepare for this, you could keep a sanitary towel (but not a tampon) handy if you’re going out, and put a protective sheet on your bed. Amniotic fluid is clear and pale. Sometimes it’s difficult to tell amniotic fluid from urine. When your waters break, the water may be a little bloodstained to begin with. If this has happened it would be a good time to go to the hospital and call your doctor.

This could mean that you are experiencing early labor. If you have answered yes to any of the other questions please see your doctor.

This could just be a false labor. It can be hard to tell the difference between true labor and false labor. When you first feel contractions, time them. Write down how much time it takes from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. Make a note of how strong the contractions feel. Keep a record of your contractions for 1 hour. Walk or move around to see if the contractions stop when you change positions .Please watch the timing of the contractions, if the contractions increase in intensity and duration please call your doctor.