Ask the Expert Series: How to Identify Signs of Labour?

Relaxation techniques during labor is an essential part of managing pain and staying as relaxed as possible. Proper breathing techniques can help you stay calm and focused, conserve energy, and provide you with a sense of control. Unfortunately, such techniques are beyond the scope of todays topic and best address in an in-person setting to practice and rehearse such breathing techniques. Do contact your hospital's antenatal parent craft centres for such classes.

The response to this can be quite broad ranging and dependent on your individual pregnancy profile and risk factors. In pregnancy, and especially during the active phase of labour, there can be maternal complications as well as foetal complications. Both must be taken into account when considering the need for medical intervention. I suggest that you ask your healthcare professional who can give you a more targeted response based on your individualised risk profile of both mother and baby. That being said, this is the reason why it is advisable for you to head to the hospital for closer monitoring once you are in active labour, so that parameters of both mother and child can be actively monitored via frequent physical examinations, as well as monitoring of the vital signs of both mother and baby.

Prior to active labour, it is important to monitor foetal movements. I refer to the previous talk on "Ask the Expert Series: Why is it Important to Count Kicks During Pregnancy?" that was held on 16 Aug on this platform. During active labour, rather that assessing foetal movements, healthcare professionals use a monitoring device known as a cardiotocograph (CTG) to monitor the foetal heart rate and labour contractions in real time to pick up any potential sign of distress as early as possible.

Active labor contractions are typically about 4-5 minutes apart, last around 45-60 seconds, and continue to occur consistently.

You want to be looking out for when contractions become regular, frequent, and increasingly intense. Active labor contractions are typically about 4-5 minutes apart, last around 45-60 seconds, and continue to occur consistently. Once in the hospital, a healthcare professional would do a per vaginal examination to asses for the progression of cervical dilatation. Some other tell tale signs would include: a) The presence of bloody show (a pink, brown, or blood-tinged mucus discharge) b) Your water bag breaking. This is a clear sign that you should head to the hospital, as it may indicate that labor is imminent. Even if contractions have not yet started, the risk of infection increases when the water bag has ruptured. (2/2)

The presence of bloody show (a pink, brown, or blood-tinged mucus discharge) can indicate that labor is approaching.

It's essential to differentiate between Braxton Hicks contractions and contractions associated with labor. Braxton Hicks contractions are typically irregular and go away with rest or a change in activity, while labor contractions become regular and more intense over time. Use a timer or contraction tracking app to monitor the frequency and duration of your contractions. This information will help determine if you're entering active labor. Active labor contractions are typically about 4-5 minutes apart, last around 45-60 seconds, and continue to occur consistently.If you believe you are in labor, contact your healthcare provider or go to the hospital as advised.

It's essential to differentiate between Braxton Hicks contractions (false contractions) and contractions associated with labor. Braxton Hicks contractions are typically irregular and go away with rest or a change in activity, while labor contractions become regular and more intense over time. Use a timer or contraction tracking app to monitor the frequency and duration of your contractions. This information will help determine if you're entering active labor. Active labor contractions are typically about 4-5 minutes apart, last around 45-60 seconds, and continue to occur consistently.If you believe you are in labor, contact your healthcare provider or go to the hospital as advised.

Water breaking is not a sign of labour but rather, active labour typically soon follows once the water has broken. Pre-labour rupture of membranes or (PROM), it can be divided to term, preterm, & midtrimester PROM and the relative frequencies of occurrence are 8, 3, and

They become increasingly frequent and increasingly more painful. Active labor contractions are typically about 4-5 minutes apart, last around 45-60 seconds, and continue to occur consistently.