Symptoms are the most important. Contractions - regular hardening of the entire womb Leaking water - when your water bag bursts and you need to get to the hospital Bleeding - fresh/stale blood Diminished movements Braxton Hicks - false contractions Labour - regular painful contractions leading to dilation of the cervix Cervix - opening to the womb Painkillers (Laughing gas/Nitrous oxide) - makes you temporarily high for you to forget the pain Epidural - administered into a space in the spain to numb the lower half of the body Station - level of the lowest part of the baby in relation to the mother. If the station is high, it means that the baby is still quite deep in the pelvis. If low, it means delivery might come soon.