61. How to Know if You're in Labor and Signs of Preterm Delivery

Are you unsure what to expect when labor starts or how to determine a pregnancy cramp or Braxton Hicks contraction from a true labor contraction? You want to feel confident you’ll know when it’s the real deal!

In today’s episode, I’ll cover everything you need to know when distinguishing practice contractions from actual labor.

What to expect:

• What is preterm labor and key signs to watch for…
• What are Braxton Hicks contractions…
• How do real labor contractions differ from pregnancy cramps…
• When to consider calling your doctor about contractions and labor status…
• How to find support when coming up with a labor and birth plan…
• … and much more!

Understanding the signs of preterm labor and differentiating between false contractions and true labor empowers you to make informed decisions. Remember, support is available to help you through every stage!

Currently offering 1:1 Zoom calls with pregnant moms to help you feel calm and confident going into your birth experience! Schedule your call here.

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👋 WHO AM I?

Welcome, friends! I am Beth, a certified nurse midwife, doula, and childbirth educator. My philosophy is rooted in autonomy, informed decision making, and positive mindset to help expecting parents plan for a beautiful, stress-free birth. I am here to provide value to YOU through tips and practical advice, either to guide you through pregnancy or to help you prepare for childbirth, postpartum and beyond. There’s no fluff here - only info that adds to your positive experience and saves you stress and uncertainty.

Transcript

Welcome back to episode 61 of Your Birth Bestie podcast, where my goal is to empower pregnant moms with the knowledge and confidence to navigate their pregnancy and birth journey. Today, we are going to be talking about the signs of preterm labor and how to tell the difference between false contractions and actual labor. With my second pregnancy I was so over being pregnant at 39 weeks, probably much before then, so when I started contracting and keeping track on my contraction timer app, they were every 2-3 minutes, but they lasted about 12 hours and my app kept telling me to go to the hospital. They weren’t very painful and I went about my normal day, but I for sure thought it was the start of labor. I went to bed that night thinking I might get a few hours of sleep and I slept straight through with no contractions when I woke up. It was such a mind game and honestly a huge disappointment at that point, and my daughter wasn’t even born for like a week later! 

So let’s get into preterm labor as well as the difference between false contractions and actual labor.

Preterm labor is when you go into labor and start having contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy because 37 weeks is considered term, your baby is fully developed at this point and can breathe on their own outside of the womb, so anything before that could potentially be a cause for concern. 

Some moms have all preterm deliveries, where others are first-time moms and have no idea what to expect and are nervous not knowing how to tell the difference between preterm labor and something else. This is why I wanted to talk about the signs of preterm labor and then also knowing when it is typically a good time to seek medical attention. But again, it’s case by case, and there are other things to consider sometimes so always being in communication with your provider is a good idea.

But what happens in preterm labor are regular contractions, which are usually more than 6 contractions per hour and don’t go away. I typically tell moms if you are noticing more regular contractions, drink a glass of water, lie down on your side, and rest to see if they go away. If they don’t, this could be a sign you might be in preterm labor. 

Lower back pain and pressure or cramping in the pelvis can be signs of preterm labor. The pain usually will come and go as baby is pushing down with those contractions.

You may also notice a change in vaginal discharge that can increase suddenly or change in consistency. If you are bleeding, this should be reported to your provider right away.

Remember, these signs can vary, and some may experience different symptoms. Always trust your instincts and consult with your healthcare provider if you notice anything unusual.

The next thing I wanted to talk about is the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions or practice contractions, and actual real labor contractions.

This is a question that moms ask all the time and they are unsure if they will know when it’s the real deal or not. And if you’ve never had a baby before or felt contractions, it’s a valid question, but usually you can tell when things are starting and it’s the real deal.

As a side note, I do want to mention that I am one of the exceptions kind of in regard to textbook definition of labor, which is why I also really prioritize individualized care and listening to the mom first of all. Is because for both of my previous pregnancies I did not feel contractions but was found to be 6-7 cm dilated at random prenatal appointments right around my due date. 

Textbook definition of active labor starts at 6 cm and this is when things start to get pretty intense usually and more consistent, but for me I was just hanging out in the “active labor” category for who knows how long. With my first my midwife freaked out basically and had me rushed to labor and delivery even though I had no idea I was contracting and in zero pain, and that was the first mistake of that birth experience was agreeing to that. And then the second time the same thing happened, I was dilated pretty far without any signs.

So, just wanted to share that personal background because even being 6 or 7cm I wasn’t “in labor” and should have waited for my body to kick into labor on it’s own. But just a good example when I talk about practice contractions and active labor, it’s not simply black and white, there is some individual assessment that should be done and that it’s helpful for you to be aware of as well.Let's break down the differences between the practice, Braxton Hicks contractions, and labor contractions. 

Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular or come and go without a regular pattern or timeframe, usually pretty mild and don’t increase in intensity over time, can go away or you might feel relief with movement or position changes, even drinking a glass of water and maintaining hydrated can make them go away, as well has feeling them in the front of your belly that discomfort and belly hardening feeling. That is a Braxton Hicks contraction.

True labor contractions, when it’s the real deal, are when contractions come in a regular pattern or regular interval that gradually gets closer together. You might start out contracting every 10 or 15 minutes, and then it gradually become 8 minutes, then 6 minutes, then typically the goal is shooting for contractions every 2-3 minutes. Again, this is just a guideline and everyone’s body is different. I’ve had a client have contractions every 8 minutes, progress naturally in labor without issue as well, which isn’t the typical case.

The intensity of the contractions will also grow overtime and become more uncomfortable and harder to distract yourself through. This is where practicing mindset comes into play and having a pain management plan and supportive birth team to help you through the peak of labor intensity. Also, regardless of changing positions or activity, the contractions continue. Labor contractions also often start in the back and move to the front of the belly, so that is a slight difference as well that is sometimes hard to notice.

Overall, my biggest tip if you’re unsure is to drink water, lie down and if the contractions ease off a bit, they’re likely Braxton Hicks, but if they get more intense and stay frequent, it might be actual labor.

So let’s say you’re unsure or you want to update your provider of your labor status, here is a list of guidelines that can help you know when to call your healthcare provider.

If you have regular contractions every 10 minutes or more frequently within one hour.

If you experience any fluid leakage, which could indicate your water has broken.

If you have severe pain or cramping that doesn't go away.

If you have any vaginal bleeding or spotting.

By calling your doctor, they can help guide you through these situations, or as a birth doula, I am more than happy to help you navigate what you’re feeling and help you create a plan to move forward. I also am available to chat over Zoom 1:1 with expecting moms about their questions and concerns to come up with an individualized plan for handling the stages of labor, birth planning, pregnancy guidance planning and debriefing prenatal appointments, and whatever else you may be looking for further support on in pregnancy or birth. Please head over to my website bethconnors.com/contact and fill out an inquiry and I will be in touch soon. You can also email me at hello@bethconnors.com or message me on Instagram. Wherever is easiest for you!

In general, please keep the guidelines I mentioned in mind, but most importantly, stay in tune with your body. You know it best, and any concerns should be addressed with your healthcare provider.

Thank you for joining me today on Your Birth Bestie. Understanding the signs of preterm labor and differentiating between practice contractions and actual labor can empower you to make informed decisions during your pregnancy. Remember, you’re never alone in this journey, there is support out there to help you through these stages and decisions.

If you found this episode helpful, I would love if you would subscribe to the show and leave a review. It’s the best way to support the show and help other moms find this helpful information too. Thank you again for tuning in and I will be back here next Tuesday with another episode. Bye everyone!