The short explanation
Practice tightenings, often called Braxton Hicks, are usually irregular, do not get stronger or closer together, and often ease when you change position, rest or drink water. Real labour contractions come regularly, get longer, stronger and closer together over time, and do not go away with rest. They often start as a tightening or ache in the lower back that moves to the front. Other signs of labour include a show, which is a sticky plug of mucus that may be blood-tinged, and the waters breaking. Your hospital will usually tell you when to come in, often when contractions are regular and strong, or straight away if the waters break, you bleed or the baby moves less.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- For a first baby, early labour can last many hours, and many women are more comfortable at home for the early part if everything is normal.
- If you live far from the hospital, have had a fast labour before, or the roads are difficult at night, plan to leave earlier. Ask your team.
- Arrange transport, phone numbers and a bag in advance, including your antenatal card and reports.
- Contractions before thirty-seven weeks need checking at once.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you whether you are in labour. Only the hospital team, by examining you, can say how labour is progressing.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- When do you want me to come in once contractions start?
- Does my distance from the hospital change that advice?
- What should I bring with me?
- Which signs mean I should come straight away?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the labour ward immediately if you have heavy bleeding, green or brown fluid, severe constant pain, much less baby movement, or a strong urge to push before arriving.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if the waters break, or if regular contractions start before thirty-seven weeks.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Discuss your birth plan and when to come in at a routine antenatal visit.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Pregnancy MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Prenatal care MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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