Signs of labour: how do you know it has started, and when should you go to hospital?

Here are the signs that labour is starting, how to tell Braxton Hicks from labour contractions, how to time them and when to phone your maternity unit, all from the HSE pages on labour, checked on 12 October 2026. If you are ever unsure or worried, call your midwife.

What are the first signs of labour?

The HSE lists several signs that labour might be starting: contractions or tightenings, a show, when the mucus plug comes out of the vagina, backache, an urge to go to the toilet caused by your baby's head pressing on your bowel, and your waters breaking. Labour usually starts by itself between 38 and 42 weeks.

Labour usually begins with occasional contractions, when your womb tightens. They come more often and last longer as labour goes on. Your waters may break and the neck of your womb (the cervix) opens to let your baby be born. Sometimes the waters do not break until your baby is ready to be born.

How do I know if it is Braxton Hicks or real labour?

Braxton Hicks are practice contractions. They last 30 to 60 seconds, come from time to time with no regular pattern and feel like a tightening or squeezing that is not usually painful. Labour contractions last more than 60 seconds, are regular, come closer together and become more intense. If you are not sure, speak to your midwife.

	Braxton Hicks	Labour contractions
How long	30 to 60 seconds	More than 60 seconds
How often	From time to time, no regular pattern	Regular, and closer together
How they feel	A tightening or squeezing, not usually painful	A tightening that becomes more intense

Braxton Hicks are more common in the last few months of pregnancy, but they can happen at any time. They sometimes go away when you exercise and come back when you rest. To ease them, try to stay relaxed and use breathing exercises, go for a short walk, ask your birth partner to rub your back or have a warm bath. Drink plenty of fluids and eat regularly.

Contact your midwife, maternity unit or hospital urgently if your contractions are getting stronger or closer together, or come with other signs of labour.

How do I time contractions?

Start timing your contractions when they get stronger or closer together. Time 3 contractions in a row, using a watch with a second hand or a phone app, noting how long each one lasts and how often they come. Your midwife will probably tell you to stay at home until your contractions are frequent.

During a contraction your womb tightens and then relaxes. For some people it feels like extreme period pain. If you put your hand on your tummy you will feel it get harder, then ease as the muscles relax. As labour gets going, contractions usually become longer, stronger and more frequent.

The pregnancy section in Lullagram has a contraction timer, so you can tap at the start and end of each one instead of watching the clock.

When should I go to hospital in labour?

Call your midwife or maternity unit when your contractions are regular, last at least 60 seconds and come every 5 minutes. Phone before you go in, and bring your antenatal card or pregnancy notes and your bag. If you live a long distance from the hospital, you may be asked to come in sooner.

The HSE says to go to hospital when:

• your contractions are 5 minutes apart and getting stronger (sooner if you live a long way away)
• your baby's pattern of movements has changed
• your waters break or release
• you are bleeding from your vagina

When you arrive, a midwife checks you and talks to you about your signs of labour. If you are in labour you will be admitted. If you are still in early labour you may be told to go home until labour is stronger, unless you live far from the hospital. Our hospital bag checklist covers what to pack.

What should I do if my waters break?

Call your midwife if your waters break or release before labour starts, because there is an increased risk of infection for your baby. It can be a gush or a leak of fluid from your vagina, and it is not always obvious. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, go to your nearest maternity unit.

If your waters break before 37 weeks, it is called preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes. You may be offered antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection for you and your baby, and a steroid injection to reduce the risk of breathing problems if your baby is born early.

What is a show, and does it mean labour is starting?

A show is the mucus plug at the neck of your womb coming away. It is usually thick and streaked with pink jelly-like material, and it is a sign your body is preparing for the birth. Many women have a show in the last few days of pregnancy, and some have several before labour starts.

Contact your midwife or obstetrician immediately if you have a show and you are less than 37 weeks pregnant, or if the mucus is bright red and there is more than a small amount of bleeding from your vagina.

What are the signs of premature labour?

Premature labour is labour that starts before 37 weeks. The HSE says to go to your nearest maternity unit if you have contractions getting stronger, a gush or leak of fluid, a show, period-type cramps, unusual backache, bleeding, sudden pressure in your pelvis or a feeling that something is not right.

The full HSE list also includes sudden changes in your vaginal discharge. At the maternity unit your midwife and obstetrician may check your temperature, blood pressure and pulse, your baby's heartbeat and position, test your pee and swab for infection, and check whether your cervix is opening or your waters have broken.

Is it normal for my baby to move less before labour?

No. The HSE says it is not true that babies move less towards the end of pregnancy, and you should keep feeling your baby move right up to the birth. If your baby's pattern of movements slows down, increases or stops, contact your midwife, obstetrician or maternity hospital immediately. Do not wait until tomorrow.

There is no set number of movements that is normal. Every baby has their own pattern, and you get to know it. If you do not feel your baby moving, get checked, even if it happens many times. The HSE does not recommend using a home doppler or an app to listen for the heartbeat: always get checked by your doctor or midwife instead.

How long does labour last?

Every labour is different. The HSE says the first part, while your cervix opens, can take up to 18 hours for a first baby, or up to 12 hours if you have had a baby before. Its stages of labour page says most first babies arrive after 12 to 20 hours, so be ready to be flexible.

• First stage: contractions become stronger and more frequent, and your cervix thins and opens to 10 cm.
• Second stage: you feel the urge to push, your midwife guides your breathing and your baby is born.
• Third stage: you birth the placenta. You may be offered an injection to help with this.

What happens if labour does not start by itself?

Your doctor and midwife may talk to you about inducing labour if your baby is overdue, if your waters have broken but labour has not started, or if your health or your baby's is at risk. An induction is usually planned, they explain why they suggest it, and it is your choice whether to have it.

Methods the HSE describes include a membrane sweep, usually done at an outpatient appointment so you go home afterwards; a Propess pessary or prostaglandin gel to soften and open the cervix; breaking the waters; a small balloon in the neck of the womb; and an oxytocin drip in the labour ward. What you are offered depends on whether this is your first labour and how you respond.