Skip to content
Little Launch logoLittle Launch logo
Sign inJoin free

Early Signs of Labor: How to Know It's Starting

By Owais AliReviewed by The Little Launch editorial teamPublished Updated

Educational information, not medical advice — talk to your clinician about your pregnancy.

Quick answer

Early labor often starts subtly: cramp-like pains, a "show" (the mucus plug coming away), backache, an urge to go to the toilet, or your waters breaking. The NHS describes the opening stage — the latent phase — when the cervix softens, thins, and starts to open; it can last hours or even days. During it, rest, hydrate, time your contractions, and call your midwife if contractions come every 5 minutes or your waters break.

Key takeaways

  • The early signs: cramp-like pains, a "show," backache, urge to go to the toilet, waters breaking.
  • The latent phase can last hours or days — most people are advised to stay home during it.
  • Time your contractions: regular, strengthening, closer-together contractions signal real labor.
  • Call your midwife if contractions are every 5 minutes or you think you are in labor.
  • Go in urgently for: waters breaking, vaginal bleeding, less baby movement, or labor before 37 weeks.

What are the early signs of labor?

Labor rarely starts the way movies show it. It usually arrives gradually, in the latent phase — the opening stage when your cervix becomes soft and thin and starts to open. The NHS notes this can take hours, or sometimes days.

Watch for this checklist of early signs:

  • Cramp-like pains or tightenings. They may feel like strong period pains. Early on they vary in strength and length, and they may stop and start.
  • A "show." The plug of mucus that sealed your cervix comes away — it looks like a blob of pinkish jelly, sometimes blood-tinged. It means your cervix is stretching and softening. It can be hours to several days before labor follows.
  • Backache. A heavy ache in your lower back, or pain at the top of your legs.
  • An urge to go to the toilet. Your baby's head pressing on your bowel can make you feel you need to wee or poo more often; some people get loose bowels.
  • Lightening ("dropping"). In the days or weeks before labor, the baby settles lower into your pelvis. Breathing may feel easier; bathroom trips increase.
  • Your waters breaking. The amniotic sac ruptures — a gush or a trickle of fluid you cannot stop. This can happen before or during labor.
  • Nesting or restlessness. Some people get a sudden burst of energy; others feel oddly emotional. Neither is a reliable timer, but both are common.

Any one sign, or a few together, can mean things are starting. None of them alone means you must rush anywhere — except your waters breaking or bleeding, which always deserve a call.

What's the difference between early labor and Braxton Hicks?

This is the question behind most 2 a.m. anxiety. Braxton Hicks are practice tightenings: irregular, usually painless, and they ease when you rest, drink water, or change position. They do not open the cervix.

Real labor contractions do the opposite: they get regular, longer, stronger, and closer together — and they do not ease up. When contractions start coming every 5 minutes and last 60 seconds or more, it is probably time to call your midwife for advice. Our full Braxton Hicks vs real labor guide has a side-by-side comparison table and a decision checklist.

Quick test you can do now: drink a glass of water, change position, and rest for 30 to 60 minutes. If the tightenings fade, it was likely Braxton Hicks. If they keep coming in a rhythm and building, call your midwife.

What should you do at home during early labor?

The latent phase is a waiting game, and the best strategy is comfort and patience. The NHS notes that if you go to the hospital or maternity unit too early, you may simply be advised to go back home.

  • Rest. Lie down or nap if you can — you will want your energy later.
  • Eat lightly and drink water. Small snacks like toast, fruit, or cereal bars; keep sipping water.
  • Take a warm shower or bath. Warmth relaxes the muscles and eases backache.
  • Time your contractions. Note when each starts, how long it lasts, and the gap between them. A phone timer or contraction app makes this easy.
  • Keep moving gently. Walking, swaying, or rocking on a birth ball can help labor progress.
  • Get the bag ready. If you have not packed yet, now is the time — our hospital bag checklist covers mom, baby, and partner.
  • Tell your birth partner. Let them know things are starting so they can make their own arrangements.
  • Stay calm and distracted. A film, music, or a warm drink beats clock-watching.

Call your midwife if you are unsure about anything at all — that is what they are there for.

When should you call your midwife or doctor?

Call your midwife or maternity unit for guidance if:

  • You think you are in labor.
  • Your contractions are coming every 5 minutes or more often.
  • You are simply unsure or worried about anything.

Call urgently — do not wait until morning — if:

  • Your waters break (call even with no contractions yet).
  • You have vaginal bleeding.
  • Your baby is moving less than usual.
  • You are less than 37 weeks pregnant and think you might be in labor.
  • Any contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes.
  • You are having 6 or more contractions in 10 minutes.

Seek emergency help immediately if you feel a strong urge to push and think the baby is coming now. Our guide on when to call your midwife or doctor in pregnancy covers warning signs for the whole pregnancy.

Sources

  1. signs include contractions or tightenings, a "show" (mucus plug), backache, urge to go to the toilet, waters breaking; call the midwife if in labor or contractions every 5 minutes; urgent call for waters breaking, vaginal bleeding, reduced movement, labor before 37 weeks, contractions over 2 minutes, or 6+ contractions in 10 minutes; latent phase descriptionNHS, "Signs that labour has begun"Link checked 2026-10-16
  2. show, waters breaking, contractions; a show can be hours to several days before laborNHS inform (Scotland), "Early signs of labour"Link checked 2026-10-16
  3. Little Launch comparison table and decision checklistBraxton Hicks vs real laborhttps://little-launch.vercel.app/blog/braxton-hicks-vs-real-labor
  4. Little Launch printable packing guideHospital bag checklist for mom and babyhttps://little-launch.vercel.app/blog/hospital-bag-checklist-mom-baby
  5. Little Launch warning-signs guideWhen to call your midwife or doctor in pregnancyhttps://little-launch.vercel.app/blog/when-to-call-your-midwife-or-doctor-in-pregnancy
  6. Little Launch guide for the weeks after birthPostpartum recovery checklisthttps://little-launch.vercel.app/blog/postpartum-recovery-checklist

Questions people ask

What are the first signs of labor?

Common early signs include cramp-like pains, a "show" (the mucus plug coming away), backache, an urge to go to the toilet, and your waters breaking. NHS guidance also describes the latent phase — when the cervix softens, thins, and starts to open — which can last hours or even days.

How do I know if it's real labor or Braxton Hicks?

Braxton Hicks are irregular, usually painless tightenings that ease with rest, water, or a position change, and don't open the cervix. Real labor contractions become regular, stronger, longer, and closer together — and don't ease up. See our Braxton Hicks vs real labor comparison for the full breakdown.

What should I do at home during early labor?

Rest if you can, eat lightly, drink water, take a warm shower or bath, time your contractions, and keep your hospital bag by the door. The latent phase can last a long time — many people are advised to stay home until contractions are regular, about every 5 minutes.

When should I call my midwife or go to the hospital?

Call your midwife or maternity unit if you think you're in labor or your contractions are coming every 5 minutes or more often. Go in urgently if your waters break, you have vaginal bleeding, the baby is moving less, you're under 37 weeks, or contractions last longer than 2 minutes.

Does the mucus plug mean labor starts immediately?

Not necessarily. A "show" means your cervix is starting to stretch and soften, but it can be anything from an hour to several days between the show and labor starting. It's a sign things are moving along, not an emergency on its own.

What does it mean when my waters break?

It means the amniotic sac around your baby has ruptured — a gush or a trickle of fluid. Call your midwife or maternity unit right away when this happens, even if you have no contractions yet, because they will want to check you and advise on next steps.

What is lightening?

"Lightening" or "dropping" is when the baby settles lower into the pelvis in the days or weeks before labor. You may breathe a little easier but need the bathroom more often. It's a sign your body is preparing, though labor may still be days away.

Read next