What happens in early labour?

[MJK123]

I'm currently 24+6, expecting my first child. I'm quite naïve with what to expect and wanted to know what happens in early labour. One friend said she had a big bleed - is that a sign? Or is bleeding abnormal at any stage?

I didn't bleed at the end with any of my 3. All 3 were different though. First baby no build up. Just 4am waters gone, contractions every few mins. 2nd was having contractions for days about 10 mins apart. 3rd waters went at 3pm and then 4am contractions started. Early labour could be anything from period pain, mild contractions, having a show of mucus, waters going, back ache..... unfortunately it's a wait and see game!! Good luck

Tmi alert. Was in the toilet every 20 minutes. Baby feels a lot like a massive poo...

A big bleed isn't a common thing and would be a concern.

Losing your mucus plug is common though - it often has blood in it but is mucusy rather than runny. Some women lose their plug and then labour starts within a day or two, but the plug can also be partially shed earlier in pregnancy and reform.

A minority of women have waters break and then contractions start but for most people they just start having period-type pains that gradually get stronger and closer together. Since most people are having "practice contractions" called Braxton Hicks there are a lot of false alarms.

Basically, the rule is that if you have to ask if you are in labour, you probably aren't really... Yet.