Just to be clear, I am not currently bleeding at all and have no signs of being in labour (which is a very good thing, I'm only 25+5 weeks), so no need to tell me to ring triage. This question is prompted by me thinking about my previous labour and wondering whether what I experienced was normal so that I can be prepared for labour this time.
My previous labour was at 33+1 weeks and one of the early signs was bleeding. It was actually this that prompted me to go to triage, as my other symptoms were vague (uncomfortable pressure in lower back, feeling of unease, feeling the need to poo but unable to pass anything) and I had no idea I was in labour. By the time I got to triage the blood flow was heavier than my normal period flow, and I ended up soaking through three medium pads in about two hours. By this time I was feeling the urge to push and the doctors said that I'd had an "extensive bloody show". When they examined me they found out I was 10 cm dilated!
So basically my first experience of labour was pretty atypical and I want to get a feel for what is normal so that I know if things are progressing normally second time around (I am stubbornly assuming that I'll go to term this time). Is the amount of blood I lost typical for a bloody show? The doctor called it "extensive" but that could just mean the upper end of normal. What was your first sign that labour was really underway? I apparently do not feel contractions until I'm right near the end so don't know if I can rely on that!