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Okay, so we go into labor.  We feel contractions.  I'm not sure what these will feel like.  At this point, I get major tightness in my tummy which feels like the baby is pulling on all sides of my front.  Then, it goes away.  Then, it comes back.  But, then stops completely. Questions: Do we lose our mucous plug before we go into labour? Does our water break before we lose our mucous plug? Do we go into labour AFTER our water breaks? Just what happens???  I'm scared and a bit confused.  Honestly all the prepared childbirth classes didn't seem to stick!!  I'm just not sure what to expect. I'm due in 16 days!! ~Carol Ann EDD Mar 22

Do we go into labour AFTER our water breaks? Hopefully, because if your water breaks and you haven't gone into labor within about 24 hours, most practitioners will want to induce labor (this is to reduce the risk of infection, though there's increasing evidence that this risk is very low, even after 24 hours, if internal exams are kept to a minimum and the mother is not GBS+). In some cases, breaking the water on purpose can actually start labor or jumpstart a weak labor

::: Okay, so we go into labor.  We feel contractions.  I'm not sure ::: what these will feel like.  At this point, I get major tightness in ::: my tummy which feels like the baby is pulling on all sides of my ::: front.  Then, it goes away.  Then, it comes back.  But, then stops ::: completely. ::: :: The contractions you're having sounds like BH contractions. Real :: contractions are similar, but they are typically more uncomfortable. People :: say they feel like menstrual cramps, but since I never had those (and my :: husband hadn't either), the best analogy I came up with for describing labor :: contractions was that it felt like a bad gas attack that was coming and :: going. I've also heard that real contractions typically start in the back :: and go round to the front, but they never felt that way for me, so I don't :: think you can count on it. :: ::: Questions: ::: ::: Do we lose our mucous plug before we go into labour? ::: :: Maybe yes, maybe no. The thing about the mucous plug is that you may lose :: chunks of it over several days, but it regenerates, so you can keep losing :: it and losing it without really losing it. Also, you might lose it in :: small enough pieces that you never notice. Or, you might not lose it at all :: until you're in labor. :: ::: Does our water break before we lose our mucous plug? ::: :: Typically, no. Water breaking before the onset of labor is relatively rare :: (happens in only about 10% of labors). :: ::: Do we go into labour AFTER our water breaks? ::: :: Hopefully, because if your water breaks and you haven't gone into labor :: within about 24 hours, most practitioners will want to induce labor (this is :: to reduce the risk of infection, though there's increasing evidence that :: this risk is very low, even after 24 hours, if internal exams are kept to a :: minimum and the mother is not GBS+). In some cases, breaking the water on :: purpose can actually start labor or jumpstart a weak labor

Thanks, Barbara.  I tested positive for Strep B.  I want an epidural.  So, if I wait until I'm contracting at 3 - 5 mins apart and 30 - 60 secs each one, will I still be able to get one? It will depend on how much dilation you've achieved at that point. Most practitioners won't want to administer an epidural until you're in active labor, which means 4 cm dilated with regular contractions like I've described. Most women who are contracting that often and the regularly *and* can't talk through the contractions (I can't stress this enough!) are at least 4 cm dilated, but it's not always the case. The key point is that that contractions have to be uncomfortable enough that you can't talk through them, though. It's quite possible to have contractions that are 3-5 seconds apart and 30-60 seconds long, but which are still relatively mild discomfort-wise. Contractions that are not uncomfortable are less likely to be causing sufficient cervical changes to qualify as active labor, even if they are frequent and regular.

Just what happens??? Generally you'll start having contractions that are no big deal, random etc. You'll wonder if this is it.  This will make you crazy  Eventually those contractions will get stronger and closer.  It will probably still be some time before you are *sure* you are in labor.  It can be gradual but once you stop what you are doing and concentrate on the contraction (not the clock to time them or your dh to tell him about them or fretting about what to pack ) you are in real labor.  Generally speaking for first time moms this is the time to go to the hospital and you'll have plenty of time to get there and get the epidural.  I lived a long ways away and don't mind hospitals so I went in really early but then I had to walk around the hospital halls for hours and hours.

Do we go into labour AFTER our water breaks? With my first child, my water broke approximately eight hours before contractions started. I didn't go to the hospital with all three labors until just before transition. Your water may break like mine and no contractions for a while. You may start with contractions and your water may break then. Or you may get to the hospital and contract for a while and then the water will break or they may have to break your water for you (which was the case for me in my subsequent labors). With the third child, things started happening fast and furious and then slowed down and then fast and furious again. I did let them break my water with my third, but only after the doctor arrived, and she was born about 10 minutes later. Hang in there. :o)