Signs of labour

For second-time mothers the advice is to head for hospital as soon as you think labour has started because things can happen quickly. But for first-time mums, unless your waters have gone or you lose fresh blood, there’s no hurry

If all is going normally, you can spend some time at home in the hope that when you eventually arrive at hospital, you’ll be well on the way, perhaps 2-3 cms dilated.

Early signs of labour are:A bout of diarrhoea and possible vomitingA headacheFeeling ‘flu-like’An unusual urge to tidy or decorate

But generally things really get going with regular contractions. Towards the end of pregnancy it’s normal to feel ‘mock’ contractions. These are called Braxton Hicks contractions and usually become more noticeable the nearer you get to your EDD.