Week 29: Looking out for labour signs
Image: @foodsweatnbeers
Welcome to week 29 of the Happy Parents Happy Baby guide to pregnancy, birth and beyond.
This week we'll be covering:
We hope you enjoy it!
Signs of labour
People often find they ask how they will know that they are in labour just to be told ‘you’ll know when it happens’. Not very useful is it? Therefore, we’ve listed the ways you’ll be able to tell below to hopefully ease any worries you have about knowing when it’s time to meet your baby.
How will I know when labour is starting?
Backache
Before labour starts you may notice an increase in backache this usually occurs a few days before labour starts.
Increase/change in bowel movements
This can be caused by hormonal changes as well as your baby moving down lower and pressing on your bowels.
Mucus plug/Show coming away
The mucus plug will often be seen when the cervix is starting to make changes or ‘ripen’. You may see this a week before labour begins and it may be accompanied by an increase in tightening or Braxton hicks. The mucus plug is often clear with flecks of blood in.
Waters breaking
This can happen before surges/contractions start or sometimes some hours afterwards. It can happen as a big gush of fluid or a small trickle - to be sure it’s your waters if you think they have gone then pop a pad in your underwear and phone the midwives. You will be asked what colour the waters are (clear or straw colour are normal. Green or red need to be checked out more urgently), what time the waters went and whether you’re experiencing surges/contractions.
Surges/Contractions
Surges/contractions come in waves and like waves they slowly build up, reach a peak and then taper off again. They can often start off as mild period-like pains or backache and will gradually increase in length and intensity. It’s time to phone the midwife when the contractions are coming 3 in every 10 minutes, lasting for 1 minute each and have been consistent for an hour or more.
Top tip:
Have your hospital bags packed and by the door from 37 weeks as labour can begin at any time after that.
Your baby’s development in week 29
Size of a head of a cauliflower
Weighs around 1.2kg
Around 38.6cm long
There’s no slowing down your baby’s growth now!
This growth means that space in the womb is becoming a bit more restricted so you might be feeling more jabs and pokes than flutters and somersaults. Week 29 is a good time to start keeping a closer eye on your baby’s movements. While every day will be different, it is good to be aware of their pattern of movement. If the pattern changes or movements seem to be less regular, contact your midwife or hospital straight away.
Your baby will also be looking a bit plumper now as fat starts to fill in the folds of skin. They’ve still got a lot of growing to do though and will more than double in weight over the last few months.
Week 29 Checklist
You might like to:
Think about what baby will sleep in: There will be some sleeping happening, we promise, so it’s good to plan what kind of bed your baby is going to use. This could be a cot or bedside crib. If you’re buying a new cot look for one that meets British safety standard BS EN 716. The mattress must be snug so your baby’s head cannot get stuck and the bars must not be more than 6.5cm (2.5in) apart. You might also want to buy cellular blankets for swaddling and a baby monitor.
Research cord banking. Cord blood is the blood in the placenta and umbilical cord which is usually thrown away after a baby is born. However, this blood is rich in stem cells which can be used in the same way as bone marrow to treat specific cancers and other diseases. In the UK, cord blood collection for banking is undertaken only at certain hospitals. It is also possible to pay a private facility to store your baby's cord blood in case you or a family member need it in the future. You can read more here
Buy breast pads. You might have already experienced some leaking from your breasts but if you haven’t, you certainly will once your baby is born which is why we recommend buying some breast pads in the coming weeks. There are lots of different types out there, including both disposable and reusable ones.
Spotlight on: Braxton Hicks
Each week we'll be delving into the common symptoms of pregnancy and bringing you top tips for managing them from our team of specialists and parent community.
Braxton Hicks
Why do I feel like I’m having contractions already?
You might just be sitting at your desk working, or on the sofa watching TV when you suddenly feel a quick tightening and releasing of your womb. These contractions are called Braxton Hicks, but are sometimes referred to as false labour pains.
You might start feeling them in your second or third trimester but they are nothing to worry about. Some women may experience them daily, whereas others may never get them at all. They might feel uncomfortable, like mild period cramps, but should not be painful. We’ll tell you more about Braxton Hicks in your HPHB classes so don’t worry.
According to Tommy’s, some things which could trigger Braxton Hicks include being very active, having sex, having a full bladder or being dehydrated.
How will I know they’re Braxton Hicks and I’m not in labour?
They are irregular and vary in length
They are uncomfortable but not painful
They don’t increase in regularity, intensity or duration
They are unpredictable
You might find that your Braxton Hicks increase in regularity towards the end of your pregnancy. There are a few things you can do to ease them such as changing position, lying down if you’ve been very active, going for a walk if you’ve been sitting down for a while, relaxing and drinking water to dehydrate.
If you’re not sure if you’re having Braxton Hicks or labour contractions contact your midwife, especially if you are not at 37 weeks yet. Call your labour unit if you have any bleeding, strong contractions every five minutes which last 30-60 seconds, your waters break or the twinges become very painful.
Birth story of the week
This week we catch up with Marion from our Hackney antenatal course and she shares the positive birth story of her baby Alma.
“My birth was what you would call 'straightforward' (vaginal with no complication) although I feel that all first births are definitely a real shock to the system and an event you can never feel 100% prepared for. But thanks to HPHB I was really on top of all the options available in terms of pain relief, their risks and their benefits, and it helped my decision making in early labour as well as in the delivery room.
“The moment I first saw my baby I felt profoundly lucky, relieved to see her alert and healthy and quite amused! Unfortunately, I didn't feel the incredible rush everyone talks about. My labour was 33 hours long, I was exhausted and probably quite high on the epidural and pitocin, which might be why.
“The day following our return home was unsettling. We were not sure how much she needed to eat and we even thought we overfed her at some point! But apart from the feeding we were prepared when it came to our expectations regarding sleep, baby's cues and....the whole poop pantone...which matters a lot in those early days!”
Thank you for choosing HPHB Marion!
Treat of the week
The BBhugme nursing pillow gives great support whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby. It moulds to your body but is also breathable and reduces the strain on your back and neck. Comfort is so important in those early days and weeks when feeding will be taking up quite a lot of your time.
Use code HPHB10 for a discount
Products are based on suggestions from our specialists and community of parents. We may earn commission from shopping links.
Join our community
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Connect with other parents-to-be and learn everything you need to know, by joining our award-winning antenatal classes.
That's all for now...
Thank you so much for joining us!
Have a great week.
Team HPHB x
Information you
can trust
Our articles are based on the latest-evidence based guidelines and scientific research and are written by our team of medical experts.
Coming up
next week
How to do upbreathing
Spotlight on: varicose veins
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