The start of labour is called the latent phase. This is when your cervix becomes soft and thin as it gets ready to open up (dilate) for your baby to be born.

For this to happen, you’ll start having contractions, which may be irregular and vary in frequency, strength and length. You may get lots of regular contractions and then they may slow down or stop completely.

When you have a contraction, your womb tightens and then relaxes. For some people, contractions may feel like extreme period pains. Some women say they feel pain in their back and thighs instead of, or as well as, pain in the front of their bump.

During pregnancy, your cervix is closed and plugged with mucus, to keep out infection. But when your cervix starts to soften, shorten and open ready for labour, the mucus plug may come out. This is called your show and you may notice it in your underwear or when you wipe after going to the toilet. Some women don’t have a show.

This small, sticky, jelly-like mucus may come away in one blob or in several pieces. It’s normal to lose a small amount of blood within the mucus, but contact your hospital or midwife straight away if you’re losing more blood. 

Bleeding at this stage of labour may be a sign that something is wrong.

Call Triage on 0161 922 6655 (option 1) for advice if your mucus plug comes out before you're 37 weeks pregnant.

Every woman’s labour is different, so it can be difficult to say how long the latent phase will last. It can take hours or, for some women, days. The latent phase tends to be longer in a first pregnancy.

Yes. You’ll probably be offered an early assessment on the phone.

 Your midwife will:

  • ask how you feel (any tightenings, bleeding or if your waters have broken)
  • ask you about your birth plans, hopes and concerns
  • ask about your baby's movements, and especially about any changes in baby’s movements (you should continue to feel your baby move right up to the time you go into labour and during labour)
  • explain what you can expect in the early stage of labour, including things that might help you manage any pain
  • offer you support and advise you on pain relief you can use at home, if needed
  • tell you who to contact next and when
  • give advice and support to your birth partner if you have one.
  • If all is well, your midwife will recommend that you stay at home until it is suspected that your labour is becoming established.. You're more likely to have a smoother labour and fewer interventions if you stay at home until labour is stronger and your contractions are regular.

The aim during the latent phase of labour is to stay as calm and comfortable as possible. You may find it helpful to:

  • try to walk or move about
  • try to rest and sleep if your labour starts at night
  • drink fluids, such as water. Sports (isotonic) drinks may also help keep your energy levels up
  • have small, regular snacks, such as toast, biscuits or a banana (although be aware that many women don't feel very hungry and some feel, or are, sick)
  • try any relaxation and breathing exercises you've learned, perhaps in antenatal classes
  • have a massage – your birth partner could help by rubbing your back
  • take paracetamol according to the instructions on the packet – paracetamol is safe to take in labour 
  • have a warm bath or shower
  • gently bounce or rock on a birthing ball
  • use a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine, which attaches to your back with sticky pads and sends out tiny electrical impulses to block pain signals sent from your body to your brain. This will make you less aware of the pain.

Established labour is when your contractions are coming in a regular pattern of strength, length and frequency (about 2-3 contractions in every 10 minutes) and your cervix has dilated to at least4cm. It’s a good idea to start recording how often your contractions happen and how long they last. This will show you when they become more regular.

Contact your midwife, maternity unit or labour ward if:

  • your contractions are regular and coming about 2-3 times in every 10 minutes
  • your waters break
  • your contractions are very strong, and you feel you need pain relief 
  • you're worried about anything.
  • there has been a change in pattern of your baby’s movements

You should continue to feel your baby move right up to the time you go into labour and during labour.

Contact triage on 0161 922 6655 (Option 1) if you have any concerns about your baby’s movements during the latent phases of labour.