Normal Labor

Is there such a thing as ‘normal labor’? yes, there is. However, this is a broad phenomenon and two women who experience normal labor could still end up with vastly different experiences. The level of pain, duration of labor and amount of blood loss could vary enormously without either being abnormal. That’s the nature of the beast.

The aim of this section is to describe broadly but clearly what normal labor involves. In other words, it is an attempt to define the acceptable degrees of departure from that picture which will still fall within the confines of a normal labor.

Starting labor

Factors that trigger labor

This may surprise many people but the truth, is we do not know for sure how labor is triggered!

What is known, and this is incomplete, is the fact that prostaglandins (which are natural chemicals) play a crucial role in the initiation of labor.

What triggers the release of prostaglandins at the crucial moment is not clearly known. To date, it is practically impossible to predict precisely when labor is going to start.

For the same reason as above, nobody can yet explain why some women are prone to go into spontaneous preterm labor more or less every time. The intricate mechanism of labor onset remains largely a mystery.

Source of prostaglandins in labor

Prostaglandins are mainly produced by the uterine muscle, the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and the fetal membranes.

‘False labor’: What it means

Normally, in late pregnancy, the uterus tends to go into mild painless contractions, on and off. These are known as Braxton-Hicks contractions. If these contractions become painful, the woman may erroneously assume that she is in labor. Sometimes there is an unrelated but concomitant low backache, which reinforces the impression of being in labor. Vaginal examination will reveal that there is no evidence of labor.

Spurious or false labor can be quite distressing and can continue for several days before the onset of true labor.

Managing false labor

No specific treatment is required. The doctors and midwives will explain the situation patiently to the mother-to-be. Painkillers may be prescribed, to take the edge off the pain. A mixture of light domestic activities, long warm baths and plenty of rest will help to alleviate the discomfort. Labor will eventually start.

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