If you are expecting a baby you might be wondering what labor will feel like. Many first time mothers are confused about the signs of labor and so they mistake normal aches and pains for contractions. The good thing is that there are some signs that can help you know that you are actually in labor and that it is time to go to the hospital. Here are some things you need to know.

1. Contractions Will Be Hard To Ignore and Will Come In Waves

Pain is just a normal part of pregnancy. Every expectant mother will tell you that toward the end of their pregnancy they felt a good deal of pain in their stomach. This is because the baby is larger, so as it moves around it can be painful. Or it could be the ligaments stretching to make room for the baby. So how can you know the difference between normal pains and labor?

The easiest way to tell if it is a contraction is to notice if is comes in waves. If it is a dull ache that won't go away, it is probably not a contraction. If you are in labor, you will feel cramping, much like menstrual cramps that come on subtly, peak, and then go away. When they go away you should have an absence of pain. The contractions will probably be mild at first and then get harder as time goes on.

If you are having contractions you might be wondering when it is time to go to the hospital. If the pains are still mild, for instance if you can talk through them, then you don't need to go to the hospital, as you are still in early labor. Second, they should be coming about 3-5 minutes apart. If they are close together and they are so painful that you can't talk through them, then you are in active labor.

2. You Are Leaking Water

If you are leaking water in anyway, even if you aren't having contractions, then you need to go to the hospital. Even just a drip of amniotic fluid means that the baby is coming soon. And if the baby doesn't start coming on their own, then you need the doctors to help you get labor started. The baby shouldn't be without amniotic fluid for very long, so once the fluid gets low the baby has to come.

These are just a couple things you need to know about going into labor. For more information, talk to an OB/GYN.