Free · PDF · 2 pages
Recognizing Labor
A plain-language guide to reading your body in early labor: how prodromal and pre-labor sensations differ from active labor, what the 4-1-1 and 5-1-1 rules actually mean, and clear signs it's time to call your provider or head to your birth place.
Labor
What's inside
- Prodromal vs. early vs. active labor — what each phase feels like
- How to time contractions with the 4-1-1 and 5-1-1 rules
- Signs to call your midwife or OB right away
- What to do while you wait at home
Use it when
- You're 36+ weeks and want to know what to watch for
- Contractions have started but you're not sure they're 'real'
- You're deciding whether to head to the hospital or birth center
Educational only. This handout supports informed conversations with your care team — it doesn't diagnose or replace clinical care. LlaMamma is not affiliated with ACOG, WHO, or Cochrane; those organizations are cited as evidence sources.
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