Women's Descriptions of Labor Onset and Progression Before Hospital Admission

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive, qualitative study, set in a postpartum unit, of 21 nulliparous women who spontaneously went into term labor at home. Our aim was to characterize symptoms of labor onset and progression to active labor before hospital admission for childbirth. The most frequent symptoms reported at labor onset were contractions, pain, ruptured membranes, cramping, and feelings of nervousness and excitement. Women reported that as labor progressed to the active phase, their pain increased, length and strength of contractions increased, and labor symptoms became more difficult to tolerate. Women's descriptions of symptoms of labor onset can aid the development of criteria to help women identify active labor and support decisions about timing of hospital admission for childbirth.