What Happens When Labour Starts? When to Call Your Doula and What Happens Next

One of the most common questions clients ask me is, "How will I know when it's time to call you?" The simple answer is that you never need to worry about contacting me too early.

I know how it feels in those final weeks — every twinge has you wondering if this is it. So I want to walk you through what early labour can look like, when to pick up the phone, and what happens once you do.

The early signs

Labour rarely arrives with a dramatic announcement. More often it's a slow build: period-type cramping that comes and goes, a tightening across your bump, backache, or losing your mucus plug. Some people feel completely normal one moment and notice mild surges the next. There's no single "right" way for it to start, and that's completely normal.

When to first get in touch

Call, text or WhatsApp me the moment you think something might be happening — even if you're not sure, even if it turns out to be a false alarm. I would always rather hear from you too soon than have you sit at home wondering whether you're "allowed" to reach out yet. This is exactly what I'm here for.

How I support you in early labour

In the early stages, support often starts remotely. We might talk through what you're feeling, I'll help you figure out timings and patterns, and I'll offer suggestions for staying comfortable at home — movement, positions, food, rest. For many people, early labour is best spent at home for as long as possible, and I can help you feel confident about that rather than rushing anywhere too soon.

As things progress, I'll come to you. Exactly when depends on how your labour is unfolding, but you'll never be trying to work that out alone.

Travelling to hospital or the birth centre

When it's time to move, I'll either meet you there or travel with you, depending on what we've planned together. Having someone continue alongside you through that transition — someone who already knows your birth preferences and how you like to be supported — can make a real difference to how settled you feel.

Supporting your partner too

I'm not there to replace your partner — I'm there to support you both. That might mean giving your partner a break to eat or rest, suggesting ways they can help you feel more comfortable, or simply being a steady, experienced presence in the room so they can focus on you without feeling like they need to have all the answers.

You never need to worry about contacting me too early.

If labour starts overnight

Labour doesn't check the clock, and neither do I. Whatever time it starts, you can reach me. Knowing that continuous support is only a phone call away, day or night, is often one of the biggest sources of reassurance for the families I work with.

Why continuity matters

Perhaps the most reassuring part of doula support is that it's not a stranger arriving at an unfamiliar moment. It's someone you already know, who knows your story, your worries and your wishes for this birth. That continuity carries you through in a way that's hard to put into words until you've experienced it.

Would you like some support with your birth?
If you’d like to talk through what support could look like for you, I’d be very happy to have a chat.