what does early labor mean? i had a tramatizing incident earlier where i bleed as if my water had broken of just blood they sent me home saying sometimes it happens but that my son looks fine and everything looks the way it should for being 36 weeks. got home and started to shower and it happened again but this time i have back pain and what feels like a contraction i called the doctor and he said it could be early labor and to lay down and try to relax. how can i relax when i feel like my vagina is getting ripped out.