10 Early Signs That Labor is Approaching
As your due date nears, many moms-to-be wonder when labor will begin. If you are like me, you’re probably both excited and anxious to meet your little one (and also just tired of being pregnant). I remember paying attention to every ache, pain or sudden change thinking “is this it?”
Well some of these changes and gut feelings that labor is approaching are probably not in your head. You can in-fact be in early labor.
How long can you be in early labor?
Early labor, or the latent phase, can last from several days or weeks before the baby is due. During this phase, your cervix begins to soften and dilate and you may feel subtle signs of labor that can come and go as your body prepares for delivery. If this is your first pregnancy, this phase may last longer compared to a woman who has had a baby before.
Can you be in labor and not know?
Labor can feel different for every woman and every pregnancy. Some woman may have obvious signs that they are in labor while many other women won’t know until they are in active labor and ready to go to the hospital. So, some woman can be in early labor and not know it, which is perfectly normal too.
Early Labor Signs
Your Baby Drops
Did you look at yourself in the mirror and notice something different about your baby bump? Does your belly suddenly look lower? This is called lightening. Towards the end of pregnancy, your baby will drop lower into your pelvis, getting into position.
Lightening may increase pressure in your pelvis and also cause more frequent bathroom breaks.
The bright side of this is that you might also feel like you can breathe a little easier. As your baby settles lower into your pelvis, there’s less pressure on your diaphragm.
Braxton Hicks Contractions
Braxton Hicks contractions are like “practice contractions” that feel like a tightening of your uterus. You’ve probably had these throughout your pregnancy but you may get them more frequently.
Sometimes, your contractions even get into a rhythm that might even last for a few hours but then slows down or suddenly stops.
Braxton Hicks contractions aren’t extremely painful, unlike regular contractions which is how you can tell the difference.
Mild Cramping that Comes and Goes
In addition to Braxton Hicks contractions, you may also feel some mild period like cramping in your uterus and may also experience some lower back pain.
This normally isn’t a constant pain but comes and goes every so often.
Lose your Mucus Plug
Your mucus plug is a thick collection of cervical mucus that blocks the opening of your cervix. As labor approaches the mucus plug is dislodged as the cervix begins to open.
Many women lose their mucus plug a few weeks to a few days before labor. It can look like a thick yellowish blob (kind of like snot) or sometimes be clear. You may sometimes also hear the term “bloody show” which the mucus is tinged with blood causing the mucus to be pink or brown.
Frequent Bowel Movements
Right around your due date, you may notice that you have more frequent bowel movements that may be looser. This can be a sign that labor is about to begin.
Loose stools or diarrhea can happen between 1 to 2 days before labor begins. Don’t be alarmed, it’s just your body’s way of emptying your bowels to make room for you to deliver your baby.
Loose Joints
You might find that your joints are looser as your due date nears. Looser joints are due to the hormone called relaxin which loosens your ligaments to make it easier for your baby to pass through your pelvis during delivery.
Nesting
After feeling tired most days, have you suddenly gotten a burst of energy out of nowhere with the sudden urge to clean your house? Some women experience nesting which is a natural instinct to prepare your home for the baby.
Nesting can happen within the last few weeks of your pregnancy. No one really knows the cause of nesting but I can tell you it is a real thing. I recommend taking advantage of this energy and using it to get those last minute tasks done before the arrival of your baby.
Cervix Dilates
When you go to your final doctor’s appointments, your doctor may check your cervix to see if it is dilated.
What does it mean when your cervix begins to dilate? It means that your cervix which is basically the door to your uterus is opening up (dilating) to allow your baby to pass through the birth control during labor and delivery.
Although your doctor may tell you that you’re 1 to 2 cm dilated, don’t get too excited as your cervix can begin dilating weeks before your delivery date.
Your Weight levels off
Throughout your pregnancy, it is expected that you will gain up to 1 pound a week. As labor approaches, you may notice that you aren’t gaining anymore weight and actually might be losing some.
Your weight gain may stop because you now have lower levels of amniotic fluid and increased bathroom breaks.
No need to worry as this is totally normal and won’t affect the health of you or your baby.
Your Water Breaks
Your water breaking is a tell-tale sign that you will soon transition from early labor to active labor.
When the amniotic sac breaks fluid will pass through you. Some women may have a huge gush while other women may experience leaking. Amniotic fluid will be clear with little or no scent which is how you can tell that is not urine. Once your water breaks, contractions may soon follow.
If you are still unsure if you’re in labor or not or if you’re in some type of pain that doesn’t feel normal, don’t hesitate to call your doctor’s office as they should be able to tell you if it you need attention.
