Want to know the signs labor is near for you and your baby? You probably have your anxiety and excitement levels driving wild! After all, it’s the biggest event you’ve been waiting for in the last 9 months — the birth of your precious little one!
If you are a first-time mom, you may be wondering what you should be expecting when the big day comes. In reality, several pregnant women have difficulty distinguishing real labor versus a false alarm! Truth is, the signs of labor are subtle, but it’s important to listen and pay close attention to your body. Here are some things to know when you are about to go through labor!
When Will You Go Into Labor?
Full-term pregnancies have due dates that are usually set on the 40th week. However, more often than not, most babies don’t arrive on the dot. The common period when you can expect to go into labor would be around 37 to 42 weeks. Labors that occur before the 37th week is considered premature or preterm.
Make sure that pay attention to your body for signs of labor and actively communicate with your doctor or health provider.
Early Signs Labor is Near!
Although you have likely heard countless labor stories from your co-mommyz, remember that pregnancy journeys can differ from one another. The start, signs, and length of your labor will vary. You may be scared and anxious about how labor would feel like. But don’t worry, labor doesn’t come about suddenly and without warning. Here are the first early signs that labor may start in the next few days:
- Energy levels drop. Remember the fatigued and exhausted feeling you had when you just started pregnancy? It probably will come up again a few days before giving birth. This period is called “nesting” wherein your body goes in a full-preparation mode for the birth of your baby.
- Lightening. When they’re ready to be born, your baby will drop lower into your pelvis a few weeks, days, or hours before labor. This sign is called lightening as you may find it easier to breathe compared to before.
- Vaginal discharge changes color and consistency. There might be a thick, pinkish, even blood-streaked discharge when you are nearing the end of your pregnancy. This “bloody show” happens due to a break in the mucus plug.
- Braxton Hicks Contractions. Several weeks prior to giving birth, you may already experience some irregular contractions. They increase in strength and frequency as you get closer to your due date. Though they might feel like the real deal, the Braxton Hicks Contractions are often a false alarm and do not thin out or cause dilation in your cervix. They are merely a test run in preparation for actual active labor
Signs of Active Labor
You know when it’s time to go to the hospital when you start feeling the signs of active labor. At this stage, your cervix will be dilating at around 6 to 10 centimeters, including the following signs:
- Stronger and more frequent contractions. Though you may be experiencing some contractions here and there during your third trimester, you know it’s time when they become stronger, more frequent, and recurring closer to each other. Each contraction lasts about 30 to 70 seconds with the intensity steadily increasing. At this point, you should be timing your contractions to know the progress of your labor.
- Your water breaks. Right before you’re about to give birth, the amniotic sac ruptures and releases fluid. This can feel like a trickle or even a gush of water from your vagina. Women who have broken their water usually go into labor within 24 hours.
- Leg cramping. Active labor makes you feel like your legs are cramping
- Pressure or pain in your back.
Interested in initiating breastfeeding right after giving birth? If so, watch our Facebook video on How Does Labor Affect Breastfeeding.
