Every pregnant woman’s labor is different and predicting when a labor would start is not always possible. Nonetheless, the body shows signs and symptoms that reveal whether a woman is approaching labor.
Signs of Labor Approaching
The body of a pregnant woman often starts preparing for labor as early as about a month before the due date.
- Bloody show where there is an increase in vaginal discharge in a brownish or pinkish color.
- Loose stools caused by the early release of prostaglandins which causes cervical effacement, softening etc.
- Changes in the cervix. The softening, thinning or dilation of the cervix is mostly shown by a doctor’s internal examination.
- When the fluid-filled amniotic sac surrounding the baby bag (bag of water) breaks or ruptures.
Symptoms of Labor Approaching
There is no exact time on when a labor would start. However, a pregnant woman may undergo and experience a number of changes that shows that a labor is approaching. They could be the following:
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Cramping
- “Lightening”, or the sensation when the baby drops or settles lower into the pelvic cavity.
- Increased Braxton Hicks Contractions or “practice” contractions that become more frequent and painful.
- A dull pain in the back that comes and goes.
- Nesting instinct which is an emotional condition where the mother suddenly has an uncontrollable urge to cleaning everything in the house as preparation for the baby’s arrival by.
- A feeling of restlessness or increased energy.
- A sensation of building pressure or cramping in the pelvic/rectal area.
Signs of False Labor
It is always difficult going into labor and can be quite tricky without being fooled into actually thinking of being in labor but is not, and that is the case with false labor. To know the signs of a true labor, one should also know the signs of one having a false labor and they can be any of the following:
- The contractions are at an irregular and unpredictable intervals.
- There is no change in the length or pain of the contractions.
- Rather than the lower back, pain is generally felt at the lower abdomen.
- Walking or changes in position can cause the contractions to slow down or stop.
- There is no bloody show
- No rupture of the membranes or the bag of water.
- Contractions subside after drinking large glasses of non-alcoholic beverage.