Very early signs of labor
Early signs & symptoms of labor: What to watch for
As you approach the end of your pregnancy, your excitement is probably reaching its peak. And it’s easy to wonder if every unusual sensation in your body is a sign that the big day is right around the corner.
The signs and symptoms of labor are unique for just about every mom-to-be. But as you get closer to welcoming your little one, it helps to be prepared and know what physical symptoms to expect and when.
Below, we’ll go over some symptoms that labor is coming soon but hasn’t started yet. And we’ll provide some tell-tale signs that it’s time to grab your bags – because labor is about to begin.
Signs that labor is coming soon but hasn’t started yet
A normal pregnancy lasts about 37 to 42 weeks from the date of your last period, so once you enter the later 30s, your body is starting to gear up for the main event. The following changes don’t necessarily mean it’s time to go to the hospital, but they are signs that the big day is approaching:
Dilation and other cervical changes
Some of the biggest changes your body goes through before labor may be identified during cervical exams. As you get closer to labor, your cervix can start to soften and efface (get thinner). These changes allow your cervix to then dilate (open and grow wider), which will be necessary to deliver your baby.
Starting around week 36, your doctor or midwife may check for changes to your cervix and the position of your baby. It’s important to remember that these changes progress differently for everyone. Progress might start slowly and then increase rapidly just before labor, or vice versa.
It’s also normal to begin labor and not have a lot of changes yet. Once labor truly begins, your cervix will continue to dilate until you reach 10 centimeters and are considered fully dilated. Full dilation is what’s needed to start delivery.
Braxton Hicks contractions
Braxton Hicks are mild contractions that happen irregularly and become more common in the third trimester of pregnancy. You might experience Braxton Hicks contractions well before other signs of approaching labor show up.
They tend to become stronger and more frequent as you get closer to your due date. But is this cramping a sign of labor? Not in the same way that regular contractions are (we’ll get to that below). And not everyone notices Braxton Hicks contractions.
Aches, pains and looser joints
Throughout your pregnancy, the hormone relaxin will loosen the ligaments in your body, particularly those in your pelvis. This will help your body stretch and flex during delivery, but you may feel discomfort or pain in your pelvic area. As your due day approaches, it’s also common to feel a bit wobbly, particularly in your hips and lower back. This is because the muscles around your joints now need to work harder to keep those areas stable.
Stomach issues
Stomach trouble isn’t out of the ordinary at any point during pregnancy. But it could intensify late in your third trimester, leading you to wonder, “Is nausea a sign that labor is approaching?” The answer is, sort of. Your baby is still growing and competing for space with everything else in your abdomen.
As a result, you may experience indigestion and heartburn. But these issues can be with you for weeks or months.
However, a bout of diarrhea at the end of pregnancy can often be a sign that labor is 24 to 48 hours away. But those numbers can vary.
Lightening
As mentioned above, one of the things that doctors may check for during cervical exams is the position of the baby. This is in part because as you get closer to your due date, your baby will most likely settle into your pelvic area, which is referred to as the baby “dropping” or lightening.
Lightening often takes place two to four weeks before labor for first-time mothers. Mothers who have given birth before may not experience lightening until much closer to labor.
Your baby’s new position may put added pressure on your pelvis and bladder. So you may be used to frequent urination as a pregnancy symptom, but even more frequent urination is a potential sign of labor to come.
However, lightening sometimes makes it feel easier to breathe.
And it could also reduce heartburn thanks to less pressure on the stomach and organs.
Nesting instincts
Many mothers-to-be experience a burst of energy in the weeks before they deliver and an urge to get things done along with it. The science isn’t clear on why, but there are theories that it could be instinct or the result of peaking estrogen.
Whatever their cause, these “nesting instincts” may take the form of planning for labor, organizing or cleaning house, and doing other activities that help prepare for the baby’s arrival. If you experience this, just be sure not to spend all your energy on it. You’re going to want as much energy as possible going into labor.
Questions or concerns about labor signs? Our 24/7 BabyLine is free for our members and patients.
The first signs that labor may be starting
While signs that labor is approaching can vary a lot from person to person, some of the signs that labor is actually beginning tend to be more universal.
You start to experience real contractions
Uterine contractions are your body’s way of getting your baby into position so you can push the baby out. The first stage of labor is generally defined as when you start experiencing true contractions.
What do contractions feel like?
Early labor contractions are mild and irregular, lasting for hours or days. But as you progress towards active labor, true contractions become more intense. They’re often compared to menstrual cramps or the severe gut pain that might be related to gas or an intestinal issue.
One of the main ways to tell true contractions apart from Braxton Hicks contractions is that normal contractions happen at regular intervals that become more frequent over time. You can track your contraction intervals either by using an app or phone, or by using a stopwatch and charting the start time and duration of each contraction on a piece of paper.
False labor vs. real labor
These key differences can help you tell when to go to the hospital for contractions.
| True labor | False labor |
|---|---|
| Contractions happen at regular intervals | Contractions happen irregularly |
| Contraction intensity increases | Contraction intensity is relatively consistent |
| The time between contractions shortens | The time between contractions doesn’t shorten |
| Discomfort remains regardless of position or movement | Changing position or moving around often relieves discomfort |
You feel consistent pain in your belly and lower back
Once contractions have truly begun, you’ll feel pain in your abdomen as a result. In addition, your baby’s head may put pressure on your lower back. So is this back pain a sign of labor? It can be. When labor is starting, pain can move in waves from your back to your front.
You lose your mucus plug and experience “bloody show”
What does losing your mucus plug mean? The mucus plug is a protective accumulation of mucus in the opening of the cervix, and as your cervix dilates, this “plug” may be passed into the vagina and discharged before labor starts.
Vaginal discharge containing this mucus may be thicker and have a pink or red color to it. This is due to bleeding from the cervix as it changes. When mucus and blood are discharged together, it’s referred to as “bloody show.” It’s worth noting that the mucus plug is often lost in the days leading up to labor, but it can also happen earlier or later depending on when you actually start to dilate and efface.
Your water breaks
During pregnancy, your baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid, which helps protect them from bacteria. Around the beginning of labor, the sac containing this fluid often ruptures. This can take the form of a sudden gush or a slow trickle of fluid from your vagina, but it isn’t always obvious. So if you suspect that your water may have broken, call your care team or head to the hospital. It may take contractions or your baby applying pressure before your water breaks.
What to watch for: Signs of preterm labor
Labor is considered preterm if it starts three or more weeks before your due date.
If you haven’t reached week 37 and you believe that you may be experiencing signs that labor is starting, call your care team immediately.
What to do if you suspect that you’re in labor
The most common signs that it’s time to go to the hospital are water breaking or regular contractions that are five minutes apart for at least an hour (if it’s your first baby). If you live farther away from the hospital or this is not your first baby, your doctor or care team may give you other instructions.
Labor is yours alone. Listen to your body and don’t be afraid to go to the hospital early if you have any concerns. And in the meantime, if you have any planning left to do, we’re here to help.
8 Signs That Labor Is 24 to 48 Hours Away – Cleveland Clinic
When you’re close to your baby’s due date, each day that passes can feel like 100. Time becomes relentless — just like calls from well-meaning loved ones asking if you’re still pregnant. You need a sign (anything!) to signal that labor is near.
But do signs that labor is 24 to 48 hours away exist?
“There are no real rules with labor. It is completely variable. If you take 10 women, you’re going to get 10 different stories about what it was like for them before they went into labor — even between pregnancies,” says Ob/Gyn Jonathan Emery, MD.
But take heart! Dr. Emery says there are four early signs of labor that may just happen to you.
Four early signs of labor
Signs that labor is imminent are a bit of a moving target. There’s no step-by-step list of how it all goes down, and the only thing you can count on is that your experience will be unique to you.
“The frequency and intensity of contractions determines labor,” says Dr. Emery. “But there are some physical symptoms that happen during that time.”
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1. Cramps
Some women feel the type of cramps that usually happen with menstruation. “These cramps are different than Braxton Hicks, which are usually painless false contractions that happen when the uterus tightens,” explains Dr.
Emery. “These period-like cramps may be the beginning of mild contractions. They’re not too painful, but they’re noticeable. They may come and go over hours or even a couple of days.”
2. Pelvic pressure
You may start to feel pressure in your vagina or pelvis. “This may be due to ‘lightening,’ which is when the baby drops down from the abdomen. Some women feel lightening as pelvic pressure or even low back pain,” says Dr. Emery. “But keep in mind that some women don’t experience this drop until they’re in actual labor.”
3. Loss of the mucus plug
Some women notice a change in their vaginal discharge, which may signal the passing of their mucus plug. The mucus plug is an accumulation of mucus that forms a seal over the cervix’s opening. It helps protect the baby from unhealthy bacteria outside of the uterus. As the cervix starts opening in preparation for labor, you may lose the mucus plug (also called bloody show) in one blob or gradually.
“Decades ago, people used to think that if a woman passed her mucus plug, it meant that she would be in labor in a certain number of days.
But now we know that it can be nonspecific. You can lose the mucus plug, not go into labor, and the mucus can even re-accumulate in the cervix.”
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4. Changes in your vaginal discharge
Even if the mucus plug stays intact, you may notice other changes to your vaginal discharge. “It can become more watery, stickier and thicker, or maybe a little pink before labor begins or at the early stages of labor,” says Dr. Emery.
Other signs labor could be near
Dr. Emery says that while there are other potential signs of labor, they have less real science to back them up. These signs of labor include:
- Fatigue.
- Lightning crotch pain (sharp, burning or shooting nerve pain in your pelvis caused by your baby’s position).
- Loose stools or diarrhea.
- Sudden burst of energy (which Dr. Emery says is often associated with nesting, or the strong desire to get your home ready for baby).
“One or more of these labor signs might happen for some women, but there’s no clear evidence that they’re related to pre-labor or early labor.”
What to do if you think you’re in labor
If you think labor has started, Dr. Emery says you should time your contractions. When they are happening every five minutes and are so strong that you can’t walk or talk, call your prenatal provider. The waiting game is finally over!
Harbingers - childbirth is coming soon!
Wrestler Maria Vladimirovna
Obstetrician-gynecologist
MD GROUP Clinical Hospital, Mother and Child Clinic Savelovskaya
False contractions
They may appear after the 38th week of pregnancy. False contractions are similar to Braxton-Hicks contractions, which a woman could already feel starting from the second trimester of pregnancy (the uterus seems to stiffen for a few seconds - a couple of minutes, then the tension in it subsides).
False contractions train the uterus before childbirth, they are irregular and painless, the intervals between them are not reduced. Real labor pains, on the contrary, are regular, their strength gradually increases, they become longer and more painful, and the intervals between them are reduced. That's when you can already say that the birth began for real. In the meantime, false contractions are going on, it is not necessary to go to the maternity hospital - you can easily survive them at home.
Abdominal prolapse
Approximately two to three weeks before birth, the baby, in preparation for birth, presses the presenting part (usually the head) against the lower part of the uterus and pulls it down. As a result, the uterus moves lower into the pelvic region, its upper part ceases to put pressure on the internal organs of the chest and abdominal cavity. In the people it is called - the stomach dropped. As soon as the stomach drops, the expectant mother notices that it has become easier for her to breathe, but, on the contrary, it becomes more difficult to sit and walk.
Heartburn and belching also disappear (after all, the uterus no longer presses on the diaphragm and stomach). But, having dropped down, the uterus begins to put pressure on the bladder - naturally, urination becomes more frequent.
For some, uterine prolapse causes a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and even slight pain in the area of the inguinal ligaments. These sensations arise due to the fact that the child's head, moving down, irritates the nerve endings of the pelvic organs.
During the second and subsequent births, the belly drops later - right before the birth. It happens that this harbinger of childbirth is not at all.
Removal of the mucous plug
This is one of the main and obvious harbingers of childbirth. During pregnancy, the glands in the cervix produce a secret (it looks like a thick jelly and forms the so-called cork), which prevents various microorganisms from entering the uterine cavity. Before childbirth, under the influence of estrogens, the cervix softens, the cervical canal opens slightly and the cork can come out - the woman will see that there are mucus clots on the linen that look like jelly.
Cork can be of different colors - white, transparent, yellowish-brown or pink-red. Often it is stained with blood - this is completely normal and may indicate that childbirth will occur within the next day. The mucus plug can come out all at once (at once) or come out piecemeal throughout the day.
Weight loss
Approximately two weeks before delivery, weight loss may occur, usually by 0.5–2 kg. This happens because excess fluid is removed from the body and swelling decreases. If earlier during pregnancy, under the influence of the hormone progesterone, fluid in the body of a pregnant woman accumulated, now, before childbirth, the effect of progesterone decreases, but other female sex hormones - estrogens - begin to work hard, they remove excess fluid from the body of the expectant mother.
In addition, the expectant mother often notices that at the end of pregnancy it became easier for her to put on rings, gloves, shoes - this means that swelling on the hands and feet has decreased.
Change of stool
Right before childbirth, hormones often act on the intestines - they relax its muscles, as a result, stool disorder begins. Sometimes such frequent (up to 2-3 times a day) and even loose stools are mistaken for an intestinal infection. But if there is no nausea, vomiting, discoloration and smell of feces, or any other symptoms of intoxication, you should not worry: this is one of the harbingers of the upcoming birth.
And on the eve of childbirth, you often don't feel like eating at all. All this is also the preparation of the body for natural childbirth.
Mood changes
Many women experience mood changes a few days before giving birth. The expectant mother gets tired quickly, she wants to have more rest, sleep, even some kind of apathy appears. This state is quite understandable - you need to gather strength to prepare for childbirth. Often, just before giving birth, a woman wants to retire, looking for a secluded place where you can hide and focus on yourself and your experiences.
What should I do if there are any signs of childbirth? Usually you don’t need to do anything, because the harbingers are completely natural, they just say that the body is rebuilding and preparing for the birth of a child. Therefore, you should not worry and go to the hospital as soon as, for example, training contractions have begun or the mucous plug has come off. We must wait for real labor pains or outpouring of water.
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Harbingers of childbirth in multiparous
With repeated pregnancies, a woman feels more confident than when she bears her first baby.
However, before the birth, everyone is worried and thinking about how everything will go. In the article we will tell you how the harbingers of childbirth differ in multiparous and how to recognize them in time.
Contents of the article
Differences in signs in primiparous and multiparous
In a second-born woman, the body quickly adapts to pregnancy and prepares for childbirth. The muscles of the uterus are more elastic, the cervix opens faster. Signs of impending childbirth in multiparous people appear later - closer to the birth of the child. This interval is 1-5 days. The woman has already felt them before, so they do not cause much surprise and are not felt so strongly. In debutant mothers, the precursors begin earlier - 25-40 days before the upcoming birth.
If more than 8-10 years have passed between pregnancies, the harbingers of childbirth in multiparous women may appear 2-3 weeks before the baby is born. This is due to the fact that the birth canal loses elasticity, and for the body, preparation for childbirth again becomes an unusual phenomenon.
Signs of the second birth can be very different from the first. Each pregnancy is different. The precursors and course of childbirth are affected by the size of the fetus, the presence of diseases, and much more.
Approaching childbirth
The main harbingers of childbirth in multiparous women are similar to the symptoms of the approaching first birth. The differences are in duration and specificity.
Most pregnant women notice drooping of the abdomen, increased training contractions, unusual discharge, nesting instinct before childbirth. increased intestinal peristalsis. Harbingers of the second birth may be less pronounced, or occur immediately before childbirth. They also have certain differences.
Harbingers of labor in a second-born
Moms who are about to give birth again already know what to expect. Harbingers of the second birth appear several days in advance, and sometimes right before the onset of childbirth. The following signs may indicate that labor will begin soon:
- Abdominal prolapse.
The baby is in the correct position. It becomes easier for a woman to breathe, but the pressure in the lower abdomen increases. With the first birth, this happens in a few weeks, and with repeated births, in 2-3 days, sometimes already with the onset of contractions. - Weight loss. Before childbirth, excess fluid is released. An expectant mother can lose 2-3 kg a week before the upcoming birth - approximately at 38-39 weeks. This symptom is usually similar in those who are carrying a second, third child and pregnant for the first time.
- Allocations. Become more abundant and frequent. Sometimes such a harbinger of childbirth in a multiparous woman can speak of water leakage.
- Removal of the mucous plug. This process occurs 1‒ days before the baby appears during a second pregnancy. The cork looks like a clot of mucus, sometimes streaked with blood. In multiparous, the cervix has a larger lumen, so it opens faster. For those who are expecting a second child, this symptom may indicate a very early birth.
- Breast engorgement. In those who give birth not for the first time, the milk ducts are wider and adapted to breastfeeding. Therefore, some people produce colostrum already from the first trimester, and at a period of 39-40 weeks it becomes more.
- Psychological state. For a period of more than 35 weeks, women note that they become more emotional, sleep worse, their mood often changes. This happens against the background of hormonal changes and is more typical for primiparas, but it also happens in more experienced mothers. Some women report tachycardia, headache and fever 1-3 days before delivery.
- Baby activity. Shortly before the birth, the fetus "calms down" because it becomes cramped in the stomach, and it also "accumulates" strength. Reduced activity of the child during repeated births is noted 2-3 days before the opening of the cervix.
- Colon cleansing. Such a harbinger of childbirth in multiparous women occurs closer to the 39th week. The woman begins to go to the toilet more often, constipation disappears, if any.
- Maturation of the neck. This can only be determined on examination by a gynecologist or ultrasound. A ready (smoothed and short) neck is a harbinger of an early birth in multiparous women and indicates that contractions will begin soon. An immature cervix is more common in primiparas - with a second birth, this is a very rare occurrence.
Preparatory signs are associated with the physiological preparation of the body for the appearance of the baby. In a second-born woman, this process occurs much faster. Childbirth can start abruptly and pass quickly. Therefore, carefully monitor your condition. Harbingers of childbirth in multiparous women may also indicate preterm birth if they are noted before 36 weeks.
There is also the opposite situation, when the harbingers of the second birth do not appear at all - childbirth immediately begins.
Start of labor
For each expectant mother, the process of labor activity is launched individually.
Some women have a familiar scenario: contractions increase gradually, and the intervals between them are reduced. Others, especially mothers of many children, may have a rapid birth - immediately with active and intense contractions.
As a rule, multiparous women always have forerunners of childbirth. It's just that someone feels them more strongly, and sometimes a woman simply does not have time to come to her senses, because immediately after the precursors, labor begins. For example, familiar training bouts can turn into real ones.
The approach of the second and subsequent births can be determined by contractions with an interval of 20-30 minutes. There is no acute pain at first, but it gradually intensifies. After 2-5 hours, more active uterine contractions will begin, at which the cervix will open up to 4-5 cm. However, for some, everything happens faster, so you need to go to the hospital if the contractions go in 10-15 minutes. In multiparous, there is a very rapid opening of the cervix.
If you gave birth quickly enough for the first time, then go to the hospital at the very first signs.
Sometimes labor activity begins with the outpouring of amniotic fluid or the appearance of bloody discharge. Waters can depart at once completely or pour out in parts. As for the discharge, it may be a cork - in this case, they are not too abundant, with red-brown streaks. If there is bleeding - the pad gets wet quickly, then you need to immediately go to the hospital, as this may be a sign of placental abruption. Then a caesarean section is indicated - it is done under general or epidural anesthesia.
Childbirth can be premature - before 37 weeks. By the end of the second trimester, it is advisable to prepare a bag with documents, essentials for yourself and your baby. The lists in all maternity hospitals are different, but you will definitely need a shirt, bathrobe, slippers, hygiene items, postpartum pads, diapers, hats, socks and diapers for the baby.
Sometimes experienced mothers are more afraid of childbirth than those giving birth for the first time.
They already know that contractions can be extremely painful. However, fear interferes with effective labor activity. Relax and tune in to the good, especially today, women in labor are facilitated with the help of anesthesia, they are told how to breathe, and conditions are created for a favorable stay and birth of the baby.
Obstetrician-gynecologist,
anti-aging medicine specialist,
candidate of medical sciences
Chizhova Yuliya Anatolyevna
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