Understanding Early Signs of Labour
Each pregnancy is unique, with its own timeline. However, as your body prepares for your baby to be born you may experience symptoms or changes that tell you labour may be a matter of weeks away, or that it may be imminent. Not every woman will experience each of the events described below but familiarity with the signs can help you know what to expect and what it means. If you misinterpret the signs, don’t worry. You’re not alone – it’s very common for first-time mothers to go to the hospital only to be told they are not yet in labour.
This is because the signs are not always easy to recognize and may appear slightly differently to each expectant mother, or you may experience only a few of the signs of labour.
Signs of Labour:1
Lightening. Your baby’s head starts to drop into position in your pelvis. This is a sign that your baby is readying to come into the world and has rotated in order to come out of the birth canal in a downward-facing position. Your shape will change, with your abdomen appearing lower and protruding more. If your uterus had been putting pressure on your diaphragm, causing you to feel breathless, you may notice that you can breathe more easily now. Lightening may occur up to two to four weeks prior to giving birth.
Decreased activity of baby. Babies may slow down, decreasing their activity before the work of labour and delivery begins. If there is no activity for a day, however, contact your doctor.
Loss of weight. You may lose up to three pounds in the days prior to labour beginning, resulting from a shift in fluid in your body.
Increased Braxton Hicks contractions. These contractions may cause discomfort but are not painful. They are generally infrequent and can be lessened by changing your position. They often increase as pregnancy progresses but if they become more intense and painful, as well as more frequent, they may be true labour contractions.
Vaginal discharge. If it is pink-tinged or slightly brown it is known as “bloody show” and results from small blood vessels in the cervix breaking as it dilates and opens. This mucus may come out as a lump or as increased vaginal discharge over the course of a few days. It served a function during pregnancy as it kept bacteria out of the womb by acting as a plug in the cervix, blocking the uterus. When this plug drops out of the uterus it generally means you will experience labour soon, although it can sometimes appear earlier, particularly if you have had sex or a vaginal exam.
Nesting Instinct. Many expectant mothers experience a burst of energy a day or two before the start of labour. You may feel a strong desire to have everything ready for baby’s arrival: the house cleaned, the nursery set up. This extra energy is nature’s gift to help you through your coming labour. Conserve your energy to use for your baby’s arrival.
The signs mentioned thus far may let you know labour will be starting in a matter of weeks or days but you will know labour is imminent if you experience true labour contractions or your water breaks, in which case you should go directly to the hospital.
Contractions. If your contractions increase in frequency and intensity they may be true labour contractions. It is easy to confuse these contractions with gas or intestinal upset at first, but they will become stronger and more frequent. Time your contractions. If they last more than forty seconds and arrive regularly contact your doctor or midwife and prepare to go to the hospital.
Water breaks. Your amniotic sac may rupture and fluid will be released; this is a normal prelude to delivery. Depending on where the break in the amniotic sac takes place you may feel a trickle or a gush of liquid coming from your vagina.