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There are several possible that labor may be on its way including more frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions as well as more back pain. How do you know if labor is coming?
One of the most common questions expectant parents have during late pregnancy is how can they tell if labor is indeed coming. Are there possible signs to watch for? Do mothers get any warning several days in advance that labor is around the corner? When should they start preparing their labor bags to take to the hospital or birth center? When should they start to time contractions?
Parents ought to remember that there are some signs to recognize in the days leading up to and following their due date. However, the biggest drawback is that possible labor signs can vary from mother to mother so reading a list of signs and trying to match them to what you are experiencing is not always the best gauge. When in doubt, feel free to call your health care provider. Or if you are using a doula, she can often talk you through the difference between "pre-labor" or what is sometimes referred to as a "warm-up" period of labor versus true labor.
Here are some things to watch for in the weeks and days surrounding your due date.
- More frequent Braxton-Hicks contractions
- Lingering back pain
- Noticing the baby's weight has shifted downward (or the baby dropping into your pelvis)
- Nesting urges - energy spurts or a restless feeling at any hour of the day
- Some increased cervical discharge
- Frequent and/or loose bowel movements
- Possible queasy or mild flu-like symptoms
Remember that some mothers will begin to see some of these signs as early as a month before their estimated due date, while others will not notice warm-up signs until they are in week 40 or 41. It would also not be unusual for a mother to experience many of these signs or symptoms for several days or even weeks at a time.
There are occasions (about 10% of the time) when a mother may not notice warm up or possible signs in the last few weeks, but rather she suddenly notices her water breaking in the middle of the night. For her, this warm-up period has been nonexistent and replaced by a definite sign of labor. Both situations are completely normal.
Many mothers mistakenly believe that early cervical dilation means that you will go into labor soon. For example, you go to see your provider at 37 weeks and find out that you are 3cm dilated. Maybe your provider even comments that he may "not see you at next week's appointment." It is very hard to assume that early dilation has any correlation to going into labor early. In fact, some mothers may even reach their due date or pass it when their cervix has dilated in late pregnancy. There is no predictive value of labor with early cervical dilation.
It is a great idea to continue with your life and normal activities in the last few weeks of pregnancy even if you have some early dilation or possible signs of labor. This could be a great time to finish those last few touches on the baby's room, prepare your hospital bags and prepare some meals to freeze since you will not be cooking much in those early weeks after your baby comes.
So what are the definite labor signs to look for? Watch for the next article coming in the Stages of Labor series on definite labor signs.
Did you have some of these possible labor signs in your pregnancy? What were they? Tell us more about it.
The copyright of the article Possible Signs of Labor in Childbirth - Labour & Delivery is owned by Brenda Lane. Permission to republish Possible Signs of Labor in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Sep 21, 2008 11:41 AM
Guest :
I am 37 weeks pregnant and have started to feel contractions. It feels
like my stomach and or baby is tighthing up for a brief moment then it
passes. I went to a prenatal checkup and they found that I was in deed
having contractions; but stated that it was normal for someone 37 weeks
pregnant. The contractions are not frequent but they do occur. I have
been going to prenatal testing to ensure that my fluid levels are good
because my specialist had a concern. I found that extremely low levels are
at 5% but I've been consistently at 11 or 12%. I hope every mother out
there has a healthy baby.
Oct 23, 2008 8:21 PM
Guest :
IM36 WEEKS PREGNANT IVE BEEN GETTING RIPENINGS INMY CERVIX AND TIGHTENING
PAINS ACROSS THE STOMACH AND ALOT OF BACHACHE AND MENSTRUAL CRAMPS AND
DIAHORIA IS THIS A SIGN OF EARLY LABOUR
Nov 3, 2008 9:39 PM
Guest :
I am 29 weeks pregnant and I have been getting Braxton-Hicks Contractions
quite often. It feels like my stomach is tightening up for almost minutes
at a time. Also, I have been having flu-like symptoms. I cant hardly eat
cause it feels as if Im going to get sick and then hours after I eat I
might get sick. And the Nesting urge is crazy, one minute I will be tired
and then the next I will feel the need to get up and wash the babies
clothes or something like that.
Nov 19, 2008 12:01 PM
Guest :
I have all of the above, with 6 and 7 just starting last night. I was sure
6 and 7 had to be potential signs of labor because it was such a quick
change! Thanks for this list. Almost all the other lists I've found are
related to definitive signs of labor, but this one helped me out a lot; it
made me feel better. Thanks!
Nov 24, 2008 6:47 PM
Guest :
I am also 37 almost 38 weeks pregnant and have been having very strong
consistant contractions and severe pressure in the vaginal area does this
mean I'm almost ready to go into labor or is this just a false alarm? I let
my doctor know and he said not to worry but this week my doctors out of
town and the pain keeps getting worse. What should I do? can some one
please give me some advice my email is nicolasahernadez88@hotmail.com
Nov 30, 2008 11:20 AM
Guest :
I am 37 weeks going on 38 weeks. I've been having cramping every day
now......sometimes they are consistant and sometimes they're not. I have a
huge amount of pressure in my pelvis and my stools are very frequent and
loose. This is also my second pregnancy. Does this mean its almost time and
how soon?
Dec 4, 2008 8:53 AM
Guest :
I am 37 weeks pregnant and I have had braxton-hicks when I was like 27
weeks or something like that. I haven't had anything happen since then but
I can't wait until this is all over and my daughter is out
Dec 13, 2008 12:14 PM
Guest :
I'm 38 weeks and can't wait for this baby to get here! I've been dilated 3
cm for about a month now, and I just recently found out that I'm 75%
thinned. I don't know how many times my husband and I have been to the
hospital, on false alarms. I've been contracting for 3 days now, they have
been irregular though. I don't know exactly know when my baby will get here
but I'm hoping it will be soon. It hurts to walk, and I feel like the baby
is going to fall out. As much as all of this isn't much fun, I'm looking
forward to it. Wish me luck, and good luck to everyone else out there. =]
Dec 14, 2008 12:16 PM
Guest :
I am 35 weeks, have been feeling somewhat sick, nauseous and headaches, I
have lower back pain and contractions every day but nothing consistent. My
midwife said that I was 2.5 cm dilated and 80% thinned. I generally have
my babies at 37 weeks so we will see. This is number four and he is head
down ready to go, so we will see what the next two weeks bring!
Jan 15, 2009 5:30 AM
Guest :
im 30 weeks pregnant i dont really get contractions but back pain, ebergy
outbursts, dischrage and frequent or loose bowl movements have all shown
up...idont think its a good thing to have your baby born early right?
Feb 6, 2009 10:50 AM
Guest :
i'm about 36 weeks pregant and have had hip pain and some on and off agian
pian in the back and pelvec area. i have been throwing up and have
headaches and loose bowels and white pee on and off agian help me...
littlefoot_1986@hotmail.com
Feb 6, 2009 11:03 AM
Guest :
Starting about 27 weeks I was having frequent losse bowel movements then
found out my iron was low. My dr had me pick up some iron pills....that
took care of the loose stools!!!lol
Feb 16, 2009 2:32 PM
Guest :
my due date is in 2 days and I dont feel anything! nothing! nada!
I
am starting to feel discouraged :( - my son was 10 days late and I hope
this one is not late at all.
Feb 19, 2009 8:07 AM
Guest :
I am 35 weeks + 5 days and have been experiencing more and more bh
contractions. I also am experiencing more loose bm's (sorry if tmi), today
I just kind of feel as though I'm having flu like symptoms. I weighed
myself the other day and had lost 3 lbs. I'm also nesting, and have sudden
bursts of energy and then I'm exhausted. Could this all be signs of early
labor?
Mar 18, 2009 12:07 PM
Guest :
I am 37 weeks pregnant and have started to feel contractions also. I am two
centimeters dilated and everyone keeps telling me that its false labor
pains. I think that its early labor.
Jun 2, 2009 10:14 AM
Guest :
I am 38 weeks pregnant with my first baby. I have a lot of back pain and
cramping and of course the good ole hip pops in and out so that's not too
fun. I get contractions often and mostly in my back. Not sure if this is
sign of labor or not, i am also dilated but that doesn't mean anything
anymore. Help?
Jun 4, 2009 4:11 AM
Guest :
Hi All, just want 2 say congrats 2 all those mums 2 be! I am nearly 39
weeks pregnant with my first baby and have had no BH, no nothing in fact
other than feeling a little sick. I do not even know if I am dilated as my
midwife has not told me anything like that - it is so frustrating! I have a
midwife appointment 2day which I am excited about but otherwise no symptoms
of labour appearing soon but found this website the best so far. I guess
he will come when he is ready but I hope sooner than later! Good luck 2
everyone x
Aug 16, 2009 7:05 PM
Guest :
Hey all I'm due in like 3 weeks . I haven't had much happen to me and it
sux. I'm ready for my beautiful boy to come out and enjoy the world. I
haven't had those frequent bm's that every one is talkin about in fact I'm
just the opposite. Constipated. I had those bh contractions but that was
like 2 months ago. I don't even think I'm the slightest bit dialated. O
well I guess he'll come out when he is good and ready. Good luck to
everyone.
Aug 17, 2009 9:11 AM
Guest :
I'm on my 2nd baby. I'm 8 months along and my daughter is 9 months old. I
don't know if it's becuz I got pregnant again right after her, but now at
34 weeks I'm feeling a lot more contractions. They're not bh as they hurt
and dint ease up no matter what I do. I had no bh with my daughter or loose
bm or any if the warming up signs. With this one I'm having them all! I'm
hoping that means I will go b4 my due date as I had to be induced with my
1st. Hopefully only a couple more weeks and I'll feel like myself again!
After basically being pregnant for 18 months I'm so ready to have this
baby! Good luck and happy labor to all the moms2be.
Aug 28, 2009 1:56 PM
Guest :
am35 weeks and have lots of pain across my stomach n cramping n back pain
and sometimes i can't even walk does this mean i will go in labor soon iam
2cm and most of the times i fill like i need go to er this is my second
child
Sep 18, 2009 7:47 PM
Guest :
Im 38 weeks im 2cent and 80% thinned, ive been cramping, discharging, and i
think ive have had some contractions here and there, my stool is frequent
and loose. im not due until 2 weeks but my docter said most likely within a
few days or so, do you think ill have him soon before my due date?
Oct 5, 2009 8:46 PM
Guest :
I'm 40 weeks pregnant and on my due date when I was supposed to go in. I am
a first time mother and don't know what to expect. I haven't had any
discarge but I had other symptoms. I get tightening in the stomach on and
off. Lot's of pressure in the lower pelvic area. I had lingering back pain
since I was 36 weeks. I started getting queasy in the morning and often
using the washroom alot in the middle of the night. I also get very tired
for no reason. I'm am not sure if I am in the early stages of labour. I
wish every woman out there the best of luck on there pregnancies.
Oct 13, 2009 7:02 PM
Guest :
Im 37 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. I never showed sings before 40
weeks with my first 2 and I was induced at the hospital. This time I have a
mid-wife and I plan to give birth at home. I am experiencing most of the
warming up sings, but not every day. As anxious as I am to deliver I now
know that baby and God know best...not just because I am uncomfortable or
the OB says I'm ready. Patience is a virtue and I am doing my best to sit
and wait. BTW the average pregnancy is 41 weeks and 3 days....Not 40 weeks.
Best wishes to all and God Bless.
23 Comments
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