Signs of Labor
What Are the Signs of Labor?
Labor is another word for your body’s natural process of childbirth. It starts with your first steady contractions and goes through the delivery of both your baby and placenta.
Some have very distinct signs of labor, while others don’t. No one knows what causes labor to start or when it will start, but several hormonal and physical changes help indicate the beginning of labor.
Lightening during labor
The process of your baby settling or lowering into your pelvis just before labor is called lightening. It’s also referred to as the baby “dropping.”
- Lightening can happen a few weeks or a few hours before labor.
- Because the uterus exerts more pressure on the bladder after lightening, you may feel the need to urinate more often.
- However, the extra room in your upper abdomen may make it easier to breathe and relieve heartburn.
Passing of the mucus plug
The mucus plug accumulates at the cervix during pregnancy. When the cervix begins to open wider, the mucus is discharged into the vagina. It may be clear, pink, or slightly bloody. This is also known as “show” or “bloody show.” Labor may begin soon after the mucus plug is discharged or 1 to 2 weeks later.
Labor contractions
Contractions are the tightening of the muscles of the uterus. During contractions, the abdomen becomes hard. Between contractions, the uterus relaxes and the abdomen becomes soft. The way a contraction feels is different for each person, and it may feel different from one pregnancy to the next.
- Labor contractions usually cause discomfort or a dull ache in your back and lower abdomen, along with pressure in the pelvis.
- Contractions move in a wave-like motion from the top of the uterus to the bottom.
- Some women describe contractions as strong menstrual cramps.
- Unlike false labor contractions or Braxton Hicks contractions, true labor contractions don’t stop when you change your position or relax.
- Although they may be uncomfortable, you’ll be able to relax between contractions.
Diarrhea
You may notice your stools are loose or watery. While it may seem weird, this may be a sign that labor is 24-48 hours away.