7 Signs of Labor
New pregnant moms often wonder what it feels like to experience labor. Good thing that our body can give off some signs that a woman might be going into labor.
Labor is the process of childbirth, first starting with contractions of the uterus and cervical dilation, and ending with the delivery of the baby.
Read below to discover the 7 common signs of labor.
1. Nesting Instinct
This refers to a pregnant mom’s sudden desire and the burst of energy to prepare everything for her baby’s arrival.
2. Cramps and increased back pain
Once you become pregnant, your uterus will begin to grow especially when your labor is nearing. You may feel some cramping and pain in your lower back and groin as labor approaches. Your muscles and joints are stretching and shifting in preparation for birth.
3. Baby Drops
The expecting mother may look and feel as though the baby has dropped into a lower position in her pelvis. This means the baby is getting into a head-down position in preparation for birth.
4. Dilate Cervix
A pregnant mom’s cervix starts to dilate and efface in the days or weeks before birth delivery. At your weekly check-ups in the home stretch of your pregnancy, your health provider, midwife or doctor may measure and track dilation and effacement via an internal exam.
5. Bloody Show
Bloody show or discharge caused by the release of a mucus plug that blocks the cervix usually happens several days before labor. Pregnant moms can notice an increase in vaginal discharge that’s pink, brown, or slightly bloody. During this phase, the mucus plug loosens up as the cervix begins to dilate or open up, during the first stage of labor.
6. Regular Contractions
An expecting mom’s uterus contracts during her entire pregnancy. True labor contractions get stronger over time and don’t ease up, even when you change positions, lay down or move. Perhaps, pregnant mother won’t be able to walk or talk through labor contractions. The contractions usually start in a woman’s back and then come around to the front. If a pregnant mom is having more than six contractions every hour and they are strong and occur in regular intervals then it’s a real contraction. The baby is on its way!
7. Water Breaks
Your baby has been growing and developing in your uterus surrounded by amniotic fluid and this water bag breaks when you’re near your labor. You may experience water breaks by a gush of liquid or a slow trickle. This is a sign that you’ll go into labor within 24 hours after the waters break.
If you’re not sure what to do when your water bag breaks, it is very important to go to the hospital so the doctor can check the health of the pregnancy and proceed with assisting labor, if necessary, to minimize the time of labor and the risk of infection.
Commonly, if it’s past 24 hours and you’re not yet as likely laboring then you’ll be offered an induction because, without amniotic fluid, there’s an increased risk of infection for your baby.
Remember that each pregnant person differs in labor signs and progresses. Every labor, like every pregnancy, is different. If you feel nervous and uncomfortable with your labor signs always consult your doctor to guide you before going to the hospital for delivery.