Early signs of labor.

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For nine months you prepared for this moment, but it doesn’t matter if you have one or ten babies before, all of them are unique, and different from the previous one. I remember with my first pregnancy, I was pregnant for 41 weeks, and nothing happened, I ended up having a C-section. For my second son, I was barely entering week 38 when my water broke at home at 2:30 am, and everything happened in the blink of an eye. At 5:23 am, my second son was born through C-section, but only because I chose to continue with what was planned, but I may have had a natural birth without any complications. The most important thing that will help you is to be informed, and to know exactly what are the signs by which you should look for after 37 weeks, and even before. In this post, we are going to talk about the early signs of labor during pregnancy. Ready? Let’s begin.

1. Rupture of the membranes (water breaking).

The membranes that protect your baby throughout the pregnancy are two, the amnion and the chorion. Both form the amniotic sac. The amniotic sac is filled with clear, pale, straw-colored fluid in which the unborn baby floats and moves. The function of the amniotic sac is exceptionally essential during pregnancy for many reasons. But the most important ones are:

Protects the baby from infections.
Serves as a cushion.
The baby can move freely in this fluid.

Without the amniotic fluid, and the membranes, your baby must come out.
The rupture of the membranes, AKA, “the water broke,” means that your baby is on the way.

For more detailed information about Amniotic fluid: All you need to know about amniotic fluid.

2. Opening of the cervix.

At this point in pregnancy, you will be visiting the doctor frequently. Part of those routine visits at the end of pregnancy includes having the doctor check the cervix for dilatation.
If you’re dilated past 3 cm, that can mean you may be going into labor soon.

3. Diarrhea, or nausea.

During delivery, all the muscles in the lower pelvis will work very hard, to facilitate the birth of your baby through the vaginal canal. The rectum muscles are not the exception. In addition to being a physiological response of the mother’s body, evacuating before the time of delivery arrives, so that it will not happen during it. Try not to worry about this, just let yourself be carried away by what the body and your instincts are telling you.

4. Nesting instinct.

That maternal instinct that has already blossomed in you will intuitively warn you that it is time to prepare.

For some strange reason, nesting is another early sign of labor.

Remember, don’t go too crazy about this, even tho you’ll have the urgency to do it. Try to save instead your energy for the delivery day. If you can, try to pamper yourself and rest.

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5. The loss of the mucous plug.

The mucus plug is like a natural sealer that isolates your baby and protects it from harmful germs and bacteria. The mucus plug is a thick clump of cervical mucus that forms on the beginning of the pregnancy, helping block the cervix. The cervix is the entrance from the vagina to the uterus. When a mom-to-be loses the mucus plug, it means that the baby is coming soon.

This, you may feel or see it, but on some occasions, the loss of the mucus plug can go unnoticed. However, once the mucus plug is lost, the signs of labor are triggered one behind the other.

6. Bloody vaginal discharge

During the beginning of the labor process, there are many changes at the vaginal and cervical levels. The most important of them is a typical rupture of the blood capillaries in these areas due to the dilation (opening) and effacement (when the cervix becomes thinner) of the cervix, causing a vaginal discharge that appears to be pink or red-tinged.

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7. Regular contractions.

If your belly’s tightening and has been repeatedly for some time, start timing the contractions. If they keep coming and the time between them keeps getting shorter, you’re in the beginning stage of labor. Just how long this stage lasts will vary from mom to mom, so keep your OB updated, and follow his directions for getting to the hospital by the time you progress into active labor.

Differences from Braxton hicks versus Real contractions.

Braxton hicks are:

Irregular and infrequent, lasting only 15-30 seconds.
Subside if you change position.

Real contractions are:

Consistently get stronger and more frequent.
They don’t go away if you stand up or change position.
Last about 30-70 seconds each.

8. Back pain.

If you start having lower back pain and a cramping feeling, that can be a sign that labor has begun or is getting very close. This is because your muscles and joints are shifting for birth.

9. Sudden weight loss.

At the end of pregnancy, the last thing you are want to do is weigh yourself every day. However, if you notice a sudden loss of a few pounds, and this is associated with continually feeling wet in the vaginal area, it does not necessarily mean that you are losing weight, but it can mean instead be that you are leaking amniotic fluid.

This is the weight of the different structures of the pregnancy that are inside the uterus.

Baby: Average 7.5 pounds
Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds. Amniotic fluid surrounds the baby in the womb.
Placenta: 1.5 pounds. The placenta grows in your uterus (also called womb) and supplies the baby with food and oxygen through the umbilical cord.

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Some tips about Labor.

Like every mom and baby, every labor experience is unique.
Listening to your body’s signal, intuition, and trusting your ability to give birth can help your labor progress.
At the beginning of labor, the contractions tend to be mild and irregularly spaced, and therefore labor progresses slowly, especially for first-time moms.
It can take 6 to 8 hours (sometimes even more) for your cervix to dilate up to a diameter of 4 centimeters. Therefore that’s a good time to stay at home. No need to rush to the hospital yet, try to eat an easy-to-digest meal, take a shower, rest if you can, get ready to go to the hospital in a few hours, and don’t forget to drink a lot of water, try to avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks.
The next phase of labor usually progresses more quickly. It only takes 20 to 90 minutes to your cervix to go from 4 centimeters to 10 centimeters. Usually, this phase is called Transitioning phase, and you’ll feel hot.

Finally delivering your baby.

The second stage of labor is Delivering your baby.
You may have felt an overwhelming urge to push, and now its the time push.
Trying different positions. If your doctor or midwife allows you, this can ease your pain and give you more control over the pushing part. Including your partner in this part is very important, as you both are experiencing the most surreal and mesmerizing experience in the life of a human being, having a baby.
Always the birth of your baby’s head is the most challenging part, followed quickly by the rest of the body, and finally the placenta.

Final thoughts about early signs of labor.

The signs of early labor are not many, but they tend to confuse. But with the right knowledge, you can do it. Besides, instinct is a very powerful weapon that you will have at your disposal when the time comes.

I hope that through this article, I have been able to make you feel more confident and ready for the big day. Don’t hesitate to leave me your comments below or share this post with other mommies.

I’ll see you next time.

Zadi, xo.

Disclaimer: Under no circumstances, the information in this blog is to replace your doctor’s advice or to treat any disease. For proper care, always visit your physician.

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