Is it time?
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for nine long months! And although you have read a thousand articles and dozens of books on what to expect, when your due date approaches or even passes, you may be wondering, when you will go into labor and (even more importantly) will you know right away?
If you are anticipating your first child, the fear of not realizing you’re in labor is very common. Likewise, some moms who’ve already had several children will admit that they didn’t recognize the signs of labor right away. No worries, here’s a list of some of the top signs that let you know your baby is on the way:
1. The baby has dropped
When the time is near, your baby knows exactly what to do! Lightening, which usually happens a week or two before the onset of labor, is when the baby starts to descend into the pelvis (after your first child, this process is less likely to happen until labor has begun) and gets into position to leave the womb and make his or her arrival into the world. Head down and low, he or she will be sitting noticeably lower (especially if you’ve been carrying high your whole pregnancy) and may even give your lungs and rib cage—and heartburn!—a bit of a break.
2. You have an uncontrollable urge to clean
Nesting, which is a mom’s way of readying the home for her baby, often occurs in the last few weeks of pregnancy. If you’re feeling a sudden burst of energy and can’t stop from organizing everything in sight, it’s likely you’re experiencing nesting and getting close to labor. Just remember that if you are feeling this way, don’t expend too much energy—you’ll need it once labor does begin (not to mention after you bring your baby home!).
3. You stop gaining weight (or lose a little)
Once you get close to childbirth, you may find that your weight has stabilized and you may even lose a pound or two. This is totally normal and nothing to worry about. In fact, your levels of amniotic fluid are lower during this time and even though your baby is still getting bigger, your body is just naturally doing what it is supposed to.
4. You feel looser
At this point, your joints are getting looser in order to get ready to release your tiny passenger! If you are feeling just a little less tight, it’s possible that your baby is getting ready to make his or her debut.
5. Cramps and backaches, ugh
As labor nears, your muscles and joints begin to stretch in order to allow your pelvis to open and help your baby move through the birth canal as easily as possible. This shifting and stretching often causes cramps, lower back pain (more than you’ve been experiencing throughout your pregnancy), and even some crampiness in your lower groin.
6. You’re having some diarrhea
The same hormone that’s being released in your body to help your cervix soften also causes your bowels to soften—which could result in diarrhea. Although it’s annoying, this is nature’s way of helping to make more room for your baby to navigate his or her descent, and it’s a good sign that you’ll soon be going into labor. Just make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated.
7. You lose your mucus plug
It’s not uncommon for a woman not to notice losing her mucus plug, since it can happen when using the bathroom. This plug, which can be clear, light pink, or tinged with blood, is expelled when your cervix (the neck of the uterus) starts to flatten out (effacement). If you do notice it, just know good things are happening, but also realize that it could be minutes, days, or even a couple of weeks before labor begins.
8. Real and regular contractions
Contractions are like the engine that moves your baby down into the birth canal and ultimately out of your body. It’s normal to have false or Braxton Hicks contractions, which differ from real labor contractions in that they are irregular, don’t get stronger or closer together, and usually stop if you change positions, walk, or rest.
When it’s the real thing, your contractions will increase in intensity, and occur in rhythmic and continual intervals. They will cause your belly to harden each time and then relax, and they won’t stop, even if you move around or lay down. Having more frequent, and possibly more intense Braxton Hicks contractions, is a sign of impending labor, so take notice!
9. Your water breaks
One of the final signs that you are going into labor is if your water breaks. Unlike the typical scene on TV, your amniotic sac is much more likely to, naturally, stay intact through most of your labor, than it is to rupture before you start having contractions. If you are one of the rare women whose water breaks prior to labor, this could either be mistaken for a little trickle of urine (which at this stage of pregnancy is not uncommon) or you could have a pretty big gush, just like in the movies!
As long as the fluid is clear, and especially if you simultaneously begin having patterned contractions, it should be fine to stick with your initial plan to labor at home. There are exceptions to this, and precautions to take to ensure safety–all of which are discussed in my class. It’s always best to communicate with your midwife or doctor to understand their protocol.
As you approach your third trimester, it’s a good time to get educated about all of these signposts of impending labor. You will also benefit from knowing how your body works so beautifully to give birth, and how you can help the process and reduce pain, both naturally and with medical intervention.
As a childbirth educator, I can help you prepare for this most important moment in your life. I offer in-person group classes, a live, online course, and private sessions, so check out my class schedule and register today. For more information, get in touch with me.
