A woman’s body shows some changes in the impending labor, and every woman’s experience is unique and different. Usually, the signs and symptoms of normal labor begin three weeks before the predicted due date up until two weeks afterward. However, there is no such way to predict the exact date when a woman will go into labor. We are here to list out 7 signs going into labor soon.
What Is Labor?
Labor is the method for birthing your infant out of your body. Labor is accompanied by contraction of the uterus, which causes labor pains, and then finally, delivery of your newborn happens as this may vary based on cycle length and duration. Some women experience disturbance in the menstrual cycle that causes it challenging for a doctor to predict your estimated due date.
Top 7 signs going into labor soon
- Some signs indicate that your body is preparing for labor. They may be in the form of body ache, lower back pain, or early and increased number of contractions.
- Braxton Hicks contraction is the most common during early labor. As your hormones change, your cervix will become more flexible and may start to tense in a kind of practice contraction, known as Braxton Hicks.
- However, if you experience painful cramps or menstrual-like pain with this type of contraction, it indicates that the delivery process is near.
- Your waters might break. You might feel a leaking liquid from your body. This is a definite sign that your body is going into labor. When this happens, time contractions starting from the beginning of one until the beginning of the next.
- Your bump ‘dropping’ can also be a sign. It happens when your baby’s head engages with your pelvis. Right before your labor, there are chances that your baby might drop, or it might happen a few weeks before.
- Your feeling of nervousness might be heightened, or you might experience overwhelming emotions all at once. A change in an emotional state and repetitive mood swings can be a sign that labor is imminent.
- The changes that take place in the body during or before labor might change your sleeping patterns. This may lead to unusual sleeping hours. It’s also a very prominent sign that indicates that your delivery time is near.
How To Know If signs going into labor soon
If your contractions have become increasingly intense, and you experience severe pain in their lower back during or between contractions, then it is probably the time when your labor is about to begin. Back pain usually means that your baby’s head is pressuring against your lower back, and contractions grow stronger and more frequently because they cause your cervix to dilate.
What To Do When Your Water Breaks?
- There are chances of water breaking before you reach the hospital, but it is more likely to break during labor. You may want to time your contractions if you’ve started having them. The best thing to do is to stay calm and don’t fret. Reach out to the medical care and wait to go into labor.
- If your contractions don’t start even after your water broke, the doctor might suggest inducing labor. Always avoid having a bath because, after your water breaks, the child gets unprotected against infection.
In Which Week Does It Start?
It usually starts between week 37 and week 42 of pregnancy mostly. However, a process occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy is known as premature or preterm. But as it varies from woman to woman, there is no precise timing to predict when your labor begins.
How To Spot The Difference Between True Labor And False Labor?
Before “true” begins, you may have “false” pains. While most of the contractions are actual pains, at times, it is just a series of Braxton Hicks contractions. It is essential to be aware of false and real labor as it is useful to save a lot of energy, which you will need during childbirth.
False Labor
- The contractions are neither regular nor do they increase in frequency or severity as time goes by.
- The pain recedes if you change your position or if you walk around.
- You will experience pain in the lower abdomen, not in the lower back.
True Labor
- Labor pains get more intense with more activity. They also do not get better if you change your position. Each contraction may not be more painful than the last one, but over time there is a definite increase in the level of labor.
- It begins with the lower back, then to the lower abdomen, and sometimes it radiates to the legs.
- Membranes break, and the water breaks, either as a trickle or a gush.
What Is Nesting And Is It A Sign?
Nesting is when women feel that they need to have everything ready for their baby, and are regularly cleaning and preparing. This can sign that you’re going into labor sooner rather than later, but There’s no good evidence that nesting means you’re about to give birth. The nesting phase gets intense in the later stage of pregnancy. Some common ways your nesting phase occurs in between:
- Celebration.
- Holiday planning.
- Planning to visit your friends or relatives.
- Going for a long shopping on weekends.
When To Contact Your Midwife Or Doctor?
You should call your midwife or doctor towards the end of your pregnancy. They’re there to guide you and help you with decoding the signs of symptoms. They’ll ascertain whether you’re going into labor or not if you’re still unsure. They’ll also give you all the needed information and instructions and all the surrounding risks and complications if any.
Warnings Or Signs To Look Out For
- Knowing which pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore the most important thing to look out for.
- If you’re going into preterm labor, immediately contact your doctor. Some signs include vaginal bleeding or spotting, unusual vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, pressure in your pelvic area, or low back pain.
- Also, contact the doctor if you experience abnormal swelling, severe or persistent headaches, vision changes, intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen, or difficulty breathing.
- If the color of the liquid that leaks when your water breaks are other than white, like yellow, brown, greenish or bloody, seeking immediate medical care is advisable.
Happy And Cheerful Baby Birth
The article above is everything you need to know about preparing for labor and learning when you’re about to go into it. The most important thing to keep in mind is to stay calm and positive during the whole process as it’s right for you and the baby’s health, and it always makes things easier and better! Please feel free to share you’re going into labor experience in the comment box below!
Also Read: Find Out Unique Ways For New Moms To Bond With Newborn
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