

If you have diarrhea, remember to stay hydrated (and stay near a bathroom to make it easier on yourself). As your body is preparing for the baby to arrive, it’s making room and clearing out for childbirth. To ease the pain, try taking a warm bath or shower or applying a hot or cold compress. Back labor can be painful and uncomfortable, especially when coupled with contractions. This is often called “back labor,” as your muscles and joints are loosening and stretching. Menstrual-like cramps are a common sign of early labor. You may find that you need to use the bathroom more often and that you have now started to “waddle” when you walk. You can often tell a baby has dropped because you feel increased pelvic pressure-this is because the baby is sitting lower and their head is pushing down on that area of your body. Your baby “drops.” As you near the end of your pregnancy, the baby will shift lower in your body to prepare for delivery.Here’s a few of the top signs that indicate that labor may be near, or that you are in labor. As you approach the final weeks of your pregnancy, you’re probably feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement, as well as looking for any signs that you may be in labor.Īlthough every pregnancy is different-meaning that different people will experience different labor signs. Chances are you’ve been tracking your pregnancy week by week, even daily, as that tiny little human grows inside of you. If you have questions or concerns, don’t be afraid to reach out to your care provider.Nine months-40 weeks-can seem like a really long time, especially if you’re pregnant. Childbirth is an exciting time for many women, but it can also be stressful at times. It’s important to keep your OB/GYN or midwife updated on any changes you experience throughout your pregnancy, especially as you approach your due date. You don’t have to call your OB/GYN if your mucus plug comes out, unless it is accompanied by additional symptoms that are concerning you. Some women may lose their mucus plug weeks before true labor occurs. However, loss of your mucus plug does not necessarily mean you are going into labor. When the cervix begins to widen, as it does during labor, the mucus is discharged. The mucus plug forms in a woman’s cervix during pregnancy.

True labor pains do not behave like this. You may experience them more when you are dehydrated, after exercising or having sex.īraxton Hicks contractions can be classified as false labor pains because they do not get closer together or stronger over time. Some women notice they go away when you change your position, rest, or drink water. They can be annoying! But this is a normal part of pregnancy, and does not mean you are in labor. The major difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and early labor is that Braxton Hicks are inconsistent pains that can start as early as your second trimester of pregnancy. If you’ve had certain complications during your pregnancy, you may have been advised to come to the hospital sooner, so always check with your physician or midwife. Unless you’ve had different instruction from your OB/GYN, remaining at home during the “early labor” phase is an option for most women. Sometimes, especially for first-time moms, early labor can last for a long time. During this stage, moms-to-be will notice contractions becoming stronger and occurring closer together.

When it gets to be 5-7 minutes between contractions, it’s time to call your obstetrician.Īlways call your OB/midwife if you’re experiencing any of the following: For example, sometimes they start about 10 minutes apart, then get closer together. Labor contractions occur regularly, more frequently as time goes on. True labor contractions are painful… as in, “stop you in your tracks” painful. Women may wonder, “when it does happen, will I know it’s happening?”.
