Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy Labor

Pregnancy and childbirth are a wonderful and scary time. One aspect of having a child that can be particularly scary for women is pregnancy labor. While you can listen to and read stories about labor, every woman has a different experience. It's good to gain advice from friends, family and, of course, your doctor. Your labor may start in an unexpected way. There are signs and symptoms that indicate that labor is about to start. Keep in mind that if you have these signs and symptoms, it does not mean that labor will start momentarily. It could start right away or the signs may indicate that you are in your last weeks of pregnancy.

  1. Mucous Plug

    • One sign of impending labor is the loss of the mucous plug. Mucus protects your cervix from bacteria during pregnancy. Before you go into labor, the cervix begins to relax and the plug is expelled. The mucous plug does not look like an actual plug or cork. Rather, it is clear or pink, stringy discharge.

    Cervix

    • Another sign of impending labor is that your cervix starts to efface. This is not something that you will notice on your own. Your doctor will check for this at your exams. Your cervix needs to be 100 percent effaced, which means that it is completely thinned out, before a vaginal delivery can begin.

    Water Breaks

    • A sign of impending labor is if your water breaks. It happens when the amniotic sac breaks and the amniotic fluid is released. The amniotic sac cushions your baby while you are pregnant. According to the American Pregnancy Association, "only 1 in 10 women experience a dramatic gush of the amniotic fluid."

    Nesting

    • Nesting is something that happens to many women before going into labor. Pregnancy tends to be a time in which you are very tired, especially toward the end, when it's difficult to sleep. You may be nesting if you wake up toward the end of your pregnancy feeling energetic and revitalized. A common thing to do is to clean and organize in a frenzy.

    Contractions

    • Having consistent contractions is a strong indicator that you are in labor. Once you begin having regular contractions, start timing them and write down the times. Contractions feel like very strong menstrual cramps or a bad lower backache. When the contractions are five minutes apart, it is time to contact your healthcare provider and go to the hospital. It's time to have your baby.

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