Signs of labor approaching

Usually the labor starts between 37 to 42 weeks of pregnancy. If it starts before 37 week then it is called premature or preterm labor. The pain may even start at 30 week of pregnancy. So, it varies from person to person, even pregnancy to pregnancy.

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First signs of labor approaching

Baby starts to drop down towards your pelvis.
The cervix of your uterus start to dilate
Starting or increasing of back pain
You may face even diarrhea
Your weight gaining will stop
Change of color and consistency of vaginal discharge
Your water may break

Signs of labor

By the time you are waiting for the starting of labor pain. There are some sign of labor.

Pre-labor

It means one hour to a full month or more before labor

Here the lightening occur that means baby’s head drops into an engaged position in mother’s pelvis
Dilation and gradual merging of the mouth of the uterus with the vaginal canal
Persistent lower back pain or abdominal pain, with a pre-menstrual feeling
Painful contractions or tightening over the uterus that may be irregular in strength and frequency
A brownish or blood stained mucus discharge per vagina
Heavier vaginal discharge with more mucus

Early labor

It means the ‘days’ and ‘hours’ before labor starts. Following signs appear in this period.

Contraction occurs that may long roughly a minute, and 3-5 minutes interval, which is a good sign of labor
A brownish or blood stained mucus discharge. It is a sign that something is moving
Contractions over uterus appear more frequently and more intensely
The membranes may rupture with a gush or a trickle of amniotic fluid

Signs that labor have started

More strong an frequent contractions occurs causing pain
Your water in the amniotic sac comes out with a gush

Is diarrhea a sign of labor?

You may experience of diarrhea during delivery. It’s because when the muscles of uterus relaxes, other muscles of body including the muscles of rectum also relaxes. This causes the diarrhea and it is normal.

What are the false signs of labor approaching ?

Sometimes you may experience of pain but no progression of labor. It is known as false signs of labor.

Usually the interval between contractions reduces and the time of contraction increases, but here- the intensity and the interval between contractions are irregular
No progression of the labor
You will feel the pain as abdominal muscle tightening
No rupture of membrane
No bloody discharge from vagina
Change in the position may stop or reduce the contraction

NEXT → Stages of Labor

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