How do I know if I'm in labor?

Signs labor is a few weeks or days away:

1. Baby drops

   1. For some moms, the baby drops, or descends into the pelvis, a few weeks before labor begins

   2. Don’t worry if you don’t feel anything, though: Sometimes it’s not easy to tell when your baby drops, and other times, baby won’t drop until labor begins

   3. You may be experiencing even more frequent urination

2. Cervix begins to dilate

   1. Your provider may or may not start to measure and track dilation and effacement via an internal exam

3. Cramps and increased back pain

   1. You may feel some cramping and pain in your lower back and groin as labor nears, especially if this isn’t your first pregnancy

4. Loose-feeling joints

   1. You may notice that the joints all over your body feel a bit less tight and more relaxed

5. Diarrhea

   1. The same hormones that can start the process of labor can also trigger bowel movements

6. Weight gain stops

   1. Pregnancy weight gain often levels off at the very end. Some moms-to-be even lose a couple of pounds

7. Fatigue

8. Nesting instinct

   1. Some moms-to-be get an urge known as the nesting instinct as their baby’s birthday nears and can’t resist the compelling urge to clean and organize everything in sight

9. Lightning crotch

   1. Lightning crotch strikes many moms-to-be toward the end of pregnancy, as their due date nears. It can feel like a sharp, shooting pain in the vagina or pelvic area that comes and goes in a flash

Signs of early labor:

1. Strong contractions

   1. Spaced and regular contractions

   2. Last for 30 to 45 seconds each

   3. Get stronger over time and don’t ease up, even when you change positions

2. Bloody show and loss of your mucus plug

   1. A day or two before labor, you may start seeing thicker vaginal discharge that looks red, brown or pink — the telltale “bloody show” that’s a good indication that labor is imminent

   2. When this happens, it may come out in one large piece or lots of little ones. Some women don’t notice losing it, though, and others don’t lose it at all before delivery

3. Cramping

   1. You may feel like you’re having strong menstrual cramps, stomach upset, or lower abdominal pressure

4. Water breaking

   1. One way to tell the difference between urine and amniotic fluid is by wearing a pad: If the pad stays dry after an hour, it’s most likely urine; if the pad is wet, it’s most likely amniotic fluid

Signs of active labor

1. Stronger, more frequent contractions

   1. Contractions spaced about 5 minutes apart

   2. Last for 40 to 60 seconds each and won’t go away if you change positions

   3. Stronger and more intense. You may not be able to walk or talk through labor contractions once they’ve progressed

2. Belly and lower back pain

   1. You and could have pain in your lower abdomen or in both the lower back and abdomen that radiates down into the legs

3. Water breaking

   1. Your water breaking is actually more likely to happen during active labor after other symptoms have already begun

You should always call your doctor or midwife if:

• You experience any bleeding or bright red discharge (not brown or pinkish)

• Your water breaks

• You experience blurred or double vision, a severe headache or sudden swelling. These can all be symptoms of preeclampsia

Read full article here:

https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/labor-signs