How do you spot the signs of labour?

Reaching the end of pregnancy can be an exciting but also nerve-wracking time. Many pregnant women are eager to know how to spot the signs that labour is about to begin, especially if these are their first children.

The body will often give clear signals that labour is on its way, but these signs can vary from woman to woman. In this blog post, we’ll look at the main signs that labour is approaching so you know what to look out for.

1. Protrusion (the baby falls down)
One of the first things you may notice at the end of pregnancy is that the baby starts to move further down in the pelvis. This is often referred to as ‘baby dropping’, or impaction. When this happens, you may experience:

More room to breathe: If you’ve felt the baby pressing against your lungs in the past, it may now feel easier to breathe.

Increased pressure in the pelvis: At the same time, you may feel more weight and pressure in the lower abdomen, which can make walking slightly uncomfortable.

This can happen anywhere from a few weeks to a few hours before labour and is an early sign that your body is preparing itself.

2. Increased discharge and mucus plug
Another important indication that labour is approaching is changes in your vaginal discharge. Many women will notice an increase in discharge as their body prepares for labour. This can include:

Loss of the mucus plug: The mucus plug is a jelly-like mass that has been attached to the cervix, protecting the uterus from bacteria. When the cervix begins to dilate, the mucus plug will often come out. The mucus plug can be clear, pink or blood-tinged.

However, losing the mucus plug doesn’t necessarily mean labour is imminent – it can happen days or even weeks before.

3. Changes in the cervix
Your cervix will start to change as your body prepares for labour. These changes may not always be noticeable to you, but they are often detected during an examination by your midwife or doctor:

Dilatation: The cervix begins to dilate (open) to make room for the baby to pass through the birth canal.

Effacement: The cervix also becomes thinner (flattened), which helps prepare the body for labour.

While it can be exciting to hear that the cervix has started to dilate, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee that labour is imminent – some women can go several weeks with some dilation without going into labour.

4. Leakage of water
One of the most dramatic signs that labour is about to begin is when the waters break. This happens when the membranes rupture and the amniotic fluid begins to ooze or flow out. Water breaking can happen in different ways:

Seeping fluid: For some women, water breaking is experienced as a slow trickle of fluid.

A sudden flow of fluid: For others, it happens as a sudden and more dramatic release of large amounts of amniotic fluid.

Water breaking often means that labour is imminent and if your waters break, you should contact your midwife or the maternity ward immediately.

5. real contractions
Contractions are the body’s way of making the uterus contract and push the baby out. There are different types of contractions that you may experience during pregnancy. But how do you know if they are a sign of labour? Here’s the difference between training contractions and real contractions:

Braxton Hicks (training/plucking contractions): These contractions can feel like a tightening in the abdomen, but they are often irregular and go away when you rest or change position.

True contractions: These are regular and increase in intensity and get stronger over time. They don’t go away with rest and the pain usually starts in the lower back and radiates forwards to the abdomen.

If you experience regular contractions that become more intense and frequent, it’s probably a sign that labour is in progress and you should contact your midwife or go to the hospital.

6. Diarrhoea or nausea
A sign that the body is getting ready for labour can be changes in the digestive system. Many women experience sudden diarrhoea, nausea or an urge to empty their bowels shortly before labour begins. This is the body’s way of “cleansing itself” prior to the physical process.

7. Intense pelvic pain and pressure
As your baby moves further down the birth canal, you may experience more intense pelvic pain and constant pressure against your lower abdomen. This can feel like sharp pains or a constant pressing sensation, which can be quite uncomfortable.

8. Back pain and menstrual-like cramps
For many women, labour starts with back pain – especially in the lower back. This pain can feel constant or come in waves and can radiate to the abdomen. Menstrual-like cramps can also be an early sign that labour is about to start.

9. “Nesting” (nesting)
Many pregnant women experience a sudden surge of energy and an urge to get the home ready for baby’s arrival, also known as nesting.

This can happen weeks or days before the birth and many women get an irresistible urge to clean, organise and prepare everything for the baby’s arrival. While this doesn’t necessarily mean labour is just around the corner, it can be a subtle sign that the body is getting ready.

When should you contact the hospital?
It can be difficult to know exactly when to contact the labour ward or midwife, but here are some general guidelines:

If your contractions are regular: When your contractions come at intervals of 5 minutes or less and last around 60 seconds, you should contact the labour ward.

If your waters break: Whether your water breaks suddenly or not, you should get in touch right away.

If you experience bleeding: If you have fresh bleeding similar to a period, contact your midwife or go to the hospital immediately.

If you experience severe back pain or discomfort that doesn’t go away: This can also be a sign of labour and it’s worth getting it checked.

Conclusion
Knowing the signs of labour can give you peace of mind and a sense of control in the final days or weeks of pregnancy. While some women experience all of these signs, others will only experience a few. Remember that every labour is unique and the most important thing is to listen to your body and seek help if you are unsure about your symptoms. Clarity on these signs can help you feel more prepared and ready to welcome your babies into the world!

Feel free to share your symptoms/experiences leading up to labour in the comments section below, so other pregnant women can get an insight into what it can feel like leading up to birth.