9 Signs of Labor: Early Signs & Symptoms of Labor

Is your pregnancy finally coming to an end? You are likely wondering when and how labor will start.

It is completely normal for a first-time mom to have countless questions about labor and delivery. We know because we have been there. As your due date gets closer, you start analyzing every twinge for a hint of the big moment.

But what exactly are the real early signs of labor? Knowing what to look for helps you prepare for the upcoming arrival of your precious bundle.

In this article, our medical experts help you recognize the true signs of early labor so you know for certain when it is go-time.

Early Signs of Labor

The nine months of pregnancy can sometimes feel like a decade. The first trimester often brings morning sickness. The second may feel like a breeze, but then the third hits, and you might feel like you are back to square one.

Some of those discomforts in the last month signify something big is happening. Your baby and body are preparing for the special day.

Here are 10 early signs you may already feel:

1. Baby Drops Lower

All women carry their babies differently. Some have a high, protruding belly, while others carry low. If you are like me, you reach full growth capacity around six months and spend the last three hearing “any day now, huh?”

However, as your due date closes in, your baby should turn head-down. This usually happens before 32 weeks. Your baby then begins a slow descent into the pelvis.

This “dropping” is technically called “lightening,” and it often brings relief. The baby might have put pressure on your lungs and stomach for months. As your little one lowers, your breathing may improve and heartburn might decrease.

However, the “waddle” usually kicks in now. When your baby drops into the pelvis, it becomes almost impossible to walk normally. Comfortable shoes are a definite advantage at this time; ditch the heels.

You may also feel the need to urinate more frequently. Think about the extra pressure your bladder is under as your little one rests on it ⁽¹⁾.

2. Nesting Instinct Kicks In

As you close in on the finish line, pregnancy fatigue often turns into a burst of energy.

“Nesting” is very real. It can make pregnant women go full power with cleaning, organizing, and prepping for the baby. Where did the energy come from? It is likely the extra adrenaline your body produces during the final weeks.

Resist the urge to overdo it. Now is the prime time to rest up for labor ⁽²⁾.

Conversely, you might feel totally exhausted. Feeling drained and having bouts of crying are common.

Listen to your body. Take naps, enjoy warm baths, or find other ways to pamper yourself. Ask a family member for help or let your partner tackle the to-do list.

3. Weight Gain Stops

We typically gain weight throughout pregnancy. It is natural and unavoidable. Some women gain a lot, while others gain just a little.

However, as you venture toward the end of the final trimester, the scale might stabilize. You might stop gaining weight as you reach “full capacity.”

Some women even lose a few pounds. Do not worry if you see the numbers drop. Just because you are losing weight does not mean the baby is shrinking.

Your peanut is still gaining as they should. If you lose more than a few pounds or feel concerned, talk to your health care provider.

Here is what contributes to weight stabilization:

• Amniotic fluid decreases: The amniotic fluid levels naturally drop slightly toward the end of pregnancy.
• Frequent urination: As your baby presses on your bladder, you expel more fluid.
• Activity levels: If you are in nesting mode, you burn extra calories preparing for the baby ⁽³⁾.

4. Discomfort Increases

Between waddling to the bathroom and trying to nap, you might experience general discomfort.

Your belly feels like it might burst, and your back is aching. You may also experience more cramping.

As the due date comes into sight, the discomfort can interfere with sleep. Here are a few tricks to help:

• Sleep on your left side: This increases blood flow to your uterus and helps nutrients reach your baby.
• Keep knees bent: Position a pillow between your knees to support your hips and spine.
• Support belly and back: Place a maternity pillow under your bump to relieve pressure ⁽⁴⁾.

If heartburn is keeping you awake, try these tips:

• Drink cold milk: Try a small glass right before bed.
• Elevate your head: Raising your upper body with pillows can prevent acid reflux at night.

5. Cervix Dilates and Effaces

During the last month of pregnancy, the cervix transforms. Your uterus is preparing to squeeze a full-grown baby out through a small opening. Two primary changes happen: dilation and effacement.

Dilation means “opening.” This can be a slow process or happen quickly. Some women dilate slowly over the last few weeks, while others do not dilate until active labor begins. Do not panic if you are still “closed” at your checkup ⁽⁵⁾.

Doctors measure dilation in centimeters. Once the cervix dilates regularly, you are usually in active labor. For most full-term babies, the cervix is fully dilated at 10 centimeters (about the size of a bagel).

Effacement means “thinning.” As the cervix dilates, it softens and thins to make room for the baby. This is measured in percentages ⁽⁶⁾. The cervix starts thick and thins out until it is like a sheet of paper.

Your OB may conduct cervical exams during the last weeks. These checks can be uncomfortable, but they help track progress.

6. Contractions Feel Real

Some women have “false” labor pains, known as Braxton Hicks, during pregnancy.

These pains do not feel false when you are having them. Even if you escaped them earlier, they often appear in the final weeks.

Braxton Hicks are irregular and do not mean labor is starting. Real contractions, however, signify the main event.

Here is how to tell the difference:

• Location of pain: Braxton Hicks often feel like a tightening of the abdomen. Real labor often starts in the back and wraps around to the front.
• Consistency: Time your contractions. If they are irregular, they are likely Braxton Hicks. If they are regular and get closer together, you may be in the first stages of labor.
• Movement response: Change your position or walk around. If the pain stops, it is likely false labor.
• Intensity progression: Real contractions get stronger and longer over time. Braxton Hicks usually stay the same intensity ⁽⁷⁾.

7. Diarrhea Happens

It is not glamorous, but as labor approaches, you may experience the “runs.”

The muscles in your uterus relax to prepare for birth. Other muscles, including the rectum, do the same. This is nature’s way of emptying the body to make room for the baby’s passage.

If it becomes frequent, tell your provider. Otherwise, drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids.

To manage pre-labor diarrhea:

• Watch your diet: Avoid fatty, fried, or spicy foods that irritate the gut.
• Check vitamins: Some prenatal vitamins upset the stomach; taking them with a meal might help.

Though typically harmless, watch for dehydration signs:

• Decreased urine production or dark urine.
• Dry or sticky mouth.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Severe headache.

Dehydration is dangerous for you and the baby, so treat it quickly ⁽⁸⁾.

8. Mucus Plug Falls Out

The notorious mucus plug blocks the cervical opening to protect the baby from bacteria.

How and when the plug comes out varies. Some women see a large gelatinous blob, while others notice bits and pieces. It typically looks like egg whites or snot.

Losing the plug means your cervix is ripening. It can happen days or weeks before labor. If you lose it early in the third trimester, it may even grow back.

If you notice pink, brown, or red streaks in the mucus, this is called “the bloody show.” This usually indicates labor is imminent (within a few days or hours). Pack that hospital bag now ⁽⁹⁾.

9. Water Breaks

In movies, water breaks in a public place with a giant splash, and the baby arrives five minutes later. Reality is usually different.

Water breaking is often one of the final signs. For many women, it only happens once active labor is well underway, or a doctor breaks it manually in the hospital.

If your water does break at home, here is what it might feel like:

• A gush: A noticeable splash of fluid.
• A trickle: A slow, constant leak down your leg that you cannot hold back with Kegel muscles.
• A pop: Some women feel a sensation like a balloon popping inside ⁽¹⁰⁾.

10. Joints Feel Loose

You might feel a bit wobblier than usual. During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called relaxin.

As the name suggests, it relaxes everything. Its job is to loosen up the ligaments in your pelvis to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal. Unfortunately, it loosens ligaments all over your body.

You might feel disjointed or clumsy. This is another reason for the famous “pregnancy waddle.” Be careful on stairs and slippery surfaces during these final weeks.

Early Labor FAQs

When Can I Expect the Signs to Appear?

The first early signs, such as nesting, dropping, or increased discomfort, could start anytime during the third trimester. They typically become obvious about a month before labor. Other signs like diarrhea, losing the mucus plug, and the bloody show usually happen between a week and a few hours before birth.

When Should I Contact My Doctor or Midwife?

Call your provider immediately if your water breaks or if you experience bright red bleeding. For contractions, follow the 5-1-1 rule: Call when contractions are 5 minutes apart, last for 1 minute, and have been consistent for 1 hour. Also, call if you notice a decrease in fetal movement ⁽¹¹⁾.

How Long Can Early Labor Last?

Early labor is unpredictable. For first-time moms, it often lasts 6 to 12 hours, but it can drag on for days (prodromal labor). It is usually much shorter for second and subsequent births ⁽¹²⁾.

Can I Help My Labor Along Naturally?

Yes, several natural methods might give labor a gentle nudge. Sex helps because semen contains prostaglandins that soften the cervix. Walking and upright positions use gravity to help the baby descend. Nipple stimulation can also release oxytocin, which triggers contractions, but check with your doctor before trying this ⁽¹³⁾.

Do Babies Get More Active Before Labor?

There is no set rule. Some babies become quiet as they run out of room, while others party until the end. However, you should never ignore a significant decrease in movement. If your baby is not moving as usual, contact your provider immediately.

What Triggers Labor to Start?

Labor triggers are a complex mix of hormonal and physical signals. Researchers believe the baby’s lungs release a protein when mature, which signals the mother’s body to release prostaglandins and oxytocin to start contractions.

Can Labor Start Without Losing a Mucus Plug or Water Breaking?

Yes. Labor frequently begins with contractions alone. The mucus plug might come out quietly while you are on the toilet, and the water might not break until you are pushing the baby out.

Is Labor More Likely to Start at Night?

Many women go into labor at night. This is likely due to melatonin (the sleep hormone), which may work synergistically with oxytocin to trigger contractions. It is also a primal instinct to labor when the environment is dark, quiet, and safe.

Could You Be In Labor and Not Know It?

It is possible, especially in the very early stages. If you have a high pain tolerance, early contractions might feel like mild backaches or menstrual cramps. You generally will not miss active labor once the contractions become intense and rhythmic.

I recommend that moms distract themselves from beginning labor pains. Before labor starts, choose an early labor project. Many moms choose to watch a movie, finish a craft project, or bake cookies. Time your contractions occasionally so you have an idea of how close they are becoming. If you fixate only on the contractions, it can make labor seem longer!

Editor's Note:

Caitlin Goodwin, MSN, RN, CNM

The Last Push

The last month of pregnancy feels like an eternity. You are anxious to meet your baby but perhaps nervous about the birth. With every cramp, you wonder, “Is this it?”

Stay calm and be patient. (We know, easier said than done!) Trust that your body and your baby are working together to pick the perfect birthday. Pack your bags, rest up, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.