| Your body starts giving the early signs of labor when | | | | labor contractions but are a sure-shot symptom of |
| the delivery date approaches closer. For first-time | | | | approaching labor. In this, the lower part of your uterus |
| mothers, these signs may occur a few weeks before | | | | is stretched which helps the baby head settle down in |
| the actual time. In subsequent deliveries though, the | | | | the pelvic. These contractions may intensify as you |
| labor signs are usually late. You must watch each and | | | | approach the delivery time. This indication is often |
| every change that your body shows and the | | | | mistaken for the actual labor contractions. |
| pregnancy symptoms that you experience. | | | | Discharge: As the uterus softens, you will notice a |
| Your body starts preparing itself for childbirth; you must | | | | white or a pinkish vaginal discharge. If the discharge is |
| also be mentally prepared for the labor. Recognizing | | | | frothy or yellowish, you must tell your caregiver about |
| the early signs of labor helps a lot in getting ready for | | | | it. |
| the delivery. | | | | Shivering: You may experience shivering or trembling |
| Some Important Early Labor Signs | | | | for no reason at all. This feeling is due to the stress |
| Here are some labor signs that you must never | | | | hormones or the change in progesterone levels of |
| ignore- | | | | your body. |
| Engagement stage: As the delivery due date comes | | | | Nesting Instinct: Another expression of labor is more to |
| closer, your baby head will start dropping in the pelvic | | | | do with the emotional factor. It is known as nesting |
| area. This is due to the softening of the uterus. This | | | | instinct. During this, you start emptying and tidying |
| stage is called the engagement or dropping stage. You | | | | drawers and cupboards. This is the feeling of maternal |
| start breathing easily and the heartburn lessens. This | | | | instinct. Do not overdo it as you need proper rest. |
| may happen two to four weeks before your baby is | | | | Discussed above were some signs of the onset of |
| born. | | | | labor, which may occur a few weeks before the |
| Pelvic pressure: This is an obvious early sign of labor | | | | actual labor begins. These early signs of labor may not |
| when, due to the baby drop in pelvic region, you start | | | | be same in all women, but if experienced, they send a |
| experiencing discomfort and pain in the pelvis. The | | | | clear signal that labor is on its way. Apart from these |
| baby puts extra pressure on your bowel making you | | | | early symptoms, proper labor begins when you expel |
| experience frequent bowel movements and you also | | | | the mucus plug or when your water breaks or when |
| want to pass urine more. During this time you will also | | | | the actual labor contractions start. Go to your hospital |
| notice some swelling in hands and feet as well. | | | | or birthing center as soon as you experience these |
| Braxton Hicks Contractions: Dr. Braxton Hicks identified | | | | pregnancy indications. |
| these contractions, which are different from actual | | | | |