What are the Early Signs You're About to Begin Labor?

No one can predict with certainty when labor will begin. Although estimates of due date have improved with greater accuracy, a due date is not 100% reliable, and is still, at best, just an estimate. In fact, only about 5% of women who carry their babies to term actually deliver on the estimated date. Dates vary from a few days to a few weeks before or after the due date.

There are some early signs, though, which can alert you that "early" or "latent" labor has begun.

If this is your first pregnancy:  babies will often move slightly into the birth canal two to three weeks before the onset of labor. You'll find it may be easier to breathe, due to the shift away from the diaphragm. At the same time, pressure on the bladder may increase, leading to more frequent urination.

If you've already given birth in the past: this movement may be less pronounced, and tends to occur much later, sometimes only a few hours before labor begins. 

Even before your "water breaks," a small mucus plug that sealed the cervix during pregnancy can stretch and break apart, resulting in a pinkish mucus, which is normal discharge. However, deep red fluid or blood should be investigated at once as a possible sign of tearing of the placenta from the uterus. Passing the mucous plug can signal that labor is imminent in the next few hours or days.

Throughout pregnancy, most women experience contractions. They're quite normal.  The baby moves, and your muscles react. You also experience "Braxton Hicks" contractions (or, practice contractions as they're also called) which helps the uterus "warm up" for the coming labor. But as the third trimester advances, these contractions increase in frequency and intensity.

As this frequency and intensity of contractions continues, many women experience heightened energy, often feeling compelled to work off the energy. How do you know if the contractions you're feeling are labor contractions and not Braxton Hicks contractions?  Labor contractions will often be accompanied by a radiating pain in your back.  And they don't subside when you change positions.  If you can no longer talk through the contractions, they are mostly likely labor contractions. 

Time your contractions from the onset of one to the onset of the next. If they are lasting at least one minute, and have been occurring every five minutes for the last hour, you are likely in labor and should contact your doctor immediately, and head to the hospital.

Now is the time to get prepared for the final stages or "active" labor.

Editor's Note:  The above is for information-only purposes.  Your doctor is the best person to consult should you experience anything out of the ordinary.

Synonyms:  abor, albor, lbor, lbaor, laor, laobr, labr, labro, and labo are typos for "labor."