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Early Signs and Symptoms of Labor Written by: Brian Gardner |
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Despite the advancement of medicine and obstetrics over the years, medical professionals still has to determine the accuracy when a pregnant woman will go into labor. Although the usual early signs of labor are there, every pregnancy differs from another so there is no fixed process even with seasoned mothers who had given birth several times already. Some women could breeze throughout the labor process easily but some could be having a very hard time, with the labor process stretching from a few hours to even several days.
As the baby paves its way out of your womb, your body too will prepare for delivery and undergo several signs of labor which can begin several days before the onset of actual labor.
As many women who had given birth in the past can tell you, this “nesting instinct” suddenly comes uncontrollably and you can’t stop the urge to clean, organize or decorate your house. It is as though your instinct is telling you to physically prepare your “nest” for the coming of your little one. It is advisable that you do not overdo physical work at this time because you need all the strength and energy you can hoard for the coming rigors of labor, delivery and the sleepless nights after.
Women usually experience Braxton Hicks, also known as practice contractions all throughout the pregnancy but this tends to intensify as labor approaches. This early sign of labor is something to take seriously especially if you are nearing the end of pregnancy because during this time, the uterus begins to prepare for the intense workout it will have to go through during labor and the actual delivery.
In order to determine if you are experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions and not labor contractions, try to empty your bladder and drink a glass of water before you lie down. If it is Braxton Hicks you are experiencing, it should subside within a few minutes but if it does not subside, you are going through labor and delivery will follow.
As your baby develops full term and is preparing to go out of your womb, your baby begins his approach to the outside world by descending lower into your pelvis. Your cervix softens to accommodate him/her. This causes an increased heaviness or pressure in your pelvis, and may prompt you to urinate more frequently. This is one of the early signs of labor. You may also find removing your bowels quite difficult. When your baby is trying to position himself down your pelvis, you may also experience swelling in your legs and feet. This is because of the increased pressure in your blood vessels. This signifies that labor is imminent.
Several weeks before actual labor commences, your cervix will begin to thin out and soften as it begins to pave the way for the coming out of your baby. You need to go to the doctor on a frequent basis as on the last few weeks of your pregnancy nearing so she can monitor changes in your cervix. Dilation is one of the most important signs of labor.
Monitoring your vaginal discharge is important to detect early signs of labor during the last few weeks of your pregnancy. As the cervix softens and dilates, some women will experience an increase in mucous discharge, and this could be due to the breaking of the mucous plug, the “bloody show” which seals the cervix throughout the pregnancy. This could happen when the blood vessels break and may tinge the mucous plug brown, pink or red and this is an early sign that labor will follow very soon. It could be in the next few hours or few days. However, if you experience an increase in mucous discharge or heavy bleeding before your 37th week of pregnancy, you should immediately call your doctor for medical attention.
When a woman’s amniotic sac or water bag breaks, this is a sign that the baby will be coming out soon. This could happen anytime and some women even break their bag before they reach the hospital, or even before the onset of labor. When a water bag breaks, you will experience a gush or a steady trickle of a clear and odorless fluid. This could be slightly tinged with blood but do not panic. Just be sure to take note of the color of the fluid, and call your doctor immediately.
When a pregnant woman begins to go through contractions, it is the surest sign that she is about to deliver her baby. Contractions can start slightly and increase in duration and intensity as your labor progresses. Unlike the Braxton Hicks or practice contractions you had been going through during the duration of your pregnancy, the real labor contraction may be accompanied by a pain in your back which will not go away no matter what position you take. When contractions begin to take place within a few minutes interval, this is a sign that real labor has begun. You should time the intervals of your contractions. If they occur frequently, like one minute every five minutes for the last hour, you should contact your doctor immediately, or else be on your way to the hospital because you are going to deliver anytime soon. Experiencing all these signs of labor before your 37th week of pregnancy warrants a call to the doctor because you may be going through pre-term labor. You need to monitor the movements of your baby and if you notice significant changes, you should immediately inform your doctor about it. The same applies when you experience heavy bleeding or severe pain. Don’t take things for granted but you should head to the nearest emergency room in instances like this. Early labor and false labor signs could be frustrating but this happens. Some women who go to the hospital would be sent home for false labor. This can be frustrating for a pregnant woman who has waited for nine months and borne the difficulty of carrying a child. You just need to be patient and monitor your progress daily. All these will fade into the past when your baby finally arrives and you get to hold him in your arms for the first time. |
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