In the 24-48 hours before labor, you might feel physically different due to hormonal shifts, experiencing lightening (baby drops lower), a nesting instinct (sudden energy to prepare), diarrhea/nausea, and bloody show (mucus plug loss with pink/bloody tinges). You might also have backaches, pelvic pressure, mood swings, or notice a change in fetal movement as your body gears up for the real contractions, which become regular, strong, and closer together, signaling active labor.
While there is no way to know when labor is 24 to 48 hours away, labor signs include a bloody show, Braxton Hicks contractions, labor contractions, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, lower back pain, rupture of the amniotic sac (“water breaking”), and nesting instinct.
Fluctuating hormones are normal during pregnancy, but many people report mood swings prior to going into labour. If you're feeling irritable, you have a headache or you're more tired than usual, rest up and take it easy as this could be a sign your baby is on its way.
Lightening – feeling the baby drop. With your first baby, this usually occurs 2-3 days before your due date. After it occurs, you might experience frequent urination, pelvic pressure, or increased swelling or cramps in your legs, often in one leg more than the other.
Early Labor
You will experience mild, irregular contractions that feel similar to period cramps. You may notice a thick, stringy discharge of your mucus plug, which can happen up to 2 weeks week before labor. Early labor can last several hours to several days and tends to take longer for first-time moms.
"Very painful cramping and tightening that started at the top of my uterus and spread downward and through my back." "Like the cramps you get with a really bad stomach flu, but they last longer!" "Labor feels like charley horses in your lower abdomen."
Early dilation often feels like menstrual cramps as the cervical changes cause pain and cramping noticed in the lower part of the uterus. It is the same sensation and location as menstrual cramps. Active labor tends to be felt in a larger area but can be a similar sensation as cramping (with more intensity of course).
There are often early signs, like your baby dropping, cramping, or a nesting urge that show up days (or even weeks) beforehand. When contractions become stronger, longer, and more regular — especially paired with symptoms like a bloody show or water breaking — you're likely in early or active labor.
Silent labor, also known as a painless or unrecognized labor, occurs when contractions are mild or not easily felt. Some individuals may only realize they are in labor when they reach active labor or are close to delivery.
Fatigue or sudden exhaustion before labor is common in the final days of pregnancy as the body conserves energy for childbirth.
Dizziness and/or Nausea
During the early stages of labour, some women may feel nauseous or light-headed. If symptoms persist, we recommend having your blood pressure checked by a medical professional to eliminate any potential conditions.
Baby dropping, also known as lightening, occurs when your baby settles lower into your pelvis as your body gets ready for labor. This shift often brings noticeable changes, like increased pelvic pressure, a lower belly shape, and symptoms such as frequent bathroom trips or discomfort while walking.
Aside from the urge to push, you are likely to feel: pressure, and a strong urge to do a poo. stretching and burning in your vagina.
Signs your cervix is dilating may include cramping or aching in the lower abdomen, loss of your mucus plug, or twinges and aches in your vagina or perineal area. A pelvic exam performed by a healthcare provider can confirm the progress.
Different hospitals have different definitions of 'slow labour', but the main way to spot the signs of slow labour is to measure the rate at which your cervix dilates. If this is less than 0.5cm per hour over a four-hour period, Mother Nature might need a helping hand.
Three key signs that labor is approaching soon are regular contractions, losing your "bloody show" (mucus plug), and your waters breaking, often accompanied by lower backache, baby dropping, or a sudden urge to clean (nesting). These signals show your body is preparing for birth, with contractions becoming stronger and closer together as labor progresses.
When people give birth on TV or in films, they tend to spend their labour lying on their backs on a bed. But this is not always the best position. In fact, it may slow labour down. Trying different positions and moving during labour can make things easier.
While your cervix is dilating, you may also feel backache or abdominal pain similar to menstrual cramps. You also might feel sudden shooting pains in the vaginal area, called "lightning crotch." Lightning crotch is caused by pressure on nerves in the pelvic area.
Early Signs of Labour
5 Signs That You're Really in Labor
Just over half of all births were spontaneous births following labours which started spontanously. These were most likely to occur between 1:00 and 6.59am with a peak around 4:00am, and a trough in the afternoon. They were slightly more likely to happen on weekdays than on other days.
These include your water breaking and feeling contractions starting. When you're reaching the end of your pregnancy, it's natural that you'll be looking out for signs that labor is near. Some signs that labor is 24 to 48 hours away may include lower back pain, diarrhea, and your water breaking.
1 centimeter fits one finger tightly. 2 centimeters fits one finger loosely. 3 centimeters fits 2 fingers tightly. 4 centimeters is 2 loose fingers.
When you have a contraction, your womb tightens and then relaxes. For some people, contractions may feel like extreme period pains. You may have had 'practice contractions' during your pregnancy, particularly towards the end.