Before labor, people often feel a mix of physical changes like period-like cramps, backache, increased pelvic pressure (baby "dropping"), loose stools, and a bloody mucus discharge ("show"), alongside emotional shifts, from fatigue to sudden bursts of energy (nesting instinct). These signs, signaling the body's preparation, vary greatly but include physical discomforts and mental shifts as the cervix softens and baby descends.
As the baby drops lower into the pelvis, you might feel a heavier sensation in your lower abdomen. Along with cramps, this increased pressure can signal that labor is approaching, so it's important to pay attention to these kinds of changes and silent labor signs.
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.
Some feel frustrated, tired and emotional during the latent phase whilst they await active labour to commence. Others can feel excited, on edge and not ready, these are all normal feelings.
5 Signs That You're Really in Labor
The signs of labor will vary for every pregnant person; some symptoms may be more subtle than others. Some early signs of early labor include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased bowel movements, lower back pain, cervical dilation and effacement and the loss of the mucus plug.
Some women will feel quite nauseous before they go into labour, some women also feel sick during the labour. Women also may Vomit or have diarrhoea before or during labour.
The "5-5-5 rule" in a labor/postpartum context is a guideline for new mothers to prioritize rest and recovery in the first 15 days after childbirth, suggesting 5 days in bed, followed by 5 days on the bed (minimal movement), and then 5 days near the bed (gentle movement around the home). This promotes healing, bonding, and reduces stress, though it's a flexible guide, not a strict mandate, with some experts suggesting early movement can help prevent blood clots, making a modified approach ideal.
Your baby moves around a lot in your womb during pregnancy. At some point towards the end they will get into position for birth. You should still be able to feel your baby's movements right up to and during labour.
However, as the pregnancy nears full term, hormone levels drop, triggering a set of events which prepare the uterus for labour. This shift allows the uterus to contract and helps set the stage for delivery. Hormones released by the baby, such as cortisol, may also play a role in signalling the body to initiate labour.
Most doctors and midwives are happy for you to go a few days over your due date as long as everything seems to be okay. Many will let pregnant women go up to two weeks over. After 42 weeks, however, the baby's health might be at risk.
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.
Early Signs of Labour
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.
True labor contractions build up over time. They may begin as a cramp or feeling of pressure, but within a few hours, they tend to get stronger and come closer together. You're also more likely to have true labor contractions in the last few weeks of your pregnancy.
Prioritize Rest
I always recommend that my clients aim to be “down” more than “up” during the first two weeks. You may have heard of the 5-5-5 rule for postpartum care, which recommends 5 days in bed, 5 days on the bed, and 5 days around the bed.
On the second night, babies often nurse on and off for hours. Many new parents are caught off guard by this pattern, and some assume that their babies are starving.
Maintaining a healthy pregnancy is not hard when you know how to do it! The three golden rules are to always listen to your doctor's advice, eat healthy, and stay active. Remember, don't focus only on your baby's growth because ultimately keeping yourself healthy is the first step to keeping your baby healthy!
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.
To break your water, your healthcare provider inserts the amnihook through your vagina. Once they find the bag of water or amniotic sac, they scratch or tear a hole in it to allow the fluid to escape.
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.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, labor contractions can feel a bit like menstrual cramps at first, but they will intensify and can feel like a strong tightening paired with pelvic pressure. The discomfort moves from the top of the belly to the bottom as your uterus works to push your baby down and out.
Below are our top 10 most popular and helpful items to eat and drink during labor.