Pre-labor feels like mild, irregular period cramps, a dull lower backache, increased pelvic pressure, or loose bowels, often accompanied by a "bloody show" (mucus plug loss) and a nesting urge, signaling your body is getting ready as contractions become more regular and stronger. It's a gradual process, so rest when you can, and know these subtle changes differ from the strong, rhythmic contractions of active labor.
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.
Pelvic pressure
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.
For most women, labour begins with uterine contractions. During contractions, your belly grows tight and hard, and you have pain that lasts at least 20 seconds (see Telling the difference between contractions and other abdominal pain). Many women feel pain in the lower abdomen.
For people who have never birthed before, early labor can last from hours up to 2 to 3 days. It can take up to 9 to 11 hours for most people's cervixes to dilate between 4 and 6 centimeters. Early labor is a marathon, not a sprint! Try to conserve energy and stay well fed and hydrated.
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.
Spending most of your time in bed, especially lying on your back, or sitting up at a small angle, interferes with labor progress: Gravity works against you, and the baby might be more likely to settle into a posterior position. Pain might increase, especially back pain.
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.
5 Signs That You're Really in Labor
Some of those early labor signs are subtle (known as silent labor signs) and some are eye-poppingly obvious!
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.
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.
Lower back pain or a heavy aching feeling. A sense of pressure in your pelvis and a feeling that you want to wee or poo. This is caused by your baby's head moving down.
What are the early signs of labour?
These aspects can be remembered using the mnemonic called the 5 P's of Labor that include Power, Passageway, Passenger, Positioning, and Psyche. Being knowledgeable about the 5 P's of labor helps nurses understand the factors that must work together for a successful and safe vaginal birth.
Early Signs of 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.
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.
People experience contractions in different ways. They can start off feeling like period pain or cramps in your lower abdomen. You may experience dull lower back pain that doesn't go away, or pain in your inner thighs that you feel down your legs. At first, your contractions may be short and up to 30 minutes apart.
If you're in labor, your contractions:
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).
For most women, labor begins sometime between week 37 and week 42 of pregnancy. Labor that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature, or preterm.
Our general rule is to sleep as long as possible if you're starting to feel contractions at night. Most of the time you can lay down and rest during early labor. If you wake up in the middle of the night and notice contractions, get up and use the bathroom, drink some water, and GO BACK TO BED.
Sit on the floor with knees wide and the soles of your feet together. You can place your hands under your knees for support. As you inhale, sit up tall so your lower back has a natural curve (like Cow Pose) and expand your chest forward and up.
The mucus plug is usually: Clear, off-white or slightly bloody (red, brown or pink) in color. Stringy, sticky and jelly-like in texture.