10 Telltale Signs that Labor is Approaching: What to Look Out for as Your Due Date Approaches

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You may be asking yourself, how do I know that labor is near? Am I in labor? Will I be going into labor soon? What are the signs that I’m going into labor? How can I induce labor?

As a first-time mom or even an experienced mama, it may be hard to tell whether or not you’re going into labor.

I gave birth to my son three days past his due date, and I honestly was NOT expecting it!!!! The week before our due date, I had an appointment with my OB and had a membrane sweep. Afterward, my husband and I went to a nature park and walked around to try to induce labor, with no luck. Fast forward a week later, three days past our due date, and we had another appointment and another membrane sweep. Again, we went to the nature park afterward and walked around to try to induce labor. Again, no luck. Later that evening during a game of Scrabble, my water broke and a few hours later, a baby boy was born! 

The moral of the story is, that you may not know you’re going into labor when it first starts! I sure didn’t. As a woman’s due date approaches, there are several subtle and not-so-subtle signs that her body may be gearing up for labor. It’s essential to pay attention to these indicators, as they can offer valuable clues as to when labor may be drawing near. In this blog post, we’ll explore ten of these signs in depth, so you can be better prepared for the miracle of childbirth.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. In addition, I am not a doctor. Please notify your OBGYN/midwife of any concerns you may have. Please read my full disclosure for more information.

Baby dropping/lightening:

Did you wake up one day and suddenly your baby bump feels a lot heavier? Or maybe you are suddenly getting a shooting sensation down to your lady bits. You may also be running to the bathroom more frequently. These are telltale signs that the baby has dropped and labor may be near! 

Babies will prep for labor by moving further down into the pelvis and positioning themselves for birth. When you start to notice that the baby has dropped, you can expect that labor will not be far behind. 

When the baby drops, you will feel less pressure on your diaphragm and be able to breathe easier; however, you may now be running to the bathroom more frequently as the baby is sitting on the bladder! 

Weight Levels Off:

Throughout pregnancy, you get so used to gaining weight all the time, that when it starts to level off or even drop, you may start getting worried. Fear not, this is just another indication that labor may be near. This can be due to the baby dropping, fluid retention decreasing, or even a decrease in appetite as the body’s focus shifts towards preparing for childbirth.

Nesting:

I’m not sure how indicative this is of labor drawing near, as I felt the desire to nest throughout the majority of my pregnancy. However, some say that this instinctual urge that many pregnant women feel to prepare their home for the arrival of the baby occurs right before labor begins. It can manifest as a sudden burst of energy to clean, organize, and prepare the baby’s room. 

Water Breaks:

One of the more dramatic signs of labor approaching is when a woman’s water breaks. This occurs when the amniotic sac, which has been protecting the baby during pregnancy, ruptures. If you experience this, it’s crucial to contact your healthcare provider immediately, as labor usually follows shortly afterward.

Sometimes, your water breaking is not always obvious. When my water broke, I wasn’t sure what was happening as it wasn’t the “giant rush of fluid” I heard about. Instead, mine was more of a slow leaking of fluids. I called the labor and delivery unit and they said to walk around my house multiple times and if fluid continues to steadily leak out then to come in.

I did as I was told, and sure enough more fluid was leaking. My husband and I proceeded to go to the hospital where they told me that the fluid tested negative as amniotic fluid! Aka they didn’t believe that my water broke. They were going to send me back home until my contractions decided to pick up a notch and I quickly became more dilated. Always trust your instincts!

Related Post: How To Naturally Induce Labor

Lose Your Mucus Plug:

As your body prepares for labor, you may notice the loss of your mucus plug. This is a small amount of thick mucus that seals off the cervix during pregnancy. Losing it indicates that the cervix is starting to dilate and thin in preparation for labor. If you decide to get a membrane sweep at your OB office, note that your mucus plug may be manually lost due to this procedure.

Frequent Bowel Movements:

Some women experience frequent bowel movements as labor approaches. This is due to hormonal changes and the body’s efforts to clear the digestive system in preparation for childbirth. It was during a bowel movement that my water decided to break, and after that, I was going nonstop until I received my epidural. Funny enough, when I was in the triage room at the hospital, I ran out of toilet paper and my husband had to go fetch some from the nurse lmao

Cervix Dilates:

One of the most significant signs that labor is imminent is cervical dilation. This occurs as the cervix begins to open in preparation for childbirth. Your healthcare provider will monitor your cervix at your OB appointments in the weeks leading up to your due date. Don’t get too excited if they tell you you are dilated 1cm or even 2cm. I sat dilated at 1cm for at least 4 weeks before labor truly started.

Loose Joints:

As your body prepares for labor, you may notice that your joints feel looser than usual. This is due to the hormone relaxin, which helps to loosen the ligaments in your pelvis to make room for the baby to pass through during childbirth.

Braxton Hicks/Cramping:

Many women experience Braxton Hicks contractions in the weeks leading up to labor. These are mild, irregular contractions that help to prepare the uterus for labor. They may feel like a tightening or hardening of the abdomen and usually subside with rest. It truly just feels like a menstrual cramp, in my opinion. 

Back Pain:

As the baby moves lower into the pelvis, you may experience increased back pain. This can be due to the added pressure on the spine and surrounding muscles. Massage, heat, and gentle stretching can help alleviate discomfort.

It’s important to remember that every woman’s experience of labor is different, and not all women will experience all of these signs. However, being aware of the potential signs of labor can help you feel more prepared and confident as your due date approaches. If you have any concerns or questions about labor and childbirth, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance and support. Good luck, and congratulations on the impending arrival of your little one!