Labor is the most anticipated event of pregnancy. Many women are anxious to know what it will feel like, since different women experience different sensations. Luckily, the body will provide several signs of labor to prepare the woman for the final part of pregnancy.
A change in hormones may trigger the cervix to prepare for labor and delivery. This changes the balance of the mother's hormones, which have kept the uterus in a relaxed state. Once the process is triggered, the cervix begins to soften and thin out (2). Most women will notice contractions as one of the major signs of labor.
Signs Of Labour
Bloody show
A 'bloody show' is also referred to as the loss of the mucus plug. Days - or even weeks - before labor begins, the mother will lose her mucus plug from her vagina, which will display itself as a sticky, yellowish, blood tinged substance. This mucus plug has been closing off the cervix during the duration of the pregnancy to ward off infection. As the cervix starts to dilate and thin out, the mucus plug becomes dislodged (2).
Lightening
This is the term used when the baby "drops" in to the mother's pelvis. Because of this, the lungs have more room to expand and inhale air. There will, however, be more pressure in the pelvic region, and on the bladder, which may contribute to more frequent urination (2).
Nesting Instinct
Many women will experience a burst of energy hours before labor begins. This energy tends to be expended through housework or preparation of the baby's room. This is nature's way of ensuring that everything is ready and taken care of for the new arrival.
Diarrhea
Hormonal changes just before labor will cause the contents of the bowel to empty in the form of diarrhea. This is nature's way of emptying out the woman's system in place of an enema.
Increased Braxton Hicks Contractions
Braxton Hicks contractions are painless contractions that usually begin in the middle of pregnancy. This is the uterus' way of practicing for true labor. However, when labor is approaching, these contractions may start to become more frequent and possibly painful (3).
False Labor
Many women who are pregnant for the first time may be a little over anxious and may confuse false labor for true labor. False labor may exhibit the following traits:
- Irregular contractions
- Painful contractions that go away from changing position or moving around
- Frequency and intensity of contractions that remain stagnant, or fluctuate
- Pain focused solely in the abdomen
True labor contractions will occur at regular intervals, will progressively get closer together, and will be felt across the entire belly region, and possibly around the lower back (3).
What Labor Feels Like
Many women have varying descriptions of what labor feels like. The only common denominator is the fact that it is quite painful and uncomfortable. Some women describe contractions as terrible menstrual cramps, while other women describe them as extreme pressure on the bowels and pelvic region, as if they have an incredible urge to have a bowel movement.
When To Go To The Hospital
Timing contractions is important. If the contractions are 5 minutes apart or less, a trip to the hospital will be required. Once there, on-staff nurses or doctors will do a quick internal exam to see how dilated the cervix is, and how thinned out it is.
Aside from the true signs of labor discussed earlier, it is important to head to the hospital when the water breaks, or when there is a sudden decrease in fetal activity. Delivery of the baby must occur within 24 hours of the water breaking to decrease the risk of infection (1).
Knowing and identifying the signs of labor will eliminate numerous wasted trips to the hospital.
For more information on labor, and other pregnancy-related issues, please visit the Complete Pregnancy Guide.
References:
1. Cherry, Sheldon H., M.D., Understanding Pregnancy 7 Chilbirth, 1992
2. Eisenberg et al, What To Expect When You're Expecting, 1991
3. americanpregnancy.org
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