Throughout pregnancy, women worry and imagine what the moment of their baby’s birth will be like, what they will feel, and how they’ll know for sure that the symptoms of labor are approaching. The body gets ready during pregnancy, and at the start of the third trimester it is normal for some moms to already start feeling some contractions.

False Contractions

However, there are false contractions for practice, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions1. They are not rhythmic because it is still too early for your baby to be born and only happen so that your body can start to prepare for when the time really comes.

At this stage it is important to observe your baby’s movement pattern. And you are the best person to know what this pattern is. If your baby is moving less than you are used to, eat something and place your hand on your belly. If the baby does not move at least 6 times within an hour, it is best to go to the hospital.

IMPORTANT: Before seeking a maternity hospital, eat something sweet, lie down, and try to get the baby to move. If you are not successful, seek urgent care.

Baby Engaged

The space for the baby gets tighter and their movements decrease more and more, until they get into the birthing position with their head engaged in the pelvic bones. Some women report that they could feel the exact moment when the baby engaged, noticing them turning and moving down into birthing position.

From then on, labor symptoms can happen at any moment and can easily be confused with other discomforts that affect your health, such as diarrhea, heartburn, and even a very common symptom at the end of pregnancy and during labor: strong lower back pain.

Main Signs That Labor Is Approaching

The body usually gives signs of labor and that the big moment is coming. The symptoms of labor become increasingly evident, and often the mom’s anxiety and nervousness can get in the way of noticing them. But there are labor signs so clear that it’s impossible not to know the big moment has arrived. Let’s talk about some of them.

  • Mucus Plug – With a gelatinous texture and clear color, the plug starts to come out when the woman’s body is getting ready to start labor2. The plug’s function during pregnancy is to prevent bacteria and any other substances from entering up to the amniotic sac that protects the baby, so when it starts to be expelled, it’s one of the most evident labor signs. So it’s advised that mom gets prepared, since she could go into active labor at any moment. But it’s worth noting that mom should not panic when she notices she’s losing the plug, since it can start to come out many days before labor actually starts.

  • Contractions – Contractions are the clearest sign of labor and when they are regular (at exact intervals), you are already in active labor. As the intervals between contractions get shorter, the closer the birth itself is. Contractions feel like strong cramps in the lower belly, and some women also complain of stabbing pain in the back. With each contraction the belly hardens and relaxes, in a cycle.

  • Baby moving less – As stated earlier, at the end of the third trimester, it’s natural for the baby to move less than before, but you should always monitor fetal movement. Each mom knows her own baby’s movement pattern. If the baby isn’t moving, the best thing is to eat something, put your hand on your belly, and wait for movement. If that doesn’t happen, it’s best to head to the ER.

  •  Water breaking – This is perhaps the labor symptom most anticipated by pregnant women. Everyone waits for this big moment as a sign that it’s time, but it does not always happen. The rupture occurs when the membrane surrounding the baby breaks, leaking all the amniotic fluid (clear fluid similar to water) which was inside the sac out through the vagina. At this point, a maternity hospital should be sought as soon as possible.

Confirmation of Symptoms at the Maternity

These are the main easily identifiable signs of labor3, and as soon as they are detected or even suspected, immediate care at a maternity hospital is recommended, where the real situation will be assessed. Using equipment such as cardiotocography, your doctor can monitor your baby’s heartbeat and the intensity of your contractions and check if you are really in active labor.

A vaginal examination will also be performed to check for dilation, and if everything is progressing as expected, congratulations mom, your big day has arrived! Ideally, keep your bag and your baby’s ready well in advance, so you aren’t caught off guard, after all, no one knows the exact time when the baby will want to be born, right?

Readers’ Questions

Is sharp pain in the lower belly a sign of labor?

The well-known stabbing pains in the lower abdomen or below the belly and vagina, as well as severe pressure in the area, can indeed indicate that labor is near and even that dilation is happening or about to happen. However, other symptoms such as contractions should be evaluated.

Is back pain a sign of labor?

Back pain is part of pregnancy, especially in the third trimester due to the weight of the belly. But towards the end, back pain together with other symptoms such as stabbing vaginal pain, contractions, and expulsion of the mucus plug can indicate labor.

Are there pre-labor symptoms?

Of course! Throughout pregnancy the body prepares for the big moment – birth! As the long-awaited day approaches, it starts giving signs that we can consider pre-labor symptoms. Losing the mucus plug, having pinkish mucus, and even diarrhea are all signs that labor is approaching.

See also: Moon Phases and Their Influence on Labor