We all think of painful contractions when we think of labor, but there are OTHER signs you might be missing that go hand in hand with contractions before you actually start active work. These strange labor signs and symptoms may be just what you need to watch out for the RIGHT things.
Of course, like all things no everyone will have these marks — but that’s a lot of people No notify until she is in active labor…. so I hope you find them useful.
But first, how do I know so much about birthmarks? Hi — I’m Hilary, many people know me as The Pregnancy Nurse®. I have been a nurse since 1997 and have 20 years of labor and delivery experience which included a LOT of people wondering if they were in labor. Well, I’m pretty much an expert at it. I also run my own birth class if you are looking for one that is very easy to do. Come with me!
Obviously, if you have signs of labor BEFORE 36 weeks (preterm labor), you’ll want to talk to your provider and see what they suggest. These signs to look out for are when the baby is considered full term and you are ready to go.
Okay, let’s talk about these signs that labor might be coming! INFO I also have a post on my sister’s site with details ALL the different signs to look out for.
You Can Breathe Better
Baby moved up into the diaphragm and lungs — and suddenly you can breathe better?
This can mean this the baby fell (also called fetal relief). This simply means that the baby has descended into your pelvis as opposed to your lungs.
Some people feel a “slump” and some just notice it gradually.
However, I didn’t notice until about 30 minutes before my babies were born — so like I said, not everyone is going to feel all of these things (if at all).
Want to learn more about baby’s position before birth — check out these posts:
Changes to Discharge
As you get closer to your due date, what happens to your underwear can change – often people find they need to wear a pad because the baby is just getting ready to arrive.
This may include changes to:
- Amount
- Color
- How thick or thin it is
This can also include the loss of the mucus plug. It’s very different from your normal discharge — I have a whole article about it what does the mucus plug look like.
While a mucus plug is NOT a reason to go straight to the hospital, it is a sign that your cervix is softening and may be going away soon. It’s a great reminder to pack this hospital bag:
Nausea or diarrhea
Why get your STOMACH into action? Honestly, when one part of your belly gets angry sometimes and the others just want to jump in. In that case, I’m guessing your gastrointestinal tract wants to clear out before birth.
This can also be presented by not being very hungry.
Fun reminder that your rectum is right next to your birth canal. I have a full post avoiding defecating in the delivery room. But this is also where I remind you that no one in the delivery room cares. It’s weird, I get that — but we don’t.
VERY SLEEPY
Some childbirth studies show that some people feel extremely tired before the baby is born.
I know, I know – how Earth can you tell that from the crushing fatigue you already feel?
honest, I don’t know. But people to describe it as a wave of fatigue where their body just tells them to REST before the big event happens.
Personally, if I had this, I didn’t notice it. I was very tired, but I never felt a “wave” worse than usual.
Burst of Energy
At the complete opposite end of the spectrum, some describe a burst of activity just before they go into labor.
This may also make sense as there may be things you need to do to prepare your residence for the birth of the baby.
This is different from this desire for many people to nest in the 2nd-3rd trimester…. it’s more of a surge of energy. And honestly, if you get this, I can’t recommend ANYTHING more to drive it. Ideas to do:
- Make freezer meals
- Do whatever cleaning needs to be done
- Organize the baby’s room
- Prepare a basket of diapers
- Prepare your postpartum items
BTW, I’m not sure what you need postpartum — get my checklist here:
I know many of you may think you have run out of time to take a childbirth class. I promise you still have time (and if you don’t — there’s a money-back guarantee). Preparation for birth is the smarter thing you can do with those hours before birth.
