Signs of Labor
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by
Catherine Donaldson-Evans
Medically Reviewed by James Greenberg, M.D. on August 6, 2021
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labor signs
It’s the event you've been happily (and nervously) anticipating for months: your baby’s birth! Here are some labor symptoms to watch out for.
In This Article
What is labor?
Signs of labor
Early signs labor is near (but hasn't started yet)
Am I going into labor? Should I call the doctor?
What is preterm labor?
Can I be in labor and not know it?
Natural ways to help labor along
Many pregnant moms have wondered how labor will feel, how long it will last, and how to know whether it's the real deal or a false alarm.
Every birth is different, so it’s hard to predict the answers to all those questions. But knowing the signs of labor to look out for will help provide clues that it's almost time to meet your baby, including:
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Strong, frequent contractions
Bloody show
Belly and lower back pain
Water breaking
Other, early signs labor is close (anywhere from a month to mere hours away from active labor) include:
Baby drops
Cervix begins to dilate
Cramps and increased back pain
Loose-feeling joints
Diarrhea
Weight gain stops
Fatigue and the nesting instinct
What is labor?
Labor is the process of childbirth, starting with contractions of the uterus and cervical dilation, and ending with the delivery of the baby.
As you get closer to your due date, you may begin to notice some subtle physical signs that labor is coming soon. Then you may see signs of early labor anywhere from hours to days before you transition into active labor and baby arrives.
How to Tell if You're in Labor
Signs of labor
You have likely gone into true labor if you’ve noticed the following signs, but always check with your practitioner to be sure:
Strong, frequent contractions
You’ll know you’re experiencing actual labor contractions (rather than the practice Braxton Hicks contractions) by assessing the pain’s frequency, intensity and location. If you’re unsure, ask yourself these questions:
Are the contractions evenly spaced? True labor contractions are spaced at regular intervals and become more frequent as time goes on.
chances of normal delivery symptoms?
