First contractions start, then the frequency increases. Your water breaks, followed by the urge to push. This may last some time before the final process called "crowning" the the child's head has started to show through the birth canal.
Trust me, you will know.
About 2-3 weeks before your baby is ready to come out, you will likely lose the mucous plug that is blocking your cervix. It will look like bloody snot. Some people never lose theirs....but not to worry.
Another sign to look for 2-3 weeks prior to the baby's arrival is colustrum....a thick milk seeping out of your nipples as your milk glands begin to prepare for the baby's arrival. Again, some people don't notice this. But don't worry...you will get milk shortly after the baby's arrival.
You will also begin to notice 2-3 weeks before that your "baby bump" is lower than before. This means that the baby is lowering itself further down into your pelvic area in preparation for birth.
Mentally, there is a period about 3 weeks before birth that is called "nesting." This is when you begin to clean and organize everything in your home in preparation for your baby, and you won't likely even notice how anal you have become about having everything clean, tidy, and in it's place. It is referred to as nesting because it's sort of likened to a bird making a nest in order to lay it's eggs. LOL.
Also, look for contractions. Every little pain you feel might make you think it's a contraction, but TRUST ME...you will know when you are experiencing one! It is an intense feeling of tightness like the worst menstrual cramps you could ever imagine.
When you are in active labor you will know because you will feel an overal sense of not feeling like yourself. You may become quite nauseous, hot, restless, and anxious. Your contractions will be growing in intensity and in frequency. Your water may or may not break, but you will likely feel cervical pains as your cervix begins to efface, or thin out, and dilate.
At any rate, you will know when it's time. It is not easy to miss going into labor at all!
Keep in mind, too, that some women may not go into labor at all and have to be induced at the hospital. Don't feel bad if this happens to you. You will still get to experience everything that someone who goes into natural labor experiences, only at a higher intensity level. So you will not miss out on any of the excitement.
I am not a doctor, but I have a 5 year old son and I am about to have another son in the next few weeks. I watch all of the baby shows on TLC and do a lot of research so I am always prepared for whatever might happen.
Don't worry and don't stress. Stress may actually delay labor further.
Good luck to you, and I hope all goes well!
Symptoms of preterm labor can include all or some of the following: period-like cramps, contractions that intensify and become more frequent, back pressure, unusual pressure in your pelvis, bloody discharge, rupture of membranes, changes in cervix as measured by an ultrasound.
*Information obtained from What to Expect when your Expecting.
I have two children and with both of them I had a "show" before my contractions but everyone is deferent. I had lower Back pain with thightening of my stomach. When the come more regularly then that's when u know ur in labour! Good luck! :0)
there are alot of different signs of labor.
the obvious ones would be the breaking of your water and the "bloody show". If you do not know what the bloody show is it's simply a mucus plug that has a red tint to it.
another sign is when you start to have contractions and that's just a nagging lower back pain that moves around to your lower stomach.
"men at work"
"under construction"
"detour ->"
these are all commonly seen labour signs but keep your eyes open for more!
Contractions
Preterm labor can run in maternal families but it is no garuntee. The health of your mother and your own health can make a vast difference. If you are concerned about having preterm labor, know the signs and watch for them.
Preterm labor - cause unknown.
Backache
Very often preterm labor can be stalled with medication and/or home or bed rest until the baby is more mature to be delivered.
No
Yes, UTI can increase the risk of preterm labor.
Yes. Dehydration can cause preterm labor
Depo Provera isn't used during pregnancy. There is no report of increased risk of preterm labor in pregnant women who used Depo Provera versus those who have not.
Prenatal surgery is considered high risk. The placenta may be nicked causing preterm labor. Preterm labor is the most common complication of prenatal surgery. Fetoscopic surgeries are less dangerous.
No, but a UTI during pregnancy may increase the risk of preterm labor.
uterine relaxants are also known as tocolytics and are used to treat preterm labor
You can still get pregnant with a UTI. A UTI during pregnancy can raise the risk of preterm labor.