You’ve packed the hospital bag, washed the baby clothes and probably checked your due date more times than you’d care to admit. As the final weeks of pregnancy arrive, it is completely normal to start wondering whether every little change means labour is about to begin.
The reality is that labour does not always start with a dramatic gush of waters followed immediately by strong contractions.
For some people, contractions gradually become stronger over several hours. For others, the first noticeable sign is a show, backache or their waters breaking. The early or latent phase of labour can also start and stop and may last for hours or sometimes days.
There are also some less obvious changes that people commonly notice as labour gets closer. Not all of them are proven signs that labour is about to start, but they can be part of your body preparing for birth.
Here are seven things you might notice.
1. You Need to Open Your Bowels More Often
You might notice that you are visiting the toilet more frequently or that your stools become softer as labour approaches.
The NHS recognises an increased urge to go to the toilet as one possible sign of labour. This can simply be because your baby’s head is sitting lower in your pelvis and putting more pressure on your bowel.
Some people also report loose stools shortly before labour, although diarrhoea on its own is not a reliable way of predicting when labour will start.
If you have significant diarrhoea, vomiting, a temperature or feel unwell, don’t automatically assume it is labour. Contact your maternity team or GP for advice.
2. Your Braxton Hicks Feel Different
You may have been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions for weeks or even months.
These are sometimes called practice contractions. They make your uterus tighten and then relax and are often uncomfortable rather than painful.
Towards the end of pregnancy, you may notice them happening more often or feeling stronger.
The difference between Braxton Hicks and labour contractions is usually what happens over time.
Braxton Hicks tend to:
- be irregular
- remain fairly short
- settle with rest, hydration or a change of position
- not become progressively stronger.
Labour contractions usually become longer, stronger and more frequent as labour progresses.
If you are wondering whether your contractions are becoming established, start noticing the pattern rather than focusing on a single contraction.
3. You Notice a Heavy Feeling or More Pressure Down Below
As your baby moves further down into your pelvis, you may notice more pressure around your pelvis, vagina or bladder.
You might find yourself walking a little differently, feeling heavier between your legs or needing to wee even more often than usual.
This is sometimes called lightening or the baby “dropping”.
With a first baby, this can happen several weeks before labour. If you have given birth before, your baby may not move down until much closer to labour or even once labour has begun.
So although it can mean your body is preparing, it does not necessarily mean you will be having your baby that day.
4. You Develop Backache or Period-Like Cramps
A dull ache across your lower back or period-like cramps can sometimes be an early sign that labour is beginning.
You may notice the sensation comes and goes or gradually develops into a more recognisable contraction pattern.
Some babies lie in a position that puts more pressure on the lower back and sacrum, so labour can occasionally be felt particularly strongly in the back.
Try changing position, moving around, having a warm bath or using a heat pack safely.
If the discomfort becomes regular, stronger or is accompanied by other signs of labour, contact your maternity unit for advice.
5. You Have a “Show”
This one is less subtle once you spot it, but it is easily missed.
During pregnancy, a plug of mucus sits within the cervix. As the cervix begins to soften and change in preparation for labour, some or all of this mucus may come away.
It can look:
- clear or creamy
- sticky or jelly-like
- pink
- slightly streaked with blood.
It may come away in one piece or gradually over several days.
Having a show means that your cervix is beginning to change, but it cannot tell you exactly when labour will start. It may be later that day or several days away, and some people never notice a show at all.
A small amount of blood mixed into the mucus can be normal. Fresh or heavier vaginal bleeding is not a normal show and should be reported to your maternity unit immediately.
6. You Suddenly Want to Get Everything Ready
Some people describe a sudden burst of energy or an urge to clean, organise or get everything ready shortly before labour.
You might find yourself reorganising the baby clothes, checking the hospital bag again or deciding that the kitchen cupboards absolutely need sorting at 39 weeks pregnant.
This is often called nesting.
It is a widely reported experience, but there is not good evidence that nesting can predict when labour will begin.
So if you suddenly want to clean the whole house, it may be your instincts kicking in or it may simply be that you know your baby is due soon.
Either way, don’t exhaust yourself. Labour requires energy too.
7. You Just Feel That Something Is Different
Some people describe feeling different in the day or two before labour.
You may feel quieter, restless, emotional or simply have a strong sense that you want to stay close to home.
There is no reliable scientific test for this feeling and it isn’t considered a clinical sign of labour, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore your instincts.
You know your body and your baby better than anyone else.
If something feels different and you are concerned, call your maternity unit. You do not need to have a textbook list of symptoms before asking for advice.
What About Changes in Mood or Appetite?
You may also hear that suddenly becoming irritable, tearful or losing your appetite means labour is imminent.
Some people do experience these changes near the end of pregnancy, but they are not reliable signs that labour is about to start.
There are plenty of other reasons why you might feel emotional or less interested in food at 39 or 40 weeks pregnant, including tiredness, heartburn, discomfort and simply being ready to meet your baby.
If you don’t feel like eating a large meal, smaller meals and snacks may be easier. Keep drinking regularly, particularly once labour begins.
When Does It Become Labour?
Early labour is often much less obvious than films and television would have us believe.
The latent phase is when your cervix begins to soften, thin and open and you are having contractions. This stage can take hours and sometimes days, and the contractions may not initially have a regular pattern.
As labour becomes established, contractions usually become stronger, longer and more regular, with progressive opening of the cervix.
Your maternity unit will advise you when they would like you to come in based on your pregnancy, where you are planning to give birth and what is happening at the time.
When Should I Call My Maternity Unit?
Contact your midwife or maternity unit if you think you may be in labour or if you are unsure about what you are experiencing.
Call urgently if:
- your waters break
- you have vaginal bleeding
- your baby is moving less than usual or their usual pattern has changed
- you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and think labour may be starting
- any contraction lasts longer than 2 minutes
- you are having 6 or more contractions in 10 minutes
- you feel unwell or are worried about yourself or your baby.
Don’t wait until the following morning if one of these things happens overnight.
Your baby’s movements should continue right up until labour and during labour. A reduction or change in your baby’s normal pattern of movements should always be assessed promptly.
If you have a strong urge to push and think your baby may be coming now, call 999.
And What About Your Waters?
Your waters don’t have to break before labour begins.
For most people, they break during labour. Sometimes they break beforehand and occasionally a baby can even be born with part or all of the amniotic sac still intact.
If you think your waters have broken, whether it is a big gush or just a slow trickle, contact your maternity unit.
Put on a period or maternity pad rather than a tampon so you can see the colour of the fluid.
Labour Doesn’t Have a Single Starting Point
One of the frustrating things about waiting for labour is that nobody can tell you exactly when it will start.
You might notice several of these signs and still have days to wait. You might notice almost none of them and then wake up in established labour.
Both can be completely normal.
Try to use the last few days to rest when you can, eat and drink normally, keep gently active if you feel comfortable and make sure you know how to contact your maternity unit.
Our Complete Antenatal Course covers the signs and stages of labour, when to contact your maternity unit, coping with the latent phase, pain relief, birth choices and what to expect when you arrive at your chosen place of birth.The course is self-directed, so you can go through the information at your own pace.
References
- NHS. Signs that labour has begun.
- NHS Best Start in Life. Signs of going into labour.
- NICE Guideline NG235. Intrapartum care.
- NICE Guideline NG201. Antenatal care.
- NHS. Your baby’s movements.
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). Your baby’s movements in pregnancy.
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). When your waters break prematurely.