As you anticipate the birth of your child, you may be watching and waiting for any sign that you are about to go into labour. Many women have experienced a variety of symptoms just before entering into labour, such as backache, menstrual-like cramps, indigestion, diarrhea, and a warm sensation in the abdomen. However, there are a few definite telltale signs that suggest that labour is coming soon. These can include nesting, dilation and effacement, lightening, rupture of membranes, bloody show, and, finally, consistent contractions.

Nesting. For most of the pregnancy you have probably been fighting the urge to take a nap, so you’ll know when you start “nesting.” One day you will wake up feeling full of energy! You’ll start making hundreds of list of things to do, things to clean, things to buy and everything you’ve put off doing will become a high priority. Your body and mind are preparing your home for your new family member.

Dilation and effacement. Dilation and effacement refer to the preparation of the cervix for birth. The cervix will thin or “ripen” and it will open. This ripening is called effacement and the opening is called dilation. These can only be observed through a vaginal exam. This typically occurs just days or even hours before labour.

Lightening. Late in your pregnancy, your baby will settle down deeper into your pelvis. This is called “lightening.” Once this has occurred, you will notice decreased pressure on your lungs and you are able to breathe better. For many women, lightening can occurs as much as a couple of weeks prior to labour; for others it may occur just before labour is about to start.

Rupture of Membranes. Sometimes referred to as your “water breaking, this is often accompanied by a trickle or even a gush of fluid. This fluid comes from the amniotic sac. The amniotic sac is a membrane filled with fluid that cushions your baby in the uterus. When this membrane ruptures and leaks or breaks, labour is generally not far away. If this happens, you should check with your health care provider immediately. He or she will evaluate you and your baby to determine the next steps.

Bloody show. A thick mucus plug blocks the cervical opening during pregnancy to hold back bacteria from entering the uterus. When your cervix begins to thin and open, this plug will likely be discharged. You may notice a thick vaginal discharge or stringy mucus, typically brown and sometimes tinged with blood. Losing the mucus plug is a sign that labour may begin soon, but it’s not a guarantee. labour may still be a week or more away after you have a bloody show.

Consistent Contractions. Finally, consistent regular contractions are a good sign you are going into labour. True labour contractions are regular, follow a predictable pattern (such as every eight minutes), become progressively closer, last progressively longer and become progressively stronger. Each contraction is felt starting in the lower back and then radiating around to the front or visa versa. It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish these from “Braxton-Hicks” or “false labour.”

Posted in Pregnancy

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