Signs of labor – Is the baby on the way?

Hi ladies, are you worried about your due date approaching? And don't want to get caught off guard when your labor starts? Well, we at Maitri are here to help you through it.

As the due date approaches, our body starts dropping slight hints along the way that can give us an idea that the labor pain might begin soon.

Signs that your body is getting ready for delivery

Towards the end of your pregnancy, you might start experiencing symptoms that get you prepared for the big day. They may show up in the days, weeks, or months leading up to your due date.

• Lightening

You can feel your baby dropping low into the abdomen. This indicates that the baby is getting ready for the birth position. As this happens, it will give you a chance to take a deep breath and eat more without feeling full soon. However, this will make you pee more than often, and you may also have trouble walking.

• False Labor or Braxton Hicks Contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are a false alarm. They can occur weeks or days before your actual labor starts. You can think of them as a mock drill that will help you get an idea of what you might experience during your childbirth. But how does one know if they are experiencing true or false labor? Well, during false labor your contractions will be irregular. There won't be any set gap between two consecutive contractions. You are more likely to experience Braxton Hicks contractions the day you perform a lot of physical activities. Occasionally you might experience strong contractions, but for the most part, they are mild. These contractions come and go on their own.

• A bloody Show!

During pregnancy, the opening of the cervix is covered with a mucus plug. If you observe small spots of blood very close to your due date, it can indicate that your mucus plug is coming off. This usually comes off in the form of sticky jelly-like discharge or small blobs of blood. Losing your mucus plug means your cervix is opening up, which is quickly followed by labor.

You can also expect mood swings and backache during this time.

Signs that indicate the onset of labor

• My water broke!

Feel like you suddenly wet your pants? This indicates the rupture of the amniotic sac in the uterus. The amniotic fluid is supposed to be clear and odorless. If the amniotic fluid is yellow, brown, or greenish, this is a red flag. This is a symptom of fetal distress since it indicates the presence of meconium, your baby's first feces. It's especially crucial to notify your doctor if the fluid appears to be bloody.

Your water can break long before your actual labor starts; however, this is your queue to call up your hospital to inform them of your arrival soon. In the meantime, use a sanitary pad.

• Real contractions

As your water breaks, you are expected to go into labor and have contractions within 24 hours. Unlike the Braxton-Hicks contractions, these will be stronger and more frequent. You can feel your uterine muscles tighten and the discomfort intensifying during a contraction. With every contraction, your baby is being pushed down, and the door to your cervix is opening up. So put your brave face on and push harder. Keep going. The finish line is in sight.

Preterm Labor

If you start noticing the signs of labor before completing 37 weeks of pregnancy, call your doctor. This could mean that you are going into preterm labor. Premature babies (those born before 37 weeks of pregnancy) are more likely to suffer health issues at birth and later in life. The best thing you can do is seek treatment as soon as possible.

The duration from the onset of labor to the birth of your baby can vary from a few hours to few days. Remember, every delivery is different. Maintaining a calm and relaxed state can assist you in dealing with your contractions. It will also aid the release of the hormone oxytocin, which is necessary for the advancement of your labor. If you're hungry, eat small, frequent meals to keep your energy up without feeling bloated. To keep you going, eat tiny amounts of high-carb items.

So, while you wait for your baby, let us share some fun facts with you. Did you know that a five-year-old Peruvian girl is said to be the world's youngest mother, having given birth to a baby boy in 1939? She was taken to the hospital by her father for an abnormal belly growth, and examinations revealed she was seven months pregnant!