10 Signs Your Labour is Starting

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It is the moment that you have been waiting for the past 9 months. Everyone has an opinion about childbirth. You will also have one when you are done with your childbirth. This is because every childbirth and every labour is different.

Understanding the different stages of childbirth and signs that your labour is starting are very important. The pre-labour or early labour phase depends on few things such as if you have had a baby before, your response to pain and how prepared you are for your labour.

THINGS TO AVOID WHEN PREGNANT AT 8 MONTHS

The first thing you will need to do is talk to your doctor about signs that your labour is starting and what you need to do in each of these cases. This will also give you some time to be prepared for your childbirth.

Signs of labour can be different for different people. The following are some of the common symptoms that you need to look for to know that they are signs your labour is starting.

Baby ‘Drops’

This is something that will happen a few weeks before your delivery when the baby will descend into the pelvis. You will know this when you are frequently using the bathroom. This is one of the signs your labour is starting.

Cervix Dilation

Your cervix also goes through a process before your childbirth. Your cervix needs to dilate and thin out a few days or weeks before delivery. This is unique to each mother.

Cramps and Back Pain

This is one of the common signs of labour, especially if this is not the first pregnancy. You will feel cramps and pain in the groin and lower back as the date nears.

Loose Joints

Another sign your labour is starting is loose joints during pregnancy. The hormone relaxin will work during the entire pregnancy making your ligaments soft and loose.

Diarrhoea

Hormone relaxin relaxes the muscles of your rectum too. This will result in loose bowel movements. This is one of the signs your labour is starting.

Stop gaining weight

After the extensive weight gain during the last phase of your pregnancy, you will notice that the weight gain will level off. This will not affect the weight gain of the baby.

Extra Tiredness

You would feel more tired now than during the initial stage of your pregnancy. The active bladder and exhaustion are the reasons for this. Some moms would have a burst of energy.

Vaginal discharge colour change

One of the signs your labour is starting is when you will notice that your vaginal discharge has increased in thickness. You will also notice the loss of the mucous plug.

Frequent Contractions

You will feel more contractions when your date nears. Contractions start with the lower back and move to the lower abdomen. These are few signs your labour is starting.

Water Breaks

Though this is the sign that you will have in your head as soon as you think of your labour, this is not the truth. The water breaks in less than 15 percent of the births. So don't expect this to be one of the labour signs.