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Symptoms Before Labor Begins

There are a few telltale symptoms that women can get before labor begins. Some are obvious and some you might miss! Having been through three pregnancies, all of them completely different, it’s hard to say what will happen for sure.

Here we will go over all the common signs of labor approaching:

• Cervix dilates
• Baby drops
• Cramps or back pain
• Bloody show
• Loss of mucus plug
• Weight loss
• Fatigue or nesting
• Braxton Hicks
• Water breaks
• Vaginal discharge changes color or consistency
• Diarrhea

This post contains affiliate links. Please see our full disclosure here. In addition, this site is not intended for medical advice. See our full policy here.

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Your Cervix Dilates

When your cervix dilates past 3 cm, you may be going into labor soon! Seeing your doctor should be happening regularly as you approach your due date and they will be checking to see if your cervix has dilated at all.

If your cervix isn’t dilating, that doesn’t necessarily mean much. With my 3rd baby, I saw my doctor on the morning before I went into labor.

She checked my cervix and laughed because it wasn’t even a cm dilated and told me “not to hold my breath” over the baby coming anytime soon.

I went into labor around 2 that afternoon 🙂

RELATED: Signs Labor is Only 24-48 Hours Away

Baby Drops

If it’s your first baby, usually the baby will drop closer to your due date (around 2-4 weeks.)

If this is a subsequent pregnancy, your baby may not drop until labor begins.

Cramps or Back Pain

Your muscles and joints will start shifting for birth so this can be a sign of labor coming soon.

Bloody Show

You will notice if have a bloody show because it’s, well, bloody. This may show up after wiping in the bathroom or in your underwear. It’s a very good sign labor is on the way!

RELATED: Free Printable Hospital Bag Checklist

Loss of Mucus Plug

The mucus plug is created at the moment of conception. It’s a plug made of mucus that stays on the end of your cervix to stop harmful bacteria or germs entering the cervix.

As your cervix dilates, you may lose your mucus plug.

This is really noticeable for some pregnancies and for some it’s not noticeable at all.

With my second pregnancy, I lost my mucus plug around 6pm and then my water broke around 2am that morning.

With my third pregnancy, I lost my mucus plug around 35 weeks and started freaking out because I was SURE I was going into early labor.

Luckily, if you lose your mucus plug early, your body will just regenerate it.

Weight Loss

In the days leading up to labor, you might notice a weight drop. You may lose anywhere from 1-3 pounds of water weight.

RELATED: Signs that Labor has Started- {get ready to meet baby!!}

Fatigue or Nesting

It can be confusing during those last few days before labor begins. Either your body will be trying to conserve energy for childbirth or you’ll be getting in some last minute nesting!

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I had a sudden burst of energy at 37 weeks. I packed my hospital bag, cleaned and moved an dresser and king size bed to a different room. My water broke at 6am the next morning. Pay attention to energy levels!

Braxton Hicks

How do you tell the difference between Braxton Hicks or real contractions?

Braxton Hicks:

• Irregular and infrequent, lasting only 15-30 seconds.
• Subside if you change position.

Real contractions:

• Consistently get stronger and more frequent.
• They don’t go away if you stand up or change position.
• Last about 30-70 seconds each.

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Your Water Breaks

Only 15% of women experience their amniotic sac rupturing before labor begins. If it does happen, it means you’re going into labor, yay!

My water broke with 2 out of 3 babies before labor started.

Change in Vaginal Discharge

Once you get closer to labor, you might notice your vaginal discharge changing color or consistency.

Diarrhea

Your body produces extra relaxin leading up to birth. Relaxin causes your muscles to relax to make for an easier birth. This affects ALL your muscles, including your rectum muscle which can lead to diarrhea.

But, this is a good thing because it helps your body void all unnecessary contents before you give birth!

That means no pooping during labor and delivery 😉

It can still happen though. Try not to worry too much. All the nurses that will help you have seen it before, they’re absolutely professional and will whisk it away before anyone can see it!

RELATED: How soon after diarrhea does labor start?

Non Traditional Signs of Labor

• Feeling emotional
• A change in your pets behaviour
• Nesting
• Feeling off
• Labor dreams
• Flu symptoms
• Stomach troubles
• Mood swings
• Sudden weightloss
• Weird cravings

RELATED: How To Have A Faster Labor

Feeling Emotional

Do you get emotional before birth?

Yes, that can be a sign that your hormone levels are changing as you prepare to give birth.

You Pet Starts Acting Weird

As you approach labor, the scent of your body may change. This can cause pets to pick up on that and act differently.

Nesting

Nesting is always something I kind of look forward to. It’s the last burst of energy and a pretty good sign that baby is coming.

Also very helpful with getting you to finish all those last minute tasks- just make sure you don’t go too hard deep cleaning behind the fridge!

RELATED: Traditional Signs And Symptoms Of Approaching Labor

Just Feeling “Off”

In the evening before my water broke with my son, we went to the grocery store because I really wanted strawberry pie, which was weird for me. (the strawberry pie was weird, not the junk food lol)

We ended up getting a bunch of junk food and had a really fun evening before we went from a family of 3 to 4.

Looking back, I kind of knew that the baby was coming. I just knew.

Labor Dreams

Vivid dreams about going into labor can be a sign that it really is right around the corner. This can be your minds way of helping you to mentally prepare for the big day.

Flu Symptoms

Diarrhea and nausea can be a sign of impending labor but if you start vomiting, contact your healthcare provider.

Stomach Troubles

Crampy, gassy and the need to void your bowels are all signs of pregnancy coming to an end!

Mood Swings

Mood swings are a very normal symptom of labor approaching. You might find yourself laughing, crying, angry- all within the space of 5 minutes. Get ready for baby!

Sudden Weight Loss

Losing 1-3lbs of water weight is a fairly common sign that labor is going to start within the next few days or hours.

Weird Cravings

You’ve probably had some weird cravings your whole pregnancy but if you have anything SUPER weird in the last days leading up to labor, that probably means that baby will make their debut soon.

RELATED: How to Induce Labor (FAST!)

Weird Things that Can Happen Before Labor

• Acne
• Baby moves a lot
• Fatigue
• Loss of gain of appetite
• You just know
• Chills and feeling cold
• Lower back pain
• Gas and/or bowel movement

You Break Out

A surge of androgens can happen at the end of pregnancy. This surge helps ripen your cervix but it can also, unfortunately, cause one last break out.

Baby Starts Moving A Lot

Usually a good sign of labor coming is that baby will move less than what they have been doing. This isn’t because they’re not moving at all, it’s because the patterns change. Instead of kicking they will start squirming and shuffling which feels like less movement.

RELATED: The Ultimate 3rd Trimester Checklist

Fatigue

Extreme fatigue is an early sign of labor. Being tired at the end of pregnancy is normal, but this type of fatigue is quite a bit different.

It’s a heavy feeling. Listen to your body and rest as needed!

Noticeable Loss or Gain of Appetite

Have you been eating like crazy only to just feel like you’re not hungry AT ALL?

Or, have you been uninterested in food and now suddenly RAVENOUS?

Perhaps your body needs to clear itself out or perhaps you need energy for the impending birth!

You Just “Know”

Just knowing is not scientific at all. But that doesn’t mean it’s not true!

Sometimes, you just KNOW.

Chills and Feeling Cold

If you suddenly have chills and get cold at the end of pregnancy, you may be going into labor soon.

The change in body temperature can be a sign of labor hormones.

Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain, an achy or crampy feeling is generally a good indication that labor is near. This is because your muscles and joints are stretching in preparation for childbirth.

RELATED: How to Make Labor Easier (and FASTER)

Gas and/or Bowel Movement

Becoming gassy and having a BM can be a good sign of labor on its way, especially at the very end of pregnancy.

How Long Does Early Labor Last?

You can expect early labor to last anywhere from 8-12 hours, according to The American Pregnancy Association.

The Most Interesting Signs of Labor

Most of the signs of impending labor are the same but some are more interesting and strange than others! These include:

• Feeling weird
• Feeling “off”
• Mood swings
• Weird dreams
• Sudden weight loss
• Having a break out
• Cold/flu symptoms
• Being gassy

💕Have you taken a prenatal course yet?

Hilary has been an OB nurse since 2001. She’s knowledgeable, down to earth and offers a free online prenatal course. Check out the course HERE.

Read more about labor and birth:

• 
  Sudden Exhaustion Before Labor {what extreme tiredness before labor means}
• 
  How To Have A Fast Labor {simple ways to speed up labor and delivery}
• 
  How to Breathe During Labor
• 
  Less Obvious Signs of Labor: Non Traditional Signs of Labor
• 
  Diarrhea: Sign of Labor??
• 
  FOR SURE signs labor is 24-48 hours away- get ready!!

Weird Things that Happen Before Labor

HOW DO YOU TELL LABOR IS A FEW DAYS AWAY?

How do you feel right before labor starts? How do you feel 24 hours before labor? What are the signs of labor approaching? What are the signs labor is 24-48 hours away?

It’s not always crystal clear, however there are some signs more than others that you can rely on.

In the days and hours leading up to each of my three labor and deliveries, there were some clues that stood out with each one. There were some big differences, too!

My first and second pregnancies started with my water breaking so I KNEW it was time. Before that, I had a bloody show and could tell labor was on the way.

With my second pregnancy, the bloody show happened about 8 hours before my water broke.

Hopefully these obvious signs of labor will help you figure out if it’s time to get ready!

This post contains affiliate links. Please see our full disclosure here. In addition, this site is not intended for medical advice. See our full policy here.

Signs that labor is 24 to 48 hours away:

1. Loss of mucus plug
2. Bloody show
3. Weight loss
4. Nesting
5. Extreme fatigue
6. Diarrhea
7. Back pain
8. Contractions
9. Ripened cervix
10. Water breaking

Let’s dive in to these symptoms before labor begins:

Loss Of Mucus Plug

A mucus plug is something your body creates from the moment of conception to protect your baby from harmful germs and bacteria. It is literally a plug on the end of your cervix that’s made of mucus, charming, I know.

You might notice losing this but you might not. Some women have seen it drop into the toilet, some have wiped it away after peeing and some have felt it in their underwear.

My first baby, I never noticed a mucus plug. With my second baby, I distinctly remember losing my mucus plug the evening before my water broke at 2am. With my third, I actually lost my mucus plug at 35 weeks and was CONVINCED I was going to have a very early baby.

After doing a lot of research, I discovered that you can, in fact, lose your mucus plug more than once. Your body will just regenerate it if it comes out too early!

So, how long after losing your mucus plug does labor start?

If you lose your mucus plug that means your cervix is starting to dilate- yay! However that can mean that labor is hours away or as long as 1-2 weeks.

Bloody Show

Sometimes people use the terms “mucus plug” and “bloody show” interchangeably but they’re slightly different.

The mucus plug is transparent and contains little to no blood while the bloody show is mucus tinged with red or brown blood.

If you have a bloody show, it means you’ve lost your mucus plug and your cervix is preparing for labor!

RELATED: How To Induce Labor (quickly and naturally!)

Weight Loss

Don’t get too excited, it’s not a lot of weight loss. It can be anywhere from 1-3 pounds of water weight that you shed in the days before you go into labor.

Increased Vaginal Discharge

Once you get closer to labor, you might notice your vaginal discharge becoming thicker or changing color.

Nesting or Being Extremely Fatigued

Is sudden exhaustion a sign that labor is close?

Extreme fatigue before labor is a pretty good sign of what’s coming. On the flip side- you may get a burst of energy and start nesting!

Those last few days before you go into active labor can be confusing. Either your body will be trying to conserve energy for childbirth or you’ll be getting in some last minute nesting!

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I had a sudden burst of energy at 37 weeks. I packed my hospital bag, cleaned the house and then my water broke at 6am the next morning. Pay attention to energy levels!

Diarrhea- Is Pooping a Sign of Labor Coming Soon?

It certainly can be!

This happens because your muscles are getting an extra dose of relaxin leading up to birth. This means that ALL your muscles get it, including your rectum muscles.

But, this is a good thing because it helps your body void all unnecessary contents before you give birth!

Ie; no pooping during delivery!

It can still happen though- just to warn you. It’s hard not to worry about it, but try not to. All the nurses that will help you have seen it before, they’re absolutely professional and will whisk it away before anyone can see it!

RELATED: Diarrhea: how soon before labor?

Back Pain

If you start having lower back pain and a crampy feeling, that can be a sign that labor has started or is approaching. This is because your muscles and joints are shifting for birth.

Contractions

How do you tell the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and real contractions?

Braxton Hicks:

• Irregular and infrequent, lasting only 15-30 seconds.
• Subside if you change position.

Real contractions:

• Consistently get stronger and more frequent.
• They don’t go away if you stand up or change position.
• Last about 30-70 seconds each.

Please include attribution to themommyhoodclub.com with this graphic.

Share this Image On Your Site

<p><strong>Please include attribution to themommyhoodclub.com with this graphic.</strong><br /><br /><a href='https://themommyhoodclub.com/signs-labor-is-24-48-hours-away/' data-lasso-id="9589"><img src='https://themommyhoodclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/True-vs-False-Labor-Infographic.jpg' alt='True labor vs. false labor' 540px border='0' /></a></p>

Ripened Cervix

By this point you’ll be seeing your doctor a lot. They’ll be checking each time to see if you’re dilated at all. If you’re dilated past 3cm that can mean you may be going into labor soon.

To give you some hope though, if you aren’t dilated yet, here’s what happened with my third baby:

I saw my doctor around 9am on my baby’s actual due date and she checked me. She laughed and said I wasn’t even 1cm so I shouldn’t hold my breath over the baby coming any time soon. So I left thinking it was going to be a week or two.

I went into labor at 2:30 that day and had my baby at 6:16. You never know.

Free Printable- When to Head to the Hospital!

RELATED: How To Have A Faster Labor

Water Breaking

It shocked me to learn that only 15% of women have their water break before labor begins. If it does happen, it means you’re going into labor, yay!

My water broke with 2 out of 3 babies before labor started. My daughter, hours before and my son about 20 minutes. With my 3rd, my water broke during active labor.

RELATED: Epidurals- Should You Get One?

Is Nausea A Sign Of Labor?

Nausea and vomiting is experienced by a lot of women at some point during labor.

Sometimes, nausea can happen before labor but generally it happens during the active first stage of labor. I have definitely felt nauseous due to the pain from contractions.

If you do end up vomiting, keep drinking fluids to stay hydrated.

What Is False Labor?

It may be false labor if the contractions:

• come less than 4 times an hour
• aren’t regular
• don’t get painful or stronger
• come and go depending on your position

Early Labor Signs

What are the first signs of early labor? Sometimes there are early and more subtle signs before labor begins:

• Back pain/cramps
• More Braxton Hicks
• Being overly emotional
• Flu-like symptoms
• Increased vaginal discharge
• Loose feeling joints
• Weight loss
• Sudden exhaustion
• Nesting instinct kicks in
• Pet starts acting “weird”

RELATED: 17 Non-Obvious Signs of Labor

How Do You Feel 24 Hours Before Labor?

The answer to how you feel right before labor varies by woman and by pregnancy.

And, it may change for each pregnancy you have!

Symptoms in the hours/days before labor include:

1. Loss of mucus plug
2. Bloody show
3. Weight loss
4. Nesting/Extreme fatigue
5. Diarrhea
6. Back pain
7. Contractions
8. Ripened cervix
9. Water breaking

I know that you want a definite answer as to what happens right before you go into labor- the truth is, there is no definite answer. You may have 1, 2 or all of the above symptoms.

Or, you might have NONE. Seriously, I had NO CLUE that my third baby was going to arrive on the day that she did. Not one single inkling, symptom or anything. It was fine one minute, active contractions the next.

With my son, I lost my mucus plug in the evening, about 8 hours before my water breaking.

RELATED: Free Printable Birth Plan (+ why you want one)

When To Go To The Hospital For Labor

As a general rule, you should head to the hospital when your contractions are about 4 minutes apart, last 45-60 seconds and stay that way for an hour. However, if this isn’t your first baby, things may move more quickly.

If you’re at all unsure, contact your healthcare provider.

With my first baby, I went in WAY too early because my water broke but I didn’t go into active labor. I ended up being induced because I was Group B strep positive.

With my second baby, my water broke and my labor progressed extremely quickly- I think I stayed home for an hour from the first contraction till I left for the hospital.

With my third baby, my water didn’t break. I was in active labor from the very first contraction – there was no early labor phase for me. I left for the hospital about 15-20 minutes after my first contraction and I’m SO happy I did because my baby was born less than 4 hours later.

I tell you this to show that not only is every woman different, so is every labor! What happened with your first or second baby may not happen with subsequent babies.

Am I In Labor? Here’s How To Tell:

Signs of labor include:

• Strong and regular contractions
• Your water breaking
• Bloody mucus discharge (bloody show)
• Loss of mucus plug
• Diarrhea
• Back pain
• Ripened cervix

Always, ALWAYS call your healthcare provider no matter what the time of day if you’re unsure- they WANT you to call!

There is still time for a prenatal class if you haven’t taken one yet

With all the craziness happening in the world- it’s hard to get to a hospital or physical class. Hilary is offering a free online prenatal class– she’s been an OB nurse since 2001 and knows how to simplify labor so you can have a relaxing birth. She’s also really funny and down to earth! You can check it out here.

***

When I was googling signs of labor, I was always looking for something that would definitively tell me it was happening. I was also desperately wishing for it to start, as I’m sure you are.

It’s SO HARD to wait the last few weeks! And while I wished for labor to start at the end of every pregnancy I’ve ever had-

Looking back, I wish I would have slowed down and tried to enjoy the last little while before my new one was Earth side.

If it’s your first pregnancy, slow down and really soak up the moments that you’re truly yourself and cherish the time you have left to do whatever you want.

It’s a subsequent pregnancy, enjoy your last moments with your other children before a new baby takes up a lot of your time. I know it’s hard, but try.

I’m wishing you so much luck and love on your journey. Wishing you a positive labor and delivery momma ❤

Looking for more helpful tips on labor and delivery?

• 10 Ways to Have an EASY Labor
• Best Tips For A Natural Birth
• How To Induce Labor

SIGNS THAT LABOR IS COMING SOON