Signs of labor

As early as three weeks before actual labor begins, the cervix begins to dilate (open) and efface (get thinner). Your doctor or certified nurse-midwife will check for dilation and effacement during late-pregnancy exams.

The baby drops into the birth canal a few weeks (for first-time moms) to a few hours (for later births) before your due date. As the baby drops forward and the head enters the pelvic opening, you may find it easier to breathe, but experience increased pressure on your bladder. Your doctor or certified nurse-midwife will confirm during an exam that the baby's head has engaged.

Contractions are a sign that your body is preparing for labor. They occur more often as you get closer to your due date. Early contractions help your body prepare for birth by softening and thinning your cervix. Sometimes you can barely feel them. They are often irregular in timing and strength, and may stop when you change positions or rest.

Diarrhea-like symptoms on or near your due date often are caused by an increase in circulating prostaglandins. Soft or loose stool help clear the lower digestive tract, creating more room for baby to move down.

This hormonal response can occur two days to three days before labor begins. A release of hormones gives you more energy than you've had for a while. It may appear as a drive to get things ready at home. Some women aren't even aware when the nesting instinct happens. You just may look back and realize that you got a lot done shortly before the baby was born.

During pregnancy, thick mucus forms to seal off the cervix. When the cervix starts to open, this plug is pushed into the vagina. This usually happens a few days before labor starts or at the onset of labor. Most women don't even notice when this happens, although some notice clear, pink or slightly bloody mucus.