Many pregnant moms have wondered how labor will feel, how long it will last, and how to know whether it's the real deal or a false alarm.

Every birth is different, so it’s hard to predict the answers to all those questions. But knowing the signs of labor to look out for will help provide clues that it's almost time to meet your baby, including:

  • Strong, frequent contractions
  • Bloody show
  • Belly and lower back pain
  • Water breaking

Other, early signs labor is close (anywhere from a month to mere hours away from active labor) include:

  • Baby drops
  • Cervix begins to dilate
  • Cramps and increased back pain
  • Loose-feeling joints
  • Diarrhea
  • Weight gain stops
  • Fatigue and the nesting instinct

What is labor?

Labor is the process of childbirth, starting with contractions of the uterus and cervical dilation, and ending with the delivery of the baby. 

As you get closer to your due date, you may begin to notice some subtle physical signs that labor is coming soon. Then you may see signs of early labor anywhere from hours to days before you transition into active labor and baby arrives.   

Signs of labor

You have likely gone into true labor if you’ve noticed the following signs, but always check with your practitioner to be sure:

Strong, frequent contractions

You’ll know you’re experiencing actual labor contractions (rather than the practice Braxton Hicks contractions) by assessing the pain’s frequency, intensity and location. If you’re unsure, ask yourself these questions:

Bloody show 

You may notice the loss of your mucus plug — the cork sealing off your uterus from the outside world. It can come out in one large piece (it looks similar to the mucus in your nose) or lots of little ones, though you may not get a glimpse of it at all (and some women don't lose it before delivery).

In the last days before labor, you'll likely see increased and/or thickened vaginal discharge. This thickened, pinkish discharge is called bloody show and is a good indication that labor is imminent.

Belly and lower back pain

You may feel like you’re having strong menstrual cramps, stomach upset or lower abdominal pressure. You could also have pain in your lower back that radiates down into the legs. This pain won’t go away if you change positions. 

Water breaking

While movies would have you think you’ll learn you’re in labor only when your water breaks (in the middle of a romantic dinner date at a busy restaurant, of course), that’s a very unlikely scenario.

For most women, membranes rupture and amniotic fluid leaks after other labor symptoms have already begun. And you won’t necessarily lose it all in one big gush, either — for some women, water breaking feels more like a trickle. 

Your water breaking is actually one of the final signs of labor most women experience — and it happens naturally in only around 15 percent of births or fewer. So don’t count on it as a definite sign of labor.

Early signs labor is near (but hasn't started yet)

Look out for these very early signs of labor (also known as pre-labor symptoms), which can happen anywhere from a full month or more to a mere hour or so before active labor starts.

Baby drops

If you’re a first-time mom, expect your baby to drop, or descend into your pelvis, a few weeks before labor begins (usually around two to four weeks before, but it can vary).

In subsequent births, this “lightening” doesn't often happen until you’re truly in labor. Your baby is getting into position to make his exit, ideally with the head down and low (and not in the breech position).

You might feel like you’re waddling even more than you have been up until this point — and you may still be experiencing frequent urination like you probably have been in the third trimester because baby’s head is now pushing down on your bladder.

The good news is that you have a bit more breathing room, since your little one is moving away from your lungs.

Cervix begins to dilate

Your cervix, too, is preparing for birth: It starts to dilate (open) and efface (thin out) in the days or weeks before you deliver. At your weekly check-ups in the home stretch of your pregnancy, your provider may measure and track dilation and effacement via an internal exam.

But everyone progresses differently, so don’t be discouraged if you’re dilating slowly or not at all yet.

Cramps and increased back pain

You may feel some cramping and pain in your lower back and groin as labor nears, especially if this isn't your first pregnancy. Your muscles and joints are stretching and shifting in preparation for birth.

Loose-feeling joints

Throughout your pregnancy, the pregnancy hormone relaxin has made your ligaments loosen up a little (it’s also responsible for your potential bouts of clumsiness this past trimester).

Before you go into labor, you may notice that the joints all over your body feel a bit less tight and more relaxed. It’s just nature’s way of opening up your pelvis for your little passenger to make his way into the world.

Diarrhea

Just as the muscles in your uterus are relaxing in preparation for birth, so too are other muscles in your body — including those in the rectum. And that can lead to prelabor diarrhea (as if the ongoing pregnancy diarrhea you may have experienced wasn’t bad enough!).

Though annoying, it's completely normal. Just be sure to stay hydrated and remember: It’s a good sign!

Weight gain stops

Pregnancy weight gain often levels off at the very end. Some moms-to-be even lose a couple of pounds.

This is normal and won’t affect your baby’s birth weight. He’s still gaining, but you’re dropping due to lower levels of amniotic fluid, more bathroom breaks and maybe even increased activity.

Fatigue and the nesting instinct 

Wait a minute, is this the third trimester or the first? Between the active bladder and the renewed fatigue, sometimes you can feel like you’ve traveled backwards in time.

That super-size belly, along with your compressed bladder and other organs, can make it tricky to get a good night’s sleep during the last days and weeks of pregnancy. So pile up those pillows and take naps when you can, if at all possible.

That is, unless you’re feeling the opposite of super sleepy. Some moms get a burst of energy (also known as the nesting instinct) as their baby's birthday nears, and can’t resist the compelling urge to clean and organize everything in sight. That’s okay too, as long as you don’t overdo it!

Am I going into labor? Should I call the doctor?

Still feel like you won’t know when to announce “It’s time!” and get ready to meet your baby? Try not to stress about it. You’ll be seeing your doctor or midwife frequently now, and she will help you spot all the important clues.

If you think you're going into labor, your doctor has likely advised you on what to do when your due date is near and you think you're experiencing regular contractions (e.g. "Call me when they’re coming about five minutes apart for at least an hour").

Labor contractions won’t all be exactly spaced, but if they're becoming pretty consistent, more painful and longer (usually around 30 to 70 seconds each), it’s time to check in with your doctor.

If you think you might be in labor but aren't sure, get on the phone. Your provider can explain what’s going on and have you come in if there's any uncertainty.

Don’t feel embarrassed or worry about calling outside of office hours, either: Your practitioner knows it comes with the job.

You should always call your doctor or midwife if:

  • You experience any bleeding or bright red discharge (not brown or pinkish).
  • Your water breaks — especially if the fluid looks green or brown. This could be a sign that meconium, or your baby's first stool, is present, which can be dangerous if your baby ingests it during birth.
  • You experience blurred or double vision, a severe headache or sudden swelling. These can all be symptoms of preeclampsia, which is characterized by pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and requires medical attention.

What is preterm labor?

The vast majority of pregnancies — about 90 percent — make it to week 37 of pregnancy. Preterm labor is when labor occurs before week 37. Call your practitioner if you haven’t yet reached your 37th week and you’re experiencing labor symptoms.  

Can I be in labor and not know it?

Every labor, like every pregnancy, is different. For most women, labor will follow along a somewhat predictable path, even as they progress (or sometimes, don’t progress) at a different pace. And most often, a mom’s contractions will help guide her along the way, sending her packing to the hospital when things start getting real.

Will you know labor when you feel it? Will those contractions tell you what you need to know? Chances are, yes. But if you're unsure, call your practitioner and get your cervix checked out, so you can run what you’re feeling or experiencing by a professional.

Got a gut feeling (or your partner does) that it’s labor, even though your sources — and even your doctor or midwife or the triage nurse at the hospital — tell you it’s likely not? Still get it checked out.

Natural ways to help labor along

Not in labor just yet ... but full-term and itching to get things moving along? There are a few natural tricks that may help induce labor that you can try at home yourself, including walking, sex, spicy food and acupuncture.

That said, there's not a lot of research to back any of these methods up, and you should always talk to your doctor first before trying anything intended to expedite baby's birthday.

No matter what, as you near the homestretch, your baby will make it known when he's ready to meet you. So try to just enjoy these last days and weeks of calm before you're a full-fledged parent!


Frequently Asked Questions

The following signs can all indicate that labor is near:

Some early signs of labor may include:

Other early signs labor is close (anywhere from a month to mere hours away) include:

  • Baby drops
  • Cervix begins to dilate
  • Cramps and increased back pain
  • Loose-feeling joints
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • The nesting instinct

Some early signs of labor may include:

  • Strong, frequent contractions
  • Bloody show
  • Your water breaking