Signs of Approaching Labor

Learn to recognize the telltale signs that baby is coming.
  • Share
  • Print Print
  • Comment Comments (24)

Signs That Baby Is Coming!

Just when you think you can't possibly get any bigger and you'll never get off the couch without a crane, you may experience the following symptoms that let you know the time is near. Note that these symptoms don't occur in any particular order, and several may occur within the same day or a few days of each other.

  • An increase in vaginal discharge, possibly brownish or pinkish in color.
  • "Engagement," or the sensation of the baby dropping lower into your pelvic cavity.
  • Braxton Hicks contractions or "practice" contractions that feel like a tightening or hardening of the uterus with possible mild cramps.
  • Slight weight loss.
  • Dull pain low in your back that comes and goes.
  • Loose and frequent bowel movements with cramping.
  • Sensation of building pressure or cramping in your pelvic/rectal area.
  • A feeling of restlessness/increased energy, or marked sense of fatigue.
  • Softening, thinning, or dilation of cervix (as shown by doctor's internal exam).

Next:  Is It False Labor?

 

What do you think of this story?  Tell Us.

Related Links
Just over 10 percent of babies are born pre-term (...



Comments
Comments (24)
4723664379
cody_garcia2003 wrote:

im 34 wks and i have seven of the nine symptoms off and on all the time.. how do i know when its false or real other than going to the hospital for it.

1/20/2011 10:16:26 PM Report Abuse
aries72 wrote:

i am not sure how far along i am i just noticed i was having braxton hicks it has been 15 years since i had a baby and now just trying to figure out when i conceived is very hard because my periods are irregular

9/17/2010 12:08:58 PM Report Abuse
siancekesh wrote:

I am 36 weeks now. This is my first baby but I have had such an amazing pregnancy. I am now beginning to feel all of these pains that I don't know what they are and no matter how much I explain to people, no two people are giving me the same answers. Pregnancy, I have learned, is very unpredictable and different for everyone.

5/11/2010 07:26:00 PM Report Abuse
lilmsangel26 wrote:

I am right 35 and a half weeks.I've dialated one cm, and having pains in my lower back and stomach.I am so miserable.How long can this go one. With my 5 yr old son he was born at 38weeks and I was 7 cm when I went into the doc.Also my 10 yr old and 15 yr old were born at 38 weeks.This is my 5th child and every other time they had to break my water.Is it possible they will have to to the same thing and I will have him early as well?

5/5/2010 10:26:59 AM Report Abuse
redbonewil21 wrote:

I'm 34 weeks and I can't wait to see my little girl,I have two boys at home age 2 and 3 so this is the last one...I had a little spotting today once what should I do?none of my other pregnancys have been this uncomfortable

4/28/2010 02:25:24 PM Report Abuse
isaura.valdiviez wrote:

come on out baby: I'm 35 weeks now and can't wait for this little one to come my.I have two girls besides this little one my oldest is 17 and my youngest is 15.To me its just like if I'll be starting all over again, I kinda feel like a new mom. Most of all its my swelling feet killing me and that at nights I can't seem to sleep I'm just turning every 30-45 minutes.I just can't wait to have my little one in my arms loving her!!

4/27/2010 11:18:42 AM Report Abuse
ashley_aka_hone wrote:

I am 31 weeks pregnant. This is my first and last baby. My back and pelvic hurts like crazy. Some days i feel like my water is going to break. I try to get as much rest as possible but that doesn't seem to work that well at all. I tose and turn all thru the night. I'm just counting down the weeks to see my lil baby boy, so i kan see the lil person who is causing my body so much pain...

4/21/2010 10:06:37 AM Report Abuse
scoombs2 wrote:

I am almost 39 weeks and I've had ENOUGH!!! I'm so tired from lack of sleep and I feel sore from neck all the way to my ankles! I had my first baby 6 weeks early so all of this is new to me. I'm so ready to go into labor that I'm always thinking "break water, break". I almost don't care for all the pain of labor as long as I don't have to put up with the pains of being pregnant. COME OUT BABY!

4/12/2010 11:55:32 AM Report Abuse
heatherwohlert wrote:

im 35weeks pregant and miserable i cant do much of anything even taking a bath i cramp like crazy. i have a 17mth old son and i was told in wouldnt make it to 25weeks he made it to 39weeks and i was so uncomfortable i was finally induced. with this the pain seems alot more intense and im dropping already. at the last ultrasound they said her legs are reading 2 weeks difference so its alot more painful then before. i went to the dr today im already thinning and 1cm dilated. how much more ?

4/8/2010 06:20:54 PM Report Abuse
heatherwohlert wrote:

im 35 weeks pregant and im completely miserable with my son they thought he was going to come early but i made it to 39 wks was finally induced i was in so much pain. this time the pain seems alot more intense and it hurts to pretty much do anything even take a bath is so pain i spend the whole time cramping like crazy at my dr appt today he said that i was thinned out and im a cm already does that mean the baby could come soon? or am i going to be this way for the next few weeks?

4/8/2010 06:12:20 PM Report Abuse
bigginsiscute wrote:

I'm 35 weeks now and my baby has definitely dropped. I'm running to the bathroom to pee every 5 seconds not just because of the extra pressure from him descending down but because he keeps punching my bladder. fun times... I cant wait for this to all be over with. I may get less sleep when he's here but i have a feeling the quality will be better then it is now. cant wait to meet him! (Love him more then anything) and cant wait to not feel like an elephant parked on the sofa!

4/6/2010 12:31:18 PM Report Abuse
Tleilani wrote:

This is my first and I've been feeling these things. What really got me was the "engagement" and increased energy, which is all fine and dandy, but I'm only 27 weeks in. Is this bad? Or will all of these things simply intensify as I go along?

3/10/2010 09:45:24 AM Report Abuse
georgousbaby_2008 wrote:

i am almost 36 wks, and i am so miserable...the baby dropped almost 2 wks ago and now it seems like she keeps going down it hurts so bad to walk or even sit down...i am the only one working right now with my first i worked till the day i had her but with this one im scared i wont be able to...

2/25/2010 07:03:57 PM Report Abuse
swifthip wrote:

I am almost 34 weeks, but I am feeling so sick!!! I can eat, but my stomache hurts all the time. I am running low grad temp off and on all day! I can barely get out of bed and I have a 4 yr old and 2 year old! I am just not sure I have never felt this way in the end! Uncomfortable yes, but not sick and in pain!!! Am I gonna really have to wait out all these weeks!!!! YIKES!!!!

2/8/2010 04:46:12 AM Report Abuse
jessicacastle6 wrote:

I am 32 weeks and have been having some nausea and stomach trouble, also I feel like the baby has already dropped. I know it's a bit too soon but I am SO ready!

1/14/2010 04:03:20 PM Report Abuse
Tiauna_jackson wrote:

Im 39 weeks my due is 12/27/09 im ready to go into labor this my first child im having a baby girl her name is Teariye havent had any signs of labor im 19 years old single mom all i have right now is me and my baby girl when enter the world thats why im so ready

12/20/2009 09:50:59 PM Report Abuse
char_c902 wrote:

I am 35 weeks pregnant and I have been having most of these symptoms for the last at least week and a half. I want her to stay in there for another two weeks tho, after christmas and at 37 weeks it is safer. I feel like 5 weeks is so far away yet so close at the same time. I am soooo miserable for the last week, and work and a two year old doesnt make it any easier lol i wake up nauseas lately or am in the evening within 3 hours of going to bed. it bites!

12/15/2009 11:25:47 AM Report Abuse
kathynyoung wrote:

i am 38 wks and 3 days...i just lost my mucos plug and am waiting for baby Nora to come!!!!!! i already have a 4 yr old boy who came at 34 weeks, so im surprised she held on this long!!!!! yayyy!!!!!

12/14/2009 11:50:45 AM Report Abuse
rotate3601 wrote:

I am 39 weeks and am sooo ready! Last week check up I had only dialated 1 cnmt. I was so disappointed-hopefully tomorrow it will be more. My daughter was one week early so I am counting on this boy to come on any day now...all the signs are there...just waiting.

12/1/2009 09:25:16 AM Report Abuse
badassred_bone wrote:

im 35wks and i experiencing alot of those signs of labor should i go to my obgyn? this is my first child and im very nervous

10/19/2009 10:06:14 PM Report Abuse
rachelle.bettyboop.rivera wrote:

I'm rachelle and i'm 36 weeks(9 months) and about to go into labor at anytime and i have been having alot of the signs of going into labor and sometimes i'm not sure if they are real or fake and i really need some information because i'm a single mom and i'm 18yrs.old and all i have right now is my parents and my grandparents.

10/19/2009 08:36:29 PM Report Abuse
pam_mandeville wrote:

I am 37 weeks pregnant and I feel like throwing up some times why is that??? also my stomach gets tight but I still feel baby moving, I have two children and with them I carried high right until I went into labour and they broke my water for me, can I be getting ready for labour or is it the braxton hicks????

10/16/2009 11:56:41 PM Report Abuse
aq2139 wrote:

I am 34 weeks pregnant and i feel alot aof cramping, speacially at night time.

10/13/2009 11:13:01 AM Report Abuse
tiffanypinyard wrote:

im 30wks and i feel all these several times a day sometimes or just a couple times a wk.

10/6/2009 09:31:06 PM Report Abuse
Add your comment

You must be logged in to leave a comment. Register | Log In

Please confirm your comment by answering the question below and clicking "Submit Comment."

  • Mom Finds
  • Mom Tools
  • Win
Parents Magazine on Facebook

Latest updates from Parents Network

Follow American Baby on Twitter Follow Parents on Twitter