Body Changes Before Labor Starts

Labor might be getting close, but you are not quite in labor yet. What changes might mom experience before true labor begins? Let’s dive in…

Braxton-hicks contractions 

These are irregular contractions starting in the third trimester for most moms. The uterus (a big muscle) is beginning to practice and warm up for labor. The key is that these contractions are not frequent (the time between each contraction is not consistently getting shorter) and the pain is not increasing over a period of more than one hour. Mom needs to do two things: sit down to rest, and drink a lot of water. It is not time to go to the hospital in labor yet. 

Loose stools, emotional rollercoaster, and flu-like symptoms

Loose stools can happen as the uterus becomes more irritable as mom gets closer to her due date. This happens as the uterus practices contractions and stimulates the bowel that is nearby.

Don’t be too surprised if you start crying in the middle of the day for no apparent reason. Your hormones are all over the place, and your face will show it. This is completely normal. 

Flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, and achy joints happens to some moms when labor is very close. This is normal, but make sure that you contact your healthcare provider if you experience a fever or worsening of symptoms. 

Baby drops down into mom’s pelvis.

This is called lightening and happens so that baby can get engaged in mom’s pelvis for delivery day. You might experience a burst of energy and the ability to breathe with more ease. 

Loss of the mucus plug

The cervical mucus plug is a normal part of pregnancy to prevent bacteria from the rectum and vagina from migrating into the uterus and infecting baby.

The cervix can start to open and thin out around 36 – 37 weeks gestation, weeks before baby arrives. Thus, the loss of the cervical mucus plug does not indicate that labor will start soon. But Mom’s body is getting ready for labor! 

Dilation and effacement causes mucus plug to come out in one blob or in stringy fragments. This is different from your milky white, creamy discharge released from the cervix and vagina during pregnancy. Cervical mucus is like snot, egg whites, or glue. It can be white, clear, or a little yellow. Mom might have a little bit of blood in the mucus plug as the blood vessels from the cervix break and leak into the mucus.

This is all normal and not a reason to go to the hospital. 

Spontaneous rupture of membranes

This means that the amniotic sac surrounding baby during pregnancy has broken. Mom can experience a gush of fluid or a trickle of fluid. The concern is whether mom’s “bag of waters” ruptured too early in pregnancy, and has labor started yet. 

Amniotic fluid is clear and does not have a bad smell. If mom notices a color to the fluid or a bad smell, then she needs to go to the hospital immediately. 

When mom notices a gush or trickle of fluid, and it is clear with no smell, then she should do three things:

1. Note the time
2. Empty bladder
3. Call healthcare provider

Mom’s healthcare provider might direct her to the hospital or tell her to labor at home if contractions have begun. 

The important thing is that baby is born within 12-18 hours after mom’s membranes have ruptured. This is to prevent baby from getting sick from bacteria migrating into the uterine body during these hours. Mom’s doctor might want to start mom on antibiotics if baby is not born within 12-18 hours of “rupture of membranes”.

I know this is a lot of information. You might be wondering what else you need to know about birth. I would love to go on this journey with you so that you are fully prepared and confident for birth.

Start by downloading my free workbook below. Talk to you soon!