5 signs that you are going into labour

Preparing for a baby’s delivery may raise various doubts in one’s mind about labour, with most of the early signs being vague and misinterpreted. You could misinterpret cramps or real contractions for the after effects of a great and appetizing dinner you had last night and a trickle of fluid of the water breaking for a leakage of urine caused by the weight of a 7 pound baby on your full bladder. It would be right to say here that the signs of labour are not clear-cut.

Here are 5 signs to show that you are going into labour and need to go to the hospital:

1. Your water breaks:

This does not happen suddenly as depicted in movies; only 8% of the women experience breaks in the amniotic fluid before they start having regular contractions. In most cases when the water actually breaks there is just a small trickle, with the baby’s head preventing further leakage.

The indication that labour is just around the corner is when the sac ruptures; 80% of the women go into labour within 12 hours. In its absence there is a risk of infection and labour is induced once the amniotic sac is ruptured.

2.  You experience strong and regular contractions:

There is a need here to distinguish between practice contractions or Braxton Hicks that occur in the last few weeks of pregnancy and actual contractions.  Braxton Hicks are neither regular nor strong and go away automatically; they are triggered more by dehydration or hunger and stop when once one eats or drinks something.

True labour pains get intense and frequent over time; what starts off as an overall cramp feeling progresses into distinct contractions that occurs once in 10, then 8, then 5 and then 3 minutes. You would experience contractions as a tight band that starts in your back and radiates across the front of your belly.

3.  A discharge would be noticed:

During pregnancy nature’s way of protecting the unborn child from infection lies in the cervix being closed and plugged with mucus. The progress of labour finds the cervix dilating, dislodging whatever is accumulated and softening for delivery of the baby; the mucus that is about a teaspoon dispels as a blob or runny smear. This also causes the blood vessels around the cervix to tear and discharge blood known as the bloody show. Occurring a few hours, days or even weeks before, it signifies that the cervix is changing.

4.  You may get diarrhea:

Your body releases a hormone like substance known as prostaglandins that contracts the uterus and softens and dilates the cervix in the early part of labour;  prostaglandins  hyper-stimulates the bowels and causes frequent stools and even diarrhea.  

5.  Your back aches and pains:

Most pregnant women experience back aches; when it becomes worse you are experiencing back labour. Back labour or constant pain that radiates to the abdomen, but is mostly concentrated in the back is experienced in every 1 out of 3 pregnant women when the baby’s skull is hitting against the mother’s spine. Normally as a baby descends the birth canal, its face presses against the mom's spine; however excruciating back pain is a sure sign that you are going to deliver a bonny baby.

Hope you have a comfortable labour and the delight of a happy child.  

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