Ways To Know You’re Going Into Labor
You’ve carried your child for nearly nine months and have begun wondering when the contractions will arrive. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know for sure. Even though your body begins to prepare weeks ahead of time, the inevitable usually comes as a surprise.
While there’s no timetable – other than the anticipated nine months – there are symptoms that herald your baby’s arrival. In this article, you’ll learn what to watch for, how to know whether you’re starting to go into labor, and when to call your doctor.
Watching For The Unpredictable
The closer you come to your due date, the more frequently you’ll notice Braxton Hicks contractions. They typically start after the sixth week of pregnancy, but becomes more pronounced as childbirth approaches. Eventually, they’ll start occurring every several minutes.
One of the effects of the Braxton Hicks contractions, especially as they happen more frequently, is a “loosening” of your cervix. As it starts to ripen – or dilate – labor becomes imminent. Also, three or four weeks before your water breaks, you might notice that your baby has “dropped.” You’ll feel less pressure near your ribs and more weight within your pelvis.
Another sign of your baby’s arrival is the passage of your mucus plug. The purpose of the mucus plug is to cover and protect the cervical canal. As your cervix ripens, the plug becomes detached and is vaginally discharged.
One of the last signs that you’re about to go into labor is the breaking of your water. Your baby is protected by an amniotic sac which is full of fluid. When that sac is ruptured, the fluid escapes vaginally. Contractions may begin before or soon after the rupture. If they don’t, your doctor may choose to induce them.
Has It Started Yet?
It’s important to realize that labor manifests differently for each woman. For some, the contractions may occur suddenly without warning. For others, they seem to be an ever-present symptom, slowly increasing in frequency, duration, and strength. In fact, some women are unable to identify when “true” labor has actually started.
Eventually, you’ll notice that the contractions are occurring every few minutes and seem to last longer. If they don’t stop, the arrival of your baby may be just around the corner.
When It’s Time To Contact Your Doctor
Your obstetrician will have already provided instructions regarding when to call. If your pregnancy has been free of complications, he or she may recommend that you call when your contractions have begun to last longer than a minute.
If you’re not certain about whether you’re going into true labor, call your doctor. His responsibilities include helping you decipher the signs. He’ll ask a few questions to understand the symptoms you’re noticing before recommending a trip to the hospital. Clear communication with your obstetrician is key. But, knowing the signs to look for is the first step to a smooth childbirth.
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