Curious about how labour will feel, how long it will last, or how to tell if it's the real thing or just a false alarm? These are some of the most common questions expectant mothers have as they near the end of pregnancy. The truth is, every woman’s experience with labour is different, and even the same woman can have very different labours with each pregnancy. This uncertainty makes it hard to predict exactly when labour will start or how it will feel.
However, being familiar with the typical signs of labour pain can help you feel more in control and better prepared. Recognising these signs can also guide you in deciding when to call your doctor, head to the hospital or birthing centre, and get ready to welcome your baby.
In this article, we’ll walk you through 14 common signs of labour pain to watch for.
Signs That Labour Is Weeks or Days Away
Early signs of labour pain, also known as pre-labour symptoms, can appear anywhere from a few weeks to just a couple of hours before active labour begins. While every pregnancy is different, here are some common signs to watch for:
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Baby Drops
If this is your first pregnancy, your baby may "drop" (a process known as lightening) a few weeks before labour begins. This means the baby descends into your pelvis in preparation for birth.
Lightening usually happens two to four weeks before delivery, though the timing can vary. Some women may not notice it at all, especially in subsequent pregnancies.
In many cases, this descent occurs closer to active labour. It’s a sign that your baby is getting into position, ideally head down and low, for delivery.
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Frequent Urination
You may notice increased waddling and more frequent trips to the bathroom, even more than earlier in the third trimester.
This happens because the baby’s lower position puts extra pressure on your bladder. Frequent urination is a common sign that labour may be approaching.
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Easier Breathing
Once your baby drops into the pelvis, the pressure on your diaphragm lessens. This can help you breathe more easily, something you might especially notice if you’ve been short of breath during late pregnancy.
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Increase in Discharge
Many women notice an increase in vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) throughout pregnancy. In the days or weeks leading up to labour pain, this discharge may increase further as your body prepares for the baby to pass through the birth canal.
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The Cervix Dilates
In preparation for labour, your cervix will begin to dilate (open) and efface (thin out), often in the days or weeks before birth.
Your doctor may check for cervical dilation and effacement during your third-trimester appointments. A fully dilated cervix measures 10 centimetres.
Every woman dilates at a different pace, so don’t be discouraged if progress is slow or hasn’t started yet.
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Cramps or Contractions
As labour approaches, you may feel mild cramps or tightening sensations in your abdomen. These may resemble menstrual cramps or a hardening of your uterus.
These are often Braxton Hicks contractions, also known as “false labour pain.” These uterine contractions during pregnancy tend to be irregular and milder than true labour contractions.
You may also feel pressure or cramping in your pelvic or lower rectal area. These sensations usually grow stronger and more frequent as labour nears.
READ: Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy
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Loose-Feeling Joints
The hormone relaxin, which helps your body prepare for childbirth, causes your ligaments to loosen during pregnancy. As labour approaches, your joints, particularly in the pelvic area, may start to loosen and relax.
This natural loosening helps your pelvis open to make room for the baby’s passage.
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Diarrhoea
As your due date gets closer, you may experience loose stools or mild diarrhoea. This is another effect of relaxin, which softens muscles throughout your body, including those in your bowels.
While uncomfortable, it’s completely normal. Just remember to stay hydrated.
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Weight Gain Slows or Stops
In the final weeks of pregnancy, weight gain often levels off. Some women may even lose a small amount of weight due to increased bathroom visits, decreased amniotic fluid, or slightly increased activity.
This change is normal and doesn’t affect your baby’s birth weight. However, not all women will experience a slowdown in weight gain, and some may notice increased swelling as their pregnancy nears its end.
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Fatigue or a Burst of Energy (Nesting Instinct)
As your due date approaches, you may struggle with sleep due to your growing belly and pressure on your bladder and other organs. This can lead to fatigue and the need for more rest. If possible, take naps to conserve your energy for labour.
On the flip side, some women experience a sudden burst of energy called the nesting instinct. This strong urge to clean, organise, and prepare for the baby is common but try not to overdo it. Use that energy wisely and rest when needed.
Signs You’re About to Go Into Labour
While the early signs of labour mentioned above show that your body is preparing for birth, experiencing the following symptoms usually means you have entered true labour. However, it’s always important to consult your doctor to be certain.
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Strong, Frequent Uterine Contractions
During labour, you’ll start having regular, intense uterine contractions that become increasingly frequent over time.
Your contractions will progress in three ways: they will grow stronger, last longer, and occur more often. Each contraction typically begins in your lower back and radiates to the front, down toward the groin.
Changing your activity or position won’t ease or stop these contractions. As labour progresses, you may find it difficult to walk or talk through the contractions.
READ: Your Guide to Natural Childbirth Classes
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Bloody Show
During pregnancy, your cervix stays closed and is sealed with a mucus plug that protects your uterus and baby from infection.
As labour approaches, the cervix softens, dilates, and thins out in preparation for birth. This causes the mucus plug to be released as a blob or runny smear.
Tiny blood vessels on the cervix may rupture during this process, mixing with the mucus and giving it a brownish (from old blood) or pink tint, known as the bloody show.
Not all women notice this because the plug can dislodge gradually. But if you do see the mucus plug or traces of it, it often means delivery is just days away.
READ: Why do some babies come early?
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Belly and Lower Back Pain
Back pain is common throughout pregnancy, but if your lower back pain intensifies or becomes localised, it might be a sign of back labour. This usually happens when the baby is head-down but facing forward.
Some women experience contractions that feel like back pain or pain radiating to and from their lower back. Severe back pain may indicate that labour is imminent, whether or not you’re experiencing back labour.
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Water Breaking
The dramatic “waterbreaking” scene often portrayed in movies isn’t usually the first sign of labour for most women.
Typically, amniotic fluid leakage or membrane rupture occurs after other labour pain symptoms have already begun. And it doesn’t always happen all at once, sometimes it begins as a slow trickle.
For many women, water breaking is one of the later signs of labour and only happens spontaneously in some cases. So it shouldn’t be relied upon as the only sign that labour has begun.
Conclusion
Labour is a unique experience for every woman, and it can be difficult to know exactly when it will begin or what it will feel like. By familiarising yourself with these 14 common signs of labour pain, you’ll be better equipped to recognise when your body is preparing for birth and when active labour may have started.
While these signs provide helpful guidance, it’s important to remember that every pregnancy and labour is different. If you’re ever uncertain or concerned, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or midwife. They’re ready to support and guide you.
Trust your body, listen to the signals it sends, and before long, you’ll hold your little one in your arms.
