In first time moms this can happen up to 6 weeks prior to the birth, though not always and frequently not until well into labor. Usually moms will notice that they can breathe a bit more easily, heartburn may temporarily abate, though the trade off is more frequent trips to the bathroom. This is simply the baby settling into the pelvis in preparation for its birthday!
Nesting
This is where you get a burst of energy and feel like cleaning your house or washing all of the baby's clothes. I can't say it's not a sign of impending labor, but it's not a reliable sign. It's also one you can trick yourself into. Just ask me about that part, I actually hung 14 windows of plastic wrap and did the heat application to seal the windows for winter in my ninth month, hoping it would put me into labor!
Contractions
Unlike the Braxton Hicks Contractions you've had previously you may have periods of contractions that do change your cervical dilation and effacement, but stop without warning. This is why we tell women to use these practice bouts for just that purpose. What can you do to make life more comfortable during contractions? What happens when you change position? Which relaxation techniques work best at this point?
Other Prelabor Signs
- Loose Stools
- An upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Slight increase in blood pressure
What was your first sign of labor?
