When you’re near your due date, knowing what to expect can feel overwhelming. While every pregnancy is different, your body will give you subtle hints that it’s getting ready to give birth. These signs can range from early clues in the weeks or days ahead of active labor to obvious changes in the hours before. It is good to know these common signals as well as when to reach out to your healthcare provider.
As you enter the final phase of pregnancy, it may feel like the baby has shifted lower in your belly. This is called “lightening”. When the baby’s head settles deep into your pelvis, your belly might look lower or feel lighter, but you might feel more pelvic pressure.
Many parents experience a sudden urge to get organized, clean the house, or prepare the baby’s room in late pregnancy. This “nesting” instinct is normal but doesn’t guarantee labor will start soon, but it often peaks in the last weeks.
Braxton Hicks “practice” contractions, which are usually painless tightenings of the uterus may start. These differ from real labor as they come and go without a clear pattern and often ease up when you rest or change position. You might also feel menstrual-like cramps in your lower belly or hips. These can signal that your cervix is softening or inching toward labor. In early labor, contractions or crampy feelings tend to be mild and may come and go over hours or days.
Some people feel a dull lower backache sometimes called “back labor” late in pregnancy. This can be due to the baby’s position or from hormonal changes loosening your joints. A little achiness can be normal, but if you have severe back pain or other symptoms, let your provider know.
Other clues include feeling more tired than usual or even have loose stools or diarrhea as labor nears. These happen because hormones released before labor can loosen your bowels. Fatigue is common in late pregnancy as you carry extra weight.
In the days leading up to labor, you might see more cervical mucus or discharge that might be clear, mucus-like or tinted brownish or pink. This ‘bloody show’ happens when the mucus “plug” that has sealed your cervix during pregnancy is loosening. Passing the mucus plug is a sign that the cervix is thinning (effacing) and beginning to open, but labor could still be hours or days away.
“This can happen gradually or all at once,” Becky Johnson, CNM, a Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife with West Tennessee Medical Group Women’s Health in Martin. “Some spotting is normal, however, any heavy bleeding (brighter red flow, like a menstrual period) is not and means to call your provider immediately.”
As you enter true labor, contractions become more regular, longer, and stronger. These can be intense, crampy waves or tightening of your entire belly. In active labor, contractions usually last about 60–90 seconds and come every 2–5 minutes. During early labor they may be farther apart and only mildly uncomfortable.
“A key difference from Braxton Hicks is that real contractions form a consistent pattern and don’t go away if you walk or rest,” said Johnson. “You can time them to see if the pattern is getting closer together by tracking the start and end of each contraction.”
The amniotic sac may rupture before or during labor. This can feel like a sudden gush or a slow trickle of warm fluid. If your water breaks, the fluid is usually clear or pale, possibly tinged with pink. Johnson recommends calling your care team even if contractions haven’t started, because labor often begins soon after. “If you’re unsure whether fluid is amniotic fluid or urine, it’s safer to call and check,” she says.
In addition to the mucus plug, you might notice a heavier or different discharge. It can be more watery or thicker and might turn slightly pink or brown just as labor starts. This is another normal change as the cervix changes. However, if the discharge has a strong odor or you have itching, mention it to your provider.
When active labor starts, contractions and other sensations really intensify. Strong, regular contractions that are unmistakable and last around a minute. You might feel them starting in your back and moving around to your front. Your belly will get hard during each contraction, then relax fully afterwards. Unlike earlier cramps, these won’t ease up with movement or rest and they quickly become intense. Many people also feel significant lower backache or pelvic pressure.
In active labor, the cervix dilates more quickly, and you may feel pressure or an urge to push as the baby moves down. This feels like very strong bearing-down or like you need to have a bowel movement. This means labor is advanced and you should already be in close contact with your provider.
Johnson says it’s always better to err on the side of caution. “Call anytime you’re worried or notice something unusual especially if your water breaks, you have a heavy flow or gush of bright red bleeding or your contractions are 5 minutes apart and last about a minute for at least an hour or are severe and don’t ease with rest,” she said. “Red flags that require an immediate call include if the baby’s movements have slowed or stopped, intense pain high in the abdomen, a headache or if you just feel that something isn’t right. And any sign of labor before 37 weeks.”
West Tennessee Healthcare’s Women’s Health providers can help you navigate this exciting time. With locations throughout the area, they have a provider that is close to home. To find one near you and make an appointment, click here.
