10 Weird Things That Happen Before Labor

Your pregnancy is coming to an end. Congrats! Your three trimesters were quite a rollercoaster ride, filled with ups and downs. But it’s time to greet your little angel into the world soon.

 

But the fun isn’t over yet. There are plenty of loops that you need to get through before labor. Some are a little frustrating, others a little disgusting. But they’re all part of the pregnancy process.

 

Feeling nervous? Don’t worry! Being prepared can help you feel at ease when symptoms do come around. And we’re here to give you a rundown on what to expect on your big day. So strap in as we list 10 symptoms you can expect before delivery.

 

10 Weird Things that Happen Before Labor

1 You Have an Extreme Urge to Nest 

Do you suddenly want to change out all of your sheets at home? Or do you want to wash all of the brand new baby clothes for the third time? Don’t worry! You’re not going mad. You’re just experiencing a phenomenon called nesting.

 

Nesting is when that motherly instinct comes in preparation for the baby’s arrival. There’s no medical diagnosis behind the feeling of wanting to make your house feel more like home. However, nesting has been observed in plenty of soon-to-be moms, so don’t worry if you too have the drive to cook, clean, and organize.

 

2 You Can Finally Breathe Better! 

Do you feel like you could finally enjoy deep breathing again? Then it means your baby has dropped into a lower position. And because they’re no longer pressing on your diaphragm, you can feel less pressure when breathing. You will, however, feel pressure in your pelvis when your baby has dropped. 

 

3 But Then You Get Contractions. A LOT of Them 

Don’t start celebrating just yet because now you have to deal with contractions. Contractions are similar to menstrual cramps, and they get more intense as you get closer to giving birth.

 

You can experience something similar called Braxton Hicks Contractions or false labor pains. They’re milder in nature and don’t have a pattern. Some mothers start experiencing Braxton Hicks Contractions in their second or third trimesters, while others don’t. 

 

4 You Want to Go Number 1 More Often 

Remember when we talked about your baby dropping lower? Well, now the pressure is in your pelvic area. And do you know what else is in the pelvis? Your bladder.

 

You might have a stronger urge than before to go to the bathroom. Don’t hesitate to make the trip as it can relieve your bladder and prevent infections.

 

5 Oh, and Number 2 Too 

Here’s another reason why you want to use the toilet: diarrhea. Your body releases relaxin to help loosen joints and ligaments before labor. But relaxin also affects your rectal muscles and can make you go back to the bathroom repeatedly.

 

6 You Experience Cervical Dilation

Your cervix is busy preparing itself to push out a fetus. Dilation is when the cervix thins out so the baby can easily pass through the birth canal. A 2 or 3 cm dilation indicates that labor is on its way.

 

7 Say Goodbye to Your Mucus Plug

Mucus plug sounds pretty gross. But the mucus plug is a shield that protects your infant from bacteria. However, when it’s time for labor, the mucus plug gets dislodged and mixed in with the blood your cervix produces. This mucus and blood discharge is called a bloody show. 

 

Bloody shows aren’t something to be scared of. For healthy pregnant moms, a blood show is usually a tablespoon or two of red, brown, or pinkish discharge. Excess bleeding, though, is a sign of complication and will require medical intervention.

 

8 And Say Hello to Back Pains 

Another complication with your baby dropping into a lower position is back pain. You’ll feel a dull ache in your lower back and cramps in your pelvic and rectal areas. An American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology study found that 33% of women experience persistent lower back pain.

 

9 You Feel More Fatigue Than Usual 

With all these changes happening to your body, you might start feeling tired and worn out. Some women experience fatigue before labor. This is the perfect time to rest and regain energy.

 

10 And Just Like That: Your Water Breaks

And just when you think you can have a nap, your water breaks. The amniotic sac is what protects your baby while it’s inside the womb. However, when it’s time to labor, the sac ruptures and spills water. A water break can happen naturally or artificially.

 

What to Do When You’re Experiencing Labor Symptoms

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed while having contractions and back pains. However, you must stay calm when you’re near labor. Here are some things to remember before going to labor.

 

• Practice relaxation. Stressing out can make the pain worse. You can cope through controlled breathing, easy moving, and meditating.
• Have a hospital bag ready at all times. It should contain extra clothes, baby clothes, essential toiletries, slippers, and blankets.
• Talk to your doctor about pain relievers. Some hospitals suggest epidural anesthesia, while others suggest opioids.
• Get plenty of rest while you’re still at home. You might also want to use a warm compress or have a warm bath to lessen the pain.
• Look out for any red flags, such as excessive vaginal bleeding, severe pelvic pain, and fever.

 

Conclusion

Labor is no easy experience. (It’s called labor for a good reason.) Moms experience symptoms before labor, such as contractions, diarrhea, and vaginal discharge. Some symptoms are mild and annoying, while others are back-breakingly painful. 

 

But labor pains are a part of pregnancy and giving birth, and labor varies from mother to mother. You can mitigate the pain, though, through relaxation. Your doctor might also suggest pain-relieving methods. 

 

Pregnancy is a rollercoaster ride, and labor is the last drop to the finish line. While the most logical thing to do is to hold on for your dear life, understand that there are people around you every part of the way.