If you're a first-time parent, knowing when you're ready to deliver a baby can be difficult. Every little stab of pain can make an expectant mother think she's ready to go into labor, as some of the classic pregnancy discomforts can be easily misinterpreted as labor signs. Fortunately, the true signs of labor are pretty concrete, and knowing just what these signs are can help you pinpoint when the time is right so that you can prepare to meet your new bundle of joy.
Belly Drops
One of the chief signs that your baby is on his way is the dropping of your belly, also referred to as "lightening." The website Sure Baby notes that this is a sign that your baby has moved into a position for birthing, and when combined with other signs, it may be a concrete sign that it is time to get to a hospital.
Mucous Plug Releases
As the cervix dilates, the mucous plug is released, often tinted with pink. A bright red discharge may be a sign of trouble, but a little bit of bloody mucous is just the sign that the plug has been released and your little one is on his way.
True Contractions
Many pregnant women experience Braxton-Hicks contractions, which are the body's way of preparing itself for full dilation, labor and delivery. Braxton-Hicks contractions can occur well before the actual labor begins, and are often a sign of false labor. They may come and go throughout the day. The website Parents reports that true labor pains never go away entirely until the baby is born. They get more frequent and harsh over time as delivery becomes nearer. When the contractions get to be 3 to 5 minutes apart, you can rest assured that your baby is nearing time for delivery.
Water Breaks
Although Hollywood often depicts the water breaking as something that happens when you least expect it, such as when you are work or in a movie theater, this is not often the case. The website Parents reports that as few as 8 percent of pregnant women actually experience water breaking before the contractions.
The water breaking is actually the release of amniotic fluid from your sac, and it is a sign that your baby is certainly on his way. Carol J. Grabowski M.D., of the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, says that about 80 percent of women go into labor within 12 hours of their amniotic sac rupture.
