As your due date grows nigh, you may find yourself looking for signs that your baby is ready to be born. Your doctor may notice physiological changes in your body that indicate that labor could start at any time. However, if you've kept in tune with your body during pregnancy, you may also notice tell-tale signs that your baby is ready to make his grand entrance into the world.
Changes in Cervix
The first signs that your baby is almost ready to be born may be spotted by your doctor or health care provider during a vaginal exam. According to MayoClinic.com, just prior to labor, your doctor notices softening or thinning of your cervix, which is also known as effacement or "ripening." A cervix that's 50 percent effaced is half of it's normal thickness; your cervix is 100 percent effaced right before you give birth. Gradual opening, or dilation, of your cervix is also monitored by your doctor. Dilation is measured in centimeters, from 0 to 10. Your cervix may remain dilated for only a few centimeters for days or weeks before labor starts, says MayoClinic.com.
Lightening
"Lightening" occurs when your baby's head drops deeper into your pelvis, says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG. You may feel as though you're carrying your baby lower in your belly anywhere between a few weeks to a few hours before your labor begins.
Rupture of Membranes
A hallmark sign that your baby is ready to be born is when your water breaks. This occurs when the amniotic sac that protects your baby in your uterus ruptures. Some women notice a sudden rush of fluid, while others experience a small trickle, says MayoClinic.com. Your water can break several hours before labor starts to any point during labor itself, says the ACOG.
During this time frame, you may also notice a stringy vaginal discharge tinged with blood or that's brownish in hue. This discharge, also called "bloody show," is the mucous plug that protected your cervix from infection during pregnancy. As your cervix dilates in preparation for labor, the plug is expelled. Call your health care provider if you think your water has broken or if you notice a change in vaginal discharge, advises MayoClinic.com.
False Labor
False labor can trick you into thinking you're in labor when you're really not. According to the Nation Women's Health Information Center, many first-time mothers assume that Braxton Hicks contractions--common during the last weeks of pregnancy--necessitate a trip to the hospital.
Braxton Hicks contractions can be jarring and sometimes painful; however, they don't occur at regular intervals. The center suggests timing your contractions using a watch or clock, noting how long the contractions last, as well as the length of time between them. Braxton Hicks contractions occur irregularly and eventually subside. However, contact your health care provider any time you think you may be in labor.
Signs of Labor
The onset of your labor is marked by contractions, which the ACOG describes as a regular pattern of cramps that can resemble a painful backache or menstrual cramping. Contractions are both strong and regular, increasing in intensity and occurring in regular intervals--such as every five or three minutes--and continue until your baby is born.
According to the National Women's Health Information Center, many women choose to spend most of the early stage of labor taking it easy at home, spending time with family and even eating, as this stage can be quite lengthy--anywhere between 12 to 19 hours. While you're resting at home, monitor your contractions and give your doctor updates. Your doctor will tell you when it's time to go to a hospital or birthing center.
