I Think I Am Going Into Labor!

In spite of all the technological advances medicine and science has made, nobody truly knows what makes labor begin. Labor can be set off due to a combination of stimulus generated by the mother, the baby and the placenta or it can start due to the growing levels of the substances in the mother, similar to steroids and other biochemical substances produced by the baby. Since nobody knows exactly how labor begins, it is impossible to say how it will begin as well.

It is very common for the future mother not to know or be sure if she is really going into labor. Even women that are having their third or fourth baby don’t always know when they are going into labor.

Knowing When You Are Really Going Into Labor
You may experience some of the early symptoms of labor before the real work begins. Instead of being an indicator of real labor, these symptoms suggest that it can occur in the next days or weeks. Some women experience the symptoms for several days or weeks, while it only takes a few hours with some. Starting the work of labor is not as dramatic as it is shown in movies and the women almost always get to the hospital in time.

Being Aware Of The Changes Before Labor Begins
As the pregnancy reaches the end, there are certain changes that indicate that your body is preparing itself for the big event. You might notice all of the symptoms mentioned below or you may only notice some. Sometimes the changes become evident several weeks before labor, other times just a few days before.

• Blood spots. As changes start to occur in the neck of the matrix, it is possible you will expulse a discharge of mucus with blood from your vagina. The blood comes from little capillaries in the neck that have broken.

• Diarrhea. Generally a few days before the delivery, the body frees out a substance that will help the uterus to contract and that can cause diarrhea.

• When the baby lowers down and fits into place. In the case of women that are going to give birth for the first time, the fetus sometimes descends in the pelvis before the delivery. You may feel increased pressure on your vagina and puncturing that come from inside. You will also notice that your uterus has descended in the abdomen and that it is easier to breathe.

• Increase of Braxton-Hicks contractions. It is possible you will perceive an increase in the frequency and intensity of the Braxton-Hicks contractions. These can get uncomfortable, stronger and bothersome. Some women have very strong Braxton-Hicks contractions for several weeks before the beginning of the labor.

• Mucus flow. You might let out some mucus. During the pregnancy, this substance covers the neck of the matrix protecting the uterus from infections. As the necks start to erase and dilate in preparation for the delivery, this cover can fall off and come out.