Early signs of labour

As baby’s due date arrives, then passes, most mums become desperate to see those first signs of labour. These may occur as much as a week before baby actually arrives, but are still a clear indication that baby is on her way! So what early signs of labour could you experience? A show: This is the name given to the mucus plug discharge which will be released from the neck of your cervix. It could be streaked with blood, could be in blobby bits, or a perfectly shaped plug. While losing the mucous plug is one of the first signs of labour it doesn’t necessarily mean baby will arrive soon. It could be days or even a week or more before full labour is underway. Nesting: This is the name given to a sudden rush of energy which prompts you to start cleaning or rearranging the nursery or entire house! It is thought this is a purely primal instinct – also carried out by animals and birds – which goes back to a time when cleaning the surroundings would be vital for a safe childbirth. Braxton Hicks contractions: Sudden “practice” contractions of the uterus which often fool mums into rushing to hospital thinking they are in labour. If you are unsure, your midwife can examine you to see if your cervix is showing signs of softening and dilating and is indeed one of your early signs of labour. Actual contractions: Some mums go straight into contraction mode! These real contractions will be more frequent, rhythmic, stronger and longer than Braxton Hicks. And they will build in intensity. Waters breaking: The rupture of the membranes surrounding baby may occur naturally (according to the movies at some highly inappropriate moment). In truth the waters breaking is not a common early sign of labour and it may only be an almost unnoticeable trickle. For the majority of mums the waters are broken by the midwife during labour. If your waters break before labour starts, phone your midwife for advice. Amniotic fluid protects your baby so without it she is no longer protected and there is an increased risk of infection. The urge to poo: The urge to go to the toilet can be caused by baby’s head pressing in mum’s bowel as she moves lower down to be born. Some women complain of an aching back in the early stages of labour too. Other early signs of labour: Some women experience diarrhoea, nausea and even vomiting in the early stages. If you think you are in labour call your midwife who can talk you through your symptoms and will make a judgement on whether you need to be examined or not.