Women's Health & OBGYN of University Missouri-Columbia

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- Missouri OB/Gyn Associates - Missouri Perinatal Center - Missouri Center for Reproductive
   Medicine and Fertility - Missouri Center for Female Continence
   and Advanced Pelvic Surgery - Missouri Center for Gynecologic Oncology - Missouri OB/Gyn Associates Smiley
   Lane clinic

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Labor Process :

Nature has designed your body to carry, nourish and safely deliver your baby. Although every labor and birth is unique and no one can predict exactly what your individual labor will be like, or when it may begin, you will notice some signs, prior to the onset of labor, that are nature's way of telling you that labor is approaching.

For first-time mothers, it is common to be in very early labor and be sent home You may even make more than one trip to the hospital, feel disappointed and maybe even embarrassed.

The most common signs that labor may soon begin, include:

The baby "drops" or engages into the pelvis (called lightening.) Lightening may occur two to four weeks prior to labor in first-time mothers and often not until labor begins if you have had children

Your abdomen usually appears lower and more protruding

You may experience an ease in breathing, relief from heartburn and an ability to eat larger portions

Frequent bowel movements may be experienced within 48 hours of labor, cleansing the lower bowel in preparation for birth.

Increased vaginal discharge during the last few weeks of pregnancy as the body prepares for the passage of the baby through the birth canal.

Possible "bloody show" or the release of slightly brown, pink or blood-tinged mucus from effacement and dilation (the thinning and opening) of the cervix, causing the mucus plug to be released from the cervix.

A loss or leveling off of weight may be noticed in the last few days before labor begins. It is common to lose 1 to 3 lbs. of fluid before labor begins as a result of hormonal shifts.

Diarrhea or flu like symptoms. Indigestion, nausea, or vomiting are common a day or so before labor begins.

Mother just feels "different," not quite herself

Increased Braxton-Hicks contractions during the last weeks of pregnancy, which are "practice" contractions that prepare the uterus for labor and may cause some effacement and dilation (thinning and opening) of the cervix. These contractions do not ordinarily cause pain but may be sufficiently strong and regular to be confused with true labor. This is referred to as false labor.

Increased backache and sacroiliac (hip) discomfort; Increased awkwardness in walking; Increased frequency of urination; due to the lower position of the baby together with its greater size.

Some women notice a sudden burst of energy, sometimes called a "nesting instinct" approximately 24 to 48 hours before the start of labor. You may feel a strong desire to clean the house and prepare for the baby. Try not to tire yourself as nature gives you this extra energy to help you during labor. If you must be active, be careful not to overexert yourself!

The bag of water may break. Depending on the location of the break in the amniotic sac, the break can feel like a gush, or an uncontrolled trickle of fluid coming from the vagina.