What Are The Signs Of Labor?

Mucus Discharge

Another hallmark sign of labor is mucus discharge. Throughout the pregnancy, your cervix will become plugged by mucus. As the cervix opens wider to allow the baby to be delivered, the plug becomes dislodged and discharged into your vagina. The appearance ranges from case to case, though the discharge will typically be pink, clear, or a little bloody. Some blood in the discharge is normal and not cause for alarm. One thing to note is the mucus will sometimes be discharged even when the woman is not in true labor yet. While it most often accompanies the opening of the cervix, some women may experience discharge one to two weeks before discharging the plug. If you've experienced mucus discharge, call your healthcare provider. When combined with other signs of labor, this is a good reason to head to the emergency room.

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Baby Drops

One key sign the body is preparing to go into labor is the feeling the baby has dropped. Not only will women feel this in their belly, but there will be such a physical shift that it may be noticeable to others as well. The woman's stomach will look like it's lower. Baby dropping is also called 'lightening.' This phenomenon occurs when the unborn baby goes through a literal 'drop' from the belly into the pelvis. The baby is then engaged with the pubic bones rather than nesting above everything. As soon as the baby drops, it's a sign it's time for the baby to exit the womb. This isn't always a sign labor is immediately around the corner though. Some women even experience this several weeks before the actual beginning of labor. For others, though, the dropping happens just hours before the start of labor. Some women also don't feel the drop until after other signs of labor start.

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