As you near the end of your pregnancy, your excitement is probably reaching its peak. And it’s easy to wonder if every unusual sensation in your body is a sign that the big day is right around the corner.

The signs and symptoms of labor are unique for just about every mom-to-be. But as you get closer to welcoming your little one, it helps to be prepared and know what physical symptoms to expect and when.

So, how do you tell if you’re in labor? Below, we’ll go over some symptoms that labor is coming soon but hasn’t started yet. And we’ll provide some tell-tale signs that it’s time to grab your bags – because labor is about to begin.

Signs that labor is coming soon but hasn’t started yet

A normal pregnancy lasts about 37-42 weeks from the date of your last period. So once you enter the last month of your pregnancy, your body is starting to gear up for the main event. The following changes don’t necessarily mean it’s time to go to the hospital, but they are signs that the big day is approaching:

Dilation and other cervical changes

Some of the biggest changes your body goes through before labor may be identified during cervical exams. As you get closer to labor, your cervix can start to soften and efface (get thinner). These changes allow your cervix to then dilate (open and grow wider), which will be necessary to deliver your baby.

Starting around week 36, your doctor or midwife may check for changes to your cervix and the position of your baby. It’s important to remember that these changes progress differently for everyone. Progress might start slowly and then increase rapidly just before labor, or vice versa.

It’s also normal to begin labor and not have a lot of changes yet. Once labor truly begins, your cervix will continue to dilate until you reach 10 centimeters, which is considered fully dilated – and means you’re ready to start delivering.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Braxton Hicks are mild contractions that happen irregularly and become more common in the third trimester of pregnancy. You might experience Braxton Hicks contractions well before other signs of approaching labor show up. They tend to become stronger and more frequent as you get closer to your due date. But is this cramping a sign of labor? Not in the same way that regular contractions are (we’ll get to that below), and not everyone notices Braxton Hicks contractions.

Aches, pains and looser joints

Throughout your pregnancy, the hormone relaxin will loosen the ligaments in your body, particularly those in your pelvis. This will help your body stretch and flex during delivery, but you may feel discomfort or pain in your pelvic area. As your due day approaches, it’s also common to feel a bit wobbly, particularly in your hips and lower back. This is because the muscles around your joints now need to work harder to keep those areas stable.

Stomach issues

Stomach trouble is common throughout pregnancy. After all, your baby is still growing and competing for space with everything else in your abdomen. As a result, you may experience indigestion and heartburn. But for many people, these issues often begin several weeks before their due date and tend to come and go as they get closer to delivery.

Stomach troubles may intensify late in your third trimester, leading you to wonder if labor is approaching. Around 24-48 hours before labor begins, you may experience a bout of diarrhea and nausea, but not everyone has these symptoms of labor.

Lightening

As mentioned above, one of the things that doctors may check for during cervical exams is the position of the baby. This is in part because as you get closer to your due date, your baby will most likely settle into your pelvic area, which is referred to as the baby “dropping” or lightening.

Lightening often takes place 2-4 weeks before labor for first-time parents. If you have given birth before, you may not experience lightening until much closer to labor.

Your baby’s new position may put added pressure on your pelvis and bladder. So while you may already be used to frequent urination as a pregnancy symptom, even more frequent urination is a potential sign of labor to come.

However, lightening sometimes makes it feel easier to breathe. And it could also reduce heartburn thanks to less pressure on the stomach and organs.

Nesting instincts

Many mothers-to-be experience a burst of energy in the weeks before they deliver and an urge to get things done along with it. The science isn’t clear on why, but there are theories that it could be instinct or the result of peaking estrogen.

Whatever their cause, these “nesting instincts” may take the form of planning for labor, organizing or cleaning the house, and doing other activities that help prepare for the baby’s arrival. If you experience this, just be sure not to spend all your energy on it. You’re going to want as much energy as possible going into labor.

The first signs that labor may be starting

While signs that labor is approaching can vary a lot from person to person, some of the signs that you’re actually going into labor tend to be more universal. It’s helpful to know what some of these signs are before you go into labor, so you know what to look for when it happens. Some signs of true labor include:

You start to experience real contractions

Uterine contractions are your body’s way of getting your baby into position so you can push the baby out. The first stage of labor is generally defined as when you start experiencing true contractions.

What do contractions feel like?

Early labor contractions are mild and irregular, lasting for hours or days. But as you progress towards active labor, true contractions become more intense. They’re often compared to menstrual cramps or the severe gut pain that might be related to gas or an intestinal issue.

One of the main ways to tell true contractions apart from Braxton Hicks contractions is that normal contractions happen at regular intervals that become more frequent over time. You can track your contraction intervals either by using an app or phone, or by using a stopwatch and paper to chart the start time and duration of each contraction.

False labor vs. real labor

These key differences can help you tell when to go to the hospital for contractions.

You feel consistent pain in your belly and lower back

Many people experience some back pain throughout pregnancy as their baby grows and their bodies change. But once labor contractions have truly begun, it’s not uncommon to start feeling pain or cramping in your lower back. Pain can move in waves from your back to your front.

“Back labor” pain

For some, back pain that is extremely intense and uncomfortable during labor is often called back labor. In many cases, back labor may be connected to your baby’s positioning. Your baby’s head may be putting pressure on the lower back, particularly the tailbone and spine.

You lose your mucus plug and experience “bloody show”

What does losing your mucus plug mean? The mucus plug is a protective accumulation of mucus in the opening of the cervix, and as your cervix dilates, this “plug” may be passed into the vagina and discharged before labor starts.

Vaginal discharge containing this mucus may be thicker and have a pink or red color to it – this is due to bleeding from the cervix as it changes. When mucus and blood are discharged together, it’s referred to as “bloody show.” It’s worth noting that the mucus plug is often lost in the days leading up to labor, but it can also happen earlier or later depending on when you actually start to dilate and efface.

Your water breaks

During pregnancy, your baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid, which helps protect them from bacteria. Around the beginning of labor, the sac containing this fluid often ruptures. This can take the form of a sudden gush or a slow trickle of fluid from your vagina, but it isn’t always obvious. So if you suspect that your water may have broken, call your care team or head to the hospital. It may take contractions or your baby applying pressure before your water breaks.

What to watch for: Signs of preterm labor

Labor is considered preterm if it starts three or more weeks before your due date. If you haven’t reached week 37 and you believe that you may be experiencing signs that labor is starting, or you experience any symptoms for more than an hour, call your care team immediately.

Some common signs and symptoms of early labor can include:

• Regular or frequent contractions that occur eight or more times in an hour, even after you have had a glass of water and you’re resting – contractions may or may not feel painful
• A backache that starts and stops regularly
• An increase or change in vaginal discharge, such as being heavy, mucus-like, watery or bloody
• Your water breaks

When to go to the hospital if you’re in labor

The most common signs that it’s time to go to the hospital are water breaking or regular contractions that are five minutes apart for at least an hour (if it’s your first baby). If you’re experiencing labor pains or any other labor symptoms, contact your doctor to see if it’s time to head to the hospital – especially if you live farther away from the hospital or this is not your first baby.

Labor is yours alone. Listen to your body and don’t be afraid to go to the hospital early if you have any concerns. And in the meantime, if you have any planning left to do, we’re here to help.