When you get close to your due date you’ll likely start wondering how you’ll actually know that you’re in labor.
Every mama does, especially if it’s your first time. While every birth is different from one woman to the next, there are some clear signs of labor that you may start to notice.
These signs can tell you how close you actually are, or they can give you a close guess.
Let’s discuss the labor symptoms that will tell you if your babe is coming in the next few days.
Afraid of Childbirth?
Read This: How To Really Take The Fear Out Of Childbirth
Also, this is a must-read:
How to get through Postpartum pain without crying And 25 Pregnancy Side Effects No One Tells You About
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15 Early Signs Of Labour Approaching
The Baby Drops
If you notice that your belly has suddenly gotten lower and you feel a lot more pressure in your pelvis then your baby has dropped.
This a really good indicator that your babe will be arriving really soon.
This process is also known as lightening and It happens when the baby’s head literally drops lower into your pelvis, becoming engaged within your pubic bones.
Regular Contractions
This is the most obvious indicator that your babe is on her way but some contractions can be so mild you barely notice at first.
Pay close attention to your body and the way you feel.
If you notice your abdominal region tightening in a regularly timed way and feel some slight discomfort then heavy labor could be right around your corner.
These are different from Braxton Hixx Contractions that occur in a really random way.
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Diarrhea
This is a big one. If you suddenly get Diarrhea at the very end near your due date then your labor could be coming soon.
Even within 48 hours ( though every woman varies ). This occurs because of the release of hormones called prostaglandins.
Having the runs a day or two before labor starts is the body’s way of emptying the bowels to allow the uterus to contract efficiently.
This is also good if you’re worrying about pooping on the table. You still may go some but if you have diarrhea several days beforehand it shouldn’t be as much.
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Water Breaks
Yep. When Your water breaks it’s a sure-fire sign that your babe is due to arrive the next day. It can be a leak or a gush with blood.
This doesn’t happen for all women though. Many times the water doesn’t break until right before the baby is born or the doc may even need to break it.
My point is if you think you’re in progressive labor don’t wait around for your water to break, that could be a big mistake.
Lower back pain and cramping
Dull pain in the back that comes and goes can definitely be a sign of labor pain. It may be mild at first and get worse and consistent or barely noticeable.
Bloody Discharge
You might notice a thick, pinkish, or blood-streaked discharge right before your labor starts.
This is the mucus plug that sealed your cervix during pregnancy.
It often appears just a few days before labor begins, although it’s not always noticeable. But sometimes it is. I didn’t have my mucus plug show with my first two pregnancies.
But with my third, It came suddenly and there was a HUGE amount of blood. I mean like I’m having a heavy period type of flow.
It scared me to death but it turned out that everything was fine and my baby was born within the next 24 hours.
So don’t panic if it’s a ton of blood, it doesn’t always mean something’s wrong. But definitely get in touch with the doc and go to the hospital.
Cervix Dilates
If you go to the doc and they tell your cervix is well on its way, then the baby could be close. You can help your cervix dilate faster by doing the things below:
- Walking a lot
- stretch your hips and bounce gently on a Birth Ball
- Do Gentle Exercises
- Relax with Warm Showers
- Stimulate Your Nipples
- Have an Orgasm ( or several 😉 )
Effacement
Effacement is similar to your cervix dilating.
Effacement means that the cervix stretches and gets thinner.
Dilatation means that the cervix opens. Both help prepare your body for giving birth to your child.
The more effaced and dilated you are, the closer you are to meeting your babe.
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Nesting instinct
This urge to clean and organize is known as nesting.
Nesting during pregnancy is the overwhelming desire to get your home ready for your new baby.
The nesting instinct is strongest in the later weeks coming upon delivery.
It is an old wives’ tale that once nesting urges begin, labor could be coming soon. So get everything done that you can because he’s on his way!
Vaginal Discharge Changes Color And Consistency
This can happen even before your Mucus plug comes out. Discharge can get heavy and darker. It’s icky but it’s a good sign to watch for.
This is a sign that labor is approaching.
Joints Loosen
Your hips and pelvis may suddenly feel a lot looser right before you go into labor.
It’s a strange feeling but it’s caused by hormones that are suddenly released before your labor starts.
You may feel like your joints have progressively loosened through pregnancy but right before labor, it seems really obvious and you can feel the change.
Nausea
Many women feel nauseous about a day or so before labor actually begins. Again, this is due to heavy hormonal changes going through your body.
Skin Outbreak
Your skin can go ballistic right before you have your babe and once again it’s due to the tidal wave of hormones inside of you.
It will pass once your baby is born.
A Headache
Some women have terrible hormonal headaches right before they go into labor.
If this happens to you just take some Tylenol and take solace in knowing your baby is on her way.
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Dizziness
You may feel very dizzy in the last couple of days before your baby is born.
The main cause of dizziness in pregnancy is due to the rising hormones that cause your blood vessels to relax and widen.
This helps increase the blood flow to your baby, but it slows the return of the blood in the veins to you.
So watch out for this and stand up slowly so that you don’t fall. So these are the signs your baby will be arriving soon.
If you have several chances are you’ll be in labor and meeting your babe before you know it.
Exciting right? I wish you all the luck in the world during your special time! Enjoy!
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Pregnancy is an amazing and special time during any mama’s life, but it can also surprise the heck out of you. It can be messy and downright crazy.
You know the basics of what to expect like morning sickness, tiredness, and swelling but there are some other not so talked about side effects to being pregnant and that’s what will dive into today. So let’s get to it. Have You Taken a prenatal birth course yet? Well if not here’s the best online option that you can take and have done in about 3 hours. It’s created by labor nurses and you can take it at your own pace.
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Side Effects Of Pregnancy Know One Talks About
Orgasms While Sleeping
Let’s start with my favorite one! Many women have orgasms while sleeping during pregnancy. It’s very common and it happened to me all throughout my three pregnancies. FUN Right?! Sweet dreams mama!
Discharge
You’ll have lots of discharge usually beginning at the 6-week mark. Often so much that you need to wear panty liners. You’ll be leaking a lot, so keep a big stash with you at all times. This 300-pack is cheap and convenient.
Some Bleeding
Speaking of Pantyliners, you may need them for bleeding too. Some bleeding in pregnancy can be normal. I know it’s super scary but most of the time when a woman bleeds, everything’s ok.
If you have heavy bleeding, however, you should contact your doc immediately.
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Headaches
Headaches are a side effect of the huge hormonal fluctuations that women have during pregnancy and depending on your history with headaches they can be brutal.
Luckily Tylenol is safe during pregnancy but always talk to your doctor first.
Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? Get $330 Worth Of Gear! I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
Constipation
Not Being Able to poop is another crappy pregnancy symptom that’s no fun. Your doc may prescribe some Miralax or something to help give your body a gentle push in the right direction.
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Hot Flashes
We’ve all heard of hot flashes during menopause, but did you know they’re very common during pregnancy too? I would be freezing one minute and feel like I was on fire the next. It’s pretty intense.
This happens because of the hormonal rollercoaster your body is going through while your babe grows. All you can do is push through it, and open a window, even if there is snow on the ground outside.
Yucky Breath
Having bad breath is part of being pregnant and it’s not fun. You’ll have a metallic taste in your mouth non-stop for 9 months. Sort of tastes like pennies. All you can do is brush often and use mouthwash. Good luck with that.
Dizzy Spells
Dizziness is another annoying side effect of being preggers. Some mornings you may wake up and feel like your world is spinning.
Or if you’ve sat for a while and you stand up it can happen. This is known as orthostatic hypotension and it’s caused by changes in your blood pressure. Just make sure you get up slowly and consider that you may feel dizzy so you don’t fall or faint.
All Day Sickness
Morning Sickness? Ha! Many who suffer from nausea have to deal with it all day long, and sometimes at night too. This was one of my first main pregnancy symptoms. I woke up every night around week five to go to the bathroom and when I would stand up I would feel a bit queasy. I just knew I was pregnant and I was.
Serious Food Aversions
What makes morning { All Day } sickness worse? Not wanting to eat because everything tastes like onions to you.
Food aversion is a pregnancy problem that you don’t hear about too often but it’s a huge issue. You feel constant nausea and you know the only thing that can really help is eating a good meal but everything seems so gross to you. It really sucks.
Varicose Veins You Know Where
Some women get varicose veins in their vagina area during their third trimester. It can be really alarming to wake up one morning to feel strange pressure and itching, only to check yourself and find that your lady parts are purple with giant veins that are 5 times the normal size.
This happened to me during my third pregnancy and it scared the heck out of me! It just happened all of a sudden and it was really uncomfortable. The good news is that this condition almost always corrects itself right after you have the baby.
In some instances, when it doesn’t go away on its own, you may need surgery, but this is extremely rare.
Stuffy Nose
A stuffy nose is also a common issue. Your nose can feel completely plugged up, yet you cannot use any really good medication to remedy this because it’s not considered safe.
What you can do is this:
- Drink plenty of hydrating fluids.
- Elevate your head with extra pillows when you lie down to rest or sleep.
- Take a warm shower and linger in the steamy bathroom. …
- Try saline nose drops or saline nasal spray, available over the counter at drugstores.
I always ended up sleeping sitting up by the third trimester. It was the only way I could breathe and be comfy. I’d use a bunch of pillows to prop myself up. It wasn’t that easy but it was better than feeling like I was suffocating.
You’ll be Gassy
When You’re preggers your digestion will slow down to a snail’s pace. This happens so that your body can squeeze every ounce of nutrition from the food you’re eating.
In turn, you’ll have a lot of excess gas. Yuck, but it’s just one of those things that comes with the territory.
Snoring
Snoring is just part of it all. It happens to most pregnant women, at least by the end if not sooner. Many pregnant women start snoring because of nasal congestion, and the increase in abdominal girth causes the uterus to press on the diaphragm. Sitting up or elevated while sleeping can help a little.
Nose Bleeds
Nose Bleeds are common during pregnancy. They happen because you have tiny blood vessels inside your nose and the increased blood volume can sometimes damage those blood vessels and cause them to burst, resulting in a nosebleed. Changes in your hormones during pregnancy can also contribute to nosebleeds. They’re not fun but for some women, it’s just part of the pregnancy life.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are no fun. They hurt, itch, and burn and if you’re pregnant then you’ll likely get them too.
As your unborn baby grows, your uterus gets bigger and begins to press against your pelvis. This growth puts a lot of pressure on the veins near your anus and rectum, and these veins may become swollen and painful as a result. This is what causes hemorrhoids.
Luckily you can find some relief with a good cream and a donut cushion {that you can use when you have postpartum pain too} will be a lifesaver.
Leaking When You Sneeze Or Laugh
That’s right. You’re gonna pee yourself. Those muscles have a lot of pressure down there and sometimes they just can’t take it. When you sneeze or laugh hard the sudden movement can squeeze out urine.
All you can do is practice doing Kegels to help control the problem. Yet another reason why to have that panty liner stockpile.
Your skin may get bumpy and rashy
Your skin can become very reactive during your special time. From Pimples to yeast infections and mystery bumps, the list goes on. It’s just the way pregnancy treats us. All those hormones really turn your system upside down.
Luckily this too shall pass… once you have your babe.
Big O’l Nipples
Yes, your nipples are going to get bigger. Like SO MUCH bigger. This happens so that your babe can easily see and find the nipple during breastfeeding. It can be alarming but they go back to normal after childbirth and breastfeeding.
Feet Get Bigger
Your feet may get larger while pregnant and it may be permanent. It didn’t happen to me during my first two pregnancies but it did in my last.
A pregnant body produces the hormone relaxin, which causes your pelvic ligaments and joints to loosen, and also relaxes the ligaments in your feet, allowing the bones to separate a bit. This is why they get wider during and after pregnancy. But hey, it’s a good excuse to buy new shoes, right?
Hip Pain
Your hips may ache later in your pregnancy, especially at night. You may also feel stretching in your abdomen when you lay on your side, even early in pregnancy. This is the ligaments stretching and it can be painful and surprising.
Bringing your legs up to your chest for a few moments can relieve the muscle spasm in the ligaments.
More body Hair
You may start to grow some hair on your face during pregnancy. Many women often grow it on their bellies too. It’s pretty strange but it should go away after your babe is born. It’s just another side effect of all those hormones.
Gross Skin Tags
This one is so annoying. Many pregnant women get a lot of new skin tags during this time. Especially around their breasts and armpits. It’s really unpleasant but they also usually go away afterward.
If they don’t you can have them removed at your dermatologist for cheap or even use a wart remover.
Pooping On The Table
Yes, there will be poop and there’s not much you can do about it. I’ve read the articles online about how to NOT poop on the table during labor but I’m here to tell ya that you’re going to poop.
You use the same muscles to push and the pushing is so vigorous that some of what is in your bowels WILL be expelled. Sorry.
But your docs and nurses have seen it all and if you’re worried about your husband, boyfriend or partner seeing you then maybe have them stay up top with you till the baby actually crowns. There still may be poop even at that point but it’s much less likely so there’s less of a chance of them seeing.
But you know, I’m going to guess that they already know that you poop just like them so it’s all good.
You May Get Anal Fissures
And.. Last but not least you have Anal Fissures! Many women get constipated during pregnancy and they get hard stools. This will cause anal fissures which are terrible little tears around your anus.
They will bleed and it can be quite painful. You can reduce the issue by keeping hydrated and taking a stool softener. You can reduce the pain locally when having a bowel movement by putting some vaseline around your anus to soften and lubricate.
So there’s your list of not so talked about pregnancy side effects. Many are uncomfortable, and some are gross but hey mama, you’ll have a sweet bundle of joy by the end, so it’s totally worth it. Enjoy!
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Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients for our health and development and support the functioning of nearly every aspect of our bodies. Of the Omega-3s acids EPA and DHA are two of the most beneficial – together they’re responsible for a number of unique health benefits. EPA supports the heart, immune system, and inflammatory response, while DHA supports the brain, eyes, and central nervous system. The catch? Omega-3s can’t be synthesized by our body and instead must be obtained through dietary means. (Cue frantic googling.)
Have you taken a prenatal course yet? Well, you can take one online that teaches you everything you need to know in about 3 hours at a great price. Here’s the most highly rated course online today.
Unfortunately for most Americans, our western diets are intrinsically low in Omega-3s. In fact, the majority of us don’t consume enough DHA or EPA and should seek some form of supplementation.
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Omega-3s and pregnancy
This imbalance is particularly true for pregnant women. Because Omega-3s must be derived from a dietary source the fetus uses any omega-3 consumed by the mother to support its development in the womb. As a result, pregnant women are much more susceptible to omega-3 deficiency. Why is this important for expectant moms? Below are the three main reasons.
Number 1: Preterm Pregnancy Health
Research has linked insufficient levels of omega-3 in pregnant women to premature birth, increased risk of preeclampsia, and low birth weight in newborns. A study conducted in the Faroe Islands, where women consume a high intake of marine omega-3, compared their gestation period and newborn birth weight to that of pregnant women in Denmark.
Number 2: Fetal Development
EPA and DHA are critical to fetal development. Studies have shown that DHA supports the healthy growth of the central nervous system as well as the brain and retina development of the baby during the mother’s third trimester. Animal studies have shown that omega-3 deficiency during pregnancy is linked to both visual and behavioral deficits that cannot be reversed post-birth. Emily Oken, a researcher from Harvard University, closely tracked the benefits of omega-3 consumption during pregnancy. After monitoring the fish intake of hundreds of pregnant women, she evaluated the verbal IQ of their children when they turned 3. Adequate omega-3 intake during pregnancy was consistently associated with higher scores.
Number 3: Perinatal And Postpartum Depression
Omega-3 is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that has been shown to decrease levels of cytokine production. Cytokines are a type of inflammatory protein that exists in elevated levels within people who suffer from depression.
Pregnant women are often understandably reluctant to take antidepressant medication while pregnant or breastfeeding – a natural solution may be to increase their intake of omega-3 to help reduce postpartum symptoms.
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So where can I get Omega-3s?
Fatty fish are an excellent source of omega-3s and, up until now, eating fish has widely been considered to be the optimal way to consume this essential nutrient. Many pregnant women in the United States, however, don’t eat much, if any, fish during their pregnancy for fear it might contain toxic levels of mercury or other ocean contaminants. (Not to mention the population of vegan mothers that won’t ever consume fish.) The FDA has similarly recommended that pregnant women limit their intake of fish to 2 servings per week because it may contain toxins harmful to the development of the fetus. As a result, most expecting mothers don’t ingest an adequate amount of omega-3s. It’s therefore been recommended that pregnant women augment their omega-3 intake through daily supplementation.
While supplementing with fish oil might seem like a good solution, fish oil is derived from the same fish women are cautioned to avoid because of possible heavy metal contamination. On top of that, fish oil supplements are often processed using artificial ingredients that may potentially harm the mother and child (like hexane, for example). By supplementing omega-3 intake with algae oil, however, pregnant women can confidently and safely consume the recommended amount of both EPA and DHA without any ocean toxins. After all, fish get their omega-3s from algae in the first place.
You can Find Algae Oil and many other amazing supplements at Ora Organics. Just do a search for Algae Oil and you’ll find what you’re looking for. You can get %10 off with the code THISLITTLENEST10. You can get to Ora Organics through this link.
As you can see, Omega-3s are very important but you need the purest product available while pregnant.
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