Signs of Labor

Delivery is defined as the expelling of the baby outside the womb after a pregnancy of approximately 38 to 42 weeks. Babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy are considered premature. Thanks to the advancements in medicine and technology, the chances of survival of a premature baby have also improved. Uterine contractions start during pregnancy. In the weeks close to labor, these contractions gain force. When these are painful, which happens infrequently, they are called Braxton-hicks contractions. 
Due to the changes in hormone levels 1-2 days before delivery, the body discharges to water, and loss of appetite is experienced. In this period, the expectant mother could lose 1 to 2 kg. Sometimes the energy accumulated in the body in preparation for labor is released on the days closer to delivery. Many pregnant women use this energy to clean the house, rearrange the furniture, etc. instead of preserving it for labor. Yet they will need this energy for delivery of their baby and using it randomly may lead to early fatigue and could cause difficult and prolonged labor. In some pregnant women, a few days before delivery or right at the start of it, the body could cause softening in the stools to clean out the bowels by a bout of diarrhea and gas. This is frequently observed and facilitates the work of the uterus. 
These signs show that the start of labor is close; however, all pregnant women may not experience or become aware of experiencing these symptoms. This is normal. 

SIGNS OF LABOR:

A so-called “bloody show”, which is a blood-tinged mucus discharge, points to the start of labor together with regular contractions (at certain time intervals) and the breaking of water. These signs are not in sequential order. They can appear in a different sequence in every woman and different pregnancies of the same woman. 

 Bloody Show: A gel-like mucus plug forms at the opening of the womb that remains closed all through pregnancy, to protect the uterus and baby against infections. This mucus plug is colloquially called the “Bloody Show”. The uterus softens with the contractions and pushes out this mucus. You don’t need to go to the hospital immediately after the mucus is dispelled; however, this shows that delivery is imminent. 

    
Breaking of Water: Amniotic fluid is not heavy and dense like the discharge but rather fluid like water. It is a light yellow color. It doesn’t form a layer-like discharge on your underwear. Therefore, it doesn’t resemble a leak of urine as a result of a sneeze or cough, and it has a unique smell. Moreover, it has a unique smell. After the amniotic sac breaks, there is a risk of infection for the mother and baby. When the water breaks or you suspect your water is breaking, you should promptly go to the hospital. Some women delay going to the hospital due to lack of labor pains even after their water breaks. This may cause the mother and baby to contract some diseases that are spread through germs. 

 Pain: The pain in the abdomen along with contractions in the womb is another sign of the start of labor. These pains, which are short and intense and felt infrequently in the beginning, increase in intensity and frequency as the labor progresses.