We all know how the early signs of labour unfold in movies; usually with the mum-to-be's waters breaking at the least opportune moment, at which point she's whisked off to hospital and emerges shortly after, fresh-faced, with child.
But needless to say, this isn't how it always happens in real life. While waters breaking and contractions are typical signs labour is approaching, there are some slightly more surprising (and subtle, we should add) indications that you're about to give birth.
To find out exactly what the early labour signs are, we spoke to Liz Halliday, Deputy Head of Midwifery at Private Midwives, and Beth Kitt, NHS midwife and founder of The Bump to Baby Chapter.
Mucus plug
"The show, or operculum, is the mucus plug that seals your cervix internally," expert Halliday explains. "And as your cervix softens and prepares for labour, the show can come away and you might find it when you visit the toilet. It might come away in small clear bits or it could be streaked with blood and be quite stringy," she adds.
But, don't assume the arrival of the show means the birth will definitely be imminent. "The mucus plug, commonly known as 'the show' can appear just before labour starts to a couple of weeks before," points out Kitt. " Most commonly it appears a day or two prior to labour."
Tummy troubles
Did you know that nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea can all be signs of labour starting? "It is common for women to report loose stools in their early labour," says Kitt. "As the uterus starts to contract, the bowels can become irritated, resulting in loose stools. Some women notice their loose stools first and then clock on to the cramps that have started."
That's not all. As Halliday points out, "as your hormones rise, your body clears itself out." But, she stresses: "If you’re unable to keep down fluids, are experiencing symptoms for over 24 hours or have a temperature, call your maternity care provider for advice."
Lower back pain
Contractions don't always start in the abdomen. "Some women experience early contractions as a lower back ache or aching legs," says Halliday. "A TENS machine (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine) can be helpful to ease these sensations while you wait for labour to start," she adds.
If you haven't got a TENS machine, Kitt says there's a few home-remedies you can give a try instead. "Leaning forward in the shower and having the water run on your back can be really soothing," she advises. "Otherwise, using a hot water bottle can be helpful."
As for what causes lower back pain, Kitt points out this can be down to the way your baby is positioned. "When a baby is back to back (meaning the back of baby is running against your back and baby is facing your belly button) often women feel their contractions in their back," she tells us. "The best thing to do with back labour is to be off your back and leaning forward, for example over the back of a sofa. This will help baby turn away from your back to a more optimum position for labour."
Nesting
"Women can have a sudden urge to get everything ready for baby to arrive in the lead up to labour," says Kitt. "You might find yourself reorganising baby's drawers, cleaning the back of the cupboards or getting all your paperwork in order."
But, the expert stresses that she's not convinced this is always a sign of early labour. "I think it is actually something that can help labour start," she suggests. "Often women have things in their mind that they’d like to be done before baby comes. I think it’s ticking off these jobs that tells your body you’re now ready to give birth."
A change in your pet
They're wise old things, domestic animals. And, according to Halliday, "Pets often seem to know when a baby is coming and will have a distinct change in behaviour. A cuddly pet might suddenly leave you alone, whereas a pet who has been a bit stand-offish during pregnancy might be found constantly at your side." If you think about this too much, it could really start to weird you out. How do they know?!
Feeling emotional
We all know pregnancy isn't an easy ride where emotions are concerned, but Halliday suggests paying special attention to how you're feeling in the later stages of pregnancy, if you want an indication of when you might be about to give birth. "As hormones rise in preparation for labour, women might experience an emotional response which can manifest in tears, anger or simply feeling down," notes Halliday. "This is perfectly normal and can often be helped with a bit of TLC. However, if a low mood is ongoing, do call your maternity health care provider for advice."
How to prepare for labour
While preparing for your baby's arrival can be an incredibly exciting time, it can also trigger feelings of anxiety. To combat this, Kitt advises that: "There are lots of things that you can do to help have a better birth and stack the odds in your favour for birth going the way you want. Equally, there are things that you can do to stay calm when things may be deviating from the plan."
If you're feeling nervous about labour, Kitt says the best course of action is to learn as much as you can about your options, and "get some techniques in your toolbox to help you cope with contractions but also if birth goes off plan".
And of course, for advice about anything at all, consult your doctor or midwife.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Jade Biggs (she/her) is Cosmopolitan UK's Features Writer, covering everything from breaking news and latest royal gossip, to the health and fitness trends taking over your TikTok feed. She also works on first-person features and investigative long-reads, taking a deep-dive into mental health, celebrity culture and women's rights. Jade has been a journalist and content writer for ten years, and has interviewed leading researchers and doctors, high-profile influencers and fitness experts. She is a cat mum to four fur babies and is obsessed with Drag Race, bottomless brunches and wearing clothes only suitable for Bratz dolls. Follow her on Instagram or Twitter.
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