Labor Signs

Is it real or false labor?

False labor, also called Braxton Hicks contractions, is a painless tightening in the lower abdomen. You can start feeling these Braxton Hicks contractions in your second or third trimester of pregnancy, but they typically get stronger in the last month of pregnancy. They do not mean you are going into labor; it is just your body’s way of getting prepared. There are a few signs that differentiate true labor from false labor:

REAL Labor

FALSE Labor
  • Contractions are regular and come at increasingly shorter intervals and become longer and more intense.
  • Timing of the contractions are irregular and do not become more frequent or more intense.
  • Breaking of waters that result in a trickle or a gush of fluid. Contractions may start before or after.
  • Contractions stop during rest, when mother stops what she is doing, walking, or changing position.
  • Passing the mucus plug. Labor could still be a few days away, but it is coming.
  • Contractions are inconsistent in strength (strong one minute then weak the next).
  • Persistent pain in the lower back, especially if accompanied by a cramping, premenstrual feeling.
  • Location of pain is in the front only.

Is it real or false labor?

False labor, also called Braxton Hicks contractions, is a painless tightening in the lower abdomen. You can start feeling these Braxton Hicks contractions in your second or third trimester of pregnancy, but they typically get stronger in the last month of pregnancy. They do not mean you are going into labor; it is just your body’s way of getting prepared. There are a few signs that differentiate true labor from false labor:

REAL LaborFALSE Labor
Contractions are regular and come at increasingly shorter intervals and become longer and more intense.Timing of the contractions are irregular and do not become more frequent or more intense.
Breaking of waters that result in a trickle or a gush of fluid. Contractions may start before or after.Contractions stop during rest, when mother stops what she is doing, walking, or changing position.
Passing the mucus plug. Labor could still be a few days away, but it is coming.Contractions are inconsistent in strength (strong one minute then weak the next).
Persistent pain in the lower back, especially if accompanied by a cramping, premenstrual feeling.Location of pain is in the front only.

Signs that labor might be coming soon

Here are 12 signs that labor might be coming soon. You could still be a few weeks or a few days away from labor, but they do show things are moving in the right direction:

  1. ‘Lightening’ (2-3 weeks before) which means your baby drops and allows you to breath more deeply.
  2. Increased urge to urinate (more pressure on bladder).
  3. Decreased compression of stomach allowing increased food intake.
  4. Increase in Braxton-Hicks contractions.
  5. Weight loss of 0.5-1.0 kg (usually water).
  6. Increased backache.
  7. Increased pelvic pressure.
  8. Increased vaginal secretions.
  9. Diarrhea, nausea & vomiting.
  10. Sudden burst of energy (often 24-48 hours before labor).
  11. Softening & thinning of cervix.
  12. Loss of mucus plug.

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