Do you recognize the weird signs of labor below? Perhaps not.
For the last 9 months or so, you’ve been getting ready for your baby’s arrival. But what you may not know is that there are actually many less known but odd labor signs that are fairly common.
Spotting (also known as the “bloody show”), contractions, dilation and water breaking down are all common signs of labor. And when they happen, you’re probably already on the way to the hospital or on a call with your obstetrician at the very least.
Navigation
Weird Signs of Labor
Did you know that not all labor signs are obvious? We’ve rounded up these odd signs of labor to help you know if your little bundle of joy is arriving soon.
Labored Breathing
When you’re pregnant, you get used to huffing and puffing. Even a walk to the bathroom can leave you out of breath. Did you know that this so-called “labored breathing” may suddenly stop at the end of pregnancy?
The reason why breathing is easier at this time is that your baby has descended into the pelvis, in a process known as “lightening”.
Your baby’s making all your organs squish together, often making it difficult for you to breathe. As your child is close to being born, you’ll finally be able to breathe freely. That’s a good thing as you’ll probably need lots of fresh air to get ready for all the “pushing” you’ll do soon. Exaggerated? You’ll see…
Mood Swings
Have your mood swings increased lately, and you’re on an emotional rollercoaster? Or have you snapped at your family members as of late? If so, then it might be that you’re about to experience labor.
The moodiness you might feel before labor very much resembles that moodiness you feel during PMS. If you’re feeling particularly low during the last weeks of pregnancy, cheer up because this will soon be over. You’ll soon be holding your baby in your arms – joy and happiness will replace that glumness.
Just explain to your loved ones that you don’t mean to get snappy, it’s just part of being pregnant. They will surely understand and give you the support you need during the last days of your pregnancy.
Diarrhea
Your body naturally tries to remove anything in your bowel just before labor. And by emptying your bowel, it creates more space for your baby to move. Don’t even worry about going on number two while giving birth, it’s normal. Moms giving birth just can’t help it, and we assure you that you won’t even care about it! All nurses are used to this and will subtly clean it up even before you know it. ????
If you’re still worried, (who wouldn’t – it’s a bit embarrassing!) we strongly recommend refraining from eating anything that will make your body scream “bathroom!” just minutes before you have to give birth. You especially won’t want that to happen while your screaming like a banshee, crying and pleading for your baby to finally come out.
Loss of Appetite
Pregnancy is one big rollercoaster. Perhaps you spent trimester 1 trying to limit your food intake, thanks to morning sickness. Your appetite then more than likely went up during trimester 2 and 3. This is good news as you’ll just want to savor all of your favorite food (the ones you’re allowed to eat while you’re pregnant).
Unfortunately, your lack of appetite on your first trimester may return just before you get into labor. If this happens, you may soon be in labor. To help your stomach, you can eat crackers, broths and other light treats. You’ll want to ensure that your body has enough energy to completely win this challenge!
Nesting
While most pregnant women engage in some nesting of sorts in the last few weeks of pregnancy, this can intensify a few days before the actual due date. If you start cleaning anything you see for some reason, then it’s best to start preparing everything to ensure you have all that you’ll need for labor.
Weight Loss
During pregnancy, you kept fat and water to protect your body and help your developing kid.
As hormones change in the final weeks of pregnancy, you may release a little of that stored fat and all the water weight. Plus, you may have a reduced appetite due to a nauseous tummy and your rather huge baby squeezing your stomach, so much that it can’t hold much food anymore.
When your weight drops at the end of trimester 3, you can expect your labor to start soon. Of course, not everyone experiences weight loss or weight gain during pregnancy. It’s a well-known fact that weight differences in expecting moms still depend on their preferences, discipline, or beliefs.
Dreams of Labor
Perhaps you’re hoping to catch enough sleep before one of the most important days of your life arrives but that’s often not the case.
From being extremely uncomfortable in late pregnancy to the worries you might have about becoming a mother (again or for the first time) and the joy of the imminent arrival of your baby, it can be difficult to drift off. And when you fall asleep, you may actually have very intense and realistic dreams about labor. So do yourself a favor, stop or don’t even think about reading or watching videos about actual footage of childbirth. You’ll just needlessly scare the wits out of you!
Are you having any weird signs of labor now?
As you get closer and closer to your due date, remember that these weird signs of labor could be a warning sign that your little angel is coming home soon. Never assume though. These signs may be similar to most, but not everyone goes through the same thing. It’s still best to check with your doctor, especially if your baby’s moving a lot more than usual. They’ll understand if you’re persistently checking every now and then. You wouldn’t want to get too many false alarms – that’ll be mentally and physically exhausting for everyone! ????
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some signs that labor is nearing?
Here are the odd signs of labor to help you know if your little bundle of joy is arriving soon:
- Labored Breathing
- Mood Swings
- Diarrhea
- Loss of Appetite
- Nesting
- Weight Loss
- Dreams of Labor
Is exhaustion a sign of labor coming?
To some, yes. But others claim that they experience the opposite. Honestly, most pregnant moms are easily exhausted no matter which trimester they are in. So we really can’t rely on exhaustion as a sign that your labor is coming.
What were your first labor signs?
Aside from the ones listed above, I also experienced the following:
- Back pain that’s getting worse as time goes by
- Belly cramps, commonly known as small contractions
- Difficulty on breathing (not the same as heavy or labored breathing)
- Extreme eagerness to walk around
- Spotting
Do you get more emotional before labor?
Definitely! You and the people around you wouldn’t understand why your emotion’s all over the place, especially if your expected due date’s still weeks away. Most people call it “emotional” because most pregnant women whose about to go into labor can become a totally different person every time you blink. So just a piece of advice: tell your loved ones to blink very, VERY slowly… ???? Kidding aside, it will all pass. It’s just one of those precious moments that you’ll fondly reminisce years later.