As pregnancy nears its end, many individuals wonder what to expect as labor approaches. Changes in bowel movements are a common query and can signal impending labor for some, often as a natural part of the body’s preparation for birth.
Understanding Bowel Changes Before Labor
As the body readies itself for childbirth, hormonal shifts play a significant role in influencing various systems, including the digestive tract. An increase in prostaglandins, hormones that help soften the cervix and stimulate uterine contractions, can also affect the intestines. This hormonal influence often leads to increased bowel activity, resulting in looser or more frequent stools, sometimes described as diarrhea. This “clearing out” of the system is a natural mechanism, potentially making more space in the pelvis for the baby’s descent.
While diarrhea is a common experience for some in the days or hours before labor, it is not a universal sign. Some individuals might experience no noticeable change in bowel habits, or, conversely, may even encounter constipation. If increased bowel movements occur, staying well-hydrated is important to replace lost fluids. This digestive change, while sometimes uncomfortable, is a normal and harmless part of pre-labor.
Other Key Indicators of Impending Labor
Beyond changes in bowel movements, several other indicators can suggest labor is drawing near, appearing in various combinations and at different times for each individual. Contractions are a primary sign, distinguished from practice Braxton Hicks contractions by their increasing regularity, intensity, and duration. True labor contractions become progressively stronger and closer together, often lasting 30 to 70 seconds and occurring every 5 to 10 minutes. Unlike Braxton Hicks, real contractions do not subside with changes in activity or position.
Another sign is the loss of the mucus plug, a thick collection of mucus that seals the cervix during pregnancy. This plug, which can be clear, pink, or blood-tinged, may be expelled as the cervix begins to soften and dilate. While its loss indicates cervical changes, labor may still be hours, days, or even weeks away. The “bloody show,” a pink or reddish discharge, often accompanies the loss of the mucus plug as tiny blood vessels in the cervix rupture during dilation.
The rupture of membranes, commonly known as “water breaking,” is a more definitive sign of labor. This can manifest as a sudden gush of fluid or a slow, continuous trickle. Amniotic fluid is clear or pale yellow, odorless or slightly sweet, distinguishing it from urine. While often depicted as labor’s start, water breaking more frequently occurs during active labor, though it can happen beforehand.
“Lightening,” or the baby “dropping,” occurs when the baby descends deeper into the pelvis, preparing for birth. This shift can relieve pressure on the diaphragm, making breathing easier, but may increase pressure on the bladder, leading to more frequent urination. For first-time parents, lightening might happen weeks before labor, while in subsequent pregnancies, it may occur closer to or even during labor. Finally, some individuals experience a “nesting instinct,” a sudden burst of energy and intense urge to clean and organize. This instinct, though not universal, is a recognized psychological and physical preparation for the baby’s arrival.
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Knowing when to contact a healthcare provider is important as labor progresses or if concerns arise. Call your provider when contractions become regular, strong, and consistently spaced: every 5 minutes, lasting about 1 minute, for at least an hour. This guideline, sometimes referred to as the 5-1-1 rule, helps determine if labor is established.
Immediate contact with your healthcare provider is necessary if your water breaks, especially if the fluid is not clear or has a green or brown tint, which could indicate the baby has passed meconium. Any unusual vaginal bleeding, particularly bright red blood that is more than just a bloody show, warrants immediate medical attention. A decrease in fetal movement should also prompt a call to your provider. Additionally, seek medical advice for severe or persistent headaches, blurred vision, sudden swelling of the face, hands, or legs, or a fever. When in doubt about any symptoms, contacting your healthcare provider is always the best course of action.