Many pregnant individuals wonder about signs of approaching labor, and diarrhea often raises questions. This article explores the connection between diarrhea and labor, along with other common indicators of childbirth.
Diarrhea and Its Role in Approaching Labor
Diarrhea can be a sign of approaching labor for some, though it is not a universal indicator. This digestive change is linked to hormonal shifts, specifically an increase in prostaglandins. These hormone-like substances prepare the body for childbirth by softening and dilating the cervix. Prostaglandins can also stimulate gastrointestinal muscles, leading to increased bowel movements and looser stools.
Diarrhea might begin 24 to 48 hours before labor for some, while others may not experience it. This natural bowel clearing is thought to make more room in the pelvis for the baby’s descent. However, third-trimester diarrhea can also stem from dietary changes, mild stomach infections, or emotional stress. Therefore, while it can be an early sign, diarrhea alone is not a definitive signal of labor.
Other Common Signs of Labor
Beyond bowel changes, several other indicators signal imminent labor. One reliable sign is regular, strong contractions. True labor contractions become progressively longer, stronger, and closer together, unlike Braxton Hicks contractions which are irregular and subside with activity changes. These contractions cause discomfort radiating from the lower back to the abdomen and do not ease with movement.
Another sign is the rupture of membranes, known as “water breaking.” This occurs when the amniotic sac breaks, releasing amniotic fluid through the vagina. The fluid can be a sudden gush or a slow trickle, usually clear or pale, sometimes with a slight blood tinge. Water breaking is the first sign of labor in fewer than 15% of cases.
The “bloody show” indicates the cervix is changing for labor. This is the passage of a small amount of blood-tinged mucus from the vagina. It happens as the cervix softens, thins (effaces), and widens (dilates), causing tiny blood vessels to break and mix with the mucus plug. The bloody show can appear pink, red, or brown and may occur days or weeks before active labor, or at its onset.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Knowing when to contact a healthcare provider is important. If your water breaks, call your doctor or midwife, regardless of contractions. Note the fluid’s color and odor, as this information helps your care team.
Seek medical advice if contractions become regular, strong, and consistently closer. For first-time parents, this often means contractions lasting 45 to 60 seconds, occurring every 3 to 5 minutes for one to two hours. If you have given birth before, contact your provider when contractions are every 5 to 7 minutes. Any significant vaginal bleeding resembling a menstrual period, or a decrease in fetal movement, warrants immediate medical attention.