As your due date approaches, anticipation often arises, leading pregnant individuals to observe every subtle body change. Late pregnancy brings numerous physical shifts, prompting questions about normal discomforts versus signs of labor. Understanding these distinctions helps manage expectations and prepare for the next stage.
Increased Appetite and Labor Onset
Increased appetite is generally not a reliable indicator that labor is about to begin. While hunger fluctuations can occur during late pregnancy, these changes are often linked to broader physiological processes. Hormonal shifts throughout pregnancy, including those in the third trimester, can influence appetite. The body’s increased energy demands to support the growing fetus also contribute to a heightened need for calories.
Sometimes, the “nesting” instinct, a surge of energy some experience before labor, might lead to greater hunger. However, appetite commonly decreases in the third trimester as the growing baby puts pressure on internal organs, potentially causing discomfort or making large meals challenging. These appetite variations are part of the normal physiological adjustments of pregnancy and do not directly predict labor onset.
Recognizable Signs of Labor
True labor is characterized by specific, progressive signs of birth preparation. A key sign is regular, progressively stronger contractions. Unlike Braxton Hicks contractions, which are irregular and subside with movement or rest, true labor contractions become more frequent, last longer, and increase in intensity over time. These contractions typically start in the lower back and abdomen, feeling like strong menstrual cramps, and do not go away.
Another clear sign is the rupture of membranes, known as “water breaking.” This manifests as a sudden gush or slow trickle of amniotic fluid. While often depicted dramatically, note the fluid’s color and odor; clear or slightly pink fluid is typical, but green or brown fluid can indicate fetal distress and needs immediate medical attention.
The loss of the mucus plug, sometimes accompanied by a “bloody show,” signals cervical changes. The mucus plug, sealing the cervix during pregnancy, dislodges as the cervix softens, thins, and begins to open. This discharge may appear clear, pink, or streaked with a small amount of blood from tiny cervical capillaries.
While this indicates the body is preparing for labor, it does not mean labor is imminent; it can occur days or weeks before true labor. Other signs include increased back pain or pelvic pressure, and sometimes diarrhea or nausea. Not every individual experiences all signs, and the order in which they appear can vary.
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Knowing when to contact your healthcare provider is important once potential labor signs appear. If contractions become regular, strong, and consistently closer together, such as occurring every 5 minutes, lasting for 1 minute each, for at least an hour (often referred to as the 5-1-1 rule), it is time to call your provider or head to the hospital. For first-time parents, this might be when contractions are 3-5 minutes apart for an hour.
Contact your provider immediately if your water breaks, especially if the fluid is not clear, such as green or brown, which could indicate meconium. Any significant vaginal bleeding, distinct from the light spotting of bloody show, also warrants immediate medical attention. A decrease in fetal movement from the baby’s usual pattern is another serious concern that requires prompt evaluation by a healthcare professional. Any other concerning symptoms or uncertainties should always prompt a call to your healthcare provider.