Before labor starts, there are often some symptoms that indicate impending labor, such as irregular uterine contractions, a feeling of the fetus descending, and a small amount of bloody vaginal discharge.
1. Irregular uterine contractions, before labor starts, due to the increased sensitivity of the uterine myometrium, irregular uterine contractions will occur, manifested as inconsistent frequency of contractions, shorter duration, and lack of regularity. They usually appear at night and disappear in the morning, and are not accompanied by shortening of the cervical canal or dilatation of the cervical opening.
2. Sense of descent of the fetus, after the fetus has entered the pelvis, the bottom of the uterus is obviously lowered, and the pressure of the uterus on the surrounding tissues and organs disappears, so that the pregnant woman will have an obvious sense of relaxation, such as breathing more smoothly, and the amount of food and drink increases. However, the descending prenatal part may press on the bladder, resulting in frequent urination symptoms.
3. Seeing red, usually within 24 to 48 hours before labor is initiated, a small amount of bleeding occurs due to the separation of the fetal membranes near the endocervical os and the uterine wall in that area, resulting in the rupture of capillaries. The blood mixes with the mucus in the cervical canal and is discharged as a light red mucus, commonly known as seeing red, which is a more reliable sign that labor is about to begin.
If you experience any of these symptoms in late pregnancy, it is recommended that you go to the hospital for a checkup for labor.