11 Signs That Your Labor Is 24 To 48 Hours Away

Signs that your Labor is 24 to 48 hours away

Here are a few of the essential points to know when your labor is 24 to 48 hours away-

1. Braxton Hicks

   One of the most common symptoms of labor is Braxton hick which is a type of^[1] contraction.

   When your labor is near, you may face it difficult to differentiate between the different types of contractions.

   Braxton Hicks is a practice type of contraction that could feel like mild cramps.

   Here’s the science behind these cramps. When you face the Braxton Hicks contractions, your uterus tightens and hardens to prepare for the baby.

   Other than the Braxton Hicks contractions, you could also face cramps similar^[2] to menstruation.

   The period like cramps may come and then go over for a few hours. Once you face such cramps, it may be a signal that your labor is near.

2. Loss Of Mucus Plug

   The uterus of a female body is protected^[3] at its opening with the mucus plug.

   Hence, it is the mucus plug that may help^[4] to dodge any infection and bacteria from penetrating the uterus.

   However, a few days before your labor begins, this mucus plug can come out in the form of a blood-like discharge when you urinate.

   It could be a pink mixture of blood and hence is generally referred to as a bloody show.

   However, do not get afraid because the mucus plug is just a sign^[5] that your cervix is starting to open and the labor is near.

   Sometimes you could even confuse mucus plug with a gradual bloody flow that appears all week or so before your labor.

   However, it is only when you notice a blob of mucus while urinating that you should contact your doctor.

3. Diarrhea And Loose Stools

   Diarrhea is also a sign^[6] that your labor may be near and it might be time to meet your baby soon.

   Sometimes just days or hours before Labour starts, your body starts to adapt to this process. 

   Due to the same reason, hormones called^[7] prostaglandins are released into the body.

   The major function of this is to prepare your cervix for dilation due to uterine contractions.

   However, amplified levels of prostaglandins in your body could even incentivize your digestive system to contract and hence empty anything that is inside.

   Hence, no wonder why you could have diarrhea and lose bowel movements.

   Another reason for diarrhea is that when the labor is near, your body ensures that nothing gets in the way of your baby descending into the birth canal.

   Though diarrhea may be a common symptom of labor, you could always connect with your healthcare provider if you face stomach cramping along with it.

4. Weight Loss

   One of the most surprising symptoms which you may observe a day or two ago you go into labor is weight loss.

   You can face a massive weight loss of 1 to 3 pounds just a day or two before labor. There are two reasons behind this weight loss.

   First of all, frequent urination that leads^[8] to water loss could significantly reduce your weight.

   Frequent urination is because of the extra pressure exerted by your baby on the bladder as it descends downwards.

   Another reason for this weight loss could be the reduction^[9] in the amniotic fluid which surrounds the baby during the gestation period.

5. Water Breaking

   There is a clear misconception that water breaks just a few minutes before delivery, however, in reality, if your water breaks, then it could be a vivid symptom that your labor is 24 to 48 hours away.

   The major reason^[10] behind water breaking is because the amniotic sac that keeps the baby inside breaks and hence the amniotic fluid is released.

   This amniotic fluid is filled with the different hormones that can incentivize the start of your labor.

   When your water breaks, you may feel wetness in your underwear or a sudden gush of water.

   You can observe water breaking either all at once or in small amounts of fluids. The color of this water is generally pale yellow.

6. Cervical Dilation

   When your labor gets near, your cervix will start to dilate to prepare for the birth of your baby.

   This dilation process^[11] is quite gradual and can speed up as the labor gets nearer.

   You can observe the symptom of cervical dilation by getting a measurement of your cervix done by your doctor.

   During the right time of delivery, your cervix will be dilated to approx 10 centimeters.

   However, a day or two before labor, the cervix may be just two to three centimeters dilated.

   So when your cervix is 2 to 3 centimeters dilated, then it could be a clear sign that your labor is a day or two away.

7. Lower Back Pain

   When the contractions in your uterus become more intense and irregular, you may observe^[12] lower back pain which is also common during pregnancy. 

   However, this back pain may be difficult to differentiate from your regular pregnancy aches.

   Another reason behind the lower back pain a day or two before you go into labor is that your^[13] pelvic bones start to adapt when your baby drops further down into the pelvis.

   Generally, the lower back pain which you feel may come and go and cause discomfort.

   This shows that your Braxton Hicks are transforming into labor contractions because the baby is getting lower into the birth canal.

8. Baby Drop

   Another symptom indicating^[14] that your labor is approaching is once your baby has dropped into the lower pelvic cavity.

   This happens when you do not feel the baby pressing on your diaphragm and hence you can breathe easily.

   Since your baby has dropped into the pelvic cavity, the head of the little one may push on your bladder and hence increase the frequency of your urination.

9. Nausea

   Just a day or two before your labor, your body tends to adapt itself for delivery.

   One such method to adapt for labor is when your digestive system uses a lot of energy which is later used during labor.

   The fact that your digestive system must empty itself before giving birth to your child may also lead to^[15] nausea.

   Apart from this, the amplified levels of prostaglandin in your body may also result in nausea.

   Though nausea is a symptom of labor, it could be harmful when it comes along with vomiting, fever, or stomach cramps.

   In such conditions, you may have contracted a stomach virus and hence should consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

10. Changes Tn The vaginal Discharge

    You could observe changes in^[16] your vaginal discharge when your labor is near. These changes may appear even when your Mucus plug is still intact.

    The major change you may feel in the vagina discharge is that it might become thicker, stickier, and more watery than before.

    In rare situations, it could even turn a little pink.

11. Loose Joints

    When your body prepares for labor, a hormone referred to^[17] as Relaxin is released.

    This hormone could significantly result in loosening the ligaments that support your joints.

    Due to the same reason, you could feel as if your joints are cracking and are more flexible than usual.

    However, when your joints get loose and they could even result in diarrhea. This is a major side effect of relaxin because it relaxes the muscles of your rectum.