When it comes to pregnancy there are so many shoulds and should nots! As with everything and everyone, each pregnancy is different, so always discuss how you’re feeling toward the end of your pregnancy with your doctor if you feel like you are experiencing signs of labor!
While it can’t be exactly described how labor will feel for every woman, there are a few common signs to learn that will help you determine whether or not you’re in labor or may be soon.
According to What to Expect, there are four signs that indicate you are likely in labor. Those include:
These other signs are indications that you might be in early labor. And what is “early labor” per se? Well, according to What to Expect, signs of early labor could mean you are a month away from labor or just a few hours! Early signs of labor include:
Like Mamas Uncut previously reported, many pregnant women follow the “4-1-1 rule” to determine if they are in active labor or showing signs of labor. The “4-1-1 rule” suggests that you should head to the hospital when your contractions are regularly four minutes apart, with each contraction lasting one minute long. If this pattern lasts for at least one hour, it’s time to get to the hospital.
But what do contractions feel like? While Braxton Hick contractions can occur frequently and early in a pregnancy, labor contractions are much stronger.
Cleveland Clinic reports the labor contractions commonly feel like a discomfort or dull ache in your back and lower abdomen with the additional pressure in your pelvis. Some women have likened contractions to “strong menstrual cramps.”
