What to look for as your body prepares for birth
Try the Labor Probability Calculator
Enter your due date to see your personalized odds
You can't predict exactly when labor will start. But your body sends signals as it prepares. These signs show up weeks, days, or hours beforehand.
Lightening (Baby Drops)
2-4 WEEKS BEFORE
Baby moves lower into your pelvis. Breathing gets easier but your bladder gets more pressure. First-time mothers tend to notice this earlier.
Braxton Hicks Intensify
WEEKS BEFORE
These 'practice contractions' get more frequent and stronger. Unlike real labor, they're irregular and stop when you change position or rest.
Nesting Instinct
DAYS TO WEEKS BEFORE
A sudden urge to clean, organize, and prep the house. No scientific proof it predicts timing, but many women report this burst of energy before birth.
Mucus Plug / Bloody Show
HOURS TO DAYS BEFORE
A thick, sometimes blood-tinged discharge as your cervix dilates. Should be pink or light red. Bright red bleeding? Call your provider immediately.
Water Breaking
ANY TIME
Your amniotic sac ruptures. Can be a gush or slow trickle. Only about 15% of women have their water break before contractions start. Contact your provider when it happens.
Regular Contractions
ACTIVE LABOR
True contractions are regular, get stronger over time, and don't stop when you move. Usually start 15-20 minutes apart, then get closer.
Lower Back Pain
HOURS TO DAYS BEFORE
Persistent, dull lower back pain in waves. Different from the usual late-pregnancy backache—this often signals labor is close.
Loose Stools
24-48 HOURS BEFORE
Prostaglandins ripen your cervix and can also affect your bowels. This natural 'clear-out' often happens a day or two before labor.
IMPORTANT
Every pregnancy is different. Some women see many signs over weeks. Others have few warnings before labor starts suddenly. These signs help you prepare -- they don't tell you exactly when.
Contact your healthcare provider or go to the hospital if:
• Contractions are 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, for 1 hour (5-1-1 rule)
• Your water breaks (note the time, color, and odor)
• You have bright red bleeding
• You notice decreased fetal movement
• You have severe headache, vision changes, or sudden swelling
Try the Labor Probability Calculator
Enter your due date to see your personalized odds
RELATED GUIDES