When your due date is approaching, each twinge or cramp may lead you to ask yourself, "Are these the signs that labour will be 24 to 48 hours away? " Expecting your baby naturally comes with curiosity and a mix of excitement and fear. Being able to see the mild physical and emotional changes your body undergoes at this time can make you feel more confident and prepared. Although each pregnancy is different, there are some signs that show your body is preparing for the day of delivery.
Knowing these signs can help you get prepared for labour seamlessly. This article aims to educate you on signs that indicate labour and when to immediately call your doctor.
During the last one to two days leading up to labour, your body makes extraordinary adjustments in anticipation of delivery. Hormonal changes, mainly the increase in oxytocin and prostaglandins, begin to induce uterine contractions and soften the cervix. This phenomenon, called cervical ripening, causes your cervix to become thinner and wider in preparation for the passage of the baby.
Baby's position also shifts. The head tends to move further into the pelvis, compressing the lower abdomen, one of the first indicators that your body is preparing for labour. A few women can have lower back pain, a feeling of pelvic heaviness, or an energy boost.
It's worth noting that these changes do not happen at the same rate for all women. While some might find that they have several of these symptoms close together, others might experience only a few before contractions begin.
The following are the most common alterations you might find 24–48 hours before labour:
You can feel your baby lower into your pelvis, relieving pressure on your lungs but putting it on your bladder. This movement positions the baby for delivery.
More Braxton Hicks Contractions
These "rehearsal contractions" can become more intense, more regular, and painful as your body readies itself for active labour. They will feel like menstrual cramps, but don't yet follow a predictable pattern.
Discharge of the Mucus Plug
You may see a thick, jelly-like discharge that is clear, pink, or a little bloody. This plug of mucus closes your cervix during pregnancy, and its discharge usually comes one to two days before actual labour.
Nesting Instinct
A strong desire to clean, cook, or organise your home is usual 24–48 hours prior to labour. It's your body's method of preparing mentally and physically for your baby's coming.
Diarrhoea or Loose Bowels
Your body automatically empties out the digestive tract to provide space for birth. Loose stools are usually an indicator that labour is on its way very soon.
Backache and Pelvic Pressure
As the baby drops lower, you may experience continuous backache or pressure in the pelvis. This could be because the position of the baby is compressing nerves and muscles.
Changes in Energy or Fatigue
Some people feel an unexpected burst of energy, while others feel unusually tired; both are normal as your body conserves strength for labour.
Fluid Leakage
You may experience a small trickle or gush of clear fluid, a sign your amniotic sac has ruptured. If this happens, contact your doctor immediately.
These signs show your body’s natural progression as it prepares for childbirth in the 24–48 hours before labour.
There are specific signs your body is getting ready for labour, and it has started:
You need to contact your doctor or visit the hospital if contractions are hurting and regular, if the waters break (especially if the water is green or brown), or if you experience reduced fetal movements.
Even if you're unsure, it's always best to contact your healthcare provider for guidance and reassurance.
The final days before labour can be both exciting and stressful. The following are some tips to stay ready and comfortable in the days leading up to labour:
Every pregnancy experience at Cloudnine is treated with personalised attention and sensitivity. State-of-the-art birthing rooms, state-of-the-art neonatal care, and round-the-clock available obstetricians assure expectant parents world-class treatment. Cloudnine also gives enormous stress to emotional comfort by means of prenatal workshops, lactation counselling, and guidance during labour, guaranteeing a safe, confident, and joyful birthing experience from conception until the time of birth.
Having an idea of the signs that labour will be 24 to 48 hours away makes you feel more in control during this exciting period. Not everyone has all the symptoms, however, and that is perfectly okay. The key is to stay alert, communicate with your healthcare providers, and heed your natural rhythm. Whether mild aches or powerful contractions, all these warning signs lead to the same wonderful outcome: greeting your baby soon. Stay relaxed, prepared, and embrace the process that lies ahead with confidence.
Increased pelvic pressure, mild cramps, backache, and possibly a loss of the mucus plug or frequent Braxton Hicks contractions.
Latent labour is light, imperceptible contractions that continue to dilate the cervix. Others experience back pain or pelvic heaviness rather than recognisable contractions.
Irregular contractions that cease with activity or fluids and minor backache without rhythm are typical false labour indicators.
Yes, although movement will possibly lessen during active contractions, babies usually keep moving right up to birth. If movements cease entirely, call the doctor immediately.
