The Two Week Wait
10 Questions To Ask Your Care Provider
Your Pregnancy Care Options
Common Symptoms in Early Pregnancy
Six things you may not know about the hours after a caesarean birth
What is Informed Choice?
How to Plan for Postpartum
A Quick Guide to Breastfeeding
Image by Hilary Walker Photography
Was that something? Is this it? That felt different! Oh, I think that might have been a contraction…
If you’re nearing the end of your pregnancy or you’ve gone past your estimated due date, chances are you’re thinking that every little twinge and symptom is a sure sign of imminent labour. There is no definitive answer as to when early labour will commence nor is there a predictable timeline to follow which can be really frustrating, especially if you’re wary of a looming induction. It’s for this reason that I really encourage you to surrender to the experience; early labour is as unpredictable as birth. The best thing you can do is embrace all the things that make you feel comfortable, happy and relaxed; doing so reduces stress and adrenaline which gives oxytocin – the key driver of contractions – the opportunity to flow and kick start labour. If you want some tips on how to pass the time, read my post on Zwischen (the last few days of pregnancy) – a very distinct time that often goes unrecognised.
It’s good to remember that early labour can often go on unnoticed for days as your body does all the subtle yet important work of preparing. Now is a good time to remember that your body knows exactly how to do this, you just need to sit back and trust the process. The following symptoms can definitely indicate that labour isn’t too far away:
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