It's quite natural to be curious and anxious about what will happen when your due date approaches. For the first time mothers, your mind will be completely engaged in recognizing the signs of actual labor. You will get a mixed feeling of relief that it's going to get over; happiness that your baby is soon to arrive; and sadness that you no longer will be pampered as in your pregnancy days!

Labor signs vary in each woman. The following are the typical signs that tell you it's time to head to the hospital:

Regular Contractions

When actual labor begins, you will feel contractions similar to tightening of your abdominal muscles, a dull pain or force on your back or lower pelvis. During this time, you might feel your baby slip down into your pelvis. This is called "engagement", as your baby has positioned itself to be ready to come out. Doctors also call it "lightening", as your baby's new position implies that you now have more room to digest food and breathe! With time, you will feel the contractions more regular and with intense pain. It feels as if someone is tightening a belt around your back, and it spreads in a circle underneath your baby. As your labor advances, the contractions occur more frequently and last longer.

Bloody Discharge

The mucous plug, which covers the top of your vagina and protects against infection, dislodges before the beginning of contractions. Hence, you will find thick discharge with blood in your panties. However, this may not always be the sign of true labor. It can be many days before actual labor starts. In some cases, the contractions start before the dislodging of the mucous plug.

Breaking of Water Bag

Around 20 per cent of women experience the rupturing of amniotic bag due to the pressure exerted by the baby's head. It leads to the leaking of fluid before labor. You will find a clear and watery discharge from the vagina. It either trickles gently or gushes out. You may lose about 2 pints of fluid. You will have to rush to the hospital because it poses a risk of infection or a disruption of oxygen supply to your baby. Also, there's a probability of your umbilical cord moving into the birth canal.

Other Signs

Other symptoms of labor are diarrhea, nausea, and backache. In some cases, women feel a sort of tightening the entire day before the commencement of labor. This indicates that the cervix is ripening and shrinking slowly or your baby is probably positioned with her back to your back and it rotates to get ready to enter into the world.