The early Signs of labor

 Experts don't fully understand what triggers the onset of labor, and there's no way to predict exactly when it will start.

Look for these signs that your labor is far enough along to call your doctor. Your body actually starts preparing for labor up to a month before you give birth. You may be blissfully unaware of what's going on — or you may begin to notice new symptoms as your due date draws near.

Here are some things that may happen in the weeks or days before labor starts:

• Contractions
  Contractions are perhaps the most obvious element associated with labor. However, they may not be a reliable indicator of whether true labor has begun, especially in a first pregnancy. Women commonly experience Braxton-Hicks or false labor contractions in the weeks preceeding labor. As there are subtle differences between the two, it is critical to understand how to recognize a labor contraction from Braxton-Hicks to determine whether labor is immiment.
• Cervix Dilation
  Cervix dilatation is the opening of the cervix from 0 to 10cm, the point at which it is fully open in preparation for giving birth. But cervix dilation alone may not be the most reliable indicator of the onset of active labor.
• Lightening
  A lesser-known of the symptoms of impending birth, lightening during pregnancy occurs when the baby drops further down into the pelvis in preparation for birth. In first pregnancies, this can occur 2-4 weeks before labor begins. In subsequent births, it may not occur until after labor has officially begun.
• Losing the Mucus Plug
  Much misinformation surrounds the loss of mucus plug as an early labor sign. The mucus plug serves an important protective function during pregnancy, acting as a barrier between the cervical opening to prevent infection or transmission of bacteria into the uterus. As losing the mucus plug can occur all at once or over time, it cannot always be used as a reliable sign of labor.
• Bloody Show
  The the bloody show, while not often cited, may be the most accurate way to determine whether active labor has begun. Its presence signals that significant cervical changes may have taken place, indicating that labor may well be very close behind it.
• Cervix Effacement
  Cervix effacement, while less commonly mentioned in favor of cervix dilation, is actually a much more important factor in a first pregnancy. In first time mothers, the cervix must efface before it can dilate effectively, meaning the degree of cervical effacement seen prior to the onset of labor can be a predictor of a shorter labor as well as one of the more accurate signs of labor.
• Fetal Movement
  Feeling the baby move, while often the highlight of pregnancy, can also factor in as one of the early signs of labor. In the final weeks of pregnancy, subtle changes in fetal movement can provide insight into how soon the baby might arrive.
• Your baby "drops."
  If this is your first pregnancy, you may feel what's known as "lightening" a few weeks before labor starts. You might sense a heaviness in your pelvis as this happens and notice less pressure just below your ribcage, making it easier to catch your breath.