Pregnancy is an exciting phase, but you may be confused when you notice changes in your body during pregnancy. As your pregnancy ends, you may be nervous about your labor and childbirth. Any unusual discomfort or changes in your body may confuse you as a sign of labor. So, it is important to know about the signs and symptoms of labor during 36-40 weeks of pregnancy. Usually, you may notice signs of labor at 36 weeks of pregnancy. Here are some signs of labor at 36 weeks to 40 weeks.
Your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy. You may notice certain signs specific to your stage of pregnancy. Pregnant women notice many changes in their bodies towards the end of their pregnancy. Labor is nothing but your body’s natural process for childbirth. It is a sign that your body prepares for labor at 36 weeks. Hormonal and physical changes help us better understand the onset of labor. You may start to notice the following symptoms during 36-40 weeks of pregnancy. These are called labor signs during pregnancy.
Signs that indicate your labor is approaching may differ from one person to another. However, there are certain universal signs and symptoms of labor that you may notice between 36 and 40 weeks of pregnancy. Some have distinct signs of labor, while others do not have any signs. Here are the 36 weeks pregnant signs of labor you must watch for during pregnancy.
Cramping can be a sign of labor. You may experience cramping or contractions in your lower abdomen, which feels like a period cramp and moves towards your lower back and legs. It is nothing but the regular tightening of your uterus that intensifies over time.
Your baby changes its position so that it facilitates labor and childbirth. Usually, the baby faces your spine with the baby's head down so that it is easy to come out of the vaginal opening. Sometimes, your baby may not change its position and remain in the breech position, i.e., bottom-down position.
Headaches are common during pregnancy and can be a sign of other conditions that occur during pregnancy or labor. Hormones, dehydration and sleep issues can also be a cause of headaches during pregnancy.
You may notice vaginal discharge throughout your pregnancy. A sudden change in your vaginal discharge can be an evident sign of labor during pregnancy.
As your pregnancy ends, your baby may put extra pressure on the growing uterus, which slows down the blood flow in the lower part of your body. This may leave you feeling dizzy or even faint during 36 to 40 weeks of pregnancy.
Expecting moms experience this pain when their due date is fast approaching. This is mainly due to the extra pressure the baby puts on the pelvis. It is a sharp pain on the hip or groin that feels like burning or stinging pain. Weight gain during pregnancy and shift of centre gravity contributes to pelvic pain.
Your baby settles or goes down your pelvis just before labor. This is called lightning or baby-dropping, which is an evident labor symptom at 36 weeks. You may find walking difficult when your baby has dropped, or you may feel like carrying a bowling ball between your legs. Frequent urination is also due to lightning before labor.
Uterine contractions are a common sign of labor. It is similar to your menstrual cramps, but they occur at regular intervals. Labor contractions intensify with time.
This is a common labor sign where the mucus plug is discharged through your vagina before labor.
The amniotic sac is a fluid membrane that surrounds your baby in the womb. The rupture of this sac leads to a water break which is a sudden gush of fluid leaking through the vagina.
Expectant mothers are full of energy and get involved in planning for childbirth. This is a natural sign that they are going into labor.
Your joints and bones loosen as your labor approaches. This helps your body stretch and prepare for labor.
You may also experience emotional signs, including anxiety, irritability and impatience towards the end of your pregnancy.
When you are nearing labor, you must do the following to reduce stress during childbirth.
● Pack your hospital bag
● You must be aware of the things to do when the labor starts
● Take a warm shower
● Take ample rest
● Massage your back and feet
● Consume easily digested food
● Stay hydrated
You must immediately visit your doctor when you notice the following
● Water breaks
● Regular contractions
● Bleeding or spotting
● Less baby movement
● Intense contractions
● Bloody show
Pregnant women may feel confused when nearing labor around 36-40 weeks of pregnancy. It is common to misinterpret certain changes in their body to be signs of labor. They must be aware of the things to expect when they are nearing labor. This helps them to cope with labor and childbirth without fear.
It is a normal sign of labor during pregnancy. When the baby drops, it enters your pelvis, putting additional pressure on your pelvic region. This may make it difficult for you to walk. You may also feel like holding a bowling ball between your legs when your baby drops.
Yes, it is normal to experience labor signs at 36 weeks. Your baby is fully developed at 36 weeks, so you may notice labor signs at 36 weeks, which is normal.
You can identify water breaks when a sudden gush of fluid escapes out of your vagina.
Braxton Hicks are also called false labor contractions. You can differentiate between real labor contractions and Braxton hicks with the help of some key differences, namely, real labor contractions occur at regular intervals, whereas Braxton hicks contraction occurs irregularly. The intensity of the Braxton hick contract remains the same, whereas real labor contractions intensity increases.
