Signs of labour: photos

Suddenly feeling very tearful or moody can be a subtle sign that your labour is beginning to start. Moodiness is caused by the changing levels of hormones in your body as it prepares to give birth.

Are you finding it hard to sleep? Disturbed nights and a restless feeling can sometimes be signs that your labour is getting closer. Try to get as much rest as you can and lie down for a nap during the day. You will need your strength for when labour really does start!

Feeling a sudden urge to clean and tidy your home can be a sign of approaching labour. You may find yourself tidying rooms and getting all the left-over housework done. This is called 'nesting' because it is similar to a bird filling and cushioning her nest, ready for her chicks.

If you feel the need to get things done, now is the perfect time to cook and freeze meals ready for after the birth. Make sure that you don't do too much though, your body needs some rest in the run up to labour.

You may notice tummy pain in the very early stages of labour. It can feel a little like period pain and you may have cramps. To ease it, try putting a hot water bottle across your tummy.

In pre-labour or early labour, you may notice a persistent back pain.

A hot water bottle, or a warm (not hot) bath, may help to soothe it while you wait for your labour to progress. A gentle massage from your partner may also help you to relax.

An upset tummy or loose bowels can be a sign that your labour is imminent. It shows that your body is getting itself ready.

Make sure you have plenty of water or weak squash to drink so that you do not get dehydrated, and try to eat plain, starchy foods to keep up your energy levels. Bananas and plain biscuits are good options.

A brown or blood-streaked mucus discharge could be a sign that labour is getting closer. This mucus is called the mucus plug, and it has been blocking your cervix during your pregnancy. If you notice the mucus plug, it is a sign that your body is getting ready for labour, although it could take several days for it to get started.

Many mums' waters break during or after the first stage of labour. However, they can sometimes break before labour begins.

Waters can break with a gush, or they may trickle out. If you're unsure, put on a sanitary towel and check to see if it smells like urine. Waters are clear, sometimes bloodstained, with a slight yellow tinge.

Contractions are generally a clear sign that something is happening! They may be very light and irregular at first, and usually get slowly stronger and closer together as your labour progresses. Breathing through your contractions can help you to cope. If you have a TENS machine, now is the perfect time to use it.

Find out more about the stages of labour.