When you are near the end of pregnancy, you may be eagerly awaiting to deliver your little bundle that you have carried for so long. However, before you can deliver, you have to experience (the often not too anticipated) labor. Understanding how to tell if you're in labor will give you a good opportunity to be prepared for the birth of your baby.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.

• Stay aware of any early signs of labor before your due date.

• Keep track of any contractions to make sure they are real or false.

• Call your doctor or go to the hospital if your contractions are regular or your water breaks.

Many women anticipate the end of their pregnancy to deliver their baby. However, before one can deliver, their body must go through changes to accommodate the impending birth. There are many changes that can occur that can give you clear signs about the onset of labor, active labor and false labor. By understanding these, you will be well prepared to give your doctor a call or head to the hospital.

It may be wise to tune into your body when your due date is near. Your body may give clues to the onset of labor (that can happen in a few hours or weeks) in a less dramatic way. While these are not definitive symptoms of labor and may be different for each woman, the signs can provide a clear indication that your body is preparing and changing for impending child birth.

Lightening is when the baby will “drop” or settle into your pelvis. You will experience relief in breathing; however, you may feel more pressure in your pelvic region and on your bladder. Lightening can occur up to several weeks prior to delivery for first time mothers or only a few hours before delivery for subsequent births.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labor_signs/page3_em.htm

Nesting is known to be nature’s way of preparing for the birth of a child. Many women will experience a burst of energy a few days or hours before the onset of labor.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labor_signs/page3_em.htm

Nausea and diarrhea can occur due to hormonal changes in the body early in labor. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labor_signs/page3_em.htm

Loss of mucous plug or “bloody show” is when a thick plug of mucous, which blocks the cervix in order to prevent bacteria from entering the uterus, begins to discharge. This will happen as the cervix begins to thin and open. It can be stringy or thick and is typically brown or tinged with blood. Labor can begin anywhere from a few weeks, days or hours from this occurence.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labor_signs/page3_em.htm

Effacement is when the cervix begins to "ripen" or soften and thin out. Your doctor will be able to detect if your cervix is beginning to change via a vaginal exam. A cervix must be 100 percent effaced before delivery can occur vaginally. You will continue to efface during active labor.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/signs-of-labor/PR00083

Dilation is when the cervix will begin to open. This is another occurrence that only your doctor can detect through a vaginal exam. Dilation can occur slowly before active labor begins (at that point, you will dilate quickly) and women can be dilated a little for weeks or days before active labor will actually start. Dilation is measured in centimeters.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/signs-of-labor/PR00083

While there are many early signs that labor may begin, there are two tell-tale signs, regular contractions and you water breaking, that you are actually in labor. You should contact your doctor or go to the hospital if you have both or either one of them.

Contractions are a tightening and relaxing of the muscles in the uterus that can cause pain and discomfort. Contractions that are long, frequent and cannot be subdued are a clear indication that you are in labor.http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/true-false-labor Contractions can be different for each woman. If you are not sure about your contractions, ask yourself these questions:

1. How strong are the contractions?
2. How often do they occur?
3. Do they change with movement?
4. Where do you feel the contractions?"

For true labor, contractions will be steady and increasing in strength over time. They will occur in regular, frequent intervals, generally lasting between 30-70 seconds. They cannot be slowed down or stopped with any sort of movement (ie. walking) and pain can be generally felt in the lower back and/or the abdomen.http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/true-false-labor

It will be necessary to time your contractions. To do so, you can write down (or have someone write down for you) when the contractions start and how long (in seconds) they last. For example, you have a contraction at 9:15 and it lasts for 30 seconds, you have another contraction at 9:20 and it lasts for 40 seconds. You can also go online at ContractionMaster.com and time them. It will give you a duration and frequency time for your contractions.

Rupture of the Membranes or the breaking of waters is when the amniotic sac breaks and begins to leak amniotic fluid. In some cases, a woman will have to have her membranes ruptured for her by doctor during labor if they do not break on their own.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/signs-of-labor/PR00083/NSECTIONGROUP=2

It will not be a huge "gush" of fluid like one would expect. For many women, it is only slow trickle. If you are unsure if you are leaking amniotic fluid or urine, amniotic fluid is odorless and colorless while urine will be yellowish and smell of ammonia. If you still unsure, contact your physician.http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/rupture-of-membranes.aspx

Sometimes, contractions may seem like the real thing when they are not. It is common for a woman to have a false alarm when it comes to contractions. If your contractions are irregular, decrease or stop with change of position or movement, do not intensify or become frequent, you are most likely experiencing a false labor.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labor_signs/page4_em.htm

1. You have regular contractions 5 minutes apart.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labor_signs/page4_em.htm
2. Your water breaks.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labor_signs/page4_em.htm
3. Contractions are strong but your due date is far away.http://whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/labor-contractions.aspx
4. Your water breaks but you do not have contractions.http://whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/labor-contractions.aspx
5. Your water breaks and has a greenish brown tint.http://whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/labor-contractions.aspx
6. You feel the umbilical cord slip into your cervix or vaginal canal (cord prolapse).http://whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/labor-contractions.aspx
7. You experience bleeding.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labor_signs/page4_em.htm
8. There is a sudden or decrease of fetal movement.http://www.emedicinehealth.com/labor_signs/page4_em.htm