The transition from pregnancy to labor is a sequence of events that begin gradually. There are three stages in labor. The first stage of labor, although difficult to diagnose, has specific signs and symptoms that will help to identify the onset of labor. The women herself can contribute more to the birth process and she should trust her own instincts and listen to her own body.

There are a number of changes that occur a few weeks before the onset of true labor. They are called prelabor symptoms. These symptoms remind you that you are soon going to be in labor.

1. Lightening: Two to three weeks before the begining of labor, pregnant women feel 'light', easy to breath and eat. This is because the lower part of the uterine segment expands and allows the fetal head to sink down, which gives a relief or light feeling to the women, hence called as lightening.

During this phase walking becomes more difficult because there is increase in pressure over the pelvic bones by the fetal head and the relaxation of pelvic joints. There can also be profuse vaginal secretion noticed during this time.

2. Frequency of urination: As there is a lot of pressure over the pelvic organs by the fetus, bladder is compressed. This results in poor bladder capacity which make the pregnant women to urinate more frequently.

3. Spurious labor: Many women experience contractions before the onset of true labor. These contractions are painful and sometimes regular that make make women think that labor has started. But the two important features of true labor (retraction and dilatation of cervix) is absent. On and off contractions also remind that the day of true labor is not far.

The above mentioned symptoms start to show up by 36 weeks of pregnancy. The actual labor starts around 39th or 40th week. There are certain signs and symptoms that precede labor. Every pregnant woman should be aware these early signs of labor, so that she can identify them on time and have a safe delivery.

Show: It is quite common to lose jelly like white discharge in late pregnancy but when a pink jelly like discharge is noted, labor is likely to be under way. This can be noticed after the vaginal examination during the end of pregnancy.

Contractions: Braxton Hicks contractions are false contractions that are felt more frequently in late pregnancy. They are also painful but are irregular. True labor contractions exhibit a regular and rhythmic pattern, usually increasing in length, strength and frequency as time goes on. During contractions, women may have backache and when she places her hand on her abdomen she will notice her uterus harden.

Rupture of the membranes: A sudden gush of clear or greenish smelly fluid from the vagina is the rupture of the membranes. It can be easily differentiated from urine by its smell and it canno be controlled. It must be immediately reported and you must rush to the hospital.

Once these symptoms are noticed then labor is likely to set in. The fetus is usually delivered within 24 hours once these symptoms show up.

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