diagnosis of labor

As the end of your pregnancy approaches, you will notice
contractions from time to time. These contractions are often referred to
as Braxton Hicks or practice contractions.

The cervical mucus plug is often expelled before labor so that the cervix can open to allow the baby to pass through to prepare for delivery.

Telling if you are in labor is not always easy and can be different from one woman to the other. Labor is usually defined as contractions which makes the cervix change and open it up.

Before "true" labor begins, you may have "false" labor pains, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions.

As the pregnancy comes to a close, there are signs and symptoms mom will need to look for in order to recognize the beginning of labor.