Flu like Symptoms before Labor are subtle signs that your body is preparing for a possible delivery. It is quite common for third-trimester pregnant women to experience a runny nose, sneezing, headache, and body pain with or without a mild cough.
It is absolutely normal and there is nothing to worry about such symptoms. Within a few days, the symptoms disappear on their own. It is not necessary that all women experience flu-like symptoms before labour.
The most common reason for flu like symptoms before delivery may be due to hormonal changes. It usually kick-off 1 to 2 weeks before your due date. Therefore, make sure when you experience such symptoms your hospital bag should be ready.
What is labor
Labor is the childbirth process through which the baby leaves the uterus. You may experience contractions during labor which is due to the tightening and relaxing of uterus muscles. The contraction makes changes in the cervix helping the baby to push out from the uterus.
The uterus opens at the cervix present at top of the vagina. During childbirth, your cervix should dilate 10 cm. You should know the signs of labor when you are close to your delivery date.
Main signs of labor
Following are the main signs of true labor if you experience any of them contact your healthcare provider or go to the hospital as soon as possible
You may experience a strong and regular contractions
Labor contraction happens when the muscles of your uterus tighten and relax. These contractions accelerate the delivery process. When the uterus contracts it helps to push out the baby.
You can find out the difference between true and fake labor by the duration and the time gap between contractions. In true labor, contractions come after every 5 to 10 minutes and last at least for a minute. With time they become stronger you even cannot talk, walk, or do anything while having a contraction.
Bloody brownish reddish mucus discharge
This is also known as the bloody show. During pregnancy, the tissues are built on the outer points of the cervix that prevents water leaking and preterm labor. During labor, these tissues and mucus remove to accelerate the childbirth process.
Severe pain in your belly and lower back
You will experience sharp pain in your belly and lower back. It will not go on its own no matter whether you change your position or not.
Your water breaks
Throughout your pregnancy, the baby lives and grows in the uterus filled with amniotic fluid providing nutrition and protection to the baby. However, when you are near the delivery time the water bag breaks. You may experience a huge rush of water.
Signs when you are close to labor
These are the signs that you experience a week or two before your due date. These signs indicate that your body is preparing for a possible labor
Increase vagina discharge ( pink or slightly bloody)
It can happen at the time of delivery or this sign of labor can even occur a few days before the start of true labor.
The baby drops in the pelvis
This is known as lightning. When you’re a baby moves down into the pelvic region this means that the baby is getting into the birth position. The baby dropping in the pelvis can happen a few weeks before delivery or even after the true labor starts.
The cervix starts thinning and dilating
The normal service opening before labor is 3.5 to 4 cm long and during birth, it becomes 10cm long.
Flu-like symptoms before labor starts
A few days or a week before labor you may experience flu-like symptoms.
You start nesting
It is not necessary that you will experience nesting. But most soon-to-be mommies want to organize and clean everything before the baby arrives. This instinct sense triggers their mind just a few days or a week before delivery.
How long you have flu-like symptoms before labor
The flu-like symptoms usually stay for a few days. It goes away on its own. However, if you experience coexisting complications like diarrhea, vomiting, or high fever talk to your physician right away.
Do you get flu-like symptoms before labor
Many women do get flu-like symptoms before labor but it is not necessary that every pregnant woman will experience it. Even if you experience flu-like symptoms it is not guaranteed that you are going to have labor soon. All you have to do is relax and don’t worry. Wait for true labor signs like contractions or water break. Then contact your doctor or visit the hospital immediately.
