There are several signs that could indicate that you are going into labor. Here are some things that you may experience as labor approaches:

• The baby “drops” lower in your abdomen: Most women can tell when their baby “drops.” This is usually a sign that your baby has moved lower into your pelvis; closer to the birth canal. For women in their first pregnancy, this usually happens 2-3 weeks before delivery. If you have had other children, you may not notice the baby drop until right before labor.
  
  
• You lose your mucous plug: At the beginning of your pregnancy, a thick mucous plug forms to cover the cervix and acts as a barrier to prevent bacteria from entering the uterus. Once your cervix begins to thin and open, the mucous plug is no longer needed and will be “lost.” When this happens, some women become alarmed, others do not even notice that they have lost their mucous plug. The mucous plug can be green, yellow, clear, or even bloody.
  
  
• Your water breaks: Your doctor will refer to this as “rupture of membranes.” This means that the bag of water, or amniotic sac, that surrounds your baby has broken. If this happens, you should go to the hospital immediately, even if you are not having contractions. If you are not sure if you water has broken, call your doctor. Amniotic fluid should be clear, but it can sometimes have a green, red, or brownish tint.
  
  
• You are having contractions: During the second half of your pregnancy, you have probably had contractions off and on. If you are having contractions that are occuring every 5 minutes (or more) and this goes on for at least one hour, you may be in labor. If you think you are in labor you should go to the hospital. Remember, you can always call your doctor, too.