Signs of early labor -- before the 37th week of pregnancy -- might be more subtle than dramatic, doctors say.
"It's not necessarily even painful," said Dr. James Marquardt, an obstetrician/gynecologist in Midlothian, Va.
Here are some tips on early labor:
Be aware of contractions. They can feel as if if your abdomen is tightening like a fist every 10 minutes or less, rather than something sharp or painful.
Pay attention to back pain. A dull ache in the lower back can be a sign of trouble, whether the discomfort is constant or comes and goes. You also might feel more pressure or fullness in your pelvic area, as if your baby is pushing down.
Be aware of cramping. Regular abdominal cramps that feel like a menstrual period or gas pains -- with or without diarrhea, nausea or vomiting -- aren't a normal discomfort of pregnancy.
Don't wait for your water to break. Even with full-term births, only about one in four women will experience the stereotypical gush of water before labor begins. But increased vaginal discharge -- watery, mucus-like or bloody -- can indicate preterm labor.
Stay in tune with your baby. A decrease in typical fetal movement might need attention.
