Is nausea a sign of labor?
Sickness during pregnancy is pretty common, but what does it mean when it happens later on in pregnancy? In this blog, we’re answering the question, is nausea a sign of labor?
This blog includes:
- Feeling unwell before labour starts – early signs of labor?
- Is nausea a sign of labor?
- How long does sickness last before labor?
- What are the common signs of labour?
- Three stages of labour
Many women say goodbye to morning sickness and nausea after the first trimester. However, for some women, it can continue through pregnancy. Others may only experience nausea when it comes to labor, but is it really an early sign that the baby’s arrival is imminent?
When searching for early signs of labor, it’s quite common to read about sickness. However, being nauseous around your due date doesn’t always mean that your baby is going to arrive very soon. Other things can cause sickness.
Feeling unwell before labour starts – early signs of labor?
If you’re feeling unwell before labor starts or is due (around the time), you may wish to seek some advice. A healthcare provider may be able to advise you on dealing with sickness.
This is such an exciting time, soon you’ll meet your little one! It’s completely normal to be feeling a little nervous too, so don’t worry. As you get into the third trimester, things definitely start feeling real. You might be frantically searching for the signs of labor.
Is nausea a sign of labor?
If you’re wondering if vomiting is a sign of labor, then it’s worth noting that a few things could be causing sickness. We will look into what could be causing you to feel unwell before labour starts.
Anxiety
It’s totally normal to feel worried when you know that birth is around the corner. This is the last push! Especially with your first baby, it can be tricky to know when to attend the hospital or get ready for birth.
When anxiety becomes more intense, it can cause you to feel quite unwell, which could lead to sickness. You may wish to try some relaxation techniques, such as controlled breathing.
Don’t forget that you can always chat with your midwife if you feel nervous about labour. They are there to support you and help you to feel at ease.
Hormones
You probably know by now that your hormones certainly change a lot during pregnancy and labour. If you’re feeling nauseous around the 32-week mark, it’s likely due to high levels of progesterone.
Progesterone hormone helps to reduce the risk of preterm labor, which is why some women are advised to take progesterone suppositories. This hormone helps to relax your bowel and slow down your digestive system. It can be quite common to feel a little unwell as a result.
Illness
It’s quite normal to pick up an illness every now and again. During pregnancy, you can try to avoid some illnesses by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This can help to strengthen your immune system so your body finds it easier to fight off illnesses.
Typically, sickness caused by illness lasts only a few days before easing. It’s very important that you monitor your symptoms of sickness. Seek medical advice if you are struggling to keep drinks down.
Labour
If you’re experiencing nausea and vomiting, it might well be that you’re going into labour! As you enter labour, your body forgets about many things and focuses on getting the baby out safely. This can make you feel unwell.
What else can cause sickness in the third trimester?
- Changing your pre-natal vitamins – speak to your doctor about any changes.
- Your baby’s lack of space – as the baby grows, they’ll put increased pressure on your stomach and surrounding areas.
Emergencies that will need urgent medical care
- Pre-Eclampsia
- Liver problems
If you suspect any of these conditions, it’s essential that you seek medical advice. These all require urgent medical treatment to keep you and your baby safe.
How long does sickness last before labor?
Due to there being so many potential causes of your sickness, there’s no way of knowing how long it will last. For example, if your sickness is due to hormonal changes, you may find that it continues for the last few weeks.
If your sickness is caused by labour, you may find that it settles after a few hours. Once you arrive at the hospital, the healthcare workers will do what they can to support you and reduce your sickness. Try not to worry.
What are the common signs of labour?
There are a few early signs of labour that you can look out for, aside from sickness, which could have another cause. Look out for the following signs of labor:
- Labor contractions – these begin as the uterus contracts
- Water breaks – as the amniotic sac breaks and amniotic fluid is released
- Loss of the mucus plug – the mucus plug protects the baby from infections, similarly to the amniotic sac. Some women experience blood-tinged discharge when they lose this plug. Mucus discharge can be a sign that true labor will start soon. Find out how to speed up labor after losing mucus plug.
- Back pain
- Frequent need to use the toilet as the baby’s head causes pressure
You may also experience diarrhea. This is caused by hormones and contractions. To find out how long after diarrhea you typically go into labour, you can read our article, “How soon after loose bowels did you go into labor?”
Keep an eye out for other signs that could be symptoms of complications.
It’s recommended that you ring the hospital if your waters break, you are bleeding, have reduced movements or are before 37 weeks pregnant. These may all need medical attention.
Contact the hospital or midwife over the phone regarding any signs of labour you experience. They can advise you on the best steps. They may inform you at what point you should be taken to the hospital.
Three stages of labour
There are three main stages of labour; however, they do vary for each woman. You should also be aware that sickness and nausea can last through each stage of labor. Some women may also find themselves being sick during labour.
Many women experience Braxton hicks contractions throughout pregnancy, but they will become more intense just before labor begins. When labour begins, the cervix dilates to allow the baby to be delivered.
- Latent phase (early labor) – 0cm to 4cm dilated – you may experience irregular contractions at this stage.
- Established stage (active labor) – 4cm to 7cm dilated – you should experience more regular contractions as active labor begins
- Transitional (third stage) – some women 7cm – birth, others only begin this stage at 10cm (fully dilated)
If you’re giving birth in a hospital, the healthcare professionals will be with you every step of the way. They’ll ensure that you’re comfortable and have everything you need. They’ll keep you informed about any decisions and try to keep you relaxed. They may also advise your birth partner on things they can do to help you as labor begins.
So, is vomiting a sign of labor?
Nausea and vomiting could well be signs that labor is imminent, but they could also be caused by something else. If you’re unsure what could be causing your sickness, you can speak to a midwife. They may run through some questions with you to establish the cause.
If you’re around your due date, there’s a pretty good chance that the nausea is caused by early labor. You might want to get your hospital bag packed ready for when labor starts!
You should always monitor any symptoms you experience so that you can let the hospital know. They will be caring for you and will need information regarding the build-up to your labour.
Make sure that you seek medical advice as soon as possible if you cannot keep liquids down due to vomiting. This could cause you to become dehydrated, which can impact your pregnancy. A hospital may advise that you attend so they can help to reduce sickness and rehydrate you.
We hope this blog has been helpful and answered the question, is nausea a sign of labor? Make sure you keep an eye on all symptoms and report any changes at all to your midwife. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and birth!
Hey there, I’m Abigail!
In 2022, I graduated with a First Class Degree in Marketing and since then, I have been working as a blogger and Marketing Assistant. Before heading to university, I also achieved a BTEC in Children’s Play, Learning and Development.
I have been blogging for over four years and have covered many topics during this time. My focus has been on pregnancy, babies, sleep and baby name ideas.
I am passionate about learning new things and helping others. I hope that you find my blogs useful and informative. See you in the next article!