Sign and symptoms of labour

The sign and symptoms of labour are following -

1. False pain -
It is found more in primigravidae then in parous woman. It usually appears
prior to the onset of true labour pain, one or two weeks in primigravidae
and by a few days in multiparae.

2. Lightening -
Few weeks to prior to the onset of labour specially in primigravidae.
The presenting part sinks into the true pelvis. It is due to active pulling up
of lower pole of the uterus around the presenting part. It is a welcome 
sign of pregnancy.

3. Cervical changes -
Variable days prior to the onset of labour the cervix becomes ripe.
A ripe cervix is soft, less than 1.5 cm in length, admits a finger easily
and is dilatable.

4. Labour pain -
Throughout pregnancy, painless Braxton Hicks contractions with simultaneous
hardening of the uterus occur. These contractions chenge there character,
become more powerful, intermittent and are associated with pain. The pains are 
more often felt in front of the abdomen or radiating towards the thighs.

For details about false pain and true labour pain, go to following page -
http://pregnancyandlabour.blogspot.in/2014/01/false-pain-and-true-labour-pain.html