在您接近到期日的时候，您可能想知道何时开始劳动。教科书系列事件通常涉及：
- 您的子宫颈变得更柔软，更薄且打开
- contractions starting and growing stronger and closer together
- your water breaking
您的医生可能会开始检查您上半年在每个产前检查中的进展情况。如果您的医生告诉您您已经扩张了1厘米，您什么时候可以上班？这是期望的。
您的子宫颈是从子宫到阴道的通道。在怀孕期间，您体内的激素会导致许多变化。
一个变化是，粘液在子宫颈的开口处变厚，导致插头。这样可以防止细菌和其他病原体到达发育中的婴儿。
Your cervix typically remains long and closed (around3至4厘米长度），直到您接近交货日。
在劳动的第一阶段，您的子宫颈将开始打开（扩张）和稀疏（Efface），以使您的宝宝在出生管中移动。
扩张starts at 1 centimeter (less than 1/2 inch) and goes all the way to 10 centimeters before there’s enough space to push your baby into the world.
您可能没有迹象或症状，表明您的子宫颈已经开始扩张或蚀刻。有时，您知道的唯一方法是，您的医生是否在怀孕后期的例行预约中检查您的子宫颈，或者是否有超声检查。
The cervix of first-time moms may remain long and closed until delivery day. Moms who’ve had a baby before may be dilated for weeks leading up to their delivery day.
Contractions help the cervix dilate and efface from the beginning stages to the full 10 centimeters. Still, you may be dilated slightly without noticeable contractions.
Being 1 centimeter dilated doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll go into labor today, tomorrow, or even a week from now — even if you’re close to your due date. Fortunately, there are other signs you can look out for that might indicate your baby is on their way into the world.
Lightening
您可能已经听说您的宝宝会临近到期日。这个过程称为闪电。它描述了您的宝宝何时开始在骨盆中降低降低以准备分娩。闪电可能会在您开始工作之前的几周，几天或几个小时内发生。
Mucous plug
您的子宫颈在怀孕期间保护您的婴儿，其中包括您的粘液塞。随着子宫颈开始扩张，插头的碎屑和碎片可能开始掉落。使用洗手间时，您可能会注意到内衣上的粘液。颜色的范围从透明到粉红色，再到鲜血。劳动可能会在您看到粘液塞的那一天或几天后发生。
Contractions
If you feel your belly tighten and release, you may be experiencing practice contractions (Braxton-Hicks), or the real deal. The key is to time whatever tightening you’re feeling. Time if they’re coming randomly, or in regular intervals (every 5, 10, or 12 minutes, for example). Usually, if these contractions are infrequent and painless, they’re practice contractions.
Readmoreabout Braxton-Hicks vs. real contractions.
If they grow stronger, longer, and closer together and are accompanied by cramping, it’s a good idea to let your doctor know what’s going on.
You may also feel contractions start in your back and wrap around your abdomen.
膜破裂
最经典的劳动迹象之一是打破水。如果发生这种情况，您可能会遇到大量的涌入或流畅的流动。液体通常清晰且无味。
It’s important to call your doctor if you suspect your waters have broken. Take note of how much fluid you experienced and any secondary symptoms (contractions, pain, bleeding) you have.
早产（37周之前）
If you’re experiencing bleeding or leaking of fluid at any point in your pregnancy, call your doctor or midwife right away.
如果您有频繁的收缩，骨盆压力或劳动周期的其他迹象，请致电医生。
学期劳动（37周或更长时间）
让您的医生知道您正在经历的任何劳动症状。如果您认为您可能已经早日扩张，请与您的医生联系（例如，如果您失去粘液塞或流血出院）。
打电话给你的医生right away if you experience contractions that are closer thanthree to four minutes apart, lasting 45 to 60 seconds each.
马1厘米扩张意味着你的身体y be on its way to preparing for your little one’s arrival. Unfortunately, it’s not a reliable indicator of when the whole process will truly kick into high gear.
尝试保持耐心，与医生保持密切联系，并监控自己的其他劳动症状。如果您注意到他们以前从未与您讨论过的更改，请致电您的医生。