Weird signs that labor is near can sneak up on you when you least expect it. When I was pregnant with my first, I thought I had done all the reading and prepping, but I was still caught off guard by some bizarre things my body started doing.
By the time I was expecting baby number two and three, I realized these strange little signs weren’t as unusual as I first thought.
Are you nearing the end of your pregnancy and noticing some odd symptoms? If so, don’t worry. It’s more common than you think! Here are some of the weirdest signs that labor might be closer than you think.
1. You Start Cleaning… Like, Obsessively
Okay, I know we’ve all heard about the “nesting instinct,” but no one told me it could get intense. A week before my second son arrived, I scrubbed baseboards at 9 PM. That’s something I hadn’t done in years.
It’s like my body just knew it was time to get everything spotless before the baby arrived. And it wasn’t just me. A friend of mine swears she reorganized her entire pantry the night before her water broke.
So, if you’re suddenly deep-cleaning places you haven’t thought about in ages, it might be a sign that baby is on the way.
2. You Feel Extra Emotional
With my third, I cried at everything. A random commercial about coffee? Tears. A sappy song on the radio? Full-on sobbing.
I knew my hormones were all over the place during pregnancy, but this was next level. Turns out, an emotional rollercoaster can be a sign that labor is near. Your body is preparing for the big day, and sometimes that comes with all the feelings.
3. You Get the Urge to… Eat Weird Foods?
Cravings are par for the course during pregnancy, but right before labor? Things can get downright bizarre.
Before I went into labor for my third boy, I had this unbelievable craving for sashimi. I also couldn’t get enough of hairy lychee. I didn’t connect the dots at the time, but the next day, I was in the hospital.
I’ve heard other moms talk about craving spicy or sweet foods, too. It seems like our bodies are trying to load up on energy before the big event.
4. You Feel Like You’re Coming Down With a Cold
This one threw me for a loop. A few days before labor, I remember feeling so run down and sniffly. It was almost like I was coming down with a cold.
I had zero energy and felt this strange sense of just… blah. I later found out that some women experience flu-like symptoms before labor begins. It’s your body’s way of telling you to slow down and rest before the marathon that’s childbirth.
5. You Get an Energy Boost… Then Crash
It’s funny how right before my second was born, I remember waking up with this surge of energy. I was out walking, cleaning, and even ran a few errands.
Then, out of nowhere, I hit a wall and needed to lie down. This up-and-down in energy levels can be another subtle sign that labor is just around the corner. Your body is gearing up for the main event, and that last-minute energy burst is part of it.
Trust Your Body
Every pregnancy and labor is unique, but your body knows exactly what it’s doing. One minute you’re scrubbing floors or tearing up at a commercial, and the next, you’re holding your baby. So, if things feel a little off, trust your instincts. It could mean labor is closer than you think.
What weird signs labor is near did you feel before you met your little one? Share in the comments below!