As you talk with Katie she asked Since my labor started earl

As you talk with Katie, she asked \"Since my labor started early and my membranes   didn\'t rupture, were there any other symptoms I may have had that would have alerted me to the onset of labor?\"

1. What are the premonitory signs that Katie probably had?

Solution

The premonitary signs of labor, apart from pain and membrane rupture include the following :

1. Lightening and relief from breathlessness: Due to the descent of the fetal head into the pelvic inlet 2-3 weeks prior to onset of labor, the mother feels decreased abdominal distention and relief from breathlessness.

2. Frequent uterine contractions: The frequency, intensity and duration of false labor pain increases and become more regular due to hormonal changes and prostaglandins.

3. Discomfort and pain in lower abdomen, pelvis, lower back and inner thigh, difficulty in walking, increased frequency of urine are other signs of the impending labor.

4. Blood mixed mucus discharge is another sign.

So Katie might have experienced these symptoms before the onset of labor.