This article was originally published on April 8, 2016. It was updated on October 12, 2020 by Kirstie Landry. 

The last few weeks of pregnancy can be tough. Most mothers have feelings of exhaustion, excitement, and fear. Women feel exhausted because of a lack of sleep. They feel excitement because they get to meet their babies, and fear because labor is so unpredictable.

The end of pregnancy is particularly nerve-wracking because it’s hard to tell when labor will begin. These feelings often lead mothers to search for any signs of the impending pain. Besides the usual signs like their water breaking or contractions, most women have no clue what signs point to labor beginning. Each woman will experience labor symptoms differently. However, it is still important to recognize the unusual signs of labor so that it will help you better prepare for labor and delivery.

Labor is divided into three stages, according to whattoexpect.com. The first stage is early labor. This is when the cervix thins out and dilates. This is normally the longest stage of labor, but it’s also the least intense. The second stage is active labor. During this stage of labor, the cervix begins to dilate more rapidly and contractions are stronger and more consistent. The last stage of labor is the delivery of the placenta. It’s good to know the stages of labor to help mothers know what to expect. However, what if there were other unusual signs that the body gives to let women know labor is impending? Here is a list of the most unusual signs of labor that one can expect when they are about to give birth.

RELATED: Signs Labor Is 24-48 Hours Away

15 Diarrhea

Woman who might be having diarrhea. which is a non-traditional sign of labor.

Diarrhea is a very unpleasant thing to experience. During pregnancy, it can be even more unpleasant due to all of the other unpleasant symptoms moms experience. However, there is a good reason why most women experience diarrhea before going into labor.

Before labor, the body goes into a state for relaxation in order to accommodate the baby passing through the birth canal. Not only does it relax the joints but also the muscles that control bowel movements. Some doctors believe that the emptying of the bowels is the body's way of making room for the baby. This is usually not fun, and it is one of the non-traditional signs of labor, according to babymed.com.

14 Nesting

Woman nesting, which is one of the weird signs of labor.
via Pxfuel

Nesting is Mother Nature's way of helping mothers prepare for the arrival of their babies. Some women experience nesting a few weeks before labor, and some experience it a few days before labor.

According to mayoclinic.org, this is one of the weirdest signs of labor. It makes sense that one would go through many physical changes during this time, but nesting is a mental change. It's not usually something a person might recognize as a sign of labor unless they have been through this whole process before.

During this time, women usually want to get a lot of things done. However, it is best for them to lay low and relax since they will need all of that energy and then some when their babies arrive.

13 Insomnia

Woman who might have insomnia, which is one of the non-traditional signs of labor.
via Pxfuel

Women who are approaching the last few weeks before giving birth to their babies need to get as much rest as they possibly can. On the other hand, that is not always possible.

There are a lot of reasons why women might toss and turn at night during that point in their pregnancies, and one of them is that labor might not be far off. Insomnia could mean that the baby is ready to make its appearance any day now, according to wehavekids.com.

The best way to combat insomnia that one might experience right before labor is to try to relax as much as possible. Drinking a hot cup of tea and lying down will help women rest up before they go into labor.

Also, leaving electronic devices alone for a while before bed can also help prepare the body for a good night's rest. This could be mother nature's way of preparing women for the sleepless nights they will have once their babies have arrived.

12 Mucus Plug

Person with mucus that could be from a lost mucus plug, which is one of weird signs of labor.
via Wikimedia Commons, Almondineverything

Losing the mucus plug is also referred to as "bloody show” according to whattoexpect.com. A mucus plug is often a snotty consistency streaked with blood. The mucus plug serves as a protective barrier between the vaginal canal and the cervix.

The mucus thickens over the course of pregnancy in the cervix to protect the baby and the womb from infection. The loss of the mucus plug means that the body is moving in the direction of labor.

Women may lose their mucus plug while going to the bathroom, so they might not know that they’ve lost it. If they happen to lose their mucus plug in conjunction with consistent contractions, chances are they are on their way to delivering their bundles of joy.

However, they should not be disappointed if they have the bloody show and it’s a no show for their baby. Sometimes, labor doesn’t begin right after losing it.

11 Emotional Breakdowns

Woman crying, which is a weird sign of labor.
via Pikrepo

Some women get more emotional than usual when they are in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy is an emotional thing as it is, so what makes the end of pregnancy emotional breakdown different? Nothing really except it happens at the end of the pregnancy.

A surge of hormones could be responsible for this extreme wave of emotions, according to mom365.com. Or it could be the combination of the lack of sleep and excitement that makes moms overwhelmed. Some mothers might find themselves crying over lots of things before labor starts.

If a woman has shed tears over television commercials or seeing a picture of a cute puppy, labor may be right around the corner for her. Though these scenarios aren’t funny at the time, it will surely be a hilarious moment to look back on after the baby has been born. When feeling emotional right before labor, moms should take a few deeps breaths, and focus on the fact that they will be holding a cuddly newborn soon.

10 Weight Loss

Weight scale, which is something a person might use if they have lost weight, which is a weird sign of labor.
via Needpix.com

Women usually spend their entire pregnancies gaining weight. However, they might find themselves losing some of it at the end of their pregnancies. Nevertheless, they should still continue to feed themselves (especially before labor), even if they are not feeling up to it.

According to healthline.com, some women lose 1-3 pounds of weight right before they go into labor. The reason for this weight loss is due to hormonal changes at the end of pregnancy.

Most of the weight is usually water weight that was collected in body tissues during pregnancy. This water weight is expelled through sweat and urine. When the number on the scale goes down at the end of pregnancy, women can wait in anticipation for when labor will begin.

9 Flu-Like Symptoms

Woman who is sick, which can be a non-traditional sign of labor.
via Pixabay, Mojpe

Flu-like symptoms without fever, chills, vomiting, coughing, and aches can be a weird sign of impending labor. However, women who are concerned about feeling this while pregnant should not hesitate to contact their doctors.

It could be a sign of a more serious condition. If it isn’t a serious condition these symptoms usually disappear within a few days.

If these symptoms are a sign of labor, then they usually do not last too long before the baby comes. Sometimes they could even hit after a pregnant woman has burst of energy.

Flu-like symptoms are yet another not so pleasant signal that the body is preparing to go into labor. Though it’s not a pleasant sign, it can be the light at the end of the long pregnancy journey.

8 Easier Breathing

The ability to breathe easier could be a sign that labor is near

Huffing and puffing is something women get used to when they are pregnant. Even a short walk to the bathroom is enough to make a mommy winded. At the end of pregnancy, this might actually stop, which is probably pleasant.

The reason women are able to breathe easier during the end of pregnancy is that the baby has dropped into their pelvises. When the baby drops it’s called “lightening" according to consumer.healthday.com.

The baby will engage their head in their mother's pelvic bone. This leaves more room for her lungs to expand. Women may find that they are able to take long walks without feeling out of breath. They may also find that they feel lighter as well.

7 Loss Of Appetite

A woman's predator-like appetite could go away when labor is near
Photo by Alexandre St-Louis on Unsplash

Pregnancy is like a roller coaster. The first trimester is usually a time that women spend trying to keep their food down due to morning sickness.

But on the other hand, some women might notice their appetites picking up during the second and third trimesters. This is a glorious feeling to most mothers who just wanted to enjoy their favorite foods.

Unfortunately, the lack of appetite they felt in their first trimester may come back before they go into labor, according to fatherly.com. If they had a healthy appetite in their final weeks of pregnancy and are suddenly hit with a sour stomach, they might be going into labor soon.

In order to help her tummy, a woman can consume broths, crackers, and other light snacks. They need to make sure their body has enough fuel to complete the marathon known as labor.

6 Pet Becomes Very Clingy

Woman holding a cat who might be clingy. which is a weird sign of labor.
via Pxfuel

Some pregnant women who are in the last few weeks of their pregnancies might notice that their dog or cat following them more than usual. They also might notice that they are at their feet more than usual as well. Pets are very sensitive to changes going on with their owners. So, it’s no surprise that a family pet will sense when a baby is about to arrive. Owners may notice that their fur baby is unusually anxious.

They may also follow them to the bathroom. They also may start whining if they have to be apart from their owner.

Pregnant pet owners should not feel alarmed, since their pet is just sensing that labor is impending, according to romper.com. This behavior is quite endearing and can a bonding experience for pregnant women and their pets.

Pet owners should take it as a sign that they are in tune with them and their precious babies. In addition, one should give their pet a little extra love before the baby comes so that they do not feel left out when they are not getting as much attention as the baby is after he or she has been born. This is just another weird symptom of impending labor.

5 Feeling Off

Pregnant woman who might be feeling off, which is a weird sign of labor.
via Pxfuel

Sometimes moms feel a bit off before they go into labor. However, that should not be of much concern to them.

They might notice that they are anxious or impatient. Some may also feel an unusual rush of peace and calmness before labor hits. These feelings can be an indication that the body is preparing to go into labor, according to kidslymom.com.

These odd feelings could be caused by a surge of hormones. This could also be a woman's mommy instincts kicking in letting her know that big day is around the corner. She can document these feelings when they happen, and once her baby is born, she can go back and see if they were clues that labor was impending.

4 Specific Food Cravings

Strange cravings like salty cupcakes can become more frequent the closer labor is
Photo by Austin Moncada on Unsplash

According to mumsnet.com, there are some times during which a woman might feel intense cravings for something specific right before labor starts. For example, ladies who typically do not like noodles might notice that they are craving them all of the sudden when they are approaching the last few days of their pregnancy. This can be just another weird symptom of labor for some ladies.

While pregnant women are used to cravings at this point, an intensity in the feeling or urge to eat something may indicate that labor is approaching. If you find yourself craving a salty cupcake more than usual, then the baby's arrival could be nearer than you thought.

3 Intense Back Pain

Back pains during pregnancy could be another indicator that labor is near
Photo by Dylan Sauerwein on Unsplash

Women experience a lot of back pain during pregnancy. This back pain can come from a number of things, including the extra weight that they are carrying around. While most pregnant women struggle with back pains throughout (and even before) pregnancy, an increase in intensity could signal something else.

However, if a woman has been having a backache that radiates down to her bottom and thighs, this could be a sign of labor, according to babycentre.co.uk. Women might have persistent pain in their lower backs right before their babies are born, and it might feel similar to the pain some ladies feel when they are about to have a period.

If you're continuously experiencing pain, however, it's best that you see your doctor. You need to be in the best condition possible for the arrival of the baby, so you have to sort out any bodily issues until D-day!

2 Dreams

Woman sleeping and she might be dreaming, which is a weird sign of labor.
via Needpix.com

There are lots of things women might feel before labor. For example, they might feel sudden exhaustion before going into labor. This can mean more naps or longer sleeps at night. While getting weird dreams is nothing out of the ordinary, an increase in frequency could indicate something else.

They also might notice that they are having weird dreams. According to babycentre.co.uk, some pregnant women dream about going on a journey, while others dream about things like games. Depending on your personality, you could have stranger dreams than others. It's important to note how these dreams make you feel and recognize if they represent any real-life anxieties or issues you should be dealing with.

1 Moody

Woman acting moody, which is an non-traditional sign of labor.

If a pregnant woman has noticed that she has been a bit rude to those around her recently, she might want to consider the fact that she could be getting close to going into labor, since that can be a sign of it according to kidspot.com.au. Mood swings are really common for pregnant women, especially since they often feel like they are on emotional roller coasters.

The moodiness a pregnant woman may feel before labor is very similar to the moodiness one can experience during PMS. If she is feeling particularly down during the last few weeks of pregnancy, she should take comfort in the fact that it will be over soon.

In addition, moody pregnant women might be able to take comfort in the fact that they will soon be able to hold their bundles of joy. They should just take the time to explain their situation to those around them so that they are not offended.

READ NEXT: 10 Signs Labor Isn’t As Close As You Might Think

Sources: What To Expect, BabyMed, Mayo Clinic, We Have Kids, Mom 365, Healthline, Health Day, Fatherly, Romper, Kidlsy Mom, Babycentre, Kidspot