It feels like you are counting the seconds until you meet your baby. Every day can feel like an eternity as you wait on labor to begin! But waiting patiently on your baby may be the very best thing for you to do. Before you know it, your labor will be starting and your baby’s journey into the world will begin.

Just how will you know that it’s the “real thing?” You may have been feeling practice contractions for a couple of weeks or maybe even a couple of months. These contractions are called Braxton-hicks contractions and they help your uterus and cervix prepare for birth.

These helpful contractions might confuse you, however. How will you know if they are just “practice” or if they signal that your baby is on the way? One way to tell is by changing your activity. If you are standing up, go sit down. If you’re lying down you should try moving around some. If your contractions stop when you change activities, then you’re most likely having Braxton-hicks.

But if those contractions keep on going, you may be having labor contractions! Start to keep track of them. Contractions that signal labor is beginning usually start pretty far apart but they come regularly. If you notice a definite pattern to your contractions then you may be in early labor.

Your Braxton-hicks contractions may take on a crampy edge, or you may begin to feel aches that radiate from your lower back. These can be indications that labor is beginning.

Losing your mucous plug can be another indication to watch for. This plug keeps your cervix sealed tightly during pregnancy. In the last few weeks of your pregnancy you may notice that you begin to lose bits of mucous when you go to the bathroom. But if you see a thick plug of brown or pink-tinged mucous this is called a bloody show. It can indicate labor will be starting within the next few days.

More obvious signs of labor beginning are your water breaking and strong regular contractions. Though television likes to portray labors as starting this way, most women find that labor starts much more gradually.

What should you do if you think that you are in labor? Take a nap! You’ll need all the rest you can get for the work ahead. If it is daytime and you can’t sleep, continue to go about your day or take a light walk. You will know when things are moving along well enough to call your care provider or to prepare for the birth.

Relaxing or enjoying light activity will help you be prepared for birth and encourage your baby and your body to do the work they need to do. I promise if you take a nap you won’t sleep through your baby’s birth!

Kristen Hart is the owner of http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com a website dedicated to bringing the best information to pregnant and new mamas. Visit NBBC’s natural birth pages to learn more about labor and natural birth.