As “labour day” is fast approaching, the list of questions in your head also gets loonger. What are the signs that will tell you’re about to give birth? When to go to the hospital? Is it a normal feeling for your tummy to tighten? Does it mean your baby is coming out really soon?

To answer your never-ending questions, here are the most common signs you should watch for to be able to say that you are now ready to pop.

1. Lightening Up

Anywhere between a few weeks and a few hours before the labour, you may feel as if the baby dropped into a lower position, in your pelvis. Called “lightening,” this means that the baby is in head-down position in preparation for birth. Some more signs of lightening up is ease of breathe and frequent bathroom visits because of more pressure on the bladder.

2. Regular Contractions

Contractions can be tricky as a woman’s uterus contracts during the entire pregnancy. True labour contractions are those that come in strong and in regular intervals. It usually starts in the back and comes around to the front. The abdomen gets harder and harder, like a basketball, and then relaxes. If you start feeling you’re having contractions, there’s no need to panic as you have enough time to spare until an actual labour happens. Contractions are just one of the signs—you should experience another symptom to seal the trip to the delivery room.

3. The Water Breaks

The fetus develops inside an amniotic fluid sac. When this sac breaks, you will experience a gush of liquid or a slow trickle. When you experience this symptom, you should hurry to the hospital. Depending on the status of your pregnancy, it’s important that your water bag doesn’t run dry as it makes you and your baby more prone to infection. Once your water bag ruptures, you realy have to give birth as soon as possible.

The presence of the two out of these three signs is usually enough to tell that you’re about to give birth. You could feel you’re lightening up and experience contractions or water discharge. If your water breaks, rush to the hospital right away even if you don’t feel any contractions or as if you’re lightening up.