Does Your Stomach Get Really Hard Before Labor?
Contractions: Throughout the second half of your pregnancy you may have noticed your abdomen getting hard, then soft again, or you may feel like the baby is “balling up”. These irregular contractions may increase in frequency and intensity as your due date approaches. They may become very uncomfortable or even painful.
Does a hard stomach mean labor is near?
Labor pains involve a big muscle contraction all along your abdomen. "There's an uncomfortable tightening in the stomach during labor, where the whole stomach feels hard," Dr. du Treil says. If your tummy hardens every time you're experiencing pain, it's likely a contraction, not gas.
How To Know If You're Having Gas or Contractions | Parents
How does your belly feel before labor?
Many women have what feels like menstrual cramps in the lower abdomen. They may stay the same or they may come and go. You might also have pain in your lower back that either stays or comes and goes. If you find yourself “waddling” as your pregnancy winds down, that's just your body getting ready for the job ahead.
Signs of Labor (Cervical Effacement) During Pregnancy - WebMD