During the third trimester of pregnancy (after 28 weeks) everything becomes bigger, more uncomfortable, more bloated and the impending birth seems a whole lot nearer.

At this stage it’s not uncommon for pains or strange symptoms to make a woman think she’s nearing labor – when nothing happens it can be quite a let down.

Doctors often don’t help the situation, telling a woman baby is “ready”, she’s dilated, effaced or baby is head down. But what do these things really mean? How do you interpret what the doctor says into when you’re going to go into labor?