“It’s about time”: how to recognize childbirth

The upcoming meeting with the baby, who has been part of your body for 9 months, is the most exciting moment in your entire pregnancy. How can you understand that the meeting will take place very soon? This article will tell you how to recognize an approaching birth.

How to recognize contractions during the first birth

Contractions are a sharp stiffening of the uterine muscles. Sensation of constriction in the lower abdomen.

From about 20 weeks, the body begins to “rehearse” childbirth. False contractions occur. The sensations are not very painful, much weaker than real contractions. Not every mother feels them. The frequency of these workouts is arbitrary. The real urge to give birth has an interval that will shorten.

As soon as strong contractions begin, you need to try to rest. Relax and don't panic. When the intervals between spasms become 3-5 minutes, call an ambulance and get ready to give birth. If you went to the maternity hospital in advance, just tell the doctor about it.

Not everyone experiences unbearable pain during contractions. Yes, the feeling is not pleasant, nothing more. You need to try not to focus on the pain. Think about the upcoming meeting with your baby, sing, laugh - distract yourself as much as you can.

Precursors of labor in first-time mothers

Every new mother I'm worried about the date of my future birth. Despite all the modern methods of diagnosing pregnancy, it is impossible to predict this accurately, 100%. Even if a girl absolutely knows the date of insemination, there are many different conditions that have a great influence on the birth of children.

Doctors believe that usually pregnancy lasts 280 days. Based on this data, they create a calculation of the time of birth of the baby. There are a number of methods available to determine the date of birth of a child. For example, this can be freely determined according to menstruation. Take the start date of your last menstruation, subtract 3 months from the calendar and add 7 days. This date and will become the probable number of births.

There are similar methods for calculating the day of future birth, which are available only to a doctor. For example, according to the size of the uterus, its location and the size of the tummy. But these methods do not provide an absolutely correct answer to the question about the date of birth of children.

Now doctors are inclined to conclude that newborns should be divided into full-term and premature it is impossible. This is explained by the fact that if pregnancy occurs naturally, in the absence of pathologies, then there is nothing wrong with the fact that the baby was born earlier or later than expected. It is important that by this time the fetus is physically formed and ready to come into the world. Therefore, the normal period of gestation for a baby is currently considered to be 35-45 weeks.

As the due date approaches, specific features may appear that indicate that the long-awaited moment will soon occur.

1. It becomes easier to breathe. As the fetus moves downward, the pressure on the mother's organs decreases. The heartburn will end. Walking will become a little more difficult. Sleep problems will appear, and it will become difficult to find a comfortable position.
2. Decreased appetite.
3. Weight reduction. Before childbirth, the body loses excess weight. This is how he prepares for delivery.
4. "Lowering" of the abdomen. The baby sinks more thoroughly into the pelvis. In primiparous women, this can be observed 2–4 weeks before birth. For those giving birth again - on the eve.
5. Sudden change of mood. The body releases hormones needed during childbirth.
6. Increased frequency of trips to the toilet. Natural cleansing of the body occurs.
7. Pain in the lower back.
8. Changes in fetal movements. The baby sits quietly and quietly, but on the contrary, he moves sharply and actively.
9. Spontaneous uterine contractions. The so-called training ones. The uterus is preparing to push out the fetus.
10. There are 3 main indicators of childbirth:

• Before labor begins, the expectant mother experiences contractions. These are paroxysmal contractions of the uterus, similar to spasms. At first, the sensations will be similar to the beginning of your period. True labor contractions will repeat every 15-20 minutes. And the time between attacks decreases.
• Removal of the plug. The red mucus that blocks the path to the cervix disappears on average within a week.
• Discharge of water. You should immediately call an ambulance and go to the maternity hospital.

Precursors of labor in multipartum mothers

As a rule, labor in women who have already given birth begins 1-2 weeks earlier than the due date established by ultrasound. This is quite normal but, especially if about 3 years have passed between births. 

Symptoms of approaching labor for repeat births are the same as for the first time. Only now the pregnant woman is familiar with them and can recognize them in time.

One of the distinctive features of the approaching meeting with the baby for those who have already given birth is the release of breasts colostrum. It usually starts at 38-39 weeks. You should not rub your nipples or wash them with soap - you will cause yourself discomfort. Usually there is little discharge, but if the amount of it causes inconvenience, you can gently blot it with a napkin.

Repeated mothers should pay close attention to vaginal discharge. The risk of amniotic fluid leakage increases. What can lead to infection fetus. If you notice clear, heavy discharge, tell your doctor.

How to understand that your water has broken

The classic breaking of water cannot be confused with anything. Fluid pours out of the pregnant woman’s body like a small waterfall. Unlike urination, this process cannot be controlled. They will just flow and that's it. But there are times when the water recedes gradually. In a small stream, gradually increasing the “pressure” or leaking in small portions.

If the liquid is released little by little, it is necessary to conduct a water test.

1. Go to the toilet, little by little.
2. Wash thoroughly and dry off.
3. Take a clean, dry sheet, fold it several times and lie on top.
4. You need to lie down for about an hour.

If after this time a transparent watery spot remains on the sheets, there is a water leak.

In any case, no matter how intensely the water breaks, you need to get ready and go to maternity hospital. Lack of water can put your baby at risk for infection.

By the way, water, as a rule, has neither color nor odor. Hence the name that it is pure water.

The waters have broken, but there are no contractions

If your water breaks, but labor activity doesn't start, no need to panic. Remember that your baby can safely go without fluid for 6 to 12 hours, provided the pregnancy progresses normally and the waters are clear. That is, you have time to calmly pack your things, take a shower, and go to the maternity hospital.   In this case, it is forbidden to take a bath and have sex - the child risks getting an infection.

If your water breaks, you must be admitted to any nearest maternity hospital. If contractions do not begin, doctors will use measures to artificially induce labor. Most often this is an IV with a drug that will make the uterus contract.

Please note - if the waters are cloudy, greenish or have any inclusions, you need to get medical help as soon as possible. This is a sign that all is not well with the child.

My water broke - how long before I give birth?

First of all, you need to determine whether all the waters have broken or only the so-called “front” ones. The total volume of amniotic fluid is 1.5-2 liters. Front water is usually only 200-300 ml. Be sure to remember the time when the liquid poured out and the characteristics of the water. Volume and color of liquid. And provide this information to the reception department. Starting from week 35, try to wear plain underwear and sleep on plain sheets. This will help determine the color of the waters.

After the water has receded, you need to stand on all fours for 15 minutes. This measure is a prevention of possible fetal complications.

By the way, if you are getting to the maternity hospital on your own and suddenly get stuck in a traffic jam, you have every right to contact any traffic police post with a request to ensure speedy passage to the maternity hospital.

The exact time of labor depends on the contractions and their intensity. But the leakage of liquid cannot be ignored.