Harbingers of childbirth: the main signs of approaching childbirth

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Usually, in the last weeks of pregnancy, the gynecologist warns the expectant mother about the approaching most joyful event in her life, as well as about the obvious signs that precede the onset of labor. True symptoms are often preceded by characteristic precursors. These are body signals indicating the approach of the delivery process. A woman expecting a child should know and understand them. What should the expectant mother pay attention to and when should she go to the hospital? What are the harbingers of childbirth in multiparous women, and do they differ from the body signals of women expecting their first child? Consider in this article.

What causes the appearance of harbingers?

All processes associated with reproduction, including the process of conception, occur under the control of the central nervous system, and the process of childbirth itself begins at the command of the brain. regulation of processes associated with conception, pregnancy andchildbirth, is carried out with the obligatory participation of hormones.

After fertilization of the egg and throughout the entire period of gestation, the mother's body actively produces the female hormone progesterone, which helps to suppress the contractile function of the uterus in order to avoid spontaneous childbirth (miscarriage).

When the fetus is fully ripe, its readiness to be born, the brain of a pregnant woman receives a signal of readiness. From this moment, the body begins to produce estriol (a minor female sex hormone, which is a subspecies of estrogen). The action of this hormone is aimed at relaxing the cervix and bringing the uterine muscles into tone (ready for contraction).

During this period, a pregnant woman may notice certain changes in mood and physiological state, which indicates the imminent start of the delivery process.

Harbingers of approaching labor

In the third trimester, many women are interested in how long before the birth, the harbingers will make themselves felt. According to experts, everything is individual. Characteristic signals are observed two weeks before the onset of labor, sometimes literally two or three days, while the true symptoms of the onset of labor immediately precede the onset of delivery.

Doctors identify a group of specific body signals that a woman should pay attention to. Harbingers of childbirth are:

• change in mental state;
• prolapse of the abdomen;
• weight loss;
• lossappetite;
• training bouts and others.

Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Change in a woman's mental state

In medicine, this phenomenon is often called "nesting syndrome". About two weeks before the birth, the mood of the expectant mother changes. The maternal instinct, especially pronounced in this period, forces a woman to make final preparations for the appearance of a baby in the house, re-wash and iron children's things, do wet cleaning daily and other manipulations related to arranging a cozy nest.

Instability of the mental state of a pregnant woman can manifest itself in a sharp unreasonable change in mood. Some women become whiny, sometimes irritable and apathetic, others cry with joy at the approach of an important event, others remain calm and impartial. This behavior is associated with the internal processes of preparing the body for childbirth.

Sagging belly

As a rule, these are visual harbingers of childbirth in nulliparous women. In mothers who are not expecting their first baby, omission often becomes noticeable immediately before the start of the process itself. The baby, just like his mother, is preparing to be born, so the fetus moves lower to the pelvic area. This reduces the pressure on the stomach, the woman experiences some relief in the epigastric region, the symptoms of heartburn disappear. On the other hand, fetal pressure is now experienced by the pelvic organs (intestines and urinarybladder), resulting in increased urge to urinate and defecate. In this regard, there are frequent precursors of childbirth at 40 weeks - it becomes more difficult for a pregnant woman to walk and sit, as the tone of the abdominal muscles decreases.

Loss of appetite and weight loss

With the immediate approach of childbirth, a pregnant woman may notice changes such as a decrease in body weight by an average of one to two kilograms, as well as the absence of the previous feeling of hunger. A fully formed fetus no longer requires a large amount of nutrients from the mother's body. In addition, pressure on the pelvic organs, as well as the action of estrogens, helps to remove excess fluid from the body, which, in turn, leads to weight loss.

Feeling contractions

Before delivery begins, a pregnant woman's body tries to prepare, so long before delivery, a woman may experience contractions. Usually, such sensations have nothing to do with the birth itself, and the contractions are of a training nature. This phenomenon has a more familiar name - "false contractions" and is associated more with a feeling of discomfort than with the pain characteristic of labor.

The first training contractions appear after the 20th week of pregnancy and often go unnoticed. With an increase in the term, the sensation of contractions can appear more often and stronger, so many primiparous women often mistake false contractions for the onset of labor, especially those that appear in the last weeks of pregnancy.

The main difference between false contractions and true ones lies in theirirregular appearance and absence of pain. Usually false contractions go away on their own after rest. Often, these sensations are associated with physical overwork.

If you are worried about untimely contractions that appear irregularly and are not accompanied by pain, then your body needs rest. Change vigorous activity to rest and sleep. For some women, drinking water helps in these cases.

On the contrary, frequent and painful contractions are harbingers of labor at 40 weeks.

Change in fetal activity

By the end of gestation, the expectant mother is already getting used to the active movements of the fetus, so changes in the duration and frequency of the baby's movements indicate the approach of childbirth. Often, women notice a decrease in fetal motor activity, while others, on the contrary, note hyperactivity. For some mothers, too passive behavior of the baby often causes concern. In some cases, an overly agitated state of the baby indicates an insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus (hypoxia).

Exit the mucous plug

The approximate time period for the appearance of such a phenomenon is two weeks before the onset of labor, in some cases, the separation of mucus occurs the day before the onset of the birth process. Mucus plug is a clot of mucus in the cervix, which performs the function of protecting the fetus, preventing infection from entering the uterine cavity. Before the onset of childbirth, the cervix becomes softer, the walls of the organ open,and the slime comes out. Usually, a pregnant woman notices a discharge of a thick consistency of a transparent or yellowish tint on her underwear. Sometimes the mucous plug has a pinkish tinge with streaks of blood. The separation of mucus can occur gradually in small clots, or completely in one large lump.

In rare cases, the discharge of the mucous plug occurs directly during childbirth.

Pain in the lumbar region

Such a harbinger of childbirth is closely related to the phenomenon of fetal prolapse. As a result, pressure on the lower spine increases. Lower back pain can be constant or intermittent. Pain in the lower back is often similar to the pain a woman experiences before her period.

As a rule, the appearance of pain in the lower back should not worry the expectant mother. However, in exceptional cases, such a phenomenon may indicate an incorrect presentation of the fetus.

Increased urge to urinate and defecate

Frequent urge to have a bowel movement is a symptom common to all pregnant women. With the movement of the fetus into the pelvic area, not only the processes of urination, but also defecation become more frequent. In addition to fetal pressure, such a harbinger of childbirth is associated with the active production of the prostaglandin substance. Prostaglandin has a relaxing effect on the walls of the cervix. This increases the pressure on the intestines. Under the pressure of the enlarged reproductive organs of a pregnant woman, the intestinesforced to get rid of the contents more often, which explains the frequent urge to defecate, and sometimes painful cramps in the abdomen. Often, the expectant mother takes such processes for a common indigestion. Usually such a harbinger appears a few days before the onset of labor.

Cervical relaxation

The sign of the so-called "soft neck" is diagnosed only when examined by a gynecologist. The woman herself is unlikely to be able to notice this process. Under the action of prostaglandin (a hormone responsible for the contraction of the smooth muscles of the uterus), as well as estrogens, the walls of the cervix become softer. This process immediately precedes the onset of labor.

The listed signs are not inherent in every pregnant woman. Some harbingers of childbirth in primiparas go unnoticed. Therefore, you should not look for a complete set of various signals in your body. When the time comes, the true signs of childbirth will not be long in coming.

Increased uterine tone

The appearance of the main harbingers of childbirth - contractions - is often preceded by a feeling of "petrification" of the uterus. The musculature of the organ contracts and contributes to the gradual advancement of the fetus through the birth canal. Such a sign is well defined by touch. If you put your hand on your stomach, you can feel that it becomes hard.

The discharge of amniotic fluid

This phenomenon warns a woman about the onset of labor and the need for hospitalization in a maternity hospital. Rupture of the amniotic sac is accompanied bydischarge of a clear liquid. The discharge of water can occur at a time or gradually in small volumes. A fast process indicates the onset of labor, therefore the birth of a child may occur in the next day.

The discharge of water in small portions suggests a short delay. In any case, the period of anhydrous existence of a child in the womb cannot exceed 12 hours from the moment the waters completely drain, since during this period the baby is not protected from infection.

The process of rupture of the amniotic sac and discharge of water is painless, but you should pay attention to the color and smell of the discharged water. Ideally, it is a clear, odorless liquid. But if you notice a cloudy, green or bloody hue, or an unpleasant odor, seek immediate medical attention. In some cases, the unusual color of the water may indicate fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen).

As a rule, during pregnancy 38 weeks (second birth), the harbingers are just the discharge of amniotic fluid. This indicates the beginning of the process and the appearance of contractions.

In nulliparous women, if indicated, the discharge of water is often accompanied by medical intervention (opening the amniotic sac).

Contractions are the harbingers of childbirth

The most striking sign of the approaching birth of a baby, accompanied by pain in the abdomen. If they have a regular intensifying character with a frequency of 15-20 minutes, it is time for the woman to go to the hospital. In somecases, such contractions can be harbingers of early labor in primiparas. Over time, the pulling pains become stronger and more frequent, repeating every 3-4 minutes. This condition indicates the beginning of labor activity.

But, as a rule, in primiparous women, this process is slower, so you should not panic with the appearance of the first contractions. The expectant mother still has time to calmly pack up and get to the hospital.

When is it time to go to the hospital?

For a pregnant woman who is about to become a mother for the first time, it is important not to miss the period of the harbingers of childbirth.

What should a primiparous woman pay attention to first of all? Follow the changes in your body and try not to miss:

1. The appearance of harbingers of childbirth. Signals noticed in time help a woman mentally prepare for the upcoming event, relax and gain strength.
2. The appearance of true contractions, accompanied by pain - the harbingers of childbirth. It is equally important to distinguish false sensations from real ones and seek medical help in a timely manner.
3. The discharge of amniotic fluid. An attentive mother should understand that during pregnancy, especially at the end of the gestation period, the release of fluid is associated with the approach of childbirth.
4. Escape of waters, combined with painful frequent contractions. This condition is fully consistent with the onset of labor, so the pregnant woman is subject to urgent hospitalization.

Signs of preterm labor

The final maturation of the fetus is completed by the 37th week of pregnancy. The obstetric period often differs from the real one. The self-calculated moment of childbirth may differ from that established by the gynecologist. Therefore, it is important to listen to your body and notice new changes.

The appearance of true signs indicates the immediate approach of the beginning of the process. Moreover, the premature occurrence of such harbingers of childbirth as a cork, true contractions and discharge of water, regardless of the gestational age, indicates the beginning of the process. The beginning of the premature appearance of the baby may occur for a period of 28-36 weeks. Symptoms of preterm labor are practically no different from generic signs during full-term pregnancy. As a rule, the following signs indicate the imminent approach of childbirth:

• feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen;
• womb in a state of increased tone;
• prolapse of the abdomen;
• increased pressure on the bones of the internal organs of the pelvis;
• appearance of contractions.

Worrying signs of an imminent birth are a reason to seek medical help. At such moments, you can’t hesitate, because your baby’s life is at stake.

Even if you have not noticed all the described harbingers of childbirth, the true signs will always tell you that it is time to go to the hospital. And the signals will bring the body into a state of readiness for the upcoming joyful event.