Signs of childbirth in primiparous and multiparous

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

Pregnancy and childbirth are such individual processes that even in the same woman they proceed differently. Many, talking about the birth of their first-born and second children, often describe a lot of differences between their feelings. Therefore, if you are in the last months of pregnancy and do not experience anything resembling the stories of girlfriends, then do not worry. Signs of approaching labor can appear just a couple of days before your baby declares his desire to be born into this world, and in some cases even a few hours before.

Despite the fact that each woman can experience completely different sensations, in most cases they are still identical. We have collected in the article the main symptoms and signs of childbirth, which appear from about the thirty-eighth week of pregnancy. We will also tell readers if there are differences in the precursors in primiparous and multiparous women.

Where does it all begin?

About the signs of childbirth today, women can get comprehensive information from any available sources. If earlier they were guided only by the stories of experienced friends or relatives, now they have access to numerous printed publications, forums and Internet sites. In addition, most pregnant women attend special courses where they undergo real preparation for the upcoming difficult birth of a baby. The birth process in such classes is considered in different aspects, however, some expectant mothers, even after completing the courses, before the crucial moment begin to panic and look for information about the signs of the onset of labor.

Let's say right away that doctors divide these signs into several categories, which future women in labor must be aware of:

1. Harbingers. Signs and symptoms of the onset of labor can appear in women long before X hour. It is quite normal if you notice them a month and a half before the first contractions. But in cases where they occur a day or two before childbirth, there is nothing pathological either. It is also worth considering the fact that some pregnant women have all possible precursors, while others have a maximum of two signs from those that we list in the following sections of the article.
2. Signs of the onset of labor. Breaking waters and actual contractions fall into this category.

I would also like to note that the signs of childbirth in primiparous and multiparous appear with some differences. Therefore, when studying this article, be sure to consider the time you are going to goto the maternity hospital. After all, the process of the birth of a baby for the second time is much shorter than the first.

Harbingers in brief

Throughout pregnancy, a woman is affected by hormones. The body smoothly adapts to the changes taking place in it and produces certain hormones necessary to keep the baby inside. By the end of the term, the hormonal background changes, and this stage becomes the signal for the start of labor activity.

From the moment of conception, progesterone becomes the main hormone, which is responsible for the normal maintenance of pregnancy and for the body not to reject the fetus. But in the last weeks of bearing a baby, its number decreases sharply. The placenta, gradually aging and performing its functions worse, produces it in smaller quantities, but the level of estrogen, on the contrary, only increases every day. It prepares the body for the birth of the baby, and the moment of its maximum concentration in the blood becomes the beginning of the birth process.

However, the amount of estrogen changes gradually so that the body has time to accept the changes that will occur in it. All of them are aimed at making it easier for the baby to pass through the birth canal and not harm the mother herself. It is the totality of the ongoing changes in obstetrics that is commonly called "harbingers". Women usually talk about them as signs of childbirth. After all, from the moment they appear, it becomes clear that the long-awaited meeting with the baby is just around the corner.

Usually everyone faces signs of childbirth by 40 weekspregnant women. Moreover, in primiparas, the precursors appear earlier, but not always inexperienced expectant mothers can recognize them. The prepared body of second-born women “remembers” about previous births, and therefore the signs appear much later, and the process itself is faster. Also, many mothers share that the contractions were less painful the second time, which is also quite natural.

Women who understand what is happening to their body in the last stages of pregnancy feel confident and do not panic in a critical situation. In addition, they have time to prepare for the trip to the hospital and pack their things in time.

Signs of approaching labor

Of course, every woman is different. But in the classic version, described in textbooks on obstetrics and gynecology, nine signs of childbirth are indicated, which we list below:

• fetal descent into the pelvis;
• discharge of the mucous plug;
• disappearance of breathing problems;
• appearance of aching pain in the sacrum;
• frequent urination;
• losing several kilograms of weight;
• changing baby's activity;
• appetite problems;
• training bouts.

We will give each of the above points a separate section of the article.

Sagging belly

Even our grandmothers considered this factor the very first sign of childbirth. It indicates that the baby is alreadyfully prepared to meet with his parents and the account goes almost to the clock. In the last century, experienced women, noticing a drooping belly in a pregnant woman, began to urgently complete all the things that needed to be completed before the baby was born.

Today this sign is also one of the most noticeable, it cannot hide from the eyes of the expectant mother and her loved ones. The prolapse of the abdomen occurs due to the fact that the fetus is gradually preparing to move along the birth canal and, therefore, descends into the small pelvis. The muscles of the abdominal press noticeably weaken by this period of time, and therefore the bottom of the uterus is very easily stretched.

Visually these changes are noticeable, but in parallel they are also accompanied by a strong protrusion of the navel. If before the prolapse of the abdomen, he simply stood out, then before childbirth, the navel becomes noticeable even under loose clothing. It seems to stick out, which worries many women giving birth for the first time. They worry that he will stay like this for the rest of his life. But still, you should not worry - a few months after childbirth, when the uterus is completely reduced, the muscles will return to their previous state, as well as the navel.

Sometimes women note that after lowering the head of the fetus into the small pelvis, the stomach noticeably increases in size. In fact, this is just a visual illusion due to the fact that the baby in the womb has changed its position.

Vaginal discharge

This is also one of the rather characteristic signs of childbirth. In multiparous, it manifests itself literally a few days before hour X, so thisthe symptom is an occasion to mentally prepare for a trip to the maternity hospital.

After conception, the cervix is securely sealed with a kind of mucus plug. It protects the baby from the penetration of all kinds of infections from the vagina, and the neck itself tightly closes the entrance to the uterus. However, before the birth, the situation changes.

On the one hand, the neck opens very wide, it is here that the baby rests on the head. This essentially shortens the cervix and relaxes it. It gradually softens, becomes elastic and begins to open on the other side. If at this time you will be examined by a doctor, he can say that there has been an opening of one or two fingers. Naturally, she is no longer able to hold the mucous plug, which begins to stand out copiously.

This secret has a viscous consistency and a transparent color. At first, yellowish or bloody streaks may be observed in it, and after a few days the mucus becomes more transparent. For some women, the cork leaves almost immediately and it is rather difficult to confuse this process with anything else. And for others, it lasts for days and even weeks, so it is difficult for inexperienced expectant mothers to understand what exactly is happening with their body.

It is worth noting that after your cork has gone, you need to be very careful, as the baby has become completely defenseless against any infection. During this period, it is not recommended to have unprotected sex and take a bath.

Breathe easier

The last months of pregnancy, women suffer from breathing problems and difficultieswith the digestion of food. Some even say that they could not eat at all, as the stomach was greatly compressed by the enlarged uterus. But as soon as the fetus descends into the small pelvis, it becomes easier for the pregnant woman to breathe. The diaphragm ceases to be deformed, and the expectant mother gets the opportunity to breathe deeply.

Due to the prolapse of the abdomen, the woman also experiences relief when eating. She feels as if her stomach has been relieved of something heavy. But unfortunately, instead, heartburn can occur. She often accompanies pregnant women in the last weeks of bearing a baby.

Lumbar pain

This sign of imminent labor is experienced by many women. They note that a few days before the start of contractions, they experience pain in the lower abdomen, sacral area and in the lumbar region. Usually they have a pulling and aching character, but sometimes they develop into rather obsessive sensations that do not give a woman peace for a minute.

Obstetricians explain such pains by lowering the fetus into the small pelvis and accepting the position of readiness for childbirth. Also, do not forget that during this period there is a stretching of the ligaments and connective tissues. This process is accompanied by painful sensations, but the more the ligaments stretch, the easier it will be for the woman in childbirth.

Pressure on the bladder

Frequent urination can also be considered a harbinger of early labor. The amniotic sac, together with the baby, strongly compresses all the organs of the small pelvis, which causes women to have a constant urge to urinate. Many complain that at night they have to get up to go to the toilet literally every hour, which makes it impossible to get enough sleep and negatively affects their well-being.

The category of harbingers we describe can also include diarrhea caused by changes in hormonal levels. The body, preparing for the upcoming birth process, seeks to cleanse itself, and the level of hormones helps it in this. Therefore, if you notice a similar laxative effect, then know that very soon you will have to go to the maternity hospital.

Weight loss

Pregnant women who strictly monitor their weight note that they lose several kilograms about a week before giving birth. Usually it does not exceed one and a half kilograms, but in special cases it reaches two.

This process is mainly due to the removal of excess fluid from the body. Just before childbirth, they become unnecessary and can interfere during the process itself. In addition, edema disappears in women, which gradually normalizes the functioning of the kidneys.

Changes in fetal behavior

Changes in the motor activity of the baby are also a harbinger of childbirth. Most children become inactive, their activity is reduced by two or even three times. You should not be afraid of such changes, because the baby is already ready for childbirth and cannot waste energy on erratic movements. In addition, every day he has less and less free space and every wave of his leg and hand is given to him with difficulty.

However, some babies, on the contrary,become overly active. They constantly remind of themselves with rhythmic jerks, and this can also be considered a harbinger of childbirth.

Appetite reduction

As the body adjusts to the upcoming birth, the need for food is gradually reduced. Women switch to very light food and unconsciously reduce its calorie content by several times. Sometimes pregnant women completely lose their appetite, with difficulty forcing themselves to eat at least something.

In parallel, expectant mothers experience sudden mood swings and tend to cry often. They feel unreasonable anxiety, a desire to furnish the house and the inability to sit still, despite feeling unwell and tired.

Training bouts

Uterine contractions are also considered the main harbingers of the imminent birth of a baby. Inexperienced future mothers attribute them to the initial signs of childbirth and begin to rush to the hospital, notifying relatives and friends about this. However, if you take your time and wait a bit, then the pain will pass. This is how training fights differ from real ones.

False contractions can start as early as the thirtieth week and recur intermittently right up until delivery. They can be distinguished from the real ones by some features. Training uterine contractions have one level of pain, they are characterized by pulling sensations in the lumbar region and in the lower abdomen. In general, they can last from forty minutes to six hours, but during all this time their intensity will not change. Often when changingposition of the body, the pain decreases and then disappears altogether.

Interestingly, multiparous women may not have practice contractions at all. The signs of childbirth in this case include heaviness in the lower abdomen and lower back. Moreover, similar symptoms may appear a couple of days before real contractions.

A few words about the preliminary period

All of the above symptoms mean that soon the pregnant woman will need to go to the maternity hospital. But the real signs of childbirth in women with the first, second and subsequent pregnancies include contractions in the preliminary period. This is almost a real birth process, but it is characterized by slightly erratic cramping pains. They come on suddenly and last up to six hours. At this time, a woman can do her usual activities and even sleep, but after a while they become regular and begin to repeat after a certain time interval.

This transformation is already a real birth process, which means it's time to take the previously collected bag with things and call a taxi to get to the hospital.

Signs of childbirth in multiparous and primiparas: are there differences

Regardless of whether your first or second pregnancy, the signs of the upcoming birth will be absolutely identical. However, it should be borne in mind that women who are preparing to become mothers for the first time cannot always correctly characterize everything that happens to their body. Therefore, they often do not notice those orother signs of imminent labor, although they appear quite early.

But pregnant women who have already given birth to a child listen more sensitively to their body. And therefore, they clearly and correctly classify any changes in it, practically without mistake in determining the date of birth. But in cases where more than ten years have passed between pregnancies, the body will behave exactly the same as the first time. The fact is that during this period the uterus has already “forgotten” about the past birth and the birth of a baby will last the same time as that of the firstborn. But still, obstetricians themselves claim that women behave more responsibly, sensitively and confidently for the second time. Therefore, their births are easy, and the percentage of he althy babies is quite high.