The last weeks of pregnancy are the most exciting for every future mother. After long months of waiting, I can not believe that the meeting with the baby approached. Most women look forward to the day of delivery. - And the question: "How to understand that the birth began?", Tormenting many future mothers, especially those who give birth for the first time.
Births, except in rare cases, do not start suddenly. This exciting process is preceded by various precursors of childbirth, knowing about which a woman can objectively assess her situation.
What are the precursors of childbirth?
Approximately 2-3 weeks before the day of birth in the body of a future mother, certain changes take place. The very first precursors of childbirth begin much earlier - from 30-32 weeks of pregnancy. They are irregular contractions of the uterus, which are called false fights. As a rule, these sensations are painless and irregular. These precursors of childbirth continue until the 40th week of pregnancy with a greater or lesser intensity.
Starting from the 38th week of pregnancy, the following harbingers of labor in women are observed:
- Abdominal abscess. Visually, the future mother may not immediately notice this sign, but she immediately senses that it is easier for her to breathe. The present part of the fetus - usually the head of the child, moves to the entrance of the small pelvis, as a result of which it falls. The fruit ceases to put pressure on the diaphragm, the breathing of the mother becomes more free, but there are difficulties with prolonged sitting and standing. Omission of the abdomen is often accompanied by pain in the lower back.
- Increased urination and defecation. This is one of the most unpleasant precursors of childbirth, as any movements of the baby in the womb can put pressure on the bladder and rectum. In some cases, these precursors of labor are observed before 38 or 39 weeks of gestation.
- Changes in the nature of fetal movements. By the 40th week of pregnancy, one of the most palpable precursors of childbirth is a decrease in the child's activity. This is due to the fact that the fetus has already gained the necessary weight and is tight in the uterus.
- Decreased appetite. A few days before the birth, a woman's appetite decreases - the body is released from all that is superfluous, which is capable of hindering it in childbirth. In the last week of pregnancy, a woman can lose a few pounds in weight.
- Emotional changes in the future mother. Sharp mood changes and violent activity are the main precursors of an early birth. In connection with neuroendocrine changes occurring in the body of a woman, she includes the instinct of "nesting" - the woman begins to intensively wash, wash, clean and prepare the house in every way for the appearance of the baby.
- Departure of the cork. Cork - a slug of mucus from the cervix of a transparent color with small blood patches. In some women, the plug leaves 10 to 14 days before delivery, others - for several hours.
Future mothers can feel all the precursors of childbirth, and may not feel them at all.
The true beginning of the generic process can be determined by two main signs - the passage of amniotic fluid and regular contractions. Departing or leaking water means that the process has already gone and there is no return path. As a rule, after the withdrawal of water the baby appears in the light for 2 to 20 hours. Contractions are rhythmic contractions of the uterus, accompanied by pressure on the lower back and pelvic bones. Reducing the interval between contractions and increasing their intensity is a harbinger of rapid delivery and meeting with the baby.