Long months of waiting behind, and now you have to go through the last test - childbirth. This is the most responsible and rather difficult moment for the whole pregnancy. The future mother by the end of the ninth month is concerned only with one question, to which we will try to give the most detailed answer. So, let's talk about how the birth begins.
When does the delivery begin?
Almost every future mother knows on what week the birth begins exactly at her. At the very beginning of pregnancy, the gynecologist determines the expected date of birth according to a special calendar based on the data on a woman's menstrual cycle. At later dates, this date is specified with the help of ultrasound and a manual examination at the doctor's appointment.
However, it should be remembered that the time limits are approximate and depend on the characteristics of the course of pregnancy. If you are worried, why the delivery does not begin at week 40 - do not panic, the pregnancy period of 37-41 weeks is considered normal for the onset of labor. Until this time, the baby is still considered premature, and then there is a risk of oxygen starvation of the fetus.
How the birth begins - symptoms
The following changes may indicate the approaching birth:
- abdominal depression;
- decreased motor activity of the fetus;
- Departure of the mucous plug ;
- low weight loss;
- pulling or cramping pain in the lower back or in the lower abdomen.
These precursors can occur 1-2 weeks before delivery. The birth itself, as a rule, begins with fights. How is this manifested? The muscles of the uterus begins to contract rhythmically, which is accompanied by aching pain in the lower back or in the lower abdomen. The abdomen is stony and it seems to shrink. After a while, the muscles relax and the pain passes.
These feelings can be compared to menstrual pains, however they are much more intense and with each new fight become stronger. At the very beginning of labor, the fights last for several seconds, and the interval between them can be about 15-20 minutes. Gradually, the contractions increase and occur every 3-5 minutes, besides, they become very painful and prolonged.
When the interval between contractions is reduced to 5-7 minutes, it is necessary to go to the hospital. Prenatal contractions of the uterus can last several hours. If this happens more than a day, enough exhausting the future mummy, doctors in most cases use drugs that stimulate labor.
Less often the first sign of how the delivery begins is the outflow of amniotic fluid. You can feel a transparent warm discharge, which increases with tension. In this case, you need to urgently go to the doctor. Sometimes water can have a yellowish or greenish color - this is an unfavorable sign, indicating the oxygen starvation of the baby in the womb.
Wastage of water, as a rule, occurs in large quantities - about 200 ml, but sometimes they can leak in small portions. In this case, they can be confused with the usual secretions during this period of pregnancy. However, there is still a difference.
It is especially important to know how the birth begins for those women who have them first. Those who already have children are all very familiar and difficult to make mistakes. However, everyone should remember that the appearance of excreta with an admixture of blood can be a very disturbing sign. Therefore, if you notice not completely normal changes in your condition, immediately consult a doctor, this will determine the health of you and your future baby.