A few hours before giving birth. The reasons for the onset of labor. Cozy nest: not just for birds
A normal pregnancy can last between 37 and 42 weeks. A baby born during this period is considered full-term, and after the 37th week, the expectant mother can expect the onset of labor at any time. If you are expecting your first child, and you still do not have experience how to recognize the signs of the onset of labor, this article will help you with this.
Many harbingers of childbirth can be observed in a woman two to three weeks before this crucial event. They are associated with a change in the hormonal background in a woman's body, which is rebuilt and prepared for childbirth. The hormone progesterone, which is responsible for the normal tone of the uterus and the supply of nutrients to the fetus, is replaced by estrogen, which is responsible for the elasticity of the vaginal walls and the patency of the woman's birth canal. As soon as the concentration of estrogen reaches its maximum, the woman begins to have contractions.
Harbingers of childbirth in primiparous
Rapid changes in the body of a pregnant woman cause her a feeling of general discomfort. Ripening of the cervix and its preparation for childbirth affects the nearby intestines. As a result, the woman may develop nausea or diarrhea. At the same time, if unpleasant symptoms are accompanied by a headache and fever, an urgent need to consult a doctor in order to exclude the possibility of poisoning or other problems not associated with early birth, but rather dangerous for the fetus.
After being examined by a gynecologist in late pregnancy, a woman may observe small bleeding, literally a few drops of blood on her underwear. This is considered normal, but only in extremely small amounts. Any bleeding, especially in later stages, should be reported by the pregnant woman to her doctor.
A week or a few days before giving birth, most women experience rapid weight loss, up to 2 kg. A woman's appetite disappears, and just before childbirth, a woman may refuse to eat at all. At a scheduled appointment with her doctor, a pregnant woman checks her weight every time. And if the doctor notices a sharp decrease in weight, he warns the expectant mother that it is time for her to get ready for the hospital.
How long do the harbingers of childbirth last
If a woman has not given birth before, then changes in her body occur earlier than during repeated childbirth. Therefore, already a few weeks before giving birth, she has a lowering of the abdomen. The baby's head is pressed against the entrance to the small pelvis. In addition to visual signs of lowering the fetus, the woman feels constant aching pain in the lower back, often runs to the toilet, since the child presses more on the bladder, but it becomes noticeably easier for her to breathe, since the diaphragm is released.
Periodically, in the last weeks of pregnancy, a woman may feel agitation and strong contractions of the uterus. Once or twice a day, the uterus can become very hard, and remain in this state from a few minutes to an hour. Don't worry, it's completely normal.
In addition to such periodic contractions, the uterus can be trained before childbirth with the help of false contractions. Such contractions are very similar to real ones, so you will already have an idea of how it happens during childbirth. But false contractions do not have a repetition rate, are not characterized by a reduction in the time between contractions and an increase in their intensity. If you feel a pulling pain in the lower abdomen, do not panic right away. Just grab your watch and start measuring the time between contractions. If the time intervals are completely different, they do not decrease and the contractions do not intensify, take a warm bath or shower, and go to bed. With false contractions, you will fall asleep easily. But with real contractions, you turn around, turn around and still understand that it's time to go to the hospital. False contractions should not be frequent. If they torture you every day, see your doctor.
Another sign of imminent labor is the discharge of the mucous plug. This is a brownish mucus clot, which can come out completely at one time, or come out in parts over several days.
Harbingers of the second birth
If a woman gives birth not for the first time, then she may have the same signs as primiparous, but they all come much later, almost immediately before childbirth. A few days before childbirth, the abdomen sinks, there are almost no false contractions and the mucous plug leaves during the day before childbirth.
Harbingers of imminent birth
A woman can learn about the onset of labor by the discharge of amniotic fluid or at the onset of labor. Outpouring of amniotic fluid before the onset of active labor is quite dangerous for the child. Therefore, if this happened to you, you should put on a clean sanitary napkin and go to the hospital as soon as possible. Quick help from an obstetrician in this case is very important to prevent the risk of infection of the uterus and fetus with an infection from the external environment. If the waters have departed, doctors try to allow childbirth as soon as possible in order to protect the baby.
If the water begins to leak before the 37th week of pregnancy, the woman should consult a doctor for examination and help. It can be life-threatening for the child. But with qualified help, the problem is easily solvable.
And finally, let's talk about the most common sign of the oncoming birth, which visits all women without exception, and leaves a lot of unpleasant sensations in their memory - about contractions. A woman may not pay attention to them at first. They appear as discomfort in the lower abdomen. Then they gradually increase, acquiring a certain periodicity. Doctors recommend that a woman record the time between contractions in order to accurately determine their progression. If you see that the contractions are not false, do not rush to go to the hospital. Slowly gather, you can take a shower, cook dinner, some doctors even advise the couple to have sex to stimulate labor and distract from pain.
But you still need to go to the hospital so that the process of childbirth is already under the supervision of an obstetrician. When you arrive at the maternity hospital, the doctor will examine the vagina, check the dilatation of the cervix and tell you, in about how many hours, and maybe even minutes, you will have the next phase of labor, when the baby begins to move along the birth canal.
That's all you need to know about starting labor. Your body will tell you the rest, because who else, if not you, can feel the moment when your long-awaited baby is ready to be born.
In this article:
So 9 months of waiting are coming to an end, and every pregnant woman asks what the first symptoms will help her understand that labor is starting, at what point to call an ambulance. Doctors talk about signs of incipient labor in the mother and in the fetus.
Harbingers of the imminent onset of childbirth in a woman
After 38 weeks, pregnancy is considered full term. Before childbirth, the normal onset of which is considered any time between 38 and 42 weeks, the level of hormones responsible for bearing the fetus decreases in the body of women, and the level of those that stimulate labor is significantly increased.
Hormonal changes affect both the physical and psychological well-being of women. The presence of several of the signs listed below indicates an imminent onset of labor. The first symptoms may appear several weeks before childbirth.
One of the main symptoms of the approaching birth is abdominal prolapse, which occurs as a result of a denser entry of the fetal head into the pelvic ring. Many women say that it has become easier for them to sit and breathe, and heartburn has disappeared. Obstetricians note the prolapse of the fundus of the uterus. While most women experience this within a few weeks, some women have a lower stomach just before childbirth.
Very often, to train the body before childbirth, Braxton-Hicks contractions (precursor, false, training) occur. They can be quite long and intense. Unlike true false contractions, they are not regular, do not increase in intensity and duration, often resemble menstrual pains, and usually stop if the woman relaxes or takes a warm bath. If you were able to fall asleep, this is definitely a training contraction.
Many women experience nausea, loose stools, and even vomiting during the prenatal period. According to doctors, these signs indicate the process of cervical dilatation. However, one must be careful, constantly drink water in small quantities in order to prevent dehydration of the body, because these symptoms can accompany poisoning and intestinal infection.
In some cases, women who are in the late stages of pregnancy may urinate more often, which occurs due to an increase in the pressure of the uterus on the lower abdomen, in particular the bladder. In this regard, edema disappears. It is also believed that this indicates the disposal of the body from excess, cleansing before childbirth. Those of women who regularly weigh themselves may notice a weight loss of 1-2 kilograms.
Some pregnant women experience lower back pain and pressure in the lower abdomen.
The discharge of the mucous plug can occur both immediately before childbirth, and 2 weeks before them. The mucus is in the cervical canal and protects the fetus from infection. Once it is released, the baby continues to be reliably protected by the amniotic membrane.
How to understand that it is the mucous plug that has been released? It is transparent, colorless, maybe streaked with blood; amount - about 20 ml. If the cork has come off more than 2 weeks before the PDD (estimated date of birth) or the cork has been painted in a color, you need to seek medical help, otherwise there is no cause for concern
A psychological sign of the approaching birth is the "nesting instinct", when a woman tries to stay at home as much as possible, choosing a cozy corner, or cleans, washes, strokes, preparing a "nest" for her child. Here you should not overdo it with physical activity and save energy for the upcoming birth.
All of the above first manifestations of the approaching labor do not require immediate medical attention, but if any doubts arise, it is better not to hesitate and consult a doctor.
Fetal symptoms
Usually, a few days before giving birth, the baby becomes less active: he has grown up, and it becomes more and more difficult for him to move in a tight space. However, if a woman feels less than 10 series of movements per day, it is necessary to consult a doctor to eliminate the risk of developing fetal hypoxia.
The main signs of incipient labor
The main sign of the development of labor is the development of contractions, that is, an increase in their intensity, an increase in the duration and a decrease in the intervals between them. The first contractions usually manifest as pulling pains in the lower abdomen or lower back, lasting a few seconds at intervals of 15-20 minutes. Often, contractions are accompanied by chills. It is not worth worrying about the appearance of a chill, this is one of the body's natural reactions before childbirth.
Outpouring of amniotic fluid is the second reliable sign of the onset of labor. In this case, the liquid should be light or yellowish, colored waters may indicate oxygen starvation of the child in the womb or an infection. The rupture of the amniotic membrane can occur both immediately before childbirth, and many hours before them.
When to call an ambulance?
- If you have lost water, then you need to immediately go to the maternity ward: the longer the child is without water, the higher the likelihood of complications.
- With regular increasing contractions, when the interval between them is 7-10 minutes. If you go to the hospital for more than 30 minutes, it is better to call an ambulance without waiting for such a short interval.
- If bleeding appears.
In primiparous and multiparous women, the symptoms of the onset of labor are the same, however, in the second labor, as a rule, it proceeds more rapidly than if the birth is the first, therefore, if signs of labor activity in women who have already given birth, it is better to immediately go to a medical institution.
Easy delivery and health to you and your baby!
Many pregnant women often wonder about the upcoming date. childbirth, and women who have to give birth for the first time are especially worried. As a rule, they are very afraid not to recognize the onset of labor in time and confuse them with temporary malaise. In many cases, a woman's close observation of the changes taking place in her body will help to resolve these unrest.
Already at 38 weeks, the prenatal period begins, when the first harbingers of childbirth and the first, as yet irregular (training) contractions appear. These contractions appear irregularly, and they go away after a change in body position or a short rest. In primiparous women, such training contractions of the uterus can last for five, and in some cases even more, days before delivery. When they appear, there is no need to worry and urgently go to the hospital, but the expectant mother should notify her doctor, family and friends about such changes in her body.
When the first signs of leakage or discharge of amniotic fluid appear, which may indicate the onset of labor or premature labor, a woman should immediately notify a doctor or independently contact a medical institution to resolve the issue of further hospitalization.
If a woman has learned to recognize training contractions, then she will be able to distinguish them from the onset of labor, or true contractions. It is difficult to confuse these sensations with any other symptom, since they are characterized by periodicity and rhythm. For example, a fight lasts 20-30 seconds, and then there is a 20-minute pause - this is repeated many times in a row, and the time intervals hardly change.
At the beginning of the onset of labor pains, the woman in labor or her relatives must inform the doctor about the beginning of labor, call an ambulance or go to the maternity hospital on their own.
Reasons for the onset of labor
By the beginning of childbirth, many complex processes occur in the body of a pregnant woman, which, being in close interconnection, ensure the onset of such a reflex act as labor.The main reason for the onset of labor is the readiness of the uterus for the birth of the unborn child and the maturity of the fetus.
Pregnant uterus:
- is gaining sufficient weight and size;
- her neuromuscular apparatus is ready for contractile activity;
- the placenta fully ripens.
Several factors influence the onset of labor:
- neuro-reflex - as a result of a decrease in the excitability of the brain, an increase in the excitability of the spinal cord and an increase in the sensitivity of the muscle fibers of the uterus to oxytocin, an increased contractile activity of the uterus is produced;
- hormonal- at the end pregnancy the production of progesterone decreases and the production of a complex of estrogens increases, which stimulate the onset of labor;
- neurohumoral - at the end of pregnancy in a woman's body, the synthesis of oxytocin, prostaglandins, serotonin and other bioactive substances increases, which increase the sensitivity of the uterus to substances that cause active contraction of her muscles;
- bioenergy - a sufficient amount of substances (glycogen, ATP, phosphorus compounds, electrolytes and trace elements) accumulates in the mother's body, which make the uterus capable of enhanced contractile activity;
- mechanical - the ripe uterus loses its ability to stretch, and in response to the motor activity of the fetus and an increase in the level of oxytocin-like hormones, it begins to actively contract;
- trophic and metabolic - the accumulation of some waste products in the body of a ripe fetus leads to its active movement, and degenerative processes in the mature placenta and the complete maturation of the muscle fibers of the uterus contribute to the onset of labor.
The state of the nervous system of the woman in labor is of fundamental importance in the formation of all mechanisms of the onset of labor, since it is this system that ensures the readiness of the uterus for natural childbirth.
All of the above factors, being in close relationship, contribute to the appearance of contractions, which are replaced by attempts and end with the expulsion of the fetus from the uterine cavity and the birth of the placenta.
Harbingers of the onset of labor
The harbingers of childbirth are called a set of signs that indicate the imminent onset of active labor. There are many harbingers of the onset of childbirth, but for each woman, their totality is individual and depends on the characteristics of the organism of the expectant mother. Harbingers of childbirth:
- Abdominal prolapse.
Such a change, which is determined externally by a slight downward displacement of the abdomen, is individual for each pregnant woman, and cannot always be noticed independently. In primiparous women, this harbinger may appear 2-4 weeks before the day of childbirth, and in multiparous women - a few days or immediately before childbirth. - Gait changes.
The nature of the gait changes after abdominal ptosis. The woman begins to waddle because of the pressure of the baby's head on the pelvic bones and the fundus of the uterus. - Changes in the nature of urination and bowel movements.
Abdominal prolapse can cause increased urination or urinary incontinence as the uterus puts more pressure on the bladder. The mechanical effect of the pregnant uterus on the intestinal wall can provoke constipation, and in some cases diarrhea, several weeks or days before childbirth. - Changes in the nature of discharge from the genital tract.
Vaginal discharge under the influence of hormonal changes becomes more abundant and fluid. In some cases, to exclude the discharge of amniotic fluid, a special test is performed by an obstetrician. - Discharge of the mucous plug.
This harbinger of labor can occur 2 weeks before labor starts, and several hours before labor starts. In some cases, the mucous plug does not come off entirely, but in small portions. In practice, this symptom looks like a discharge of vaginal discharge (sometimes mixed with a small amount of blood). The pregnant woman should inform her obstetrician-gynecologist about the discharge of the mucous plug. - Decrease in body weight of the expectant mother.
A few days before giving birth, a pregnant woman may notice that she weighs 1-2 kg less. This weight loss can be explained by the elimination of excess fluid from the body under the influence of changes in the hormonal background. - Reducing the number of fetal movements.
The fetus, a few weeks before delivery, moves less frequently. This is due to its rapid growth. The future baby becomes cramped in the uterine cavity, and his movements are difficult. - Training bouts.
Closer to the date of delivery, the uterus begins to increasingly come into an increased tone, which is expressed in the sensation of training contractions. They differ from labor pains in a number of features: short duration, irregularity, mild pain sensations (reminiscent of pain during menstruation), spontaneous disappearance after a change in body position or rest. - The manifestation of the "nesting" instinct.
Many women in the last days and even hours before childbirth begin to prepare their homes for the upcoming birth of a child. These actions can be expressed in the fact that the woman begins to diligently clean up, wash, and may even start repairs. - Changes in the cervix.
Only an obstetrician-gynecologist can notice such a harbinger of an impending birth when examining a woman on a gynecological chair. Under the influence of estrogen hormones, the cervix shortens and becomes more elastic by 38 weeks. The external cervical os begins to open before the onset of labor pains.
Harbingers of the onset of labor - video
Signs of the onset of labor
Reliable signs of the onset of labor are:1. Contractions;
2. Outpouring of amniotic fluid.
These two signs always indicate the onset of labor and every pregnant woman should know how they proceed.
Contractions
True, or labor pains are called contractions of the muscle fibers of the uterus, which occur at regular intervals, and which a woman cannot control. It is this sign that marks the moment of the onset of labor. The first true contractions are accompanied by minor painful sensations, which most women compare to pain during menstruation. The pain is tolerable and can radiate to the lower back or be localized in the lower abdomen. Most women in labor begin to experience contractions at night. Some women note that during a labor contraction, the uterus "turns to stone", that is, if a woman in labor puts her hand on her stomach during a labor contraction, she can feel the hard, tense uterus.
You can determine the truth of the contractions using a stopwatch. Their frequency and constant occurrence, which is not eliminated by a change in body position, taking a warm bath or rest, indicates the onset of labor.
Initially, contractions occur at intervals of half an hour (more often in some cases). With each contraction, the woman in labor begins to feel not only soreness, but also rhythmic contractions of the muscles of the uterus. Gradually, the contractions become more noticeable, and their frequency, duration and intensity increase. With each contraction, the amniotic sac and the head of the fetus press against the fundus of the uterus, causing the cervix to open gradually.
Outpouring of amniotic fluid
In the classical course of childbirth, the outflow of amniotic fluid occurs after the cervix opens up to 3-7 cm. Under the pressure of the fetus, the amniotic membrane ruptures, and part of the amniotic fluid is poured out.A woman in labor, with the classic outpouring of water, may think that she involuntarily urinated. In some cases, the water is poured out gradually, in small portions. In this case, a woman may notice the appearance of wet spots on underwear or bedding and experience sensations such as when vaginal or menstrual flow is separated.
Sometimes rupture of amniotic fluid can occur before the onset of regular contractions and the opening of the cervix, or much later than the full opening of the pharynx of the uterus. These conditions do not always mean that there will be a pathology of childbirth or fetus, but usually gynecologists use various special tactics for the further management of such labor to prevent possible complications.
Signs of the onset of labor - video
Contractions early in labor
Obstetricians-gynecologists distinguish three phases of labor pains:Initial (hidden) phase:
- bout duration - 20 seconds;
- the frequency of contractions is 15-30 minutes;
- dilation of the pharynx of the uterus - 0 or up to 3 cm.
Active phase:
- bout duration - 20-60 seconds;
- the frequency of contractions is 2-4 minutes;
- opening of the pharynx of the uterus - 3-7 cm.
Transient (transient) phase:
- bout duration - 60 seconds;
- the frequency of contractions is 2-3 minutes;
- opening of the pharynx of the uterus - 7-10 cm.
Labor pains occur in the first stage of labor (the period of disclosure).
The beginning of labor in primiparous
Probable harbingers of childbirth in primiparous have their own characteristic features. As a rule, they have a more pronounced time gap between the day of childbirth and the date of appearance of the precursors. Some mothers-to-be are overly emotional and take any slight ailment for the harbingers of childbirth. If they do not know about this or that sign, they may not notice them.During their second pregnancy, most women feel much stronger and more confident. But it is important to know that since the birth of your first child, your body has undergone many changes: there has been a vitamin load on the reproductive system, weight fluctuations, frequent back pain and others. In addition, the signs of childbirth in multiparous mothers are completely different.
So the second pregnancy can be drastically different from the first. Therefore, it will be very useful to prepare yourself for this difference and once again go through the "hard path". Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to make sure everything goes well and you will soon see your second baby smile.
How to prepare yourself for the next baby?
Of course, your health remains an important issue. Again, there are a few pregnancy "rules" to remember. Namely:
- every day (up to 12-15 weeks of pregnancy) take 400 mcg of folic acid, which will help protect the baby from problems with the nervous system and diseases of the spine;
- Eat healthy foods (vegetables, fruits, fish, milk, cottage cheese, meat, nuts, cereals, whole grain breads) to make sure you and your baby are getting enough nutrients.
- Limit your caffeine intake to 200 mg per day - that's two cups of green tea or 2 cups of instant coffee;
- do physical exercises every day, having previously coordinated them with your doctor; they will help you to be energetic and stay in good shape;
- take time to get close to your child: stroke the tummy, listen to classical music, talk to him.
Changes in the body
Of course, your second pregnancy will be slightly different from the first one. Here are some examples:
- You will feel the movements of the fetus much faster, but these sensations will also be magical.
- Joints may hurt more. Talk to a healthcare professional about how you can relieve tension in your back and pelvis.
- If during your first pregnancy you did not experience nausea, then most likely you can avoid these unpleasant sensations this time too. Conversely, if you have suffered from vomiting, then you will not get away from them again.
- Problems such as varicose veins, hemorrhoids, or frequent urination may recur. But this time you will already know how to deal with them.
- Unfortunately, if you have suffered from diseases such as gestational diabetes, obstetric cholestasis or preeclampsia, then they may appear this time too.
The main plus of a second pregnancy is your awareness and experience. That is, in the event of any illness, you will know what medications to take and how to behave so as not to harm the child. In any case, do not forget to consult your gynecologist.
Second pregnancy: first signs of labor
When your second pregnancy comes to an end, you, of course, will remember about It is absolutely natural, and besides it is very interesting to know if everything will be the same this time.
The signs of labor in your second pregnancy can be very different from those associated with your first experience. For example, you may feel that this time your belly sinks more slowly. However, contractions can be stronger, and the cervix will open faster.
If you have not had a caesarean section, it will be easier for your baby to go through the birth canal. The fact is that the muscles of the pelvic floor and the walls of your vagina have already been tense before. The active period of labor (when the cervix opens from 4 to 10 cm, and the intervals between contractions are getting smaller) will last no more than 5 hours. This is less than the first time this stage occurs 8 hours. And the very process of giving birth to a child will not take more than two hours this time.
Let's take a closer look at the signs of labor in a second pregnancy.
Lowering the abdomen
It should be noted that not all pregnant women feel this before the onset of childbirth. However, if this happens, you will feel much better: you will breathe easier, shortness of breath will go away and even heartburn will no longer bother you.
But sleep, unfortunately, will become a little worse: it will be difficult for you to find a comfortable sleeping position. Remember that in multiparous women, the belly sinks just a few days before labor begins.
How does the mucus plug come off?
In fact, the so-called may not go away at all, or it will do it directly 2 - 3 days before the actual onset of labor. Nevertheless, due to the fact that in women who are pregnant for the second time, the cervix opens much faster, they will begin to give birth within a few hours after the mucus plug has passed.
A mucous plug is a clear or brown, jelly-like clot that exits directly from the vagina. Sometimes it contains blood particles. It is important to remember that he does not always leave before childbirth: this can also happen in the process of giving birth to a baby. So the woman may not even understand that the plug has come out.
Acute abdominal pain
When you become a mom a second time, it will be easier for you to distinguish true contractions from training (Braxton Hicks), which occur only once during the day, without any frequency changes. They usually appear in the 26th week of pregnancy, but may occur later. Such a criterion as the intensity of contractions will help to recognize them.
You can be absolutely sure that you will start giving birth when contractions become regular and frequent, and the intervals between them are shortened.
Child behavior
There are also signs of childbirth during the second pregnancy - this is the condition and movement of the fetus. As a rule, a few days before birth, the baby's activity is significantly reduced, and he sends only some "lazy" signals to the mother.
And very soon this calm will be replaced by excessively fast movements of the child, informing the mother that her baby no longer wants to "sit in the stomach."
Weight loss
During pregnancy, of course, all women closely monitor their weight. But on the eve of the baby's birth, you may notice a real loss of several kilograms. Along with them, unpleasant edema can go away.
In addition, the expectant mother may experience impaired appetite and indigestion. Do not be intimidated by aching pain in the lower back.
Diarrhea
This unpleasant symptom also sometimes worries a multiparous woman. In addition, she may notice a sharp disorder of normal stool: as a rule, expectant mothers often run to the toilet. And this means only one thing, that labor is about to begin.
In addition to severe diarrhea, nausea and vomiting may occur.
Rush of activity
Sometimes, before giving birth, it is not clear why a pregnant woman with a huge belly feels an extraordinary surge of vitality in herself. She begins to solve unfinished business at a fast pace: to carry out a general cleaning, to move furniture on her own, to prepare a children's room.
The expectant mother seems to be soaring with happiness! And there are really many reasons for this, because soon everything will begin.
Active period of labor
As a rule, contractions in most women begin with the discharge of water, that is, with a spontaneous rupture of the amniotic membranes.
Monitor your contraction rate. Initially, you may experience contractions in 10 to 15 minutes. But over time, this period will be reduced to 2 - 3 minutes.
Urination may occur more frequently due to increased fetal pressure on the bladder.
When the above signs of childbirth are noted in multiparous, the cervix undergoes structural and functional changes. If it opens up to 10 cm, it means that you are ready to give birth.
Obstetrician help
A nurse who will be with you all the time will be able to determine how the plug is coming off and how much your cervix has dilated. Your obstetrician will tell you what stage you are in: the first - the cervix will open by 1 - 3 cm, the second - from 4 to 7 cm, the third - by 8 - 10 cm.
The specialist on duty will also be able to tell you where your baby is and where his head is. Water - all this you can and should discuss with your doctor.
Cesarean section
If your first child was born by caesarean section, then this time you will have a chance to give birth on your own. The obstetrician-gynecologist will help to determine if you have recurring similar symptoms (for example, preeclampsia), which may become an indication for surgery.
As long as your pregnancy is going well, the specialist will set you up for a vaginal birth. According to statistics, three out of four women do not have a cesarean section for the second time.
Premature birth
If during the first pregnancy your baby was born prematurely, this does not mean that this time everything will go the same way. There are four out of five chances that the fetus will be full-term. However, changes can occur and they will be related to your condition.
Scientists have proven that early birth can be repeated if:
- the first time the baby was born between 20 and 31 weeks;
- you have given birth more than twice prematurely.
If the contractions in your second pregnancy do start early, you will already know what to do. The main thing is to get to the hospital on time.
Baby weight
There is an opinion that the second children are born much larger than the first. But this is not always the case. However, if your first child was born with a weight of 4.5 kg or more, then, most likely, this time you will have a hero.
To get information about the size and weight of your unborn baby, the gynecologist will constantly measure your belly, as well as prescribe an ultrasound scan. This procedure will help you get an accurate picture of the fetus.
Now we can conclude: the signs of childbirth during the second pregnancy, of course, can differ significantly from those that were during the first. But in most cases they are repeated. Therefore, you will already know what to prepare for. And your obstetrician will help to identify violations in time, prevent them and take care of the safety of the baby and mother. Therefore, do not be afraid to give birth a second time. After all, every woman wants to feel the joy of motherhood again and see the first smile of her baby.
Childbirth and maternity hospitals
If a pregnant woman is attentive to the signals of her body, she will never miss the harbingers of childbirth, as a sign of an imminent meeting with her beloved baby.
In the last weeks of pregnancy, a smooth change in the hormonal profile of a woman takes place. With the regular aging of the placenta, the amount of progesterone it produces decreases, and the relative amount of another female hormone, estrogen, on the contrary, increases. Progesterone "reigned" in the body throughout the entire period of gestation, ensuring the preservation of pregnancy, while the effects of estrogen are directed in the opposite direction, to prepare for childbirth. When the concentration of estrogen in the blood reaches a maximum, the receptors in the brain will perceive this as a signal for childbirth and labor will begin. Those changes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman under the influence of a change in hormones and prepare the birth canal for the birth of a baby are called precursors of childbirth. This is the logical final stage of pregnancy, which in obstetrics is often called the preparatory period of childbirth, the purpose of which is to ensure a gentle, as less traumatic as possible, fetal movement along the birth canal. According to the literary medical data, this process occurs at 38-39 weeks of pregnancy, but in many women, some of the precursors may appear a day or two before childbirth. If this is your second birth, the harbingers will probably begin a little later, closer to the time your baby is born.
9 harbingers of childbirth:
1. The popularly known sign of an imminent birth - "abdominal prolapse" - is absolutely correct and is based on anatomical changes at the end of pregnancy. If the baby is upside down, then during this period his head falls even lower and now it is a little more fixed. In medical terms, it is inserted into the small pelvis. The upper part of the uterus also descends and no longer compresses the lungs and stomach so much, so women rarely ignore this harbinger of childbirth, because it becomes a little easier for them to breathe. Sometimes there is a protrusion of the navel, the skin of the abdomen is even more stretched.
2. A slight increase in the amount of discharge from the genital tract as a result of the fact that the lower part of the fetal bladder exfoliated from the walls of the uterus. This sign of an imminent meeting with the baby sometimes suggests a possible leakage of amniotic fluid and is very worried about expectant mothers. To clarify the situation, you can use a special test for express diagnostics, which will reliably show whether the amniotic fluid is contained in the discharge.
3. Changes in the cervix. This does not affect the condition of women in any way, such anatomical precursors of imminent birth are noticeable only to the doctor during a vaginal examination, but, perhaps, pregnant women will be interested to learn about this process. If earlier the cervix, along which the baby will move during childbirth, was, figuratively speaking, a tube, about 4 cm long, with a narrow pinhole on both sides, now it looks different. From the inside, where the baby's head is adjacent, it opens up quite strongly, and the rest, its narrow part is now only 1-2 cm and still resembles a pipe, but with an enlarged hole, passable for one finger. The fetal membranes are now very close and easily accessible for infections, which is why a woman, towards the end of pregnancy, is not recommended to take a bath, limiting herself to a shower with the obligatory daily toilet of the genitals.
4. If you weigh yourself often, you can probably notice that in the last weeks of pregnancy, your weight has dropped sharply by 1-1.5 kg. This occurs as a result of a decrease in tissue edema. Pay attention to the legs - if before the elastic from the socks left a pronounced mark on them, but now it is not so noticeable - childbirth is just around the corner and it's time to start mentally preparing for a meeting with the baby.
5. Isolation of the mucous plug. This harbinger of childbirth is probably the most famous and shrouded in myths. It is very important to understand what a mucous plug is. This is a collection of mucus, usually slightly denser than daily vaginal discharge, colorless or with slight streaks of blood, with a volume of about 2-3 ml. If you notice a bloody or profuse watery discharge, see your doctor, it can be a dangerous symptom.
6. Change in posture. As a result of the prolapse of the uterus, the center of gravity shifts. The woman takes on a characteristic proud look, and her head is usually thrown back a little, and her gait becomes "duck".
7. Increase in the frequency of urination and loosening of the stool, which occur as a result of compression of the pelvic organs by the fetal bladder. It should be noted that, according to some experts, stool liquefaction occurs under the influence of sufficiently high, close to peak concentrations of estrogen, therefore this symptom can be considered a harbinger of imminent birth, in contrast to the previous ones, which can last for weeks.
8. The appearance or intensification of "training" contractions. Unlike true contractions, these contractions are irregular, painless, and of varying duration. Thus, the muscles of the uterus, which will soon have a lot of work, get ready, so to speak, warm up, train.
9. Discomfort in the lower abdomen and back. This does not mean acute pain, but pulling and aching sensations, as a result of a natural sprain. In that case. If this is not the first, but the second birth, harbingers of this nature may not bother you.
Harbingers of childbirth in primiparous
Since the described symptoms are for the most part subjective, that is, they are felt by a woman, pregnant women with no experience of childbirth more often interpret the precursors as malaise. A special role is played by the fact that the precursors of childbirth in primiparous are usually smoother. They can begin two weeks or a week before childbirth and therefore serve as a very conditional time guide. It is important to know the fundamental differences between false and real contractions, since for a woman unfamiliar with the sensations of labor, a training fight may seem strong enough and cause excitement. It is worth noting that the harbingers of childbirth in primiparous often go unnoticed at all or include 2-3 of the listed signs.
Harbingers of childbirth in multiparous
The anatomical difference between women who have already given birth is that their cervix has a wider lumen and responds faster to hormonal stimuli. Therefore, some precursors of childbirth in multiparous are more pronounced and begin at an earlier date. So, there are observations that the mucous plug in women who give birth again is more voluminous, like liquid discharge, which intensifies by the end of the gestation period. Training contractions during the second pregnancy begin to disturb earlier, however, most likely, this is due to the fact that the woman clearly differentiates them. It should be noted that in the second and subsequent times, not only the generic process itself occurs more rapidly, but the time between precursors and childbirth is often reduced. Sometimes the precursors of childbirth in multiparous appear a day or two before childbirth. Typically, abdominal prolapse in these women usually occurs not 1-2 weeks before childbirth, but almost immediately before them. Listen carefully to your well-being throughout pregnancy, if you are about to have a second birth, the harbingers can be interpreted as a signal to collect bags in the hospital and prepare for contractions.