7 Signs That Childbirth Is Approaching
In the last stage of pregnancy, the body of the expectant mother begins to prepare for childbirth. Predictive symptoms usually begin as early as a few weeks before delivery. Examples include worsening of back problems, increased feeling of weight in the pelvis, and increased need for white discharge and the need to urinate. Below we share seven signs that childbirth is approaching.
7 signs that childbirth is approaching
1. Increased
It is common to have painless and irregular uterine contractions during pregnancy, which, however, do not yet indicate the onset of labor. In the last meters of pregnancy, contractions may shorten the cervix and open the cervix slightly.
If labor begins with contractions, it can be difficult for the expectant mother to estimate when it is the right time to leave the maternity ward. As a general rule, contractions should be intensifying and regular – that is, occurring less than every 10 minutes – and should last for at least two hours.
2. The baby lowers and attaches to the mother’s hips
It is common, especially in first-time mothers, to attach the baby’s head to the mother’s pelvis even before giving birth. In first-time mothers, this often occurs at 38-40 weeks of gestation. As the baby descends, the mother’s condition is slightly relieved when the baby no longer presses on her lungs. However, it is possible that as it lands, the baby begins to press on the bladder, which also causes discomfort and an increased need to urinate.
3. Uterine wall changes
At the beginning of labor, the cervix becomes more flexible and begins to expand. During contractions, the cervix shortens and opens. The midwife follows the opening of the woman’s uterus. The opening phase of labor is considered to have begun when the contractions are regular and the cervix has opened to 2-4 centimeters.
4. Detachment of the mucus plug
In late pregnancy, the tissue in the cervix softens, causing the duct to loosen and open. In this case, mucus is released from the walls of the cervix, which exits through the vagina. This mucus plug can be bright, white, yellowish, and sometimes even greenish, and it is normal for it to have small amounts of clear blood, reddish blood streaks, or brownish streaks.
Although secretion from the cervix is called a mucus plug, it is not an actual cork-like plug that prevents the baby from being born or whose detachment initiates labor immediately. Loosening of the tough cervical mucus suggests that the baby is born within days or weeks.
5. Preparation of matters
As the calculated day approaches, there is an innate need for pregnant women to begin preparing things for the arrival of the child. This instinct can be called, for example, a nest building site. The need to put things in order increases during the first stage of labor, which is also related to the biological patterns found in other species.
6. Irritability
Although this is not always the case, many women are more sensitive or irritated in the early stages of childbirth. This is related to the many hormonal changes that take place in the body of the expectant mother during pregnancy and especially in its final stages.
7. Going for amniotic fluid
Amniotic fluid, or amniotic fluid, is a fluid that contains important substances that protect the fetus, such as proteins and fatty and amino acids. The amniotic fluid protects the fetus from external threats, helps develop the baby’s lungs as well as the digestive system, and helps the baby move through the mother’s stomach.
The delivery of amniotic fluid can occur at any stage of childbirth, and amniotic fluid cannot be retained. Childbirth can start with the flow of amniotic fluid before contractions begin, or water can only go in the maternity ward. Studies show that only 10 percent of women use amniotic fluid before contractions begin.
As you can see, nature organizes things and prepares a woman’s body for childbirth and the arrival of a baby. Every woman and childbirth is different, so the signs of approaching childbirth may also vary. However, it is important for any expectant mother to know what symptoms are usually a sign that the baby will be born in the next few days or weeks.
