A few days before giving birth, each expectant mother turns into a tracker. She listens to herself every second, trying to understand whether it's time to go to the hospital or it's too early. Nina Vladimirovna Antipova, obstetrician-gynecologist, gynecologist-endocrinologist, hemostasiologist of the Institute of Reproductive Medicine REMEDI (@remedi_clinic), a member of the Association of Gynecologists endocrinologists of Russia. What day will the birth begin? It is impossible to predict with an accuracy of one day the date of the baby's birth, either in the first or in subsequent pregnancies. Statistically, we know that most women give birth at the Estimated Date of Birth (PDD), which is 40 weeks of gestation. This date can be adjusted taking into account the ultrasound performed in the first trimester of pregnancy (an ultrasound performed at 7-8-9 weeks of pregnancy most accurately indicates when it is worth preparing for childbirth). If labor hasn't started at 40 weeks, don't panic. Statistics say that more than half of women who did not give birth in the PDR give birth within the next day of the 41st week (in the first three days). This is also completely normal! We also know that a baby born at the 38th week of pregnancy is considered not born prematurely, but full-term. He is ready for a new life for himself. What changes in the body indicate that a woman is ready for childbirth Changes in a woman's body that prepare her for childbirth begin from the first weeks of pregnancy. At first, these changes are more aimed at bearing the baby, and already in the third trimester of pregnancy, these changes begin to bring the woman's body closer to childbirth. During pregnancy, the hormonal background is constantly changing in the body. Under the influence of various hormones (not only progesterone, but also relaxin), the ligamentous apparatus softens, the tissues of the birth canal become blood-filled and partly loose. A few weeks before the baby is born, the woman's cervix is shortened, softened and may slightly change its position (it becomes in the center). The progesterone-estrogen ratio changes towards estrogen. How a woman can feel that labor will begin soon The so-called precursors of childbirth can be different for every woman. These mainly include: training contractions (usually this can happen several weeks before the onset of labor); pulling pains in the perineum, lumbosacral region, inner thigh, muscles; increased fatigue (at the end of pregnancy, the expectant mother increasingly wants to rest during the day); sleep disturbance (a few weeks before the baby is born, it is very difficult for a woman to find an optimal, suitable position for herself); nasal congestion; changing the chair of the expectant mother. But you need to understand that the so-called precursors of childbirth do not speak about the exact date of the onset of labor. Whether the precursors of childbirth differ depending on whether it is the first or the second birth. During the first and subsequent pregnancies, the precursors, as a rule, do not differ. In women who have given birth, the psychoemotional state is somewhat different. The second childbirth usually takes place according to a more relaxed scenario, because a woman is calmer about the changes that occur in her body. Much depends on the woman's age and the interval between previous and current births. The more time passes between childbirth, the less vivid positive memories become, plus some health features are added that can affect the woman's well-being (especially at the end of pregnancy). Objectively, as a woman's body prepares for the first birth, so it prepares for all subsequent ones. But the assessment of these "preparations", sensations - a purely individual question. Women endure pregnancy in different ways, everyone has different pain sensations, the tolerance of these sensations, the attitude towards such an important event. There are expectant mothers who feel quite cheerful and well, they do not particularly notice any changes in their bodies until the very last weeks of pregnancy. And that's okay too! If your obstetrician-gynecologist sees that the child is feeling well (CTG, ultrasound is in order), your tests and blood pressure are normal, then you can be congratulated. Feeling this way a few days before giving birth is a gift from nature. What changes in well-being a few days before the onset of childbirth are the norm The closer to childbirth, the more often a woman runs to the toilet. And all because of the pressure on the bladder, which is already "organized" by a large child. A few weeks before the appearance of the baby, a woman may stop gaining weight and even lose a little weight. As for such a "sign" as lowering the abdomen, then everything is ambiguous. Firstly, someone will notice that the stomach is sinking, but someone will not. Secondly, it all depends on whether the intestines are swollen or not, whether the woman has constipation or not. Today we are practically not guided by this sign (belly sinks). Another great feature. The fact that childbirth will begin soon may be indicated by a change in the chair of the expectant mother. Childbirth can begin with loosening of the stool, because under the influence of hormones (prostaglandins, which are involved in the opening of the cervix and uterine contraction), intestinal contraction also occurs. Sometimes a woman does not notice the first contractions, but she begins to run to the toilet more often in a small and big way - and this sign makes it clear that childbirth will occur within the next day. What changes in health for some time before the baby is born should alert them a lot: scarlet (bloody) discharge from the genital tract; tachycardia; severe swelling; sharp and severe abdominal pain; a strong increase in blood pressure; chest pain; the opaque color of the released water (with a brown or green tint). Any sudden deterioration in well-being requires an assessment of the condition of the pregnant woman and the child in a medical institution. How to distinguish real labor contractions from training contractions Closer to the term of labor (usually at the end of pregnancy), a woman begins to periodically appear training contractions. It feels similar to what a woman experiences in the first days of her period. These are pulling pains, which may be in the lower abdomen, a feeling of tension, as if the uterus is stiff. Someone may experience similar sensations several weeks before childbirth, while others will notice this symptom in the 30th week of pregnancy. But the expectant mother is unlikely to confuse real labor pains with something. It is quite easy to distinguish real contractions from false ones: real contractions intensify and become more regular over several hours. If a woman’s stomach sips, she goes to bed, and wakes up in the morning and feels good, then she didn’t oversleep. And if in the evening she begins to stretch her stomach and lower back (and at this moment labor really begins), then at night she will definitely wake up - these pain sensations become more palpable, or her water will go away. That is, the most important criterion is that within a few hours the intensity of pain during real contractions will increase. How long does the childbirth process take? Everything is individual here too. How long the process of childbirth takes is influenced by a lot of factors: the woman's age, her psycho-emotional mood, how the pregnancy proceeded (whether there are complications or not), natural features. There are women who give birth quickly and easily. There are women who carry pregnancy with complications, and their childbirth is difficult. Only a doctor can answer the question whether a woman is in labor or not, when he looks at a woman on a chair, conducts a vaginal examination, and assesses the condition of the birth canal and cervix. Childbirth is a normal physiological process in which the help and intervention of medical personnel should be minimal. We must remember what the process of childbirth is like. They consist of three periods: dilatation of the cervix; period of birth of the child; the birth of the placenta. The first and subsequent births differ in duration. The first birth, as a rule, takes longer and can tire a woman more seriously. The second birth and subsequent, if all is well, are much easier. A woman can feel contractions very early (they can be quite painful). Such an expectant mother begins to think that the contractions are quite regular and that labor will begin soon. But a vaginal examination shows that the opening of the cervix has just begun, so she was worried ahead of time. And there are times when nature gave a woman an easy generic activity. For such women in labor, from the beginning of labor until the baby is born, it can take up to 5 hours. The most physiological, normal scenario of childbirth is when contractions begin, the uterus gradually opens and the mucous plug leaves. On average, it is believed that in the first birth, this entire process from the beginning of disclosure to the birth of the baby takes about 10-14 hours. Photo: Depositphotos Teaching parenting in 1 minute? Easy! Subscribe to Letidor on TikTok!
