What does a pregnant woman feel before giving birth?

Where does childbirth begin? How to distinguish false contractions from real ones? When does the "cork" leave? Why does my back hurt? Experienced sibmums share their observations, and Nelly Mikhailovna AGAMYAN, obstetrician-gynecologist, head physician of the Ultrasound Studio network in Novosibirsk, tells what symptoms can signal an approaching birth at 37-40 weeks of gestation.

• Abdominal prolapse on the eve of childbirth
• Weight loss and bowel cleansing
• Removal of the mucous plug before childbirth
• Painful sensations
• The nesting instinct
• Change in mood
• Is there a lack of forerunners?

Abdominal prolapse before childbirth

If you look at your exchange card, you will see the numbers noted during visits to the doctor with the mark EFH (height of the fundus of the uterus). These measurements help the doctor to monitor the dynamics of the baby's development - during pregnancyas it grows, the uterus rises higher, reaches its highest point at about 37 weeks, and then begins to decline. This happens because the child goes to the "low start" and begins to move closer to the "exit". Its head (subject to head presentation) moves towards the cervix and is located in the pelvic area.

Symbum experience:

sweetmama

- My stomach dropped 2 days before the birth.

herringbone

- At 24 weeks my baby was already low. At 37 weeks, the head was already inserted into the small pelvis. The doctors were all worried that I would sneeze, for example, and immediately give birth. Yeah, how! She gave birth at 39 weeks 3 days, and that had to be done, because the bladder was flat.

- 5 days before the birth, I felt an increase in heaviness in my stomach, I thought that the head had dropped after reading books. Something hard pressed. On examination the next day, head prolapse was confirmed.

Lowering of the abdomen before childbirth. Expert comment

The height of the fundus of the uterus during the entire pregnancy increases by about 1 cm per week. This figure reaches 37-40 cm by the 37th week of pregnancy, and a couple of weeks before the birth, the stomach drops by 2-3 cm. This can happen in just a few hours. The fact is that on the eve of childbirth, the lower segment of the uterus stretches and becomes softer. Because of this, the fetus sinks lower and presses against the base of the small pelvis.

37-40 weeks of pregnancy is accompanied by the following sensations:

• easier breathing (the uterus no longer squeezes the chest so much);

• pulling pains in the lower abdomen, due to the fact that the uterus and fetus presses with all their weight on the lower part of the abdominal cavity;

• low motor activity of the baby - movements at 37-40 weeks of gestation, if the stomach has dropped, are not so noticeable: this is due to the fact that the child has already taken a stable position before childbirth and cannot turn around, but only move his legs and arms.

Weight loss and "cleansing" the intestines before childbirth

Many pregnant women are surprised to find that the weight, which in the last trimester is known to grow by leaps and bounds, suddenly drops by 1-1.5 kg after 37-39 weeks. Weight loss is especially noticeable if pronounced edema was observed during pregnancy. Do not be afraid - this is an absolutely natural process and another sign that a meeting with your baby is just around the corner.

Symbum experience:

Nika

- 2 days before the birth, I started to feel nauseous (with Polinka I even vomited, but with Leshka it was just sick) and (sorry for the detail) the stool was liquid 3-4 days before the very birth. The body was cleansed.

Mama and BABY M.

- I woke up at 4 am and realized that my stomach hurts. Well, the real indigestion. I went, sorry, to the toilet, strained ... And only when my stomach was relieved, I realized that something was not right. I recorded the time - contractions every 7 minutes go like clockwork.

Lucien

- I didn’t feel the prolapse of the abdomen, but ... loose stools 4-5 days before childbirth! And the tummy ached a little, pulled somehow. And then the waters broke in the morning, and she gave birth in the evening.

Tamiri

- The first sign of the approaching birth was, sorry, diarrhea: about 4 hours before the birth. Then I was drained of water, and after a couple of hours I gave birth. All!

Weight loss and bowel cleansing. Expert comment

Before childbirth, the body gets rid of excess fluid, which leads to a slight weight loss. This happens in order to thicken the blood and, in the future, reduce its loss during childbirth. In addition, the extra fluid that up to this point was used to produce amniotic fluid is no longer required and the body gets rid of it. Often this process can be accompanied not only by increased urination at 37 weeks of gestation, but also by nausea or diarrhea.

False (training) contractions

One of the most important signs that your uterus is preparing itself for the upcoming event is the appearance of "forerunner" contractions. They are usually not painful and feel more like intense muscle tension. The stomach at this moment seems to “harden” and shrinks, and then gradually relaxes. The main sign by which such contractions can be distinguished from true ones is their irregularity. They occur at random unequal intervals - sometimes the uterus contracts several times a day, then a couple of times a week. Most often, pregnant women note the appearance of such training fights in the mornings or evenings.

Symbum experience:

margarita

- 3 days before the birth in the morning there were false contractions - I even woke up from them. They were not strong, but rhythmic, at intervals of 10 minutes, lasted for 2 hours. Another interesting phenomenon - during the week before the birth, when driving a car, when jumping on bumps, I apparently had a strong feeling of pain in the cervix. It looks like the neck is open.

e-Katherine

- I started training contractions for 2 weeks. The interval reached 10 minutes, and after 1-2 minutes they stopped. I started writing down every time. So it was on the day of childbirth: in the morning I woke up in pain, well, I think, training again ... I went to the shower ... And then I realized that after a shower it’s easier (and usually after a shower, training contractions go away) does not become, that I got caught five times while washing ...

- On the eve of the birth itself, everything was as usual, but a week before that I had false contractions.

False (training) contractions. Expert comment

At 37-40 weeks of pregnancy, training contractions are the most important sign of an approaching birth. They differ from prenatal contractions by their irregularity and low intensity. These are the training tensions of the uterus, which can appear several times a week, and sometimes every day. Such contractions help the cervix to smooth out and make it softer, preparing for the upcoming labor activity.

Removal of the mucous plug on the eve of childbirth

Another harbinger of an early birth can be the discharge of a mucous plug - a jelly-like mass that is secreted by the membranes of the cervix during pregnancy. This plug fills the cervix and protects the birth canal and fetus from ascending infection. On the eve of childbirth, the cervix begins to soften, open slightly, and as a result, the cork (in the form of colorless, yellowish, or slightly pinkish mucus) can move away before the onset of labor - sometimes this can happen in a week or even two. An important point: after the cork is released, you should refrain from visiting the pool, swimming in ponds and even taking a bath, as this increases the risk of getting . Better to take a shower.

Symbum experience:

- On July 10, in the evening, the plug came off without any preliminary symptoms. 11 in the morning water began to leak, by lunchtime small contractions began, at the maternity hospital, at the direction of the midwife, she arrived at 7 pm, all this time she kept in touch with her by phone. She gave birth on July 12 at 12.20. The PDR was July 29th.

sweetmama

- The cork completely came off in 1 day (its first half came off in 2 weeks).

- My cork came out gradually, it looked like the result of a prolonged runny nose, with blood streaks.

Cork removal. Expert comment

Mucous discharge can signal the release of a cork that protects the uterus and fetus from external infections. During the period of preparation for childbirth, the cork liquefies and begins to flow out. It should be borne in mind that this sign is individual, for some the cork leaves a week before the birth, and for someone with the onset of labor. Sometimes these secretions can be confused with amniotic fluid. In this case, it is worth remembering that the latter leak constantly and intensify with a slight cough. If you still have doubts, it is better to immediately consult a doctor for an amnio test.

Pain before childbirth

In the last weeks before giving birth, many pregnant women begin to complain of pulling and aching pains in the lumbar region and in the lower abdomen. This is another sign that the body is intensively preparing for childbirth: the pelvic ligaments begin to soften and stretch, and blood flow to the pelvic organs increases. The sensations are specific, a bit reminiscent of menstrual pain, but the realization that at this moment the “exit” for the baby is preparing to open makes it very easy to experience unpleasant sensations.

Experience sibmam

Natalika

- On the eve of the birth, my back was pulled, my stomach “felt” and there was a feeling that my son’s head was already at the very exit. The next day in the delivery room, I was surprised for a long time that this is exactly what the first hours of contractions look like.

Nata k.

- My back hurt for about a week before giving birth. Sometimes there were false contractions, also for about a week. And, in general, everything was as always. I was driving until the last day. I went on Sunday and gave birth on Monday. But! Somewhere inside I felt that I was giving birth before the PDR, and it happened.

- My back hurt badly. He pulled his stomach. And most importantly - a relentless feeling of anxiety.

- And the day before my back hurt so much that I climbed the walls. The plug didn't come off.

Pain before childbirth. Expert comment

At 37-40 weeks of pregnancy, the expectant mother may have a stomach ache. The cause of pulling pains, as a rule, is not only the prolapse of the abdomen. The fact is that closer to the beginning of childbirth, a pregnant woman stretches and softens the joints of the pelvis, so that the baby is born more freely. In addition, it can sip muscles and ligaments, this is also the preparation of the pelvis for labor.

Nesting instinct on the eve of childbirth

On the eve of childbirth, many women receive from nature one more “news” that the baby will be born very soon. There is an indomitable desire to prepare a cozy “nest” for him and the expectant mother with great pleasure chooses tiny socks and undershirts for her future son or daughter, embroiders diapers, knits a hat and a blanket, buys the softest and most beautiful bed linen for the crib, a comfortable stroller, a warm envelope, a lace blanket, a set of bibs, and that lovely little rattle! Another obligatory point of “making a nest” is often general cleaning (or even repairs). Having arranged a children's corner, bought things and “licked” the house, the woman sighs with relief: you can give birth. And ... it is at this moment that contractions often begin. - an incredibly happy time, because it reminds you that your dream of meeting your baby soon is about to become a reality!

Experience sibmam

- Two days before the birth, it became more active -both timesI started big cleanings in the whole apartment, for which I had no strength for a long time. I noticed because I read here on the forum that this happens - preparing a nest. And there were no more signs.

Ekaterina

- At 39 weeks 5 days, I woke up with a terrible burst of energy and decided that it was simply vital to tear out all the floors in the house. Then I realized that it would start at night.

- Before giving birth, I didn’t have any special feelings, except that, like a field mouse, I dragged all the products from the store home for the last 10 days. Well, I couldn’t get past the store. I’ll pick up a full bag and drag it, then I understand that I won’t carry it, it’s hard, so I catch a taxi. Twice I came home in a taxi with shopping bags ...

Change in well-being and mood

All changes in a woman's body on the eve of childbirth are associated with hormonal changes. At the beginning of pregnancy, the main task of the body was to preserve and care for the safety of the baby. The “head” of this process was the hormone progesterone, which is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. By the end of the third trimester, the placenta begins to age and progesterone levels gradually decline. Now the first violin is played by the female sex hormones estrogens, the level of which is increasing as the placenta ages and the functional maturation of the baby. It is estrogens that are “responsible” for softening the cervix, stretching the ligaments and increasing the sensitivity of the uterus, contributing to its contraction. Such a hormonal storm can affect mood, causing sudden tears or bursts of joy. In addition, in the last weeks before giving birth, a woman is preparing for serious changes, she is afraid of the upcoming birth, in a word, she leads a rich emotional life. Treat your mood swings with understanding, because such mood swings are also part of preparing for one of the most important meetings in life!

Experience sibmam

Cheshire Cat

- The mood before childbirth changes in the direction that you want to kill everyone who even hints at the topic« well, when» . And in books, by the way, they often write that one of the signs of an approaching birth is hormonal changes, accompanied by mood changes and a feeling of how tired everything is, no strength, fatigue from a sense of uncertainty, impatience - when is the birth, finally! Probably, there is something in this, you really expect childbirth, like a holiday. But when the fights begin, there are no more fears that previously tormented, and one thought - well, thank you, Lord - it has begun!

Changes in well-being and mood. Expert comment

A few days before the birth, there may be changes in the well-being and mood of the expectant mother. Some are worried about tearfulness, rapid mood swings, irritability, emotional upsurge. In addition, there may be severe sweating, chills, fever, dizziness. Such symptoms are due to hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant woman on the eve of childbirth. It is important to understand that the harbingers of childbirth at 37-40 weeks are not yet the beginning of labor. However, if you feel such symptoms, you should not leave them unattended. Be sure to tell your doctor about them.

Has anyone started giving birth with a floundering bay?

- My first birth began in the hospital. Before that, the cork had come off in a few days - but, in my opinion, the doctor just picked it out. And then for several days there was silence, no sign of an approaching birth - until the first regular, slightly painful stretching in the tummy on the day of birth. It all started very smoothly, I had time to get used to the idea that today we are spending the night with my husband and the doctor in the maternity ward ...

Katik

- And I had no warning signs, no tummy tuck. It was just that the contractions started at 3 at night, in a dream I could not understand why my stomach hurts, as with menstruation. At 6 I woke up, realized, measured - the interval between contractions was 5-7 minutes.

O_l_g_a

- There were no special feelings. She ran, as usual, ate cherries well at night ... woke up in the morning from strong contractions.

- We were told in the courses that the primiparous most often does not really feel anything. Cork and water is by itself, and the onset of contractions and other precursors in the primiparous are most often mild. Although I understand that it's different for everyone.

How did you feel before giving birth? Share the link to our article on social networks!

For many, curiosity about how childbirth begins, wakes up almost with the first positive pregnancy test, and does not let go until the very birth of the child.

Let's see what are the harbingers of childbirth, false contractions, and when you can say that this is the beginning of childbirth.

Harbingers of childbirth

Signs of impending labor usually appear about a month - 2 weeks before the event itself, and can cause a lot of anxiety. In nulliparous women, they usually appear earlier than in repeated births, but they are less pronounced; in multiparous women, they can appear only a few days, almost immediately before childbirth.

Harbingers of childbirth are a set of symptoms, which is a kind of replaying of events and the establishment of the necessary connections in the body of the future mother, which will ensure the normal course of childbirth.

In many ways, the nervous system of a woman is responsible for the development of childbirth, and in order for everything to end successfully, it is necessary that the appropriate neural connections be established, the so-called dominant of childbirth is formed. It is clear that if a woman has already given birth, it happens faster, according to a previously worked out scenario, and the shorter the interval between births, the easier it happens. This is why second births are shorter, and the birth warning is also shorter and more pronounced.

When do the harbingers of childbirth begin? They usually occur at 37-38-39-40 weeks of pregnancy.

How long do the harbingers of childbirth last? Usually they continue until the onset of labor, and this can happen in a month, and in 2 weeks, and in a couple of days.

So, what does it mean that labor will begin soon? What are the harbingers of childbirth?

Weight loss before childbirth

Lowering of the abdomen

Signs of a lowering of the abdomen are easier breathing, a feeling that it has become lower and interferes less, and at the same time this can cause some other kind of discomfort. The head presses on the bladder, and you constantly run to the toilet, at the same time it can be difficult to go in a big way, constipation may bother you.

If you notice these symptoms, this does not mean that labor will begin tomorrow, lowering of the abdomen can occur even a month before the event itself, these are the first signals of the approach of a significant date, of those that appear before anyone else.

Mood change

Both options are normal, it is better to obey your desires. If you want to sleep - sleep, gain strength, they will be needed very soon.

Allocations, cork discharge before childbirth

The opening of the cervix before childbirth begins in advance. First, it shortens and smoothes, gradually its channel opens slightly, this is called the maturation of the cervix. By childbirth, it will become completely soft and smoothed, this preparatory opening of the cervix during pregnancy is provided just by training contractions, and only a mature cervix will enable childbirth to develop normally.

I must say that in re-pregnant women, the discovery occurs literally before the birth itself or even with their onset. In primigravidas, the opening of the cervix by 2 fingers may already be by the time of admission to the maternity hospital, in advance, even before the onset of active labor, for them this process is extended in time and begins in advance.

Signs of the opening of the cervix - discharge from the genital tract. Allocations are due to the discharge of the mucous plug. Even if the mucus plug has moved away, it is impossible to predict when labor will begin. The cork before childbirth is a lump of mucus, up to one and a half to two centimeters in diameter, it can be of different colors, and transparent, and yellowish, and brown, and even streaked with scarlet blood. These are all normal options.

The cork leaves in different ways, for someone it takes several days, and then there is a mucous-bloody discharge, for someone it leaves at the same time. Most often, childbirth begins within the next week after the appearance of these secretions.

Appetite disorder

The subsidence of the child's motor activity

An excessively restless child before childbirth is a reason for consulting a gynecologist, intrauterine fetal hypoxia is possible.

Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea

Diarrhea is somewhat more common and may be a couple of days before delivery.

All these not the most pleasant symptoms are a kind of release of the road for the baby, the intestines must be empty before childbirth so as not to interfere with the child's passage through the birth canal, and nature has taken care of this.

Pain in the perineum, pain in the sacrum and pubis

false contractions

Even before labor begins, false contractions can drain the nervous system if taken seriously. Yes, this is a signal of imminent labor, but not yet labor, it may be another two weeks before you give birth.

What are they, training contractions before childbirth?

But it is not so strong and long-lasting that you experience real discomfort, you may well continue to go about your business, despite its presence.

If this is just a warning about an imminent birth, the contractions are intermittent and not regular. They can disturb at various intervals (5-15 minutes) for several hours and stop completely, as if nothing had happened.

To understand whether these are contractions or not, it is enough just to note the time between them. If they do not increase in duration and the intervals remain erratic and long, this is not childbirth.

If this is your first pregnancy and you don’t have to drive more than an hour to the hospital, you shouldn’t go there immediately. Childbirth for the first time lasts long enough, and even if you make a mistake, a disaster will not happen. Try taking a warm bath, taking a nosh-py tablet, and going to bed. Most likely, you will fall asleep peacefully.

Sometimes false contractions turn into real labor. The gaps shorten, the contractions intensify and lengthen, and then for sure - it's time to go to the hospital.

What harbingers of childbirth speak of danger and require immediate treatment in the hospital?

The appearance of pure scarlet blood from the genital tract, at any time, is a threat to the life of the child.

The appearance of leakage of amniotic fluid. This is a feeling of dampness, watery discharge, aggravated by movement. If you notice this, you should consult a doctor immediately, the risk of infection of the uterine cavity and fetus. Wearing a white fabric pad helps to distinguish the leakage of water, it is easy to assess the nature of the discharge on it, the amniotic fluid does not smell, usually transparent. They can be brown (a very bad symptom) or green from an admixture of meconium (also very bad).

Signs of the onset of labor

What determines the onset of labor?

The first signs of incipient labor may appear at 37 to 42 weeks, if labor does not begin on time, doctors try to speed up the onset of labor.

Usually the second birth begins earlier. If childbirth does not begin in any way, measures are taken to prepare the cervix. Very often, sex brings great benefits, there are more than enough cases when after sex childbirth began.

What time does labor start?

Are there any differences in how labor activity develops in different births? Yes there is. And it depends on many factors, for example, on how much time has passed between births, at what time they began.

How does preterm labor begin? Usually, if the first symptoms of preterm labor are contractions, and if the woman goes to the hospital on time, this is regarded as a threat of preterm labor and in most cases it is possible to stop labor if the cervical dilatation has not gone too far.

It is much sadder if premature birth begins with the outflow of amniotic fluid. With severe prematurity, pregnancy can be prolonged for several days or even weeks, but in most cases the child is born.

How and when does the first birth begin?

How does the second, third birth begin?

How to recognize the onset of childbirth is usually not even a question for the expectant mother, she remembers how it happens. Contractions are not the only possible option for the onset of labor. The beginning of childbirth can be different ...

The transition of the harbingers of childbirth into labor activity. The frequency of contractions before childbirth increases, their strength increases, the intervals shorten and become rhythmic.

Independent occurrence of generic activity. Contractions begin regularly from the very beginning and gradually intensify.

Premature discharge of amniotic fluid. I must say that the onset of childbirth is usually easily recognized by a woman, and at the same time there is always a great emotional upsurge, composure and a willingness to fight arise, you will experience joy and relief at the same time. And of course, there will be a feeling of anxiety and fear, how else? Even the beginning of the second birth is a step into the unknown.

Let's look at all the signs of the onset of labor.

The transition of harbingers of childbirth, false contractions, into real contractions

If this is the beginning of labor, how does the contractions develop? If during training fights it is difficult to call them painful, how to understand that childbirth has begun is not difficult: the pain becomes severe. This pain is no longer like menstruation. It is pressure in the lumbar region extending into the lower abdomen, with a dull aching sensation that increases and then releases. There is no pain in between. At first, such contractions are short, 10-15 seconds, but with the development of childbirth, they become more frequent and longer.

When the intervals between them do not exceed 10 minutes, and they themselves last 40-50 seconds, this is already an active labor activity, you definitely need to urgently see a doctor.

Although the first birth usually lasts at least 12 hours, you must agree that it is better to arrive earlier than to be late, it's time to call an ambulance and go to the hospital.

Independent occurrence of labor activity

And the task of how to determine the onset of labor during repeated childbirth is no longer worth it, the woman knows all the sensations, she perfectly remembers the symptoms.

The contractions do not start strong at first, but they grow very quickly, it is impossible to miss the onset of childbirth, and you need to go to the hospital as quickly as possible, often such births are very fast. If the birth starts suddenly, if the birth started at home, this is a reason to quit everything, you will have time to do everything later. Take with you documents, a bottle of water (simple, without gas), and urgently go to the hospital, without waiting for your husband to come home from work, etc.

You will not need things at first, you can bring them tomorrow.

Premature rupture of amniotic fluid

At the end of pregnancy, the fetal head descends into the small pelvis, and presses on the bladder, which is why many women have a problem with urination. Not only do you want to run to the toilet often, there may also be urinary incontinence. In such a situation, how to understand whether the onset of labor is the leakage of water or just incontinence?

It's very simple, you must wear a daily pad. It should be either a plain white cloth or a pad with a non-mesh surface, then the nature of the discharge can be easily assessed. Amniotic fluid from urine is very easy to distinguish.

How does the water leave? There may be two options.

How to find out about the onset of labor if the water just leaks, but there are no contractions? Is it water or just secretions? Tighten your stomach, slightly strain. If at the same time you feel an increase in discharge, do not hesitate, this is amniotic fluid, and you need to go to the hospital.

When the gestational age is already long, it has exceeded 40 weeks, and there are not even harbingers of childbirth, impatience, fatigue and irritability appear. I really want the birth to start faster, and women begin to use different methods to speed it up, for example, they start rearranging furniture at home, develop vigorous physical activity, and have an active sex life. This all helps to bring the onset of labor closer, but at the same time it is tiring, the best thing to do before childbirth is to sleep more. There is no need to stimulate the onset of labor, the time will come, and they will begin, no one has remained pregnant yet.

If you are worried about why labor is not starting, ask your gynecologist about it. A mistake in the term is quite likely, for example, especially if the first ultrasound was only in the second trimester.

If it is necessary from a medical point of view to speed up the approach of childbirth, doctors will do this by medical methods, and your task is to know the signs of the onset of labor and determine in a timely manner that they have begun, and get to the hospital on time.

oh period, during which any day the baby can be born. And therefore, the expectant mother has a wide variety of experiences and fears associated not with pregnancy, but directly with childbirth.

Some are afraid of pain, which is considered an inevitable companion of childbirth, others are afraid that they did not have time to complete all the necessary preparations and painfully remember what else remains to be done. Finally, others are horrified at the thought that childbirth can begin suddenly, but they will not notice this and will be late to get to the hospital.

All these fears can be combined with each other. As we said, a prepared mother has fewer of them, but still this is the lot of almost every woman. Therefore, what is the prenatal period and what needs to be done at this time, you need to dwell in more detail.

So, we will call the prenatal period last month pregnancy. It is clear that at this time the woman's body is already tuned in to childbirth, and the fetus is already fully formed and ready to leave its cramped house - the uterus and come out into the world. Therefore, you need to prepare for childbirth already close.

Starting from the 36th week of pregnancy, experts recommend undergoing a complete sanitation of the birth canal. This is necessary in order to cleanse them of pathogenic microflora, if any, and ensure their purity during childbirth.

It is clear that if there is any infection in the birth canal (for example, herpes, STD, even just banal thrush), then the risk of infection of the child during childbirth when passing through the birth canal increases many times over.

In addition, the mother herself risks getting cracks in the vaginal mucosa if there is even a slight inflammation in the vagina, and if there is always pathogenic microflora, there is always inflammation.

During sanitation, pathogenic microflora is removed and normal microflora is “planted” - therefore, as a rule, prenatal sanitation of the birth canal takes a period of three weeks.

There are many methods of rehabilitation, and they are very individual, so the doctor who leads the pregnancy will tell her the method that is optimal for a particular pregnant woman.

Recall, by the way, that during pregnancy a woman should regularly visit a doctor, and in the prenatal period, visits become more frequent - once a week.

At each appointment, the doctor listens to the fetal heartbeat, measures the size of the uterus, and determines the position of the fetus.

In addition, a pregnant woman is regularly weighed at the appointment: the optimal weight gain during pregnancy is from 9 to 13 kg. This includes the weight of the fetus, amniotic fluid, uterus, placenta, breast, which, by the end of pregnancy, increases quite significantly and becomes heavier.

However, the last two weeks of pregnancy may surprise a woman with a slight weight loss: this is due to the fact that the body at this time loses a large amount of fluid. Weight loss can be about 2 kg, and this is normal.

Before each appointment with a doctor, a woman takes a urine test, which is examined for the presence of protein and sugar. The presence of protein in the urine may be a sign preeclampsia- the so-called late toxicosis or toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy, and sugar indicates diabetes.

During the reception, blood pressure is measured, a sudden increase in which can also be a sign preeclampsia- one of the dangerous stages of gestosis.

Immediately before childbirth, the doctor may prescribe to a pregnant woman no-shpu and belladonna suppositories, which are needed to prepare the cervix for pregnant women who are at risk of slow dilatation. This group includes late primiparous, those who had cauterization of cervical erosion uterus etc.

The well-known and sometimes terrifying shaving of the pubis and enema before childbirth have recently been considered obligatory. It has been established that even the most careful shaving can leave cuts through which infection can easily enter. Therefore, you should not shave pubic hair, it is enough to confine yourself directly to the crotch area.

The same goes for enemas: its usefulness is increasingly being questioned, but it can also be given so that there is no stool during childbirth. In each case, a pregnant woman should find out in advance what practices are adopted where she is going to give birth.

And, of course, a woman can shave her hair at home - by herself or with the help of her husband, and also give herself an enema with warm water, in which you can add chamomile infusion. Only in this case it must be taken into account that the enema, as a rule, stimulates the strengthening of labor activity.

Even before childbirth, you need to find a doctor who will receive them, and a maternity hospital in which they will take place. It is better to conclude a contract in advance. If you decide to go to the nearest maternity hospital to the house, then you still need to go there even before the contractions begin: find out if it closes for a planned wash at that very moment, and at the same time “scout out” how best to get there or reach by car after the start of contractions.

Of course, not only medical procedures are needed before childbirth. The prenatal period is a time of a fairly strict diet for the expectant mother. In particular, about a month before the expected birth (that is, from 36 weeks pregnant) it is recommended to remove animal protein from the diet - meat, fish, eggs, butter, milk. The diet of a pregnant woman at this time should be sour-milk products, plant foods, cereals on the water, baked vegetables, fresh juices, mineral water, herbal teas. However, when it comes to herbs, you should definitely consult a doctor, because some herbs, such as thyme, can stimulate uterine contractions.

The closer the due date approaches, the more restrictive the diet becomes, because you can not overload the intestines before childbirth. So, two weeks before giving birth, cereals and bread should be excluded from the diet of a pregnant woman, only plant foods and fermented milk products can be left. However, after another week, it is advised to refuse fermented milk products.

On the day of delivery, it is better not to eat anything at all. This is due to two reasons: firstly, nausea and even vomiting often appear during contractions, and secondly, the intestines must be empty, since it is very difficult to go to the toilet after childbirth. You can drink water with lemon, but it should be borne in mind that with a strong opening, even it can cause vomiting.

Of course, such a strict diet before childbirth does not mean at all that on the day of childbirth you can eat everything that comes to hand. Food on the first day after childbirth should be very light, and from the second day until the arrival of milk, it is better to abstain from food or reduce it to a minimum. To reassure expectant mothers, we can say that you don’t want to eat after childbirth: there are too many experiences, the condition is too unusual, and, in addition, the body knows perfectly well what it can and cannot.

Such a diet looks very rigid, but it will help to avoid many of the intestinal problems that are very common during the prenatal period. In addition, we recall that many products can help prepare a woman's body tissues for childbirth. For example, vegetable oil is useful in any quantity and because of the content of vitamin E in it and because it helps to make both blood vessels and tissues of the birth canal more elastic. Plus, it's a great preventative. hemorrhoids. Vegetable oil goes well with grated carrot salad or just carrot juice.

Immediately before childbirth, a woman can prepare a collection of herbs for herself: thyme (here it is just the way), mint, lemon balm, oregano, rosehip, currant or raspberry. Tea brewed at this gathering should be drunk little by little during labor and after childbirth.

After childbirth, just strong tea with honey, lemon and a little sweet red wine is good - it will give strength and help you relax after hard work - childbirth. Therefore, after asking permission from a doctor, it would be good to ask your husband to make such tea and bring it in a thermos to the maternity hospital.

Before giving birth, the positive psychological attitude of a woman is also very important, her confidence that the birth will go well. In order to create such a mood, you need to fully devote yourself to the baby - first, check if the dowry of the crumbs is ready. If everything is ready for the child, you can completely devote the last weeks before the birth to yourself, tune in to a successful birth and meeting with the baby.

Indispensable for this are the very childbirth preparation courses, which we have already discussed. But besides them, a woman has something to do. You can listen to music, read good good books (you can even aloud to your baby), watch your favorite movies, and go for walks as much as possible.

You can swim in the pool and do gymnastics until the very birth, and you don’t need to give it up.

Needlework is very calming: and why not try your hand and embroider a baptismal shirt for a baby? Just imagine that it will be kept in the family for many years and passed down from generation to generation for grandchildren and great-grandchildren!

The mom-to-be doesn't need to be upset that she's "become useless" and can't do all the housework she's used to. Loving loved ones will understand and take on most of the cases: a pregnant woman needs peace and rest before giving birth.

By the way, full sleep is now becoming very important, because during sleep the working capacity of nerve cells is restored, the body gains energy and strength for further activity.

Before childbirth, a woman should sleep at least 8-10 hours, and if she needs more time to sleep, then more. It is important that when she wakes up, she feels rested. 30-40 minutes before bedtime, you need to ventilate the room, go out for a short walk yourself, and it is better to sleep with an open window or balcony.

You can’t close in on yourself before childbirth, especially in your anxieties and fears before the birth of the baby takes place. You need to talk about the upcoming birth: pronounce the birth scenario that the woman considers optimal for herself. Say it yourself, at night, as a kind of “spell”, discuss with your husband and with the instructor on the courses. The more often and more persistently a woman tells herself exactly how her birth will proceed, the more likely it is that this is how events will actually develop.

In addition, this is a great way to work with "prenatal" fears. For the same purpose, you need to learn as much as possible about childbirth and have a good idea of ​​\u200b\u200bhow this process will take place. You can even write a "scenario" of childbirth - of course, everything may not happen exactly as a woman dreamed of, but still - this is the basis on which she will build her childbirth.

It is very important for a woman before giving birth to get as close as possible to father of the unborn child. Even if it was decided that the expectant mother would give birth without her husband, the man should still feel involved in the birth process.

By the way, if childbirth is delayed, then sexual intercourse can be an excellent mild stimulant of labor activity. Actually, about sexual relations at the end of pregnancy, there is now no consensus, and many doctors believe that sex is possible throughout pregnancy, but, of course, only with the use of a condom to avoid the risk of infection.

Often women worry before childbirth because they are afraid of not knowing that childbirth has already begun. However, childbirth, especially the first, very rarely begins suddenly - as a rule, they are preceded by the so-called harbingers of childbirth. Harbingers of childbirth are those signs on the basis of which it can be judged that labor activity will begin in the near future.

At the end of pregnancy (usually 2-3 weeks before delivery), the uterine fundus descends; in this regard, the restriction of the diaphragm stops, and the woman notes that it has become easier to breathe. This usually coincides with the full maturation of the fetus. Outwardly, this is perceived as prolapse of the abdomen.

Together with the fundus of the uterus, the presenting part of the fetus descends (head or buttocks, depending on presentation- in the optimal case, the head), and the head of the child in primiparous women is tightly pressed against the bones of the small pelvis or even enters it with a small segment.

In the same two weeks before childbirth, as we have already said, a woman can lose up to 2 kilograms of weight due to the increased release of fluid from the body.

Lowering the bottom of the uterus can lead to increased pain in the sacrum due to the fact that the child sinks and presses the head. Back pain persists during contractions, when it can become unbearable. In order to help herself, a woman can change her body position: walk, squat or sit "Turkish", lie on her side. You can apply heat or cold. You can forcefully massage the sacrum with pressure or circular movements of the bones of the fist or wrist of one hand.

Before childbirth, the secret of the glands of the uterus can be secreted from the vagina - thick, viscous mucus, often mixed with blood. These secretions always occur before the onset of labor, but they do not mean the immediate onset of labor. Childbirth can begin both a few hours and a few days after the appearance of discharge.

It is approximately possible to determine how soon labor will begin by the color of the discharged mucus: if it is white, then another 2-3 days may pass before childbirth, if it is brownish, then several hours are left before the onset of labor. Bloody mucous secretions of the glands of the cervix usually mean the beginning of the opening and contraction of the cervix, that is, childbirth is already beginning.

There is no need to be afraid of discharge, however, if they are accompanied by heavy bleeding, this may mean premature delivery of the placenta or placenta previa - and you should immediately consult a doctor. Both conditions require immediate medical attention.

Increasingly appear before childbirth false contractions or contractions-harbingers- these are uterine contractions that take on the character of pulling pains in the sacrum and lower abdomen before childbirth. Precursor contractions, unlike real labor pains, do not lead to smoothing of the cervix, opening of the pharynx and the formation of a fetal bladder. Therefore, they are not so painful, rather weak, short, irregular.

Together with the onset of contractions-harbingers or even before they appear, outflow or leakage of amniotic fluid (amniotic fluid) may occur - they are found on linen in the form of colorless spots. Usually, after the fetal membranes rupture and the amniotic fluid leaks out, most pregnant women go into labor within 12 hours.

A woman should immediately inform a doctor or midwife about the leakage of amniotic fluid, because postponing childbirth for more than a day after the outflow of water can lead to infection of the child. Therefore, if the water is leaking, then the risk of infection should be minimized - you should not visit the pool, take a bath, you can only wash from front to back.

In addition, very rarely, but there is a situation when, with a premature rupture of the fetal membrane, if the anterior part of the fetus is not yet installed in the pelvis, the umbilical cord prolapses to the cervical canal or into the vagina. In this case, immediate medical intervention is required. But this, of course, is rare. In the vast majority of cases, the baby's head is already so tightly blocking the entrance to the uterus that the amniotic fluid only leaks slightly.

By the way, when amniotic fluid leaks, you should pay attention to their color and inform your doctor or midwife about it. Normally, amniotic fluid is colorless and may contain a small amount of blood. Yellowish or greenish waters may be a sign hypoxia(that is, lack of oxygen) in a child. The white inclusions contained in the waters are not terrible - these are traces of lubrication of the fruit.

Sometimes, a few hours before giving birth, a pregnant woman begins to have diarrhea, nausea, even vomiting - this does not mean at all that something is wrong with the body, in this way it is simply cleansed before childbirth.

With the appearance of harbingers of childbirth, a woman should no longer be absent from home for a long time, because childbirth can begin at any moment. At this time, you need to calm down, if there is such an opportunity and desire - go to sleep (no need to be afraid to oversleep the birth - a woman will be awakened by real contractions anyway). You can call the doctor, tell him about the process that is starting, but it's too early to go to the hospital - it's better to wait for regular contractions to start.

The beginning of labor itself is considered to be the beginning of regular labor pains: at the very beginning of labor, contractions alternate after 10-15 minutes, subsequently become more frequent and stronger, gradual smoothing and opening of the cervix, discharge of mucus, slightly stained with blood, formation of a fetal bladder. From the beginning of childbirth until its very end, a woman is no longer called pregnant, but a woman in labor.

It is not always easy for a pregnant woman to determine the beginning of the birth process, but there are certain signs that indicate the imminent birth of a baby.

In the last weeks of pregnancy, women experience impatience and increasingly ask the question: “When will the baby be born?”. Determining the exact date of delivery can be quite difficult, because sometimes childbirth begins at 38, 40, or even 42 weeks. If a woman closely monitors the changes taking place in her body, then, of course, she will notice signs of the onset of childbirth.

The emotional state on the eve of the birth of a baby in women can be different: some feel overexcited, are on the verge of a breakdown, others, on the contrary, say that they experienced a sense of calm and peace before childbirth.

Most pregnant women on the eve of childbirth wake up the so-called " nesting instinct". The woman begins to prepare for the appearance of a new resident in the house: she washes, cleans, cleans. But most importantly, do not overdo it, otherwise childbirth can take you by surprise. Also, do not overwork in the last weeks of pregnancy, take care of the strength that you will need during childbirth.

What happens to the body, or symptoms of the onset of labor

Pregnancy is considered full-term after 38 weeks - the woman's body begins to prepare for the upcoming birth. In the blood of a pregnant woman, the level of hormones that are responsible for carrying a pregnancy decreases and the level of hormones that stimulate labor activity increases significantly.

Childbirth begins when the concentration of certain hormones becomes maximum. Naturally, hormonal changes affect the physical and psychological state of the pregnant woman. There are quite a few signs of the onset of childbirth, but not necessarily a woman observes them all. The presence of at least a few signs in the aggregate may indicate the onset of labor.

Shortly before the day of birth, the baby's head enters the pelvic ring more tightly, in connection with this pregnant belly droops . Many pregnant women note that it becomes easier to breathe and be in a sitting position, heartburn disappears, and obstetricians fix the prolapse of the uterine fundus. Descent of the head can occur a couple of weeks before childbirth or right before.

Before childbirth, a pregnant woman increasingly experiences , which can be quite intense and long. Thus, the body, as it were, trains, preparing for the upcoming labor activity. Fluid retention in the body of a pregnant woman in the last days before childbirth decreases, and, therefore, a woman may lose a little weight, swelling disappears.

Also, the preparation of the body for childbirth may be accompanied by liquid stool . Often in primiparous and multiparous women, a sign of the onset of labor is nausea, diarrhea, and even vomiting. Often the number of urges to urinate increases, thus the body cleanses, preparing for childbirth. These signs often precede the onset of contractions and may persist even when the cervix opens.

Some women feel pain in the lumbar region , others feel the pressure of the baby in the lower abdomen. Also, future mothers may note that their baby has become less active, indeed, it is becoming increasingly difficult for a grown baby to move in a small space. This symptom appears a few days before childbirth.

In primiparas, childbirth begins, as a rule, with not too intense contractions, which can intensify during the day or even more. In this case, it is worth being patient and waiting for the contractions to become permanent.

Many women find that being in a quiet home environment eases the process of contractions and contributes to the fact that childbirth will be quick and easy. Primiparous women can afford to stay at home as long as possible, if their water has not yet broken. In the second and subsequent births, you should not delay the trip to the maternity ward, as childbirth can be sudden.

Contractions that repeat at intervals of 10-15 minutes and last at least a minute are the most accurate sign of the onset of labor. When a woman experiences such contractions, she needs to go to the hospital.

Women who give birth for the first time may consider false contractions as a sign of the onset of labor. They are quite painful, but stop after a while. False contractions may resume after a few days. This training is very important for a woman's body, thanks to false contractions, the cervix is ​​\u200b\u200bpreparing to open at the right time.

The main signs of incipient labor

Throughout pregnancy, the cervical canal is tightly closed and filled with a special mucus that protects the baby from various infections. Mucus plug exit is a sign that the cervix is ​​ripe and ready for childbirth. The cork can move away a couple of weeks before childbirth, or it can come out right at the beginning of labor.

It is almost impossible not to notice the passage of the cork, this may be the case if the mucus comes out along with the amniotic fluid or during childbirth.

The second main sign of the onset of labor is considered contractions . It can be difficult for primiparous women to distinguish false contractions from real ones. However, it is worth noting that real contractions do not go away, but, on the contrary, become more frequent, their intensity grows, bringing more and more anxiety to the woman. Often contractions resemble periodic bouts of pain. It is not uncommon for a woman to experience pain in her lower back, rectum, calves, and thighs during contractions.

The main sign of the onset of labor is the development of contractions. They increase in intensity and become longer, and the interval between contractions begins to shorten.

Often a sign of the onset of labor is chills , which accompanies a woman during contractions and attempts. Do not worry - this is a completely normal reaction of the body.

Outflow of amniotic fluid - another of the signs of the onset of childbirth. Ideally, the effusion should occur shortly before the onset of attempts, in other words, at the moment when the cervix is ​​already sufficiently dilated. But sometimes the waters pour out much earlier, they can move away even before the start of contractions. It is worth noting that there are times when contractions do not come after the discharge of water. Then the stimulation of labor activity in the hospital with the help of medicines is prescribed.

If your water has broken, you should immediately go to the maternity ward, since the child cannot be without water for a long time, the longer this period, the greater the likelihood of complications.

There are situations when the doctor independently opens the fetal bladder in order to speed up the birth process. Considerable attention is paid to the color of the departed waters, the liquid should be light or slightly yellowish. Green amniotic fluid indicates that the baby experienced a lack of oxygen in the womb.

It is worth noting that the signs of the onset of labor in multiparous women and women giving birth for the first time coincide. The only difference is that second births tend to be more rapid. Therefore, when the first signs of the onset of labor activity appear, a woman who has given birth earlier should immediately go to the maternity ward.

Many women worry that they will miss the start of labor or not be able to understand in time that it is time for childbirth. All these fears are unfounded. Even if you did not pay attention to the early symptoms of the onset of labor, then the discharge of the mucous plug, the outflow of amniotic fluid and contractions is simply impossible not to notice!

What to do if you have signs of labor onset?

Be sure to keep all the necessary documents at the ready so as not to look for them at the last moment. It is also worth considering in advance how you will get to the hospital, agree with relatives if someone plans to accompany you. Try to foresee everything so that the onset of labor does not take you by surprise. The main thing at the beginning of labor is not to panic and try to relax, ease the contractions. Do not try to get behind the wheel if you have signs of the onset of labor, it is better to call a taxi or an ambulance.

If the expected due date has come up, and signs of the onset of labor still do not appear, you should consult a doctor to undergo the necessary examinations and make sure that everything is in order with the baby. If there are signs of a pregnancy overdose, the doctor will decide how the birth will take place.

It is worth remembering that childbirth is a unique process, they can begin prematurely or completely unexpectedly. That is why every woman, starting from the 38th week of pregnancy, should be attentive to all the changes that occur in her body, so as not to miss the moment of the onset of labor.

Easy childbirth and health to you and your baby!

I like!

So the last weeks before the birth have come, the last days of such a difficult, but at the same time such a wonderful period of your life - the time of expectation of a child. In previous articles on emotional experiences during pregnancy (,), I deliberately did not touch on the topic of fear of childbirth. Let's talk about this in more detail.

Fear of childbirth. I'm afraid to give birth, what should I do?

In the first trimester, such fear of childbirth is a rarity. Anxiety that visits a woman at an early stage is more often associated with the topic of bearing: “Will I be able to bear a child? Is everything okay with my health and his? The second trimester in terms of fears is the most prosperous - there is greater self-confidence, toxicosis and drowsiness pass, and it is too early to be afraid of childbirth - they are still far away. But now, week after week, the third trimester comes ... And then the woman, no, no, and the fear of childbirth will fall on her. How to deal with it?

In fact, it is normal to be afraid of childbirth. For primiparas - because it is impossible not to be afraid of what has never happened to you, the unknown is always frightening. In women who give birth again, the fear of childbirth becomes more specific and is usually based on the experience of previous births. It is clear that the more negative the past experience, the stronger the fear of the upcoming birth. However, even if everything went well in the past, childbirth (as an unpredictable process and requiring huge emotional and physical costs) still frightens these women.

Changes in a woman's body before childbirth

So, in the last weeks before childbirth, if the emotional changes of the pregnant woman proceeded according to the stages described by me in previous articles, very interesting metamorphoses occur with each woman. She is more and more noticeably removed from the world around her, from the hustle and bustle, more and more immersed in herself, increasingly striving for solitude. Her cognitive functions such as memory, attention are deteriorating, and any woman on the eve of childbirth will prefer simple physical housework to intellectual work.

This time is sometimes called the time of nesting, when the expectant mother prepares her house for the birth of a baby: she does laundry and lays out the baby's dowry, re-plans the rooms, and simply brings comfort. It is bad if individual actions develop into a whole process, since the repair of a modern apartment is usually stretched out and takes a lot of effort and energy.

It would be ideal if, in the period before childbirth, a pregnant woman does not solve any global problems associated with great responsibility, but spends the day doing things that are pleasant for her.

It should be noted that all the changes described above that occur to a woman are not accidental and are a great blessing. They reflect the hormonal restructuring of the body before childbirth, as a result of which certain substances are produced, designed, in sufficient quantities, to ensure the successful course of childbirth.

Take, for example, opiates. It is because of them that the pregnant woman becomes so inattentive and forgetful. These substances, being natural analogues of narcotic drugs, effectively anesthetize contractions, allow the female psyche to become disoriented in space and time during childbirth, and at the end of them help to quickly forget about labor pain. Experienced midwives know that the more pronounced such changes in the psyche of a woman in labor, the higher the chance that her birth will go well.

When does labor start?

Here we are with you and came directly to childbirth. When and how do they start?

According to the generally accepted opinion, pregnancy lasts an average of 280 days, which corresponds to 9 calendar, 10 lunar months or 40 weeks. And yet, each individual pregnancy has its own duration, and term births (that is, births that occurred at the right time) are considered births that occur from 37 to 41 weeks.

It turns out that in advance no one will ever guess the secret when the birth will happen, and the so-called PDR (preliminary date of birth) is a very approximate date. I think it's this uncertainty that makes the final weeks of pregnancy a very troubling time.

The fact is that many future parents, as a rule, modern and very active people, are used to clearly planning all the main moments of their lives. And here is such an important event, but it is impossible to plan or influence it.

I think this is one of the factors that increase the number of caesarean sections. After all, unlike natural childbirth, a caesarean section is very easy to plan. Starting from the 38th week, with good results of the examination of the woman and the fetus, any day convenient for the doctor and the patient can become the birthday of her baby.

How good it is for the child himself, parents do not always think, although now they are increasingly saying that it is the baby and his readiness to be born that set the start of childbirth.

If we talk not only about the physical, but also the psychological well-being of the newborn, then for the child, childbirth becomes a positive experience when he starts them himself, and then takes an active part in them.

So, each person is born at his own time, when he is ready for this. Why are doctors so worried if labor begins before 37 or after 41 weeks?

Postponed pregnancy.

It is understandable with premature birth - everyone knows that in this case, due to the insufficient maturity of organs and tissues, it will be difficult for the baby to adapt to the outside world. However, if the baby is born premature, this is also bad. Firstly, its bones become harder, which means that the head loses plasticity, which makes it difficult to pass through the birth canal. Secondly, the original lubricant covering the body is partially absorbed into the skin, and the child will no longer slide so well through the birth canal. Thirdly, the cells and tissues of the baby will be less adapted to hypoxia, therefore, independent childbirth can be traumatic for them. And here a natural question arises. How so? If a baby begins to be born at a time when it is ready, why can it sit out in its mother's womb for so long?

From my own experience, I can say that often not only the readiness of the baby determines the date of birth. The condition of a woman before childbirth and the circumstances of her life are also able to influence this event. It happens that a woman has to finish an important business (for example, the same repair, or maybe pass an important report or defend a dissertation), and then she, rather without even realizing it, pushes back the date of birth. Or the family where the baby is expected is going through a major conflict, a pre-divorce situation, and then it will be easier for the baby to “sit out” in his house until more prosperous times.

Previously, Russian people followed this tradition: when a woman had a long pregnancy, all relatives and friends tried to visit her. They came to visit to ask for forgiveness and reconcile if they were in a quarrel with her. Our ancestors knew well that if a woman begins to give birth without reconciliation with loved ones, childbirth can be delayed, be very painful and be accompanied by complications.

This leads to an important practical conclusion. If suddenly 40 weeks of pregnancy have passed, and you are still not giving birth, try to analyze the circumstances of your life, think about whether there is something on your part that can postpone the onset of labor on your part. Before giving birth, try to ask for forgiveness if someone was offended, and forgive yourself if someone offended you. Realizing that childbirth may not occur due to some unfinished important business, change priorities: put childbirth first, everything else second.

Sometimes it seems to a woman that after the birth of a child, she will no longer be able to do anything, all her time will be taken up with caring for a newborn. It is both so and not so. In fact, your life with the advent of the baby will not end, but will move into a new quality, it will be full of worries and worries, but at the same time great joys and discoveries!

Perhaps after giving birth, you will look at unfinished business (whether it be the design of a children's room or a scientific article) with completely different eyes. Maybe a fresh look will allow you to complete what you started with great pleasure or completely abandon it as unnecessary.

In conclusion, I want to wish you to live the last weeks before childbirth as fully as possible, discovering your new sides and features, because it is at this time that your femininity is gaining strength. The moment will come when the baby will give you a signal, and you will move along with him on the path called childbirth. And at the end of this path you will meet. Meeting with a new life!