What sensations does a woman experience before childbirth? Condition before childbirth: mental and physical condition, harbingers of childbirth

A few days before giving birth, women tend to notice unusual sensations. They can become a kind of signal that delivery will occur very soon.

Shortly before the expectant mother feels real contractions, she is able to feel the training uterine contractions. They are also called Braxton Hicks contractions. The nature of the pain in both cases is the same, but training contractions differ from real contractions in much less pronounced intensity, less pronounced soreness, and also irregularity.

Muscle contractions of Braxton Hicks can be felt as early as 1-2 months before childbirth, but in the very last weeks of pregnancy, they become more intense and occur much more often.

Shortly before childbirth, a woman may feel pain in the lower abdomen and frequent urination. This is due to the fact that the fetus sinks and begins to put pressure on the nerve endings. In this case, the bladder is also under pressure. Unpleasant sensations in the pelvic organs and in the region below the lower back may appear due to an increase in blood flow.

Lowering of the fundus of the uterus can occur 1-2 weeks before childbirth, and in multiparous women, this usually happens a few days before the onset of labor. At the same time, the woman feels that it has become easier for her to breathe, she is no longer tormented by heartburn, belching. The shape of the abdomen changes somewhat, which is noticeable even visually.

In the last weeks of the term, the pregnant woman's body weight slightly decreases. This is how the body prepares for the work ahead. On average, a woman's weight can decrease by 2-3 kilograms.

Shortly before giving birth, the expectant mother may have a mucous plug that protected the fetus from infections throughout pregnancy. After its complete or partial destruction, a woman should not take a bath. It is permissible to use only the shower.

Shortly before the start of childbirth, the expectant mother may feel the leakage of amniotic fluid. This is a serious reason to see a doctor.

What does the expectant mother feel when the birth process has already begun

If labor has already begun, the woman begins to feel regular contractions. They can be felt rather weakly at first.

If you suspect the onset of labor, you need to note the intervals between contractions and their duration. If muscle contractions occur at regular intervals and their duration is the same, the generic process has already begun.

When bloody discharge from the genital tract appears, you must immediately go to the maternity hospital. This may be due to serious pathologies.

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The closer the long-awaited birthday of the child, the more often the expectant mother experiences anxiety and fear, which, due to lack of information, can turn into panic. These negative emotions are especially pronounced in women preparing for the birth of their first child.

What are women afraid of before childbirth?

Another common fear of pregnant women is the death of a child or mother during childbirth. Currently, almost all maternity hospitals are equipped with all the necessary equipment that may be required in an emergency. Doctors strictly monitor the condition of the woman and the child, and if there is a risk of an unfavorable outcome of childbirth, they take all the necessary measures. Talk to your doctor about possible situations and the plan of action of the medical staff. Also find out about the possibility of your husband or mother being present at the birth - in case of emergency, they will be able to monitor the actions of the staff.

Some expectant mothers fear premature birth. To deal with this fear, you should know that a baby born between 22 and 37 weeks is viable, albeit premature. In this case, he is provided with special medical assistance. For your own peace of mind, find out if your hospital has equipment for nursing premature babies.

If the due date is already very close, some women are afraid not to get to the hospital on time. Childbirth is a lengthy process, in very rare cases the birth of a child takes less than 1-2 hours. But to worry less, prepare a package of documents and everything you need for the hospital in advance. Consider several options for how you will get to the hospital - you can travel with a relative, husband, or by ambulance.

Attend pregnancy classes. Instructors will tell you about the childbirth process, teach you how to breathe and relax.

Spend more time on your favorite leisure or hobby - read, listen to music, walk, knit, draw.

Treat childbirth as a responsible job that you will receive a worthy reward for. This mental attitude sets you in a business-like mood and helps to cope with panic.

Many women experience real panic in the last days of pregnancy. Especially often fears of the forthcoming childbirth worried about women during their first pregnancy. A lot of thoughts swarm in their heads about whether they will be able to do everything right, whether it will hurt, and how everything will go in general.

Instructions

To overcome all these fears, you must first of all learn that a woman's body is designed in such a way as to have children. Most women cope with this task successfully. Therefore, you need to try to relax and set yourself up for a positive outcome.

Before it is wise to study all the information about this process. In order for the information received to be reliable, it is best to use medical reference books and manuals. It would be useful to imagine all stages of childbirth or even try to play them. Then, in the process of real childbirth, you will understand what is happening to you, and you will not panic.

Feelings before childbirth are the harbingers of childbirth, which the site will tell you about today. Every woman is very scared before such a crucial moment, so she wants at least a little mentally prepare yourself. And the closer the appointed day, the more attentively you need to listen to your inner feelings.

Changes in the body of the expectant mother

Before listing what sensations you may experience before childbirth, it should be borne in mind that they are the norm and do not require medical attention or urgent hospitalization. There is a restructuring of the female body before a joyful event.

But also the absence of these sensations is not a deviation. Each organism is special in its own way, so some expectant mothers may simply not feel these changes in their bodies.

The appearance of precursors of childbirth does not mean that a woman will necessarily give birth within a day. It is rather a warning that childbirth will take place in the near future, which can take up to two weeks.

What are the feelings before childbirth? Harbingers of childbirth

1. Increased and loosened stools. The stool can become more frequent up to 2-4 times a day with the accompanying liquefaction of feces. But with more frequent urges, as well as vomiting and the accompanying unpleasant odor, you should consult a doctor.
2. Weight loss. During pregnancy, the body accumulates fluid, and before childbirth, this fluid begins to slowly come out, as a result of which the body weight decreases. At the same time puffiness will subside: primarily on the feet, legs and hands. It becomes easier to put on shoes, gloves and rings. On average, the weight can be reduced to 3 kg.
3. Lowering the "belly"(the fundus of the uterus). The baby takes a more comfortable position in the mother’s stomach, getting ready, so to speak, for the “start”. After that, it becomes easier for a woman to breathe, and if the last few weeks have been tormented by heartburn, belching or heaviness in the stomach, then with the lowering of the fundus of the uterus it will pass. But due to this, pressure on the bladder and rectum, therefore, visits to the toilet are becoming more frequent.
4. Discomfort before childbirth. Due to the increased blood flow in the pelvic organs and in the area below the lower back, unpleasant sensations may appear. Created a feeling of languor in the lower abdomen- a similar feeling appears before the onset of critical days. But these sensations should not worry the expectant mother too much - their unpleasant effect is minimal.
5. False contractions. They do not directly accompany generic activity, therefore they are called false. At the time of such contractions, the abdomen becomes hard, and at the end - soft. False contractions are practically painless, occur irregularly and at long intervals in time, unlike "real" contractions. They are n are not accompanied by severe and increasing pain lower abdomen, sensations rather pulling. "Labor" contractions are taking place with increasing intensity and regularity. Also, one cannot fail to notice the opening of the cervix, which does not happen during false contractions. But if you are still in doubt, then you can see the obstetrician. "Training" contractions can last for several days, but they will not deliver much discomfort.
6. Retreat of the mucous plug... A mucous plug is a lump of mucus that forms early in pregnancy. It protects the baby from infections. Shortly before childbirth, this lump comes out. It can be brown or brown in color. Sometimes a woman may not notice this phenomenon, but there is no need to worry - you just need to focus on other sensations that arise before childbirth.

Listen to your body and do not be afraid of changes in well-being. All these sensations will help ..

Feelings before childbirth, in which an urgent need to see a doctor:

• Severe pain in the abdomen.
• The temperature is over 37.5 degrees.
• Vomiting, migraine, visual impairment.
• Bloody discharge.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Lack of fetal movement or a sharp increase in it.

If you feel these sensations before childbirth, then immediately consult a doctor.

If everything is fine with you and the pregnancy is accompanied by the forerunners of childbirth described above, then start slowly prepare for the hospital. Collect the necessary things and documents. Also, you should not leave the house for a long time.

Prenatal days are better spend in peace: sleep more, take a 10-15 minute relaxing bath. Also, a warm bath relaxes the muscles, so it will be possible to determine the type of contractions: they are false or already "real".

“Forested” days or hours can be emotionally difficult, but keep yourself in control. Think good things.

For example, that your miracle will soon be born, and you will be able to hug it! Fill yourself with these thoughts and the sensations that will appear before childbirth will not be so disturbing!

From the middle of the third trimester, a woman begins to experience tension, which increases every day. The less time is left before the meeting with the baby, the shorter the night's sleep becomes and the stronger the excitement. The state before childbirth changes due to physiological factors and depends on psychological readiness. A thorough study of the symptoms will allow the pregnant woman to seek medical attention in time and avoid complications.

The prenatal state of a woman before childbirth changes 10-14 days before the event. 70% note a change in the psychological state (excitement, anxiety) and appearance (posture, abdominal position). Other patients feel the precursors only before the contractions, when the cervix begins to open.

After what time labor begins, depends on the woman's behavior at the first precursors. Stimulation, in the form of active walking, massage, impact on the nipples, will bring the onset of contractions closer. But the norm for each case is individual.

The optimal period for the resolution of pregnancy is from 37 to 42 weeks. Babies born before this time are considered premature, later - overripe. 75% of births occur between 39 and 41 weeks. It has been noticed that boys are formed and are born earlier than girls.

Some babies, slowly developing in the second trimester, gain additional weight up to 1.5 kg in the last month before childbirth. Mom feels that her stomach has grown a lot, it has become more difficult.

The norm of obstetric pregnancy is 40 weeks. When calculating the PDR, the gynecologist is guided by this figure. But only 5% of babies are born according to the preliminary calculations of the doctor. Average error is 10-14 days.

Influencing factors:

1. menstrual cycle;
2. heredity;
3. during pregnancy.

A frequently used method for determining the PDD, when registering, is focusing on the menstrual cycle. On the Internet, it is easy and quick to independently calculate the time frame using special calculators.

How do you know how many days the labor will start? Given the known date of conception (N), the formula is used: N + 266 days = day of delivery. If ovulation (O) was tracked, the number is calculated: O +268 days. Or 280 days are added to the first day of menstruation.

In 7 out of 10 patients, the week of delivery coincides with the periods of permission for pregnancy in the mother, grandmother. There are also overlaps in infant height and weight.

The course of pregnancy affects maturity, fetal behavior and the course of events in the future. Polyhydramnios, abnormal placenta previa, large fetus and chronic diseases can bring the date of delivery closer. For patients with a difficult pregnancy, excessive nervousness before childbirth is a factor that provokes the threat of miscarriage.

The physical state

More than half of women, even without PDD, feel an early meeting with a baby in advance. The well-being of a pregnant woman before childbirth is determined by hormonal changes, changes in the structure and behavior of tissues, which are expressed by specific symptoms.

Signs:

• braxtones;
• decrease in body weight;
• excretion of colostrum;
• prolapse of the abdomen;
• change in gait;
• frequent urination;
• defecation (upset stool);
• fetal movement;
• discharge.

Braxtons. From 36 weeks onwards, training contractions are normal. By the end of pregnancy, the body is dominated by the hormone estrogen, which softens the tissues of the uterus. Due to changes in the fibers, the walls stretch, pushing the fetus down, then relax. False contractions are painless and irregular.

Body mass. The weight of a pregnant woman is reduced by several kilograms 2 weeks before delivery. Swelling goes away, as the concentration of progesterone, which retains fluid, decreases in the body. Due to hormonal changes and excitement, appetite disappears.

Colostrum. From the beginning of the third trimester, some pregnant women observe discharge from the areoles, in the form of a transparent white liquid. Appears more often with pressure, by the time the delivery begins, the color changes to white. Stimulating the nipples, with the appearance of colostrum, will increase lactation in the future.

Belly and gait. As the fetus moves towards the exit from the uterus, the center of gravity also changes. The spine has to bend back to support the weight, so the gait becomes "goose bumps".

Toilet calls. Frequent urination before childbirth is due to the pressure of the grown uterus on the bladder. Sometimes a woman urinates involuntarily without noticing it. Traces are found only on the gasket.

Estrogen, which softens the fibers of the uterus, also affects the intestinal wall. The pressure of the fetus makes you want to go to the toilet in large quantities, diarrhea begins, 3-4 times a day. The contraction of the weak (due to estrogen) walls of the organ also provokes gases in the intestines before childbirth.

Stirring. 7-10 days before delivery, fetal movements subside. The baby seems to freeze, accumulates energy to move along the birth canal. Due to the space and size of the fetus limited by the fetal bladder, the child is constrained in movements, but 1-2 times a day the woman feels a confident strong push.

Allocations. If mucus with a yellow tint appears on the gasket, the neck begins to open, the cervical plug comes off. Discharge of blood is abnormal, green, yellow, with an unpleasant odor, in the form of cottage cheese. In such a situation, hospitalization is required, due to the risk of infection of the fetus.

Weakness and malaise before childbirth usually goes away 3-4 days before the onset of labor. The woman feels a surge of energy, lightness, the feeling of the heaviness of the abdomen disappears. Therefore, if there is no strength before childbirth, the wait seems prolonged, there are signs of depression, then there is at least a week before delivery. You need to be in the fresh air more often, to be distracted by knitting, reading detective stories.

Psychological condition

Against the background of hormonal changes, frequent changes and mood swings before childbirth are normal. But to exclude the development of phobias, psychological preparation is recommended from a period of 18-20 weeks.

What happens to a woman before childbirth:

1. nesting syndrome;
2. change of mood;
3. fear.

Nesting Syndrome. This psychological sign of childbirth is explained by excitement, the mother is agitated, the hormonal background is being rebuilt. Most of the time is taken by worries about the arrangement of the home for the baby - the purchase of bed linen, sterilizers, hygiene items.

The woman changes the curtains, she wants the prevalence of bed tones, the smell of cleanliness, etc. The agitated psychological state of a woman before childbirth provokes behavior similar to the arrangement of a nest with a wild bird.

Changeable emotions. The main reason for the bad mood before childbirth and its swings is the high concentration of the female hormone. The maximum content is noted by the middle of the third trimester. Estrogen provokes tearfulness before childbirth, weakness, pity for yourself and others. But as soon as a woman looks at herself from a comfortable angle, another female reaction turns on - narcissism, satisfaction, joy.

In both situations, estrogen enhances the brightness of the emotion, which causes tears to appear, or, conversely, prolonged laughter, turning into hysteria. Mood swings and apathy before childbirth will subside one week before the onset of labor.

Fears. In 65% of cases, poor health before childbirth is caused by accumulated fear. The main reasons are the fear of pain, complications, death of the baby, disconnection from society. Often, anxiety before childbirth is caused by the fear of losing external attractiveness, being in demand from others. Such manifestations, without the intervention of a psychologist, develop into phobias, and entail severe depression.

To prevent hormonal changes from escalating into depressive disorders, the pregnant woman is advised to walk more, consume joy carbohydrates (bananas, oatmeal, dark chocolate), do swimming, yoga and abandon forums. It is better to take the time to prepare for each of the stages of delivery.

When to go to the hospital

A quick birth is considered to last from 1.5 hours. This amount of time is recommended by obstetricians to be guided by when going to the hospital, especially if the pregnancy is repeated.

What condition is observed in a pregnant woman before childbirth in a few hours:

• training fights;
• the cork will come off - a clot of mucus;
• there will be aching pains in the lower abdomen and lower back;
• the uterus will begin to contract, the true contraction increases from 10 seconds to 1-1.5 minutes;
• amniotic fluid is released by a stream.

In half of the cases, after false contractions, labor begins in 4-6 hours. In other situations, the break between the "braxtons" and the opening of the cervix lasts up to 2-3 weeks. During this time, you should prepare for each of the stages.

Things to do before giving birth:

1. breathing exercises;
2. Kegel exercises;
3. yoga classes, swimming;
4. stretching gymnastics.

Breathing techniques and exercises for the muscles of the vagina will help you to endure contractions more easily. In pushing, elastic muscles, plus the correct behavior, will minimize the risk of rupture. Need yoga classes before childbirth for psychological relief, training self-control, control over emotions. It improves blood circulation, oxygen supply to organs, and improves mood.

There are proven signs by which an early meeting with a baby is determined. When one symptom appears, it is not recommended to further stimulate the process, everything should proceed naturally. Walking before childbirth brings the onset of labor closer, but this method is excluded for women in labor at risk of premature birth. Calmness and discretion are the keys to a successful pregnancy resolution.

How does labor start? How to distinguish false contractions from real ones? When does the "plug" come off? Why does my back hurt? Experienced sibmoms share their observations, and Nelly Mikhailovna AGAMYAN, obstetrician-gynecologist, chief physician of the network of the MC "Ultrasound Studio" in Novosibirsk, tells what symptoms can signal an impending birth at 37-40 weeks of gestation.

• Abdominal prolapse on the eve of childbirth
• Weight loss and bowel cleansing
• Passage of the mucous plug before childbirth
• Painful sensations
• Nesting instinct
• Change in how you feel mood
• Is there a lack of forerunners?

Abdominal prolapse before childbirth

If you look into your exchange card, you will see there the numbers marked during visits to the doctor with the mark VSDM (the height of the fundus of the uterus). These measurements help the doctor 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 is because the child goes to a "low start" and begins to move closer to the "exit". Its head (subject to cephalic presentation) moves to the cervix and is located in the pelvic area.

Sibm experience:

Sweetmama

- My belly sank 2 days before giving birth.

Herringbone

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

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

Abdominal prolapse before childbirth. Expert commentary

The height of the fundus of the uterus increases by about 1 cm per week throughout pregnancy. This figure reaches 37-40 cm by 37 weeks of gestation, and a couple of weeks before giving birth, the belly drops by 2-3 cm.This can happen literally in 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 is pressed against the base of the small pelvis.

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

• relief of breathing (the uterus is no longer squeezing the chest so hard);

• pulling pains in the lower abdomen associated with the fact that the uterus and the fetus are pressing with all their weight on the lower abdominal cavity;

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

Weight loss and bowel cleansing before childbirth

Many pregnant women are surprised to find that the weight, which is known to grow by leaps and bounds in the last trimester, unexpectedly decreases by 1-1.5 kg after 37-39 weeks. Weight loss is especially noticeable if severe 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 not far off.

Sibm experience:

Nika

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

MaMashka and BABY M.

- I woke up at 4 in the morning and realized that my stomach ached. Well, the real is indigestion. I went, sorry, to the toilet, strained ... And only when my stomach was relieved, I realized that something was wrong. Timed the time - contractions every 7 minutes go like a clock.

Lucier

- I did not feel the abdominal prolapse, but ... loose stools of 4-5 days before childbirth! And also the tummy ached, pulled somehow. And then the waters left in the morning, and gave birth in the evening.

Tamiri

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

Weight loss and bowel cleansing. Expert commentary

Before childbirth, the body gets rid of excess fluid, which leads to a little weight loss. This happens in order to thicken blood and, in the future, reduce its loss during childbirth. In addition, the additional fluid that was previously 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 "harbinger" contractions. They are usually not painful and feel more like intense muscle tension. The abdomen at this moment seems to "stiffen" and shrink, 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 - the uterus contracts several times a day, then a couple of times a week. Most often, pregnant women note the appearance of such training contractions in the morning or evening.

Sibm 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, 2 hours each. Another interesting phenomenon - during the week before childbirth, when driving a car, when jumping on bumps, I, apparently, in the cervical region, had a strong feeling of cramps. Apparently, this is how the neck opened.

e-Katherine

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

At 37-40 weeks of gestation, training contractions are the most important sign of an impending 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 flatten and soften it, preparing for the upcoming labor.

Discharge of the mucous plug on the eve of childbirth

Another harbinger of an imminent 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 infection ascending. 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 loosening the plug, you should refrain from visiting the pool, swimming in ponds and even taking a bath, as this increases the risk of getting into ... Better to confine yourself to a shower.

Sibm 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 direction of the midwife I arrived at the maternity hospital by 7 pm, all this time I kept in touch with her by phone. She gave birth on July 12 at 12.20. The PDR was on July 29th.

Sweetmama

- The cork completely went away in 1 day (the first half of it went away in 2 weeks).

- My plug came out gradually, it was similar to the result of a lingering rhinitis, with blood streaks.

Departure of the cork. Expert commentary

Mucous discharge can signal the passage of the plug, which protects the uterus and the fetus from external infections. During preparation for childbirth, the cork liquefies and begins to flow out. It should be borne in mind that this symptom is individual, for some, the cork leaves a week before childbirth, and for someone with the onset of labor. Sometimes this discharge 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 best to see your doctor immediately for an amnio test. ”

Painful sensations before childbirth

In the last weeks before childbirth, many pregnant women begin to complain of pulling and aching pains in the lower back and 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 little reminiscent of menstrual pains, but the realization that at this moment the baby is preparing to open an “exit” greatly facilitates the experience of unpleasant sensations.

Sibm experience

Natalika

- On the eve of childbirth, my back was pulling, my stomach was "felt" and there was a feeling as if my son's head was already at the exit. The next day in the delivery room, I was surprised for a long time that this is exactly what the first hours of labor looked like.

Nata K.

- My back ached for about a week before giving birth. Sometimes there were false contractions, also for about a week. But, in general, everything was as usual. I drove until the last day. I went on Sunday and gave birth on Monday. But! Somewhere inside I felt that I would give birth before the PDD, and so it happened.

- The back ached terribly. Pulled his stomach. And most importantly, an unrelenting feeling of anxiety.

- And the day before my back hurt so much that I climbed the walls. The cork did not come off.

Painful sensations before childbirth. Expert commentary

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 abdominal prolapse. The fact is that closer to the onset 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 stretch the 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 yet another "message" that the baby will be born very soon. There is an indomitable desire to cook him a cozy "nest" and the expectant mother with great pleasure chooses tiny socks and undershirts for her future son or daughter, embroiders diapers, knits a hat and plaid, buys the softest and most beautiful bed linen for a crib, a comfortable stroller, a warm envelope. a lace blanket, a set of bibs, and that glorious rattle! General cleaning (or even repairs) often becomes one more obligatory item of "nesting". Having arranged a children's corner, bought things and "licked" the house, the woman sighs with relief: she 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 come true!

Sibm experience

- Two days before giving birth, it became more active -both timesstarted large cleaning throughout the apartment, for which there was 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 precursors.

Ekaterina

- At 39 weeks 5 days I woke up with a terrible burst of strength and decided that it was just vital to rip out all the floors in the house. Then I realized that it would begin at night.

- I had no special feelings before giving birth, except that I, like a field mouse, dragged all the products from the store home, the last 10 days. Well, I could not walk past the store. I pick up a full bag and drag it, then I realize that I won't carry it, it's hard, so I catch a taxi. Twice I took a taxi home with string 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 take care of the safety of the baby. The "boss" 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 increases with the aging of the placenta 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 childbirth, a woman prepares for serious changes, fears the upcoming birth, in a word, leads a rich emotional life. Be aware of your changing moods, because these mood swings are also part of preparing for one of the most important meetings in life!

Sibm experience

Cheshire Cat

- The mood before childbirth changes in the direction that you want to kill everyone who even hints at the topic« well, when already» ... And in books, by the way, they often write that one of the signs of an approaching birth is hormonal changes, accompanied by changes in mood and a feeling that everything is tired, there is no strength, fatigue from a feeling of uncertainty, impatience - when it’s already giving birth, finally! Probably, there is something in this, you really expect childbirth, as a holiday. But when the contractions begin, there are no earlier tormenting fears, and one thought - well, thank you, Lord - began!

Change in well-being and mood. Expert commentary

A few days before giving birth, there may be changes in the well-being and mood of the expectant mother. Some are worried about tearfulness, quick mood swings, irritability, emotional uplift. In addition, severe sweating, chills, fever, and dizziness may appear. Such symptoms are caused by 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 these symptoms, you should not ignore them. Be sure to inform your doctor about them.

Did anyone have childbirth with a bang?

- My first childbirth began in the hospital. Before that, in a few days the cork came off - but, in my opinion, the doctor just picked it out. And then there was silence for several days, no signs of an approaching birth - right up to 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 were spending the night with my husband and a doctor in the maternity ward ...

Katik

- And I had no precursors, no tummy droop. Just at night at 3, contractions began, 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 is 5-7 minutes.

O_l_g_a

- I didn't have any special feelings. I ran, as usual, ate cherries well for the night ... in the morning I woke up from strong contractions.

- We were told at the courses that the primiparous most often does not really feel anything. Cork and water is by itself, and the onset of labor and other precursors in primiparous are most often weakly expressed. Although I understand that this is individual for everyone.

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Hooray! By popular demand, we are starting a series of publications on preparing for childbirth. Share your experience, ask your questions.
Today we will talk about the precursors and timely childbirth that occurred at a gestational age of 38 - 41 weeks, the reasons for their occurrence and the signs of an impending birth. What happens before childbirth? How is the onset of labor different in primiparous and multiparous?

Most pregnant women know that they will have three stages of labor. In front of them, the period is highlighted. precursors of childbirth.
At about 37 weeks of gestation, the concentration of the pregnancy hormone progesterone decreases, and the synthesis of estrogens increases, mainly of their most active fraction, estradiol. Under their influence, a number of processes occur in the uterus, as a result of which the excitability and contractile activity of the myometrium (muscle fibers of the uterus) increase. Also, prostaglandins play an important role in the development of labor.
These are biologically active substances that are produced by the membranes of the fetus (amnion and chorion) - prostaglandin E (PGE) and the decidual membrane and muscle cells of the uterus - PGF2a. They increase the sensitivity of the myometrium to the action of other uterotonic compounds, that is, those substances that cause the development of contractions (this is acetylcholine, oxytocin, serotonin).
A few hours before the onset of labor appears harbingers- irregular contractions. They usually take no more than 8 hours for primiparous, and for multiparous - about 5 hours.
It happens that such precursor contractions can decrease by several hours or even days, without passing into generic ones, but then they reappear.

Changes before childbirth

• Abdominal prolapse of a pregnant woman occurs due to the insertion of the fetal head into the entrance to the pelvic cavity and stretching of the lower segment of the uterus. Women feel relief in breathing and a decrease or no shortness of breath.
• The center of gravity of the body is displaced forward, and the head and shoulders are retracted (the so-called "proud step" arises).
• A decrease in body weight by 1 - 2 kg a few days before childbirth occurs due to the removal of excess fluid from the body due to a decrease in the concentration of progesterone.
• Fetal movements become less active.
• Changes in the psychological state of a woman are possible - increased excitability or, on the contrary, apathy. This is due to changes in the central and autonomic nervous system and the formation of a generic dominant.
• Drawing non-intense pains in the lower abdomen and in the sacrum, which gradually turn into preparatory, and then into true contractions.
• Isolation of mucous plugs from the genital tract - thick viscous mucus, which throughout pregnancy protected the fetus from possible infection. There may be streaks of blood in the mucus due to shallow tears of the cervix during its "maturation".

Childbirth?
The most important sign of readiness for childbirth is a "mature" cervix, it is impossible to independently determine, it is examined by a doctor during a vaginal examination. The early onset of labor is indicated by the soft cervix located in the middle, the cervical canal is open, two fingers pass.
With the approach of childbirth, it is necessary to check the documents and collect the things that are needed in the maternity hospital.
In the next topic we will discuss already the periods of childbirth, what these periods are and what to prepare for during each of them.