Symptoms of approaching childbirth: when the onset of labor is near
The symptoms of approaching childbirth are not always very clear: if it is your first pregnancy, in particular, the onset of labor may not seem so obvious. The so-called "breaking of the waters" does not always imply the imminence of childbirth, and the same contractions must be distinguished from those of Braxton Hicks.How to understand, then, when the pregnancy is winding down and you have to go to the hospital? Here are all the symptoms of approaching childbirth that will soon lead you to meet your baby!
Symptoms of the approach to childbirth: the first contractions
The first of the symptoms of approaching childbirth are contractions. These are the first contractions, those that your body need to prepare for labor and that initiate the so-called "prodromal phase", ie the first of the phases of labor itself.
These contractions are quite irregular: their purpose is to gradually determine the dilation, softening and thinning of the body of the uterus, which will allow your baby to move along the birth canal in order to finally be able to come to light!
In the weeks of pregnancy leading up to the time of labor, you will likely have experienced Braxton Hicks contractions. Don't worry: when the contractions of real labor show up, you will know how to recognize them because they are much more painful. The baby bump will also get harder for a period of 30-90 seconds, and then relax. The contractions that mark the first phase of the approach to childbirth could also bring pain in your back or legs, but it is an experience that is always different from woman to woman.
These first contractions, as time goes by, will get closer and more regular. When to go to the hospital for childbirth? When the contractions arrive at regular intervals of three to five minutes for about two hours. rhythm of one every three to five minutes.The best thing for every expectant mother, however, is always to listen to her own body!
See also
Loss of the mucous plug
Another of the symptoms of approaching childbirth is the loss of the mucous plug: it is a real plug present for the entire duration of pregnancy in the neck of the uterus, useful for protecting the uterus itself from any infections. cervix softens and dilates, the mucous plug is expelled.
You may notice some sort of viscous, whitish vaginal discharge, with some possible pink streaks. Some women, however, don't even notice! But be careful: losing the mucous plug does not mean that the birth is imminent. It is simply one of the symptoms that show that the cervix is changing in order to give birth to your baby. It is useless, therefore, to take the bag and go to the hospital! There may still be a wait.
The breaking of the waters
Another of the symptoms to be taken into consideration in the last weeks of pregnancy is what is commonly referred to as "rupture of the waters", but which would be more precisely called "rupture of the membranes".
It is in fact the rupture of the membranes of the sac that contains the amniotic fluid: depending on the point where the sac is torn, you can witness a real jet of amniotic fluid, or simply the leakage of a trickle of water. Usually the amniotic fluid is light in color, with small lumps, but it can also give the green color It often happens that the rupture of the water immediately follows the loss of the mucous plug.
In most cases, the breaking of the waters occurs when the pains have already begun, but it can also happen before the contractions occur. In this case it will be a premature rupture of the membranes. It can happen, even if it is very rare, that a child is born still wrapped in the amniotic sac: in these cases there will be no problem, indeed! The baby will be even more protected at the moment of delivery from external agents.
Attention, however, if the rupture of the membranes should occur before the 37th week of pregnancy, or if the amniotic fluid should be dark green: in this case it will be good to go immediately to the emergency room.
Other symptoms of approaching childbirth
Beyond these unequivocal symptoms, it is possible that there are other signs that indicate that the time of delivery is approaching: very severe back pain, diarrhea, tremor and dizziness, sleep problems, strong feeling of exhaustion. Don't worry, it is completely normal and due to hormones: it means that your baby is getting closer and closer!
See also: All the stars who gave birth at home!
How long does the prodromal phase last and when does actual labor begin?
The prodromal phase can have different durations, especially if it is a first pregnancy: it could last from a few hours to several days! Do not panic, then, if you feel the first symptoms of approaching childbirth, but try to rest, relax with a nice warm bath, lie down in bed or on the sofa concentrating on your breathing ...
The phase of active labor will begin when the cervix reaches a dilation of 10 centimeters. At that point the pain of the contractions will become stronger and stronger and will recur every 10-5 minutes, then every 2 minutes. The pain will not only affect the lower part of the uterus: the contractions will also affect the upper part, to cause the baby's head to be pushed against the cervix. Here, finally, the moment of birth is approaching!
