Contractions are irregular. Feelings on the eve of childbirth

Irregular contractions are accompanied by a slow opening and are a pathology. Pain sensations depend on the sensitivity threshold. Training contractions are erratic and are confused with real contractions.

Reasons

Pathology occurs in 10% of pregnant women. With true irregular contractions, the opening of the cervix and the movement of the fetus along the birth canal slow down.

1. early rupture of water;
2. large child;
3. polyhydramnios;
4. multiple pregnancy;
5. incorrect presentation of the fetus;
6. anemia;
7. gestosis.

Normally, labor begins at 37 weeks. A distinctive feature of real uterine contractions is increasing pain. Irregular intervals require prompt attention to a medical facility.

Can contractions be irregular? Yes, this condition is called the pathological preliminary period. Contractions are spontaneous and painful, lasting more than 6 hours.

Causes of incoordination in the first stage of labor:

• physical activity;
• drinking strong tea, coffee;
• polyhydramnios;
• smoking;
• multiple births;
• pressure of the bladder on the uterus.

The condition begins at 20 weeks. Abbreviations for early are true if they are accompanied by bloody discharge and severe nagging pain.

From the 40th week, active contractions at an irregular interval indicate the beginning of the labor process. Weakness of uterine activity in the later stages is associated with aging of the placenta and a large amount of amniotic fluid. In the early stages, the genitals prepare for the arrival of the baby. Training contractions are irregular, lasting no more than a minute.

Symptoms and distinctive features

Braxton Hicks contractions keep the uterus toned before labor. They are involved in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the child.

Symptoms during training:

1. occur several times a day. Duration less than a minute;
2. weak uterine tension, without severe pain;
3. intensity decreases or stops when moving or changing body position;
4. appear in the evening.

To distinguish training contractions from real ones, it is recommended to take a warm shower or drink one No-shpa tablet. The condition will pass within 30 minutes. The stomach will become soft, the lower back will stop aching.

Symptoms when true:

• the pain intensifies gradually;
• pulling sensations in the spine;
• the fetus is less mobile;
• the mucus plug comes off;
• rupture of amniotic fluid occurs.

Real contractions are irregular, but painful in the early stages of pregnancy and are dangerous to the health of the baby. If possible, obstetricians stop contractile activity with the help of medications and prolong pregnancy.

To distinguish real contractions from false ones, pay attention to the harbingers. The stomach drops and it becomes easier to breathe 2-3 weeks before birth. The baby moves less frequently and more quietly.

In later stages, contractions last more than 2 hours and provoke gradual smoothing and dilatation of the cervix. Irregularity slows down the birth process and adversely affects the general condition of the woman.

Complications

Normally, labor proceeds smoothly, gradually beginning with uterine contractions, rupture of water and ending with the birth of the baby. With discoordination, the process is chaotic.

First of all, true painful contractions appear at different intervals of up to 20 minutes. They may be similar to training ones, but they differ in pulling sensations in the lower back and uterine area. They are often accompanied by bleeding from the vagina and changes in blood pressure.

Contractions at different intervals do not bring results and slow down the opening of the cervix and the advancement of the fetus. Sharp, severe pain has a wave nature and affects the emotional state of the woman in labor. After 6 hours of such contractions, the woman will have no strength left to push.

Complications:

• intrauterine hypoxia, fetal asphyxia;
• severe uterine bleeding.

True contractions with different time intervals in the early stages are dangerous for premature birth. The survival rate of children depends on gestation and the weight of the fetus. Infants over 500 grams are nursed from 27 weeks.

Early complications:

1. death;
2. severe bleeding, uterine rupture;
3. intrauterine infections;
4. developmental anomalies.

False contractions in the early stages do not pose a danger to the woman and child. They do not cause pain and prepare the uterus for the birth process. The main difference from the real ones is painlessness and a short period of time.

What to do if you have irregular contractions

Training irregular labor contractions are not a pathology, but they cause discomfort in women. To alleviate the condition, use breathing techniques and exercises.

• light walking will relieve tension from the uterus;
• a warm shower and bath will relax the body;
• the uncomfortable body position is changed to a comfortable one;
• breathing exercises and yoga will improve the supply of oxygen to the fetus.

If irregular contractions continue all day, the pain spreads to the abdomen and perineum, you should call ambulance. Symptoms to consult a doctor include bleeding and leakage of amniotic fluid.

1. collect things, documents, call an ambulance;
2. in the early stages - do not panic;
3. take a Nosh-pa tablet to reduce pain.

To diagnose pathology, the nature of contractions, duration, and dilatation of the cervix are taken into account. The baby's head drops down during labor and rests on the plane of the small pelvis.

What should a woman do:

1. calm down, practice breathing exercises;
2. move more, jump on a gymnastic ball;
3. empty bladder every 2 hours.

The long first stage of labor exhausts a woman and affects nervous system. In the absence of concomitant pathologies, the natural birth of the baby is allowed.

Medical assistance

False contractions are without complications and do not require the help of doctors. To relieve discomfort, take a No-shpa tablet and a warm bath. Irregular contractions occurring throughout the day in the early and late stages indicate the onset of labor. Due to the weakness of the opening, the woman feels tired, doctors prescribe anesthesia.

After the mother has rested, the obstetrician assesses her condition. The degree of opening of the cervix and the fetal heartbeat are measured. If necessary, calcium supplements are given intravenously to enhance contractions.

If the bladder does not burst, an amniotomy procedure is performed to drain the water. Labor activity will intensify, pain will become less severe.

To intensify contractions use:

• Oxytocin. Administered by drip. Contractile activity increases. Long-term administration of doses of oxytocin increases blood pressure;
• Prostaglandin E2. It is used only at the initial stage until the opening is 2 cm. The drug will adjust the intervals between contractions, but will not affect the supply of oxygen to the fetus.
  In the absence of the effectiveness of medical assistance, hypoxia, they resort to caesarean section.

If the contractions are weak and no effort is felt, the baby is squeezed out by pressing on the mother's stomach, using episiotomy. The perineal incision protects against internal cervical ruptures. As a last resort, obstetric forceps are used.

Irregular contractions at any stage cause concern among women. If they occur without pain, then they are training. If your water breaks, there is bleeding and the fetus stops moving, you should call an ambulance.

A woman in the process of expecting a child lives new life. Everything changes: taste sensations, lifestyle. IN different times changes occur in her body: first, a brutal craving for one product awakens, then toxicosis, a heavy belly begins to interfere with movement, and later false contractions appear. It is the latter that need to be given special attention so as not to miss the onset of labor (women often confuse false and true contractions).

Signs of contractions

False

Training, false contractions (you can find the name “Braxton-Hicks contractions”, named after the scientist who first described them) are felt as rhythmic contractions of the abdomen. More often they do not cause significant discomfort, but this is individual and depends on the threshold of pain sensitivity. They begin randomly and end as suddenly as they appear, with no discernible sequence.

This condition can be traced from about the 20th week and can accompany a woman right up to childbirth, intensifying slightly in the last months of expecting a baby. More often, contractions are felt in the evening or at night, when all other muscles are relaxed and sensations are focused on changes in the tone of the uterus. Contractions often occur during physical activity. In some women they are asymptomatic.

Symptoms of false contractions:

• Irregularity of uterine contractions (may appear several times a day, then do not bother you at all for some time, and then appear again).
• Most often, the sensations during false contractions are painless or cause minor discomfort.
• The attacks go away when you change position, stop activity, or increase activity.
• There is no dilatation of the cervix (can only be determined by a doctor).

How to relieve the condition

When false contractions begin, accompanied by discomfort, you can alleviate the condition with several in simple ways. First of all, you should calm down and try to relax. Be sure to change the type of activity and body position. Some women find that a warm bath, a nice massage, or a snack helps. You can practice breathing birth exercises, then during real contractions and childbirth the pregnant woman will feel more confident.

Generic

True contractions occur individually for each pregnant woman. Some women in labor feel severe pain at the beginning, others only experience mild discomfort, which intensifies as contractions become more frequent. The pain may radiate to the back, lower back, lower abdomen, side area, hips, legs, bladder, or rectum. The sensations can be compared to pain in the first days of menstruation with painful periods () or attacks of pain with diarrhea.

A distinctive feature of true contractions is their frequency. A decrease in the interval between attacks of pain is clearly visible, the attacks themselves become longer, and when changing position or changing the type of activity, they do not weaken. Often there is diarrhea, a feeling of nausea and even vomiting. At the same time, the amniotic sac may open with the discharge of amniotic fluid. The obstetrician-gynecologist notes the gradual dilatation of the cervix.

Questions whose answers will help determine the nature of contractions

The difference between false contractions and real ones is quite understandable and clear for doctors, but a panicking pregnant woman, constantly worried about the health of her child, often cannot correctly navigate the many signs and symptoms. Questions will help you get an accurate answer. If the first answer is your case, then the contractions are false; if the second option, then the contractions are true and you need to seek help.

How often do they occur?

1. Appear from time to time, do not have a specific interval.
2. Regularity of attacks of contractions is noted, the interval between them is from half a minute to a minute, and they gradually become more frequent and increase in duration.

Do uterine contractions weaken when changing body position and type of activity?

1. There is a weakening of the condition when changing activities, after resting or walking.
2. Contractions continue with the same intensity even after changing position and type of activity.

What intensity?

1. There is a weakening of contractions, the intensity of pain does not increase.
2. Each contraction feels stronger than the previous one.

Where is the pain located?

1. There is pain only in the anterior abdominal area or in the pelvic area.
2. Pain and contraction are first felt in the lower back and then spread to the abdominal area anteriorly.

If most of the answers are the second option, and it’s too early to give birth, then you need to contact the doctor managing the pregnancy and clarify the situation with him, or go straight to the hospital.

When to see a doctor if you have false contractions

It happens that not everything goes smoothly and there are situations when training also requires medical intervention. Moreover, it does not matter how long the false contractions last or what their intensity is, help is required immediately. Such signals include:

• The appearance of vaginal discharge (it may contain blood or be watery).
• The discharge of amniotic fluid or its leakage (in the first case, a large volume of liquid splashes out of the vagina, in the second, moisture is constantly felt in the vaginal area, panties quickly get wet).
• The pain during uterine contractions is severe, but its regularity is not visible.
• Severe pain is felt in the lumbar region.
• The child began to move less (less than 10 movements over two hours) or froze completely.
• Severe contractions at any stage up to 37 weeks of pregnancy.
• The contractions are not strong, but are repeated frequently (more than 4 attacks per minute).
• Contractions are not regular, but their intensity is increasing.
• The pressure on the perineum increases and causes significant discomfort and pain.

Why are training contractions needed?

False contractions are an integral part of preparing the muscles of the uterus and its cervix for childbirth. Contractions help train muscles (as well as exercise for the muscles of the back, legs, arms and other parts of the body). Without them, the uterus will not be able to contract at the right moment and push the baby through the birth canal (and this requires a lot of effort). There is an increase in muscle endurance, because during childbirth they will have to strain themselves more than once. Otherwise, the uterus will “hang like a bag” and will not tone at the right time.

Training contractions also stimulate blood circulation in the reproductive organs, and thereby increase the supply of oxygen and nutrients (including to the baby).

Don't worry if you don't feel any contractions at all. They exist, you just have a high pain threshold or you don’t attach any importance to them (you are constantly busy with work, are on the move, confuse them with increased gas production, attacks of abdominal pain or another phenomenon). A pregnant woman’s body works as an autonomous system and will take the necessary actions on its own.

Braxton-Hicks contractions, also known as irregular contractions, also known as training contractions, are intermittent contractions of the uterus that occur in the second trimester, but appear more often in the third. False contractions are a way of preparing the body for childbirth, a normal physiological phenomenon for a pregnant woman. To understand whether the contractions that arise may be labor pains, you should answer the following questions: 1. What is the frequency of uterine contractions, are they regular? Labor contractions are regular, appearing at intervals of 5-10 minutes, and their frequency increases over time. The frequency of false contractions varies, there is no regularity. 2. Are contractions strong? Irregular false contractions are weak, do not intensify over time, and gradually weaken. Labor contractions, in turn, increase rapidly. 3. Does physical activity affect the nature of contractions? Braxton Hicks contractions may be associated with vigorous physical activity, such as walking, and resolve after a short rest or change of position. Movement and body position do not affect labor contractions.
Why are frequent irregular uterine contractions a reason to consult a doctor? The doctor finally diagnoses the absence of pathology and the onset of labor. The onset of labor is often accompanied by bleeding and leakage of amniotic fluid. The main diagnostic sign of active labor is at least 5 contractions per hour. More often, uterine contractions begin from the lower back, moving to the stomach. Braxton-Hicks contractions are differentiated from round ligament pain that appears on the sides due to stretching of the ligamentous apparatus that supports the uterus. Pain in the round ligaments is shooting, sharp, occurs suddenly and goes away quickly. Discomfort during false contractions is eliminated by relaxation. A walk, sleep, herbal tea, massage, and changing body position will “calm” the uterus. The main thing to maintain normal tone is a reasonable alternation of physical activity and rest.

All stages of preparation, birth and further behavior for the mother giving birth for the first and subsequent times.

First meeting of mother and child - natural birth

Since ancient times, the most natural and physiological process of a woman’s life is childbirth, in last decades It is considered normal only if there is medical intervention in them. This phenomenon overshadows the most important event in life - meeting the baby. Fear, doubts begin, and in the future, reluctance to go through the stage of pregnancy and childbirth a second time. Without understanding the biomechanism of natural childbirth, it seems that it is impossible to give birth on your own without medical help, just like raising a healthy baby.

Biomechanism of natural normal childbirth

Childbirth, or the birth process, is the passage of a fetus ready for birth through the small pelvis through the soft tissues of the birth canal of the woman in labor. Together with the mother, the child makes a series of complex movements, which are called the biomechanism of childbirth. The soft tissues stretch and have an expelling effect, which, together with the movements of the fetus, helps it move more actively through the birth canal. The movement occurs in the direction of the wire axis of the pelvis, which does not change the spatial relationships of the bony arch, reminiscent of the shape of a hook.

The child, under the influence of the birth expelling forces, takes the necessary position - the spine bends correctly, the shoulders are pulled towards the head, and the arms are pressed tightly against the body. The largest size is the fetal head, connected by the fontanel and sutures, which will allow a slight displacement to occur during birth. If the presentation is correct, it will appear first.

Why is it important to have a natural birth?

Natural childbirth, which occurs without the intervention of doctors, is a correct and necessary process, fundamental for both mother and child from the physiological and psychological point of view.

For mental balance and laying the necessary perinatal matrices in a small personality, it is extremely important to follow the order of the stages of the birth journey:

1. Serene calm in the mother's womb for nine months.
2. Teaching pain and active work during contractions, painful sensations of the mother during uterine contractions.
3. The passage of the birth canal, the desire for birth, laying the foundations of a psychological thirst for life, independence, and determination.
4. The first imprint on the mother’s face as the quintessence of goodness, happiness, peace, all-consuming love. Being on the mother's chest in the first hours after birth, feeling the warmth of the body, the beating of the heart - returns to the child a feeling of comfort and peace, as opposed to the bright, loud and so cold outside world.

For the mother, the birth of a baby psychologically culminates the stage of pregnancy and triggers complex neurohormonal circuits in the brain. The process of a woman becoming a mother in a multifaceted sense begins. Lactation starts, the uterus actively regenerates, the body goes through a renewal stage, and after some time it is ready to continue social life. After a natural birth, the mother is able to care for the baby immediately after its completion. Those born by caesarean section will undergo a course of antibiotics.

Only by going through the birth path on your own, through pain and anticipation, is an unbreakable connection and love established in both the child and the mother.

Should I use painkillers?

Pain relief during labor is carried out with epidural anesthesia - drug relief of the mother, who is in clear consciousness, from pain. Through a special catheter placed in the lumbar region between the membranes of the spinal cord, an anesthetic substance enters the mother's body, blocking pain, but the woman will feel contractions. "Epidural" can become an assistant in childbirth when:

• any other anesthesia is contraindicated;
• the woman in labor suffers from hypertension;
• a woman with a very low pain threshold.

However, an injection of epidural anesthesia can lead to unpleasant consequences and complications. It is worth taking the question with great responsibility - to use it during childbirth, or not to disrupt the natural process.

Stages of labor

The onset of labor is considered to be involuntary pain in the area lumbar region, abdomen, pelvis, which a woman cannot physically control. The intensity of the contractions at the beginning is similar to menstrual pain, gradually intensifying. At this stage, the woman in labor is already sent to the maternity hospital, since the dilatation of the cervix has already begun.

Preparatory first stage

Regular uterine contractions occur, lasting up to 15-18 seconds with an interval of up to 40 minutes. The time between contractions gradually decreases, and the time of contractions increases.

Stage two - contractions

Strong and painful uterine contractions, lasting up to three minutes without intervals. At this stage, the cervix dilates.

The third stage - pushing

Attempts are regular contractions of the striated abdominal muscles and diaphragm muscles aimed at expelling the fetus from the uterus, which the woman, unlike contractions, is able to control. At this stage, the internal pharynx opens completely, and after it the cervical canal, and part of the amniotic fluid is released. The baby’s head finds the required position, after which it passes through the birth canal and, directly, the birth of the baby.

The fourth stage is the birth of the placenta

The final stage is the separation and discharge of the fetal place, the placenta. After this process, the birth is considered complete.

How does natural childbirth go for the first time: stages

Going through the process of childbirth for the first time, a woman in labor experiences, in addition to pain, fear of the unknown. It is important to remember that the natural process of childbirth consists of:

• harbingers;
• contractions with increasing intensity;
• pushing;
• childbirth;
• discharge of the placenta;
• beginning of lactation.

Date of birth of the child

The main factors influencing the speed of delivery will be:

• woman's physique and health indicators;
• knowledge of the mother about childbirth and preparation for it;
• skills and experience of an obstetrician-gynecologist.

On average, delivery lasts from 10 to 22 hours. If the process is very delayed, with the mother’s permission, additional stimulation or surgical intervention is used.

Harbingers

The beginning of labor is considered to be:

• the passage of the fetal plug, which protected the entrance to the cervix for nine months of pregnancy;
• rupture of amniotic fluid;
• uterine tone;
• the beginning of uterine contractions.

As the pain and intensity of contractions regularly increases, the stage of labor is determined.

Duration of contractions

On average, contractions last up to 20 seconds with an interval of 40 minutes at the initial stage, and up to three minutes with an interval of 5 seconds at the last stage.

Duration of contractions and their intensity

The period of contractions takes the longest period of time - from 8 to 20 hours, with different intensities, but increasing.

How long do the attempts last?

Typically, the pushing stage is not long and takes on average up to 20 minutes, however, in some individual cases it can last up to 2.5 hours.

What does cervical dilatation look like?

During pregnancy, the cervix is ​​tightly closed and protected by a mucous plug that does not allow the external environment to enter the womb. During contractions, the soft tissues expand, thin and smooth out to easily allow the baby to pass through the birth canal.

When the waters flow out

In the natural course of labor, the amniotic sac ruptures spontaneously under the influence of a strong contraction and the opening of the cervix by 5-9 centimeters. The amniotic fluid does not drain immediately and does not cause any pain.

If a woman notices fluid leakage, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately. The departure of amniotic fluid stimulates the labor process, which can lead to early termination of pregnancy.

Possible complications

Complications of the preparatory period include the following symptoms:

• irregular painful contractions that do not progress to labor;
• no changes in the tissues of the cervix, which remains dense, and the opening of the canal does not occur;
• the baby’s head does not enter the beginning of the birth canal, even if the fetus and the size of the mother’s pelvis are fully consistent;
• hypertonicity of the uterus;
• deterioration psychological state women in labor;
• leakage of amniotic fluid before birth.

Treatment of the described pathologies is carried out in a hospital setting and rarely exceeds 5 days. After therapy, most often, spontaneous labor begins, less often the symptoms disappear, and the woman continues her pregnancy. In extreme cases, surgery is prescribed.

Complications may occur during childbirth:

• primary and secondary weakness of delivery, characterized by too long intervals between uterine contractions, as well as insufficient intensity;
• chaotic hypertensive contractions of the uterus, defined as contractions with varying degrees of intensity different parts organ, which leads to the development of hypoxia in the child in the womb;
• bleeding due to placental abruption.

Treatment of symptoms depends on the degree of danger for the mother and child. Anesthesia is used, antispasmodics, medications to reduce the tone of the uterus, and analgesics are administered. If the desired effect cannot be achieved with medication, an emergency caesarean section is performed.

How the second and subsequent births proceed: stages

It is generally accepted that a woman’s second and subsequent pregnancies, and therefore childbirth, are easier and more painless.

The absence of complications during pregnancy, the health status and lifestyle of the mother will play an important role.

From a physiological point of view, the second birth is easier due to the birth canal prepared by the first child.

Dates of birth

It is believed that the second and subsequent births are less painful and occur one and a half times faster than the first. However, statistics show that for exactly half of women, the second birth was more difficult and lasted longer than the first. Everything is individual and depends on many factors.

Harbingers

As during the first pregnancy, in the second the harbingers of the onset of labor are:

• discharge of the uterine mucus plug;
• painful contractions of the uterus;
• rupture of amniotic fluid;
• peace of the baby in the womb;
• unusual activity of the mother;
• upset stomach, loose stools;
• pain in the perineum, pubis, lumbar and sacral spine.

During a second pregnancy, a woman’s belly drops just a couple of days before the start of labor; this sign cannot be missed.

Intensity of contractions

The intensity and period of contractions are noticeably less. This is due to the elasticity of the muscles and soft tissues of the birth canal.

How quickly does the cervix dilate?

The cervix, prepared by previous births, opens faster - in 3 to 9 hours.

What happens to a woman after childbirth

After the long-awaited birth of the child, the mother is placed at the mother’s breast, and an exchange of microflora occurs, which is necessary for the formation of strong immunity in the baby, as well as the first feeding. The afterbirth comes off. Mother and child lie together for 3 to 5 hours, after which they are transferred to the postpartum ward.

How to mentally prepare for childbirth

Preparing for the first birth is quite problematic, because a pregnant woman for the first time has no idea what awaits her at the “end of the road.” This is where fears, anxiety arise, and attacks of panic and anxiety arise. The main task of loved ones, as well as the expectant mother herself, will be to eat right, take walks more often fresh air, follow the doctor’s instructions and try to protect yourself from negative thoughts. Only inner peace and knowledge of the birth process will really help during childbirth, while panic and fear can cause significant harm.

By choosing a natural birth, the mother gives both herself and the baby the opportunity to go through the physiological process together, forming strong psychological bonds. The main principle of successful childbirth is the calmness and tranquility of the mother, following the inner instincts and advice of the obstetrician-gynecologist. The second and subsequent births, in the absence of complications, generally proceed easier and faster than the first. Drug and surgical intervention during childbirth is recommended only in case of an emergency threat to the life of the mother and child.

Useful video

How does labor begin? How to distinguish false contractions from real ones? When does the “plug” go away? Why does my back hurt? Experienced sibling mothers share their observations, and Nelly Mikhailovna AGAMYAN, obstetrician-gynecologist, chief physician of the Ultrasound Studio MC network in Novosibirsk, tells what symptoms can signal an impending birth at 37-40 weeks of pregnancy.

• Abdominal prolapse on the eve of childbirth
• Weight loss and colon cleansing
• Removal of the mucus plug before childbirth
• Painful sensations
• "Nesting" instinct
• Changes in how you feel and mood
• Is it possible that there are no warning signs?

Abdominal prolapse before childbirth

If you look at your exchange card, you will see there the numbers marked during visits to the doctor marked VSD (height of the uterine fundus). These measurements help the doctor monitor the dynamics of the baby's development - during pregnancyAs it grows, the uterus rises higher and higher, reaching its highest point at approximately 37 weeks, and then begins to decline. This happens because the child gets to a “low start” and begins to move closer to the “exit”. Its head (under the condition of cephalic presentation) moves towards the cervix and is located in the pelvic area.

Siblings' experience:

SweetMama

-My stomach dropped 2 days before giving birth.

Christmas tree

- 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 then give birth. Yeah, of course! I gave birth at 39 weeks and 3 days, and I had to do that because the bladder was flat.

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

Abdominal prolapse before childbirth. Expert commentary

The height of the uterine fundus increases by about 1 cm per week throughout pregnancy. This figure reaches 37-40 cm by the 37th week of pregnancy, and a couple of weeks before giving 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 drops lower and is pressed against the base of the pelvis.

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

• easier breathing (the uterus no longer puts pressure on the chest);

• nagging pain in the lower abdomen due to the fact that the uterus and fetus press with their entire weight on the lower part of the abdominal cavity;

• low motor activity of the baby - movements at 37-40 weeks of pregnancy, if the stomach has dropped, are not so noticeable: this is explained by the fact that the child has already assumed a stable position before birth and cannot turn, but only move his legs and arms.

Weight loss and bowel cleansing before childbirth

Many pregnant women are surprised to discover that the weight, which is known to grow by leaps and bounds in the last trimester, suddenly decreases by 1-1.5 kg after 37-39 weeks. Weight loss is especially noticeable if severe swelling was observed during pregnancy. Don't be scared - this is an absolutely natural process and another sign that meeting your baby is just around the corner.

Siblings' experience:

Nika

- About 2 days before the birth I started feeling nauseous (with Polinka I even vomited, but with Leshka I just felt nauseous) and (sorry for the detail) stool liquid of the day 3-4 and before the birth was. The body was cleansing.

Mummy and BABY M.

- I woke up at 4 in the morning and realized that my stomach hurt. Well, this is real indigestion. Sorry, I went to the toilet and pushed... And only when my stomach eased did I realize that something was wrong. I noted the time - contractions go every 7 minutes, like clockwork.

Lucien

- I didn’t feel a drooping stomach, but... loose stools for 4-5 days before giving birth! And my tummy also ached, it felt a bit tight. And then the water broke in the morning, and she gave birth in the evening.

Tamiri

- The first sign of impending labor was, sorry, diarrhea: about 4 hours before the birth. Then they lowered my water, and after a couple of hours I gave birth. All!

Weight loss and colon cleansing. Expert commentary

Before childbirth, the body gets rid of excess fluid, which leads to slight weight loss. This occurs in order to thicken the 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 needed and the body gets rid of it. Often this process can be accompanied not only by increased frequency of urination at 37 weeks of pregnancy, but also by nausea or diarrhea.”

False (training) contractions

One of the most important signs that your uterus is preparing itself for an upcoming event is the appearance of “harbinger” contractions. They are usually not painful and feel more like severe muscle tension. At this moment, the stomach seems to “turn to stone” 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 - sometimes the uterus contracts several times a day, sometimes a couple of times a week. Most often, pregnant women notice the appearance of such training contractions in the mornings or evenings.

Siblings' experience:

Margarita

- About 3 days before giving birth, there were false contractions in the morning - I even woke up from them. They were not strong, but rhythmic, at intervals of 10 minutes, lasting for 2 hours. Another interesting phenomenon - during the week before giving birth, when driving a car, when jumping on bumps, I apparently had a strong sensation of pain in the cervical area. Apparently, this is how the neck opened slightly.

e-Katherine

- My training contractions started within 2 weeks. The interval reached 10 minutes, and after 1-2 minutes they stopped. I started writing down the time every time. Same thing on the day of birth: in the morning I woke up from pain, well, I think it was training contractions again... I went to the shower... And then I realized that after a shower it doesn’t get easier (and usually after a shower, training contractions go away), that I got sick about 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 pregnancy, training contractions are the most important sign of impending labor. They differ from prenatal contractions in their irregularity and low intensity. These are training tensions of the uterus that can appear several times a week, and sometimes every day. Such contractions help the cervix to smooth out and make it softer, preparing it for the upcoming labor.

Removal of the mucus plug on the eve of childbirth

Another harbinger of an imminent birth may be the release 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 plug (in the form of colorless, yellowish, or slightly pinkish mucus) may come off before labor begins - sometimes this can happen within a week, or even two. Important point: after the plug comes out, you should refrain from visiting the pool, swimming in reservoirs, and even taking a bath, as this increases the risk of getting . It's better to limit yourself to a shower.

Siblings' experience:

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

SweetMama

- The plug came off completely in 1 day (the first half came off in 2 weeks).

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

Removal of the plug. Expert commentary

Mucous discharge may signal the release of a plug that protects the uterus and fetus from external infections. During the period of preparation for childbirth, the plug liquefies and begins to leak. It should be borne in mind that this symptom is individual, for some the plug comes off a week before birth, and for others 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 better to immediately consult a doctor for an amnio test.”

Painful sensations before childbirth

In the last weeks before giving birth, many pregnant women begin to complain of nagging and aching pain in the lumbar region 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 pain, but the awareness that at this moment the “exit” for the baby is preparing to open makes it very easy to experience unpleasant sensations.

Siblings' experience

Natalika

- On the eve of giving birth, my back was strained, my stomach was “felt” and there was a feeling as if 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 drove the car 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 PDR, and that’s what happened.

- My back hurt terribly. My stomach was pulling. And most importantly - a persistent feeling of anxiety.

- And the day before my back hurt so much that I climbed the walls. The plug 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 nagging pain, as a rule, is not only prolapse of the abdomen. The fact is that closer to the beginning of labor, the pregnant woman stretches and softens the joints of the pelvis so that the baby can be born more freely. In addition, it can stretch muscles and ligaments; this also prepares the pelvis for labor.

Nesting instinct on the eve of childbirth

On the eve of childbirth, many women receive another “news” from nature that the baby will be born very soon. An indomitable desire arises to prepare him a cozy “nest” and expectant mother with great pleasure he chooses tiny socks and baby vests for his future son or daughter, embroiders diapers, knits a hat and 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 nice rattle! Another obligatory item of “building a nest” is often general cleaning (or even repairs). Having set up a children's corner, bought things and “cleaned” the house, the woman breathes a sigh of 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 become a reality!

Siblings' experience

- Two days before giving birth, she became more active -both timesI started doing big cleanings throughout the entire apartment, which I no longer had the strength to do for a long time. I paid attention because I read here on the forum that this happens - preparing a nest. And there were no more warning signs.

Ekaterina

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

- I didn’t have any special feelings before giving birth, except that I, like a field mouse, had been dragging all the groceries home from the store for the last 10 days. Well, I couldn’t pass by the store. I take a full bag and drag it, then I realize that I can’t carry it, it’s hard, so I catch a taxi. Twice I came home by taxi with string bags...

Changes in well-being and mood

All changes in a woman’s body on the eve of childbirth are associated with hormonal changes. Early in pregnancy main task the body was preserved and cared for the safety of the baby. The “boss” of this process was the hormone progesterone, which is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Towards the end of the third trimester, the placenta begins to age and progesterone levels gradually decrease. Now the first violin is played by the female sex hormones estrogens, the level of which increases as the placenta ages and the baby functionally matures. It is estrogens that are “responsible” for softening the cervix, stretching the ligaments and increasing the sensitivity of the uterus, promoting its contraction. Such a hormonal “storm” can affect your mood, causing either sudden tears or bursts of joy. In addition, in the last weeks before giving birth, a woman prepares for serious changes, fears the upcoming birth, in a word, leads a rich emotional life. Treat your changing mood with understanding, because such mood swings are also part of the preparation for one of the most important meetings in life!

Siblings' 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 mood changes and a feeling of how tired everything is, no strength, fatigue from a feeling of uncertainty, impatience - when the birth is finally here! There is probably something in this; you really look forward to childbirth as if it were a holiday. But when the contractions begin, there are no longer any previously tormenting fears, but one thought - well, thank you, God - it has begun!

Changes in well-being and mood. Expert commentary

A few days before giving birth, changes in the well-being and mood of the expectant mother may occur. Some people are concerned about tearfulness, rapid mood swings, irritability, and emotional upsurge. In addition, severe sweating, chills, fever, and dizziness may occur. 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 precursors of labor at 37-40 weeks are not yet the beginning of labor. However, if you feel such symptoms, you should not ignore them. Be sure to tell your doctor about them.

Did anyone have a difficult labor start?

- My first birth began in the maternity hospital. A few days before this, the plug came off - but, in my opinion, the doctor just picked it out. And then for several days there was silence, no signs of impending labor - 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 I was spending the night with my husband and the doctor in the maternity ward...

Katik

- And I had no warning signs, no drooping tummy. Contractions just started at night at 3, and in my sleep I couldn’t understand why my stomach hurt, like during menstruation. At 6 I woke up, realized, measured - the interval between contractions was 5-7 minutes.

O_l_g_a

- There were no special sensations. I ran around as usual, ate a good meal of cherries at night... in the morning I woke up from strong contractions.

- We were told during the courses that the first-time mother most often does not really feel anything. The congestion and water are a given, but the onset of contractions and other warning signs in a primigravida are most often weakly expressed. Although I understand that this is individual for everyone.

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