First signs of labor: you need to be able to recognize the two main signs of impending labor

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Childbirth

braxton hicks contractions

When your water breaks and labor contractions begin, there is no longer any room for doubt: you are in labor. The body sends the mother the necessary signals, which she can often recognize without medical help. But some signs of the onset of labor may not be so obvious. So that you know what signs you should pay attention to while expecting childbirth, we have written this article. From it you will learn how labor begins, how to recognize the true signs of labor, and a brief overview of how the latent and active phases of labor proceed.

When will I go into labor?

The expected date of birth (EDD) is the day when the pregnancy is exactly 40 weeks. However, you should not rely on the fact that the baby will be born on this day. Firstly, the due date may be inaccurate, 75% of it is just a rough estimate, and the “error” could be as much as two weeks off, even if the date was corrected after an ultrasound. Most women go into labor between 38 and 42 weeks. Take your time, listen to your body and keep your birth plan and hospital bag handy. Keep in mind that experts do not recommend using any traditional medicine to induce labor. If you are concerned that labor is not starting, discuss this with your doctor.

How is childbirth?

During the first
and longest period of labor, the cervix gradually dilates.
For first-time mothers, it lasts nine to ten hours
; for those who have previously given birth, it lasts
five to seven hours
.
When the cervix dilates completely, the second stage of labor begins. In the second
stage of labor, the baby itself is born.
It lasts one to two hours
.
First, the fetal head drops into the pelvic cavity, then the contractions are joined by pushing - contractions of the abdominal muscles, which help push the baby out of the birth canal. The doctor receives the baby, and he makes his first cry. During the third
stage of labor, the placenta and membranes of the fetus are released. At this time, the doctor monitors the release of the placenta. This process lasts five to ten minutes and is accompanied by mild contractions that help the placenta separate from the walls of the uterus.

Harbingers of childbirth

It is unlikely that labor will begin suddenly, without any preliminary symptoms. Most likely, you will have some new sensations on the eve of the day of birth and you will understand what is happening to you. Here are some common (but optional) signs of labor:

• Change in energy level.

  If you suddenly feel very tired or, conversely, a sudden surge of energy a few days or weeks before giving birth, this is completely natural. Your nesting instinct may also awaken [https://www.pampers-gorodok.ru/pregnancy/pregnancy-symptoms/article/sindrom-gnezdovania], and you may want to do things around the house in anticipation of the arrival of a newborn in it. Don't overexert yourself - try to rest as much as possible and save your energy.

• The stomach drops.

  The baby sinks lower into the pelvis weeks, days or hours before birth. As a result, your tummy also drops.

• Removal of the mucus plug.

  You may notice a thick pinkish discharge or discharge streaked with blood. Most likely, this is a mucus plug that protected the cervix during pregnancy. Often the plug comes off a few days before the onset of contractions, but some expectant mothers do not even notice this.

How to understand that labor has begun: signs

From the 37th week the pregnancy is considered full-term. And it is from this period that most expectant mothers begin to listen even more closely to their bodies: are there any signs of labor beginning? Normally, in the period from the 37th to the 42nd week, a joyful event occurs - the birth of a baby.

In this article we will look at what signs can be used to understand that labor will soon begin or has already begun.

Distant harbingers of childbirth

In 2 weeks or even earlier, you may notice the first “bells” of an approaching meeting with the baby. Don’t panic, because you’ve been waiting for this event for 9 long months! Early warning signs are far from giving birth.

The very first signs include the following:

• Changes in psycho-emotional state;
• Abdominal prolapse;
• Lower back pain;
• Frequent urination;
• Weight loss;
• Diarrhea.

Let's look at each of the signs in more detail.

Changes in psycho-emotional state

The woman suddenly becomes absent-minded, apathetic, forgets everything, “has her head in the clouds.” Some girls, on the contrary, become excited and have energy. This condition reaches its peak a couple of days before the birth of the child in the form of nesting syndrome. It manifests itself in the fact that the expectant mother may start a spring cleaning, want to rearrange the furniture or re-arrange the nursery.

Abdominal prolapse

The drooping becomes noticeable in the mirror. The girl notices that it suddenly became easy for her to breathe and does not suffer from heartburn. This happens because the baby's head moves down, the uterus puts less pressure on the lungs.

Lower back pain

It is more difficult for the expectant mother to sit; in this position it is uncomfortable and painful for her. Shooting in the lower back may occur. They are due to the fact that the baby gradually moves down and puts pressure on the lower spine. At the same time, the sacroiliac connective tissue is stretched. Taken together, this leads to pain in the lumbar spine.

Frequent urination

The uterus drops lower, but begins to put more pressure on the bladder. Therefore, the expectant mother is bothered by a frequent urge to urinate. If this is your case, do not ignore or tolerate the urge: by emptying your bladder, you get rid of excess fluid and reduce swelling.

Weight loss

Pregnancy is supported by the hormone progesterone. It also promotes the accumulation of fluid in the body. Therefore, a woman gains weight throughout 9 months. But a few days (or even 1 - 2 weeks) before giving birth, she can suddenly lose from 0.5 to 3 kg. This is due to a decrease in the concentration of progesterone and an increase in estrogen during this period.

Progesterone no longer retains fluid, and estrogens remove it. Weight loss is the disappearance of swelling from the arms, legs, and fingers. The more weight a girl gained during pregnancy, the stronger the swelling and the more she will “lose weight” before giving birth.

If you couldn’t put on a ring or certain shoes in the 1st – 2nd trimester, try to do this shortly before the PDR. The attempt was successful - this is one of the first signs that childbirth is just around the corner.

Diarrhea

Most women suffer from constipation during pregnancy. But shortly before meeting the baby, another problem suddenly arises - diarrhea. And again, the “culprits” are estrogens, which remove water into the intestines and increase peristalsis.

Loose stools before the birth of a child are fundamentally different from indigestion due to poisoning. In the first case, relief occurs; it is not accompanied by discomfort, pain, and the bowel movements do not have an unpleasant odor. There may be stools up to 3 times a day.

If you have diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or pain in the abdomen, this is a reason to call an ambulance.

Signs of the onset of labor

Although each pregnancy proceeds differently, there are still characteristic early signs of labor. Some of them may be very subtle and you may not even notice them. The most common first sign of labor is contractions. Shortly before birth, the cervix, the lower part of the uterus, softens, thins, and shortens. You may feel slight discomfort, perhaps even a few mild, irregular contractions. The cervix will also begin to gradually dilate. The opening will accelerate over time. You may experience more regular contractions—every 5 to 15 minutes—lasting 60 to 90 seconds. Try not to be nervous and monitor the duration, frequency and regularity of contractions. The latent phase of the first stage of labor is unpredictable in its duration. It may take hours or days before you enter the active phase of the first stage of labor, especially if this is your first labor. The latent phase usually lasts less in subsequent births. Until your contractions become more regular and intense, or until your water breaks, try to simply relax. But call your doctor right away if you notice bleeding (bright red), if your water breaks (especially if the fluid is green or brown and smells bad), if your child is less active or if you have a headache, blurred vision, or increased blood pressure. arterial pressure. Also call your doctor if you think you're going into preterm labor.

Other symptoms of beginning labor

First of all, these are painful sensations in the lower abdomen and lower back. Girls describe them as tugging. If your due date is today or in the coming days, this may indicate that things will start soon. If not, then this can only be preparation for an upcoming event and there is nothing to worry about.

For example, painful sensations resemble those you experienced during your period. This is most likely not a sign of labor yet. Such sensations may begin several weeks in advance.

But “lumbago” in the lumbar and pubic area or nagging pain in the sacrum may well be one of the first signs of imminent labor.

Another sign is if the child has become less active. He has already grown a lot, he is cramped in his mother’s tummy and is ready to be born very soon. So don’t be alarmed if your baby suddenly “goes quiet.” But if such calmness causes anxiety, it is better to consult a gynecologist to dispel doubts.

What should I do in early labor?

If you have only a few early symptoms of approaching labor, it may be too early for you to go to the hospital. The latent phase of the first stage of labor may last long enough that you will probably be more comfortable staying at home. Your doctor will be able to guide you when you need to go to the hospital, taking into account your signs of labor and your individual situation. Realizing that you're going into labor can bring up a variety of feelings, from excitement to anxiety. Try to remain calm and not panic. Agree in advance with your partner or one of your friends that when labor begins, they will keep you company at home, and when the time comes, they will take you to the maternity hospital. Several ways to ease discomfort during the latent phase of labor:

• take a walk;
• try relaxation or breathing techniques that were taught to you in childbirth preparation courses;
• change position;
• take a shower or bath.

Call your doctor if you notice that your contractions are getting stronger or more frequent, if your water breaks, or if you are not sure how to interpret the symptoms you are experiencing.

How a woman's body changes before childbirth

From week 36, estrogen begins to be synthesized in large quantities, and progesterone, on the contrary, decreases. These are symptoms of aging of the placenta, which are accompanied by the fact that contractile proteins begin to be produced in the uterus, and oxytocin, a stimulant of labor, begins to be produced in the pituitary gland.

And at 38 weeks, increased electrical activity is observed in those parts of a pregnant woman’s brain that are responsible for labor. This is called "generic dominance".

As for the baby, due to increased growth at the end of pregnancy, the uterus encloses it too tightly: this is due to a decrease in amniotic fluid. For the fetus, this is stress, and its adrenal glands produce large quantities of the stress hormone - cortisol. Since baby and mother are bonded, the release of cortisol stimulates the production of prostaglandins in the mother's body. When this hormone and oxytocin accumulate in the required quantities, labor will begin.

In addition, the cervix ripens: its structure changes, it becomes soft, pliable, shortened and smoothed.

Signs of active labor

During the active phase of labor, the cervix should dilate up to 10 cm and you will experience more obvious signs of labor, including:

• Rush of amniotic fluid.

  Shortly before labor (but sometimes only during the active phase), the amniotic sac ruptures and amniotic fluid is released. They say about this moment: “The water broke.” The outpouring of water can vary in intensity: it can be either a stream of liquid or just a trickle. If your water breaks, tell your doctor. Most expectant mothers give birth within 24 hours of the rupture of amniotic fluid.

• Strong and regular contractions.

  During the active phase, contractions become stronger and more frequent. Each contraction lasts from 30 to 70 seconds, and the intensity constantly increases. The ability to detect contractions will allow you to monitor the development of labor.

• Leg cramps.

  During the active phase, you may feel cramps in your legs.

• Backache.

  You may experience back pain as pressure on your back increases during labor.

• Nausea.

  Some expectant mothers experience nausea at the beginning of the active phase of labor.

The active phase can last from four to eight hours, and sometimes longer. For most expectant mothers, the cervix dilates at a rate of 1 cm per hour. When your water breaks or contractions become stronger and more regular, it means it’s time for you to go to the hospital.

TIME OF LABOR

During pregnancy, a woman is concerned about many issues, but most of all she is interested in the time of birth. This is usually associated with the fear of pain, any complications and the most important question - how will childbirth end for mother and child? All these fears are in vain. Modern obstetrics has extensive experience in preparing pregnant women for childbirth and special monitoring of the progress of labor, allowing timely diagnosis of complications from the mother or fetus and providing both with adequate care. Finally, methods have been developed by which a woman herself can contribute to the successful course of labor and reduce pain.

Pregnancy lasts on average 280 days (40 weeks), counting from the first day of the last menstrual period. If you count back 3 months from this date and then add 7 days, this will be the approximate due date. For example: the last menstruation was on December 10, therefore, birth can be expected on September 17.

It is advisable to remember the day of the first fetal movement. Primiparous women feel it in the middle of pregnancy (20 weeks), and multiparous women feel it a little earlier (18 weeks).

It will be possible to speak most accurately about the date of birth if the gestational age is established. It can be determined by a doctor based on the size of the uterus, which corresponds to certain stages of pregnancy.

With sufficient reliability, it is possible to determine the duration of pregnancy and, therefore, delivery based on ultrasound examination of the fetus.

Childbirth occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature, and after 42 weeks - late.

Term birth, that is, occurring on time, is considered to be a birth that began during a full-term pregnancy. It is known that the duration of full-term pregnancy varies from 37 completed weeks (259 days) to 42 weeks (294 days). Starting at 38 weeks of pregnancy, you can expect to give birth every day.

Precursors and onset of labor.

It is impossible to determine the day of birth in advance, but there are a number of signs by which one can judge its approach.

Harbingers of childbirth:

1. The pregnant woman feels that it has become easier for her to breathe; this is due to the fact that the fetal head has dropped lower and pressed tightly against the entrance to the bony pelvis. ;

2. The amount of vaginal discharge increases, it may become brown or pink;

3. Individual contractions of the uterus appear - “training” contractions - irregular, short and quickly passing when stroking the abdomen;

4. Weak, dull, quickly passing pain often occurs in the lumbar region;

5. As a rule, a pregnant woman experiences weight loss.

When these warning signs appear, you should prepare for a trip to the maternity hospital. You cannot travel outside the city or leave the house for a long time, as contractions may suddenly begin or amniotic fluid may leak. But it is quite possible that you will have to be patient and wait. The interval between the appearance of precursors and childbirth can be several days or 2-3 weeks.

Start of labor

The onset of labor is indicated by the appearance of bloody, spotting discharge from the vagina. This is the release of the “birth plug”, that is, the contents of the cervix, which begins to open; the appearance of a “birth plug” means that labor will begin in the next 24-48 hours.

Rush of amniotic fluid

It is important to pay attention to the amount of water that can “gush out” unexpectedly or pour out in a thin stream. Normally, the waters are light or slightly pinkish, without any admixture of bright blood; in them you can see white lumps of vernix lubrication of the fetus. However, the waters may have a greenish or brown color, which is due to the ingress of original feces - meconium. You should definitely inform your doctor about this, since meconium in the water may indicate fetal discomfort.

After the discharge of water, you must immediately go to the maternity hospital, since a long period without water is fraught with the danger of infection of the fetus and the mother’s birth canal. To avoid infection, you do not need to tightly close the vagina with a pad or insert a tampon; you cannot take a bath, only a shower.

Regular labor pains

The main thing that is characteristic of labor contractions is their regularity, repetition at first every 15-20 minutes, then more and more often, longer and stronger. These are true labor contractions that open the cervix. In contrast, false contractions usually have an irregular rhythm, do not intensify, and can stop if you change your body position. However, false contractions also perform an important function - they prepare the cervix for childbirth, which becomes soft, short, its canal opens, that is, it matures for childbirth.

Normal labor for primiparous women lasts on average 12-14 hours, and for multiparous women 6-8 hours.

Periods of labor

The onset of labor is considered to be the appearance of uterine contractions, rhythmically repeating every 10-15 minutes. Contractions gradually intensify, and the interval between them decreases. With the onset of labor, a pregnant woman is already called a woman in labor.

If labor is delayed too much, the woman is given help. Doctors of Ancient Greece said that the sun should not rise twice over the head of a woman in labor.

There are three stages of labor: cervical dilatation, expulsion of the fetus and the postpartum period.

The first stage of labor - gradual dilatation of the cervix

It occurs under the influence of regular contractions. Contractions over and over again stretch the circular muscles of the cervix, making it thin and pliable. Wedging of the amniotic sac into it and pressure from the fetal head are also aimed at this. Slow, gradual dilation of the cervix begins 2-3 weeks before birth. In most women, the cervix “ripens” before childbirth, that is, it becomes short, soft, with the canal dilated to the 2nd.

The period of dilation is the longest during childbirth. It lasts about 9-10 hours in primiparous women and 6-7 hours in multiparous women. The duration of contractions during this period increases to 1.5 minutes, and the interval between them decreases from 10-15 minutes to 1 minute.

In the first stage of labor, the woman in labor must follow the recommendations of the doctor and midwife and actively help herself: breathe calmly and evenly through her nose, relax outside of contractions. When the cervix opens completely, the fetal head can descend into the pelvic cavity.

Second stage of labor - expulsion of the fetus

When the fetal head reaches the outlet of the pelvis, that is, sinks to its bottom, contractions are joined by pushing - contractions of the abdominal muscles. Due to this, intra-abdominal pressure increases, which helps expel the fetus from the uterus.

The duration of the expulsion period is on average 1-2 hours in primiparous women and less than an hour in multiparous women.

During the period of exile, it is especially important to follow the instructions of the doctor and midwife, helping yourself and the child to safely pass this very important stage. An experienced doctor and midwife will receive the baby after birth, lightly pat his buttocks, the baby will cry, his lungs will expand, and he will begin to live extrauterine life.

The birth is not yet over - the baby is still connected to the mother by the umbilical cord, and the placenta is in the uterine cavity. The placenta (baby place) is the placenta, umbilical cord and membranes of the fetus.

In the third, successive period, the umbilical cord is crossed

However, neither the mother nor the child will feel pain - there are no pain nerve fibers in the umbilical cord. A baby's cry immediately after birth is a good reaction to a new external environment. A sign is placed on the child’s arm indicating the mother’s last name, first name and patronymic, the year, day and hour of the child’s birth, as well as his gender.

The third stage of labor lasts on average 5-10 minutes, but can last up to 1 hour. The woman in labor feels weak contractions that separate the placenta from the walls of the uterus, and then with one or two light attempts the baby’s place comes out. Now the birth is over.

After giving birth, a woman (she is now called not a woman in labor, but a postpartum woman) remains in the maternity ward for two hours under the careful supervision of medical personnel, who monitor the woman’s condition and the amount of bloody discharge from the genital tract. At this time, the soft birth canal is examined and, if there are ruptures, sutures are placed with preliminary anesthesia. After the examination, the postpartum woman is transferred to the postpartum ward.

How can you make childbirth easier?

Childbirth is a severe physical strain. A pregnant woman needs to learn how to use her energy sparingly. Fear of labor pain interferes with the proper course of labor. To learn how to manage labor pain, a pregnant woman must master some techniques.

First of all, this concerns posture during childbirth. At the beginning of labor, when contractions are still irregular and short, you can choose the body position that will be most comfortable. However, lying on your back is not recommended because in this position the fetal head puts pressure on the mother's large blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the placenta.

A simple and important rule is to urinate frequently. It is necessary to urinate every two hours, since a full bladder prevents the fetal head from descending into the pelvic cavity.

In the active stage of labor, when contractions are repeated frequently, you also need to regularly change your body position, trying not to lie on your back. If doctors allow you to walk around, you should take advantage of it. You can kneel in bed, leaning on a chair, that is, you tend to change your body position more often.

Recently, some maternity hospitals have recommended spending the first stage of labor in a bath with warm water. Immersion in warm water eases painful contractions and has a calming effect on the woman in labor. However, the second stage of labor must be carried out traditionally. When the expulsion of the fetus begins, pushing is delayed; if the doctor allows, you can squat during contractions, since in this position the size of the pelvis increases and the fetal head descends more easily. Between contractions, it is better to lie on your side or take a knee-elbow position. When attempts appear and the birth of the fetus begins, the woman in labor is transferred to another ward, to a special bed designed for childbirth. Here, usually the medical staff themselves manage the mother’s position, facilitating childbirth.

It is very important for a woman to learn to breathe correctly during contractions and completely relax between them. During contractions, due to muscle contraction, the fetus receives less oxygen. Therefore, the lack of it at these moments must be compensated by proper breathing.

In the first stage of labor, when contractions repeat after 8-10 minutes and last for 40-50 seconds, you must use the first type of breathing - slow and deep.

Childbirth is less painful and more gentle for the fetus when the woman in labor alternates walking and lying on her side, that is, an active position alternates with a resting position.

When contractions become more intense, repeat after 5-6 minutes and last about one minute, it is recommended to use shallow breathing (type two). At the beginning of the contraction, it is better to take several deep, slow breaths of the first type, and as the contraction intensifies, you need to switch to shallow breathing, but then, at the end of it, switch to slow and deep breathing again.

At the end of the first stage of labor, when contractions are stronger, repeat after 2-3 minutes and last 60-90 seconds, shallow and rapid breathing should be used. It's reminiscent of a dog breathing with its mouth open on a hot day. So you only need to breathe at the height of the fight. With the onset of a contraction, you can use the first, and then switch to the second and third types of breathing.

During pushing, it is also useful to use the third type of breathing, taking small intervals to inhale air. At this time, there is no need to strain your abdominal muscles. In this case, the fetal head is not squeezed out by pushing, but is pushed, as it were, by exhalations, and the baby is born easier.

During a contraction, it is better to remain in a relaxed state. But this relaxation is not passive, but active - a conscious process that requires concentrated attention. Here the woman in labor should use the relaxation techniques that she learned during pregnancy. During this period, the self-hypnosis formula is used: “I am calm. Contraction is an indicator of labor activity. Gradually the contractions will intensify. My breathing is even and deep. The muscles are relaxed. The fight ends, after which there will be a period of rest.”

There is an idea that childbirth is necessarily accompanied by pain. It is the ingrained fear and expectation of pain that become, especially in impressionable, nervous women, factors that intensify unpleasant sensations and elevate them to the level of pain.

Obstetricians are well aware that the normal course of labor is not necessarily accompanied by pain. Approximately 20% of women experience labor with only minor pain. Moreover, women of some nationalities do not even know what pain during childbirth is.

There is no need to be afraid of pain! Even if it occurs, the doctor will be able to alleviate it; modern obstetrics has great opportunities for this.

Various medicinal painkillers, used in dosages that are absolutely harmless to the mother and fetus, have found widespread use in clinical practice.

The effect of painkillers is short-term; they are used in acute moments. But there are also pain relief techniques that a woman in labor can use herself.

During the period of dilatation of the cervix, the woman in labor takes a deep breath, holding her breath, and then exhales deeply. At the same time, she strokes the lateral surface of the abdomen with her palms and, lying on her side, the lumbosacral region. At the end of the opening period, with more painful sensations, a good effect is obtained by pressing the thumbs on the points on the inner surface of the scallop bones of the pelvis, as well as pressing the “pain points” in the lumbosacral region with hands clenched into fists. Women are usually introduced to this pain relief system at the antenatal clinic.

The use of breathing and relaxation techniques allows you to spend less physical energy, improves the condition of the fetus and contributes to a favorable course of labor.

How to distinguish true signs of labor

If this is your first child, there is a possibility of making mistakes in determining the signs of labor. This table will help you figure out what signs really indicate the onset of labor.

If you are unsure whether you are going to give birth or not, contact your doctor and let him evaluate the situation.

Although you know your expected due date from the beginning of your pregnancy, your baby may have other plans and decide to be born earlier. In this case, in the third trimester, keep your maternity hospital bag ready, stock up on diapers and arm yourself with useful tips that will come in handy during the birth process. If you prepare for labor, you may feel more at ease when you notice the first signs of labor. Your pregnancy is ending, and soon you will give birth to your long-awaited baby. You will succeed!

How to detect warning signs during repeated births?

A woman who gives birth again needs to know that all subsequent births can be much faster, and the period between the precursors and delivery will be significantly shortened. If in primiparous women changes in well-being can be noticeable within 2-3 weeks, then in multiparous women they can appear within a day.

If you notice changes in your health that are similar to the harbingers described above, then it is better to prepare for the fact that you will soon have to go to the maternity hospital. According to statistics, in multiparous women, the period of pushing can proceed rapidly, so you should get to the maternity hospital as quickly as possible.

You should not make assumptions about the upcoming birth based on past experience, since each birth of a child will proceed in a new way, regardless of how many there were before it. If you remember your first experience with anxiety, then you can be reassured by statistics that confirm that the second and subsequent births, as a rule, are easier and faster.

Women who last gave birth more than 10 years ago should be prepared for the fact that the birth canal has lost its elasticity, so their labor will proceed like the first, and warning signs will appear long before the first contractions.

Each woman begins the process of giving birth differently. For example, some people experience a classic picture - a gradual increase in the intensity of contractions and a reduction in the intervals between them. Others may experience rapid labor - contractions are very active at once, and the intervals between them are short. For others, the preliminary period may be prolonged. Despite significant differences, almost every woman experiences signs of labor in multiparous women. Only the number of symptoms, their intensity and the period of occurrence can differ.

Tactics of action for the expectant mother when signs of labor appear

In first-time mothers, labor usually begins with not very strong contractions. Their intensification usually occurs within a day, or even more. Therefore, there is no urgent need to immediately call an ambulance and rush to the hospital: you can wait until the interval between contractions is 10–15 minutes, and they themselves last at least a minute. However, you can stay at home unless your water has broken yet.

If the expectant mother is multiparous, then she should not delay going to the maternity hospital, because the baby can be born very quickly (the first stage of labor in some cases goes unnoticed, and when the baby begins to pass through the birth canal, there may be no time left for the trip) .

A multiparous woman should immediately go to the hospital at the first sign of labor

During the first contractions of a pregnant woman, it is better to have a snack to give the body strength for the upcoming energy-consuming process. You should also prepare all the necessary things and documents in advance, because when the pain intensifies, it will be difficult for the woman to concentrate on getting ready. It is worth thinking about the trip itself in advance: under no circumstances should the expectant mother get behind the wheel herself.

After childbirth

After maternity hospital

The arrival of a baby in the family often raises many questions among young parents. The chief neonatologist of the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development talks about skills in handling newborns and the first days of a newborn at home.

The woman
for another two hours
under the supervision of medical staff. Doctors carefully examine the placenta and birth canal, assess blood loss, eliminate possible damage that the woman received during childbirth, and administer medications if necessary. At this time, the baby is first applied to the breast. Then the young mother is transferred to the postpartum ward.

Absence of precursors and signs of labor: is there any danger?

In general, the precursors of childbirth rarely appear in a woman in their entirety. Basically, these are only 2-3 symptoms. In some cases, they may be completely absent. This is due to a lack of experience (when the first-time mother simply does not notice them), individual characteristics of the body and the course of pregnancy. Under no circumstances should a woman panic; she just needs to discuss this issue with her doctor.

If the expected due date has already approached, and signs do not appear, the doctor should prescribe the necessary tests for the pregnant woman to make sure that everything is fine with the baby. If signs of post-maturity are detected, the doctor will decide how the birth will take place (artificial stimulation or cesarean section will be required).

Reviews from women about the onset of labor

At the end of the third trimester of pregnancy, a woman’s body, as a rule, tells her that labor is imminent. There are many of these precursors: they are physiological and psychological in nature, and also relate to the behavior of the fetus. Only true contractions and rupture of amniotic fluid directly indicate the onset of labor. Nevertheless, each organism is individual, and the long-awaited moment may well come completely unexpectedly, so the expectant mother in the last weeks of gestation should always be ready for a trip to the maternity hospital.

Higher philological education. Experience as a proofreader, editor, website maintenance, teaching experience (first category).