9 Signs that labor is near

Preparing for the arrival of a baby can generate anxiety, but the woman who is about to give birth needs to know that her body will send some signals demonstrating that she will soon meet the child. It is also necessary to say that, due to scenes shown in soap operas and movies, future mothers may have expectations, not exactly real ones, of what will happen in the moments before childbirth.

With this post, the awesome.club hopes to lend a hand to moms-to-be by bringing a checklist of what she might feel in the hours before labor begins.

The phenomenon occurs when the baby’s head “falls”, reaching the lowest part of the pelvis, moving between the mother’s pubic bones. In many cases, women feel as if the baby is going to “fall out”, but the movements can also happen without them feeling anything. Usually, a baby adopts this position about two weeks before delivery, if it is the first child. However, it is more difficult to determine this time in successive pregnancies.

It is common for pregnant women to experience increased back pain and cramps as the baby develops in the womb. The fact that the fetus gains weight contributes to these problems, but it is not the only cause. Hormonal and muscle changes, as well as stress, can cause such discomfort.

As we mentioned earlier, female hormones can impact muscles and joints during pregnancy. Two hormones, relaxin and progesterone, relax muscles and weaken ligaments and joints, particularly in the pelvic area. The rectus abdominis muscles may also change as the uterus expands.

When a woman is pregnant, she may suffer from diarrhea during the entire period she is waiting for the baby, due to hormonal changes or changes in diet, carried out in order to guarantee the fetus the nutrients it needs. However, during the third trimester, diarrhea can be a sign that childbirth is near, and that the mother-to-be should be prepared for that moment.

Pregnant women can gain weight even during the third trimester. However, reaching the final stretch of pregnancy, they may notice that the weight remains the same, and may even decrease in some cases. This is because, by this time, the expectant mother often loses some of her amniotic and other fluids. At the same time, the fetus continues to gain weight, contributing to the stabilization of the mother’s weight.

Coming to the end of the pregnancy, the woman may again experience some of the sensations she went through at the beginning of the process: tiredness and the need to “fix the nest”. However, this does not happen to everyone. Some mothers, on the contrary, may feel more energetic as the pregnancy progresses.

When childbirth approaches, the woman usually loses the mucus plug that seals the uterus. It can come out all at once or in pieces—although none of that happens with some women. For this reason, vaginal discharge may increase in intensity and become thicker. In addition, it is possible that it will gain a more pink color as the baby’s arrival approaches.

Yes, contractions can indicate the proximity of childbirth, but not always. Mothers-to-be may experience contractions for months before finally giving birth. Stronger contractions that don’t stop easily usually show that labor is really about to start, especially when they become more frequent and painful. Contractions that stop when the mother simply changes her position do not fall into this category.

TV shows and movies often show the rupture of the amniotic sac as if it were the first sign of approaching childbirth. However, it is one of the last indications, and it does not happen to all women – in fact, it only occurs in approximately 15% of births. The amniotic sac surrounds and protects the baby during pregnancy, and its rupture is caused by chemical reactions triggered by signals sent by the baby’s brain.

Have you had curious experiences involving childbirth, either yours or a loved one’s? Leave a comment with your story!