Whether you are 2 weeks away from your due date, or your due date is not close at all, you may be wondering what will happen during labor. Every woman's body is different, and the signs or symptoms of labor may differ from one birth to another.
At the same time, as the due date approaches, there are common signs indicating that the baby will be born soon.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can occur at any time during pregnancy. Changes in diet, hormonal changes, or prenatal vitamins can cause diarrhea.
If your due date is approaching, looser stools than usual indicate that labor is near. If diarrhea symptoms are mild, drink water and watch for other signs of labor.
If you have a fever, severe abdominal pain, or diarrhea for more than a day or two, consult a doctor immediately.
Read: Diarrhea during pregnancy
Baby dropping (Lightening)
You may have heard women talk about their babies "dropping." The process they describe is called lightening. The baby descends into the pelvic cavity to prepare for birth.
Once the little one moves into the pelvic cavity, you will feel more pressure on the bladder and cervix, and the urge to urinate will become more frequent.
Interesting: Changes in the abdomen during pregnancy (small, large, carrying low and high)
Ripened cervix
Your doctor can give you enough information about how the fetus is progressing by examining your cervix. This examination is usually not performed until the very end of pregnancy. Your cervix may be dilated and even thinned out (effaced).
Some women may walk around for several weeks with their cervix dilated by a few centimeters. In any case, this is a sign that labor is approaching.
Signs of labor: Increased discharge
Fragments of the mucous lining may come out between 37 and 40 weeks. It is not pleasant, but this barrier helps protect your baby from countless microbes and bacteria.
When the cervix softens and opens sufficiently, mucus is expelled from the body. Along with the mucus, light, small amounts of vaginal bleeding may also be observed, and this is usually normal. Although labor may be near, it may take several weeks for it to fully begin.
If heavy bleeding occurs during pregnancy, even if labor is approaching, consult a doctor immediately. This condition can pose a serious threat to the life of the fetus and the mother.
Important: Increased uterine tone during pregnancy
Feeling contractions
As signs of approaching labor, or as the very first signs of labor in general, a pregnant woman may often have false contractions. They prepare the uterus for childbirth; they are usually painless and usually do not follow a steady rhythm.
If they intensify or become painful, and if eating, drinking, or lying down does not relieve them, they may be true contractions. Keep track of the time between them and notify your doctor if the contractions occur every 3-5 minutes.
True contractions are usually regular, repeat every 3-5 minutes, and last up to 40-50 seconds. True contractions also gradually get stronger. False contractions, on the other hand, are irregular.
Water breaking
The amniotic sac is a fluid-filled membrane that protects the baby in the womb. At the beginning of or during labor, your membranes will rupture.
When the membrane ruptures, you may notice an irregular or continuous trickle of small amounts of fluid from your vagina, or more specifically, a gush of fluid. If you experience this condition or are unsure whether this fluid is amniotic fluid, urine, or something else, consult a doctor immediately.
Listen to your body!
Labor happens at different paces and times, depending on each woman's body.
As your body changes and you prepare to bring your baby into the world, pay attention to anything new and unusual. You may experience most of the above signs before delivery (even if there is still some time before delivery). At the same time, you could give birth within a few hours of your water breaking.
This uncertainty may worry you, but for first-time mothers, once true labor begins, the average duration of childbirth is 12 to 24 hours.
A new mother's knowledge of childbirth and the labor process, as well as her preparation to ensure an easy delivery without unnecessary complications, is of great importance for the future health of both mother and child. Special lessons prepared by the 'Lalu' team can help you prepare for this important process.
This article was prepared by the 'Lalu' team based on information from Mayoclinic.org, Healthline.com, and My.clevelandclinic.org.
