At the end of pregnancy, our body begins to “send us signals” that indicate that the pregnancy is reaching its final stretch and that delivery is approaching. Most are not conclusive or give us a date for delivery, they only prepare us for it. It is what is known as "Prodrome of labor".
Usually we will begin to notice the so-called "Braxton Hicks Contractions". As our due date approaches, they become more intense and frequent, so much so that we sometimes confuse them with labor contractions.The clearest difference is that Braxton Hicks contractions are usually irregular, both in duration and in frequency or intensity and that tend to give way or decrease with rest.
Prepartum symptoms
Expulsion of the mucous plug. It happens because the cervix softens and shortens slightly and drops the plug that was inside it and served to protect the baby against external germs. Sometimes the loss is so gradual that we do not realize it, especially because at the end of the pregnancy we have more flow than normal and we can confuse it ... It is not indicative that the delivery is going to take place imminently.
"Nest syndrome". How many times have we heard it and didn't believe it? … Well yes, in many cases the mother at the end of the pregnancy needs to see everything around her clean and ready to receive her baby and she uses herself thoroughly cleaning and placing all the things of her child. My advice; no climbing stairs or using very aggressive products, take it easy ...
Pelvic discomfort. At the end of pregnancy, the baby lowers its head and supports it in our pelvis, so that we will begin to have more discomfort in the pelvis and it will cost us more to walk and move, at this point even sleeping is difficult. Patience…
Little by little the contractions will become rhythmic and annoying getting the cervix to gradually thin, soften and dilate. It is a generally long process, which sometimes tires us and makes us believe that our labor has been very long when it has not yet started. It is what we professionals call the "latent phase", in which the cervix must be "erased" or reduced in length and begin to dilate, but we will not really be in frank labor until we have 3 or 4 cm dilated and the cervix is completely effaced… When will that be? Really each woman and each childbirth is unique, as a rule you will notice that the contractions increase in intensity and spend less time between one and the other, you will need some technique to face those contractions calmly and calmly and wait, it is considered that we are in labor when they are contractions are every 5 minutes, but counting from the beginning of one until the next and taking into account that each contraction lasts one minute, we really only have 4 of rest ...
When am I going to the hospital?
Indeed, at a certain time it will be convenient to go to the hospital. The right time will depend on the previous births and the distance from the Maternity. Ideally, you should wear about an hour with contractions of this type, but bear in mind that if you live in a big city or very far from the maternity, the travel time is essential, a big city at rush hour can be terrible and can give you a hard time until you arrive to your destination.
Precautions
When we already have more children, it is not advisable to wait so long, because the cervix dilates and erases at the same time, as soon as the contractions become regular We will have to prepare ourselves, we must not wait for them to be every five minutes as I said before, we already know the feeling of being in labor, so as soon as we are clear that it is starting, To the hospital!
The amniotic sac may rupture or "Bag of waters". We will notice that we expel fluid through the vagina and we cannot control its exit. In this case, labor will start in a few hours. What do we have to watch out for? Mainly the color of the liquid, if it is clear and the baby is moving, although it is advisable to consider going to the hospital,
we have more time to prepare our things.
In all this time keep in mind that it is it is essential to feel the baby, their movements are a sign that our son is well and comfortable, be attentive and if you do not notice him approach your clinic before ...