How to know if I am in labor

Pregnant woman breathes while touching her tummy.

When the last weeks of pregnancy approach, the woman is uneasy about when her child will be born, and if she will know how to detect the signs.

One of the most common questions that invade the thoughts of a pregnant woman, is to know when she is in labor. In this article some clues will be given to have it clearer.

The final stage of pregnancy

After two quarters full of intense and novel moments, a time in which everything that happened penetrates deeply into women, the last weeks arrive. The pregnant woman is tired, but she is probably stronger mentally and has left behind the insecurities, fears and discomfort of the first quarter. At this stage the pregnant woman wants to get to the delivery and finally meet her baby.

When the last weeks of pregnancy approach, the woman is uneasy about the moment when her child will be born. Usually you are more aware of abnormal symptoms you may perceive and that ends up consulting the gynecologist or matrona. It is important to know how to recognize the signs that indicate the end of the stage in order to be relatively prepared and act responsibly and safely.

Signs that warn of childbirth

Belly of a pregnant woman in her third trimester.

In the final stage of pregnancy there are a series of indicators that allow us to know that the delivery is near, such as the rupture of the bag of waters or the Braxton Hicks contractions.

Water bag rupture

Without a doubt, the most obvious and common symptom with which the arrival of a baby is usually identified is breaking waters. The rush to go to the hospital is accentuated if the waters are dirty, that is, if they come out with a dark tone. In this case, the urgency to take the suitcase and go to the hospital is greater, since the child can breathe in and ingest this liquid. If at any time there is doubt about whether the water has broken or it is a heavy flow, something likely in the final stage of pregnancy, it is better to go to the referral hospital.

Expulsion of the mucous plug

A few days after giving birth, a viscous substance is released from the vagina called mucous plug. Sometimes it is obvious to the woman, other times she is not aware of expelling it. It is convenient that in the last days the pregnant woman takes short showers, and above all pay greater attention to your hygiene if you enjoy bathing in public swimming pools. It is best to dry yourself well when you go out and change your lower garment.

Labor contractions and dilation

Childbirth is a matter of moments when contractions that the woman feels are regulated more and more and become more acute. When the pain is already unbearable and it is difficult to speak, the moment of delivery has arrived. Two or three contractions every ten minutes are normal benchmarks. No delivery is the same, so once in the hospital and knowing that the baby will arrive very soon, it is time to delay. That job can take hours at worst. In no case should the woman ignore heavy bleeding.

Improvement in breathing

Another indicator less known by pregnant women, especially in the case of gilts, is that there is an improvement in their breathing. Probably in the last weeks before giving birth the baby has already been placed, this implies that the belly will be lower and more pressure is felt in the pelvis. However, something positive is that the woman manages to breathe better and not feel suffocated, especially when lying on your back.

Braxton Hicks contractions

At the end of pregnancy, some women feel contractions. These contractions are called Braxton Hicks. They are not the typical and painful discomforts of childbirth that leave the woman exhausted, but rather they have a short duration and are classified as mild in terms of condition that the pregnant woman may have. These contractions help the woman's uterus to widen and indicate that the process is coming to an end.


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