10 Signs

Many pregnant women, especially those who are pregnant for the first time, wonder and worry about the various signs of giving birth. Mothers may find it difficult to distinguish the signs of imminent delivery.

No need to be confused, because in fact the body will show various signs as a way of saying that labor will begin soon. What are the signs or characteristics of childbirth that should be considered?

Signs of childbirth are imminent which must be recognized

It is difficult to predict exactly when childbirth will take place.

In fact, even doctors usually only give ranges due date or estimated day of birth (HPL) , but cannot give exact days or hours.

Sometimes, the time for delivery can advance earlier, go backward, or be right in the estimated time frame.

This is why mothers are advised to tidy up various childbirth preparations and delivery supplies in advance.

The conditions experienced by each pregnant woman who want to give birth are certainly not the same.

Some are still able to exercise or do various physical activities as usual even though the signs are about to or are about to give birth.

On the other hand, there are also pregnant women who can only get plenty of rest when signs appear when they are about to undergo labor.

It is important to rush to the hospital when you notice any unusual signs and features approaching your due date.

To make it clear, here are a series of signs of childbirth that are getting closer:

1. Baby's position changes

About 1-4 weeks before labor starts, you may feel the position of the fetus in the womb changing.

Even sometimes, signs of childbirth are imminent this one can last several hours beforehand.

The position of the baby's head, which was above and the feet below, is now the opposite. Supposing, the baby slowly begins to "degenerate" or descend into the pelvis.

This change in the position of the baby in the womb is a pretty clear sign that labor is approaching.

This condition is known as "sagging" which is a sign that you are about to give birth.

This means that the baby is rearranging his body into a head-down position as a sign that the mother is about to give birth.

For some mothers who are about to give birth for the first time, this change in position may occur in the final seconds before labor or when labor begins.

2. The cervix is ​​open

As your body prepares for the birth of your baby, you can feel the signs of imminent delivery or labor as the cervix (cervix) begins to dilate and thin.

These characteristics of mothers about to give birth generally begin to appear in the weeks or days before labor arrives.

So, the opening of the cervix can also be said to be a sign of the beginning of childbirth or the beginning of labor.

In the beginning, cervical dilation is usually still progressing very slowly.

Once the signs that you are about to give birth begin to enter the active period, cervical dilation will occur very quickly.

During the examination, the doctor will usually perform a deep examination to see if your cervix has begun to widen.

This process of dilation or "opening" of the cervix is ​​measured on a centimeter (cm) scale or by inserting a finger.

If 10 fingers can be inserted or about 10 cm wide, it means that the opening is complete so that you and your baby are ready for labor.

The width of 10 cm or 10 fingers that can enter can be described as full opening as one of the few signs of labor.

This full opening is usually accompanied by the appearance of regular contractions.

3. The cervix is ​​thinning

In addition to experiencing an opening, the cervix or cervix will also begin to widen and thin out as signs of a normal delivery approaching.

The thinner the cervix, the easier it will be to widen and open up during labor.

Quoting from the Mayo Clinic page, maybe the mother will feel a little uncomfortable during the thinning of the cervix.

Contractions can also appear but are still mild enough to show signs of birth or labor.

4. Abdominal cramps and back pain that gets worse

Approaching labor, you may feel pressure or cramping in the pelvic and anal area as an early sign of labor or a sign of labor.

However, the signs or characteristics of a mother wanting to give birth are imminent, not only that.

Mothers may also complain of pain in the thigh area and lower back, especially if this is not the first time pregnancy.

In this condition, your body's muscles and joints are usually stretching and shifting as a sign of labor.

5. It is easier to breathe

One sign of a mother wanting or wanting to give birth is that it becomes easier or easier to breathe, whether giving birth to one baby or giving birth to twins.

When the baby changes to a lower position, this relieves the pressure on the mother's diaphragm making it easier to breathe.

The ease with which the mother can breathe as a sign before childbirth is reported by the American Pregnancy Association.

However, this change in the baby's position also puts more pressure on the bladder.

As a result, you may be commuting to the bathroom more often even though you have just urinated.

6. Energy changes in the body

An increasingly enlarged stomach accompanied by a messy digestive system can make it difficult for mothers to sleep well at night.

This then makes mothers tend to prefer to close their eyes and stay in bed even though the sun is already shining.

On the other hand, some other pregnant women actually feel a big burst of energy approaching the baby's birthday as a sign that they will soon give birth.

Because of the strong characteristics of these energies, pregnant women who are about to give birth may feel like there is a strong desire to clean and tidy up everything that is in plain sight.

In essence, this characteristic of wanting to give birth makes pregnant women feel more enthusiastic about carrying out activities while waiting for the actual time for labor to arrive.

Both of these signs of giving birth are normal and need not be worried about.

7. Change mood (mood)

In addition to the energy in the body that changes, whether it increases or decreases, your mood can also be affected.

Yes, this condition can be one of the several signs of childbirth, whether it's a normal delivery or by caesarean section.

Methods of normal delivery and caesarean section include several types of delivery apart from water births, gentle births, and hypnobirthing.

Consciously or not, this characteristic of pregnant women will or want to give birth which will affect the increase or decrease in energy in the body.

8. Out mucus like vaginal discharge

Other signs of giving birth are very close, namely the discharge of vaginal discharge such as vaginal discharge during pregnancy but thicker.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, during pregnancy there is a mucus blockage that builds up in the cervix or cervix.

When the cervix starts to thin and opens as a sign of labor, the mucus will pass through the vagina.

The mucus has a thick texture, with a clear, pink, or slightly red color from blood.

This mucus usually comes out or appears minutes, hours, or days before labor arrives.

Even so, not all women pay attention to the signs of wanting to give birth or labor on this one.

If the discharge resembles heavy bleeding such as menstruation, there may be a problem with the pregnancy, especially the placenta.

Do not delay to get it checked by a doctor immediately if this condition occurs, be it if the mother wants to give birth at home or give birth in the hospital.

The process of childbirth can later run on its own or be assisted by labor induction to make it easier.

9. There are contractions in a strong, regular pattern

The original contractions leading up to labor will initially be irregular in pattern and appear sparse.

These are known as Braxton Hicks contractions and are not a sign of true labor.

These fake Braxton Hicks contractions usually begin to appear when pregnancy enters the third trimester, although there are some who feel it in the second trimester.

False contractions are normal as a sign or characteristic of wanting to give birth which generally occur before the mother feels the actual labor contractions.

Meanwhile, actual contractions as a sign of labor usually cause discomfort or pain in the back and lower abdomen.

The discomfort can come along with the pressure around the pelvis.

The contractions seem to move like waves that start from the top of the uterus and work their way down the uterus.

Some women describe the feeling of contractions as real signs of labor as menstrual cramps, but with a much stronger intensity.

However, the sensation arising from this imminent contraction of the traits of childbirth is not always the same in every woman.

The difference in the characteristics of the contraction signs of normal or cesarean delivery can also change between the first and subsequent pregnancies.

The impending labor contractions have a more uniform spacing between contractions.

The length of time the contraction signs of delivery usually lasts about 30-70 seconds per contraction every five, seven, or ten minutes.

These signs of imminent labor are usually getting worse and more frequently approaching the time of delivery. In fact, it's different from false contractions.

It doesn't matter if you change your sitting position, sleep position, or take a walk, the real contractions will still be felt.

Therefore, if you are not in the hospital, you should immediately go to a doctor so that you can be given the right treatment.

10. Signs of about to give birth when the water breaks

The amniotic sac is a membrane covering the fluid which acts as a protection for the baby while it is in the womb.

Well, broken amniotic fluid is one of the definite signs that a normal or cesarean delivery is imminent.

Most cases of the breaking of the amniotic fluid as a sign of birth generally occur a few hours before labor begins.

However, the breaking of the amniotic fluid as a sign that you are about to give birth does not always occur at the beginning before the mother enters the delivery room.

Some pregnant women who are about to give birth can also experience rupture of the membranes during the labor process.

Maybe you think that this breaking of the amniotic fluid will cause a large number of torrential bursts.

Even though in fact, the amniotic water that comes out is not directly in large quantities.

Leaking amniotic fluid as an early sign of labor will come out like drips and not a lot.

The amniotic fluid that signs of delivery will come out irregularly and continue through the vagina.

However, under certain conditions, ruptured membranes can appear like sudden bursts.

In addition, the discharge of amniotic fluid as a sign that you are about to give birth is often irresistible, in contrast to urine that can be controlled.

You can use a bandage to keep yourself dry while you call your doctor or midwife.

Conversely, if the liquid spurts and makes your underwear soaked, call your doctor immediately or go to the hospital.

The reason is, this is a sign that the labor process will begin.

Once the waters have broken, the baby is no longer surrounded by protective pads and is more susceptible to infection.

The longer the labor process starts, the greater the risk of the baby getting infected because the more amniotic fluid he will drink.

This is why doctors and midwives should deliver the baby immediately after the rupture of your waters as a sign of delivery.

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