Signs of about to give birth

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Whether it's a premature baby or a baby, being sure of the signs of imminent birth is still extremely necessary, helping the mother stay in the most ready state to welcome the baby.

1. The difference between labor and delivery

In all cases, uterine contractions remain the key driving force in labor. However, after giving birth for the first time, the mother's uterus and perineum have learned to naturally dilate rapidly when prompted into labor. As a result, labor and delivery are less labor intensive for the mother and quicker as well, lasting only between 8 and 16 hours on average (while it takes twice as long for a baby). from 16 to 24 hours).
However, if the confusion and confusion is repeated, and the lack of focus on the way breathing and pushing is compatible with each contraction cycle, the labor process will also be difficult to smooth. In that situation, adverse events and complications will occur, sometimes adversely affecting the life of both mother and child.

2. What are the signs of labor and birth?

2.1. Pink slime

During pregnancy, there is always a solid mucus plug at the junction of the cervix and vagina. Besides the muscular wall of the uterus, the amniotic membrane, this mucus plug is also a protective barrier for the fetus, against the invasion of bacteria or external mechanical forces into the amniotic chamber.
Therefore, when the cervix begins to open, the mucus plug will be released and exit the vaginal opening as a little viscous, pinkish mucus. This is a warning sign that labor is officially about to begin.

2.2. Uterine contractions appear

In the last month of pregnancy, women sometimes feel cramps throughout the abdomen when moving or moving. This feeling is quite vague, most of the time it is short, sparse in frequency, does not cause any obvious pain and does not mean to change the cervix or the position of the fetus.
Only when the pregnancy enters between 38 and 40 weeks, the contractions will start more clearly with a cycle of increasing in intensity and frequency. During the attack, the mother will feel a lot of pain and the whole abdomen is tight. Combined with the effective breathing and pushing of the mother, this is the driving force for the labor process to expel the fetus.
Compared to the first time giving birth, when giving birth to a baby, the mother more or less feels that everything will be lighter. This is partly due to the experience inherited from previous births, and partly to the rapid dilation and softening of the perineum and cervix. At this time, the mother no longer suffers much because of uterine contractions.
Moreover, if you know how to breathe and push to give birth in harmony with the contraction cycle, not only will the mother no longer feel any pain, but also help the labor speed faster, the baby will be pushed out more quickly. . The benefits of this are great, both preserving the mother's strength and helping the newborn reduce trauma and the risk of suffocation after birth.

2.3. Amniotic fluid flow

Under the action of uterine contractions, the pressure in the uterine cavity increases to a peak, the fetal head moves down, forming the amniotic sac. The amniotic sac is distended and at the point where it meets the cervix, this is where the amniotic membrane is thinnest and very fragile. When the membranes rupture, some of the amniotic fluid in the uterus leaks out. If the amniotic membrane slips over the placenta or the baby's head drops in, the amniotic fluid flow will either be completely blocked or only leak.

At this time, the rupture of membranes is also the cause that causes uterine contractions to appear more and more intense. On the other hand, if the baby is about to give birth but the pregnancy has not yet had a contraction, the doctor will use the amniocentesis procedure, actively breaking the amniotic membrane and releasing the amniotic fluid, stimulating the onset of labor contractions naturally.

2.4. Vaginal examination changes

These are realistic signs of labor objectively through the examination of the inside of the vagina by the obstetrician or midwife. Features to be noted are changes in the cervix, specifically, the cervix is ​​erased and gradually opened under the action of contractions, the fetal amniotic sac is established (only when the amniotic membrane is intact) and there is a evolution of the fetal position after each uterine contraction. When all of the above signs are present, the doctor will tell you the right time to push for labor according to the contraction cycle, in order to increase the efficiency of expelling the fetus.
Similar to when giving birth, when there are signs of impending childbirth, pregnant women need to quickly go to the hospital. It's even more urgent because labor is inherently shorter than first births. Therefore, the careful preparation of knowledge and luggage is never lacking for the mother to be more proactive in the safe labor and delivery.
The maternity care package at Vinmec International General Hospital provides not only mothers who give birth for the first time but also mothers who give birth with the necessary knowledge during pregnancy along with the process of visiting Thorough examination under the supervision of experienced and specialized obstetricians will give useful advice and notes to pregnant women before the due date, help pregnant women stay healthy and experience a healthy pregnancy. gentle labor.

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