Before the onset of labor, a woman may experience training contractions, pain in the lower abdomen. But in each case, sensations can be individual, which is also characteristic of the birth period.
What a woman experiences before giving birth
A few days before giving birth, women usually notice the appearance of unusual sensations. They can become a kind of signal that delivery will occur very soon.
Shortly before the expectant mother feels real contractions, she is able to feel the training uterine contractions. They are also called Braxton Hicks contractions. The nature of pain in both cases is the same, but training contractions differ from real contractions in much less pronounced intensity, less pronounced soreness, and also irregularity.
Muscle contractions of Braxton Hicks can be felt as early as 1-2 months before childbirth, but in the very last weeks of pregnancy, they become more intense and occur much more often.
Shortly before childbirth, a woman may feel pain in the lower abdomen and frequent urination. This is due to the fact that the fetus sinks and begins to put pressure on the nerve endings. In this case, the bladder is also under pressure. Unpleasant sensations in the pelvic organs and in the region below the lumbar region may appear due to an increase in blood flow.
Lowering of the fundus of the uterus can occur 1-2 weeks before childbirth, and in multiparous women, this usually happens a few days before the onset of labor. At the same time, the woman feels that it has become easier for her to breathe, she is no longer tormented by heartburn, belching. The shape of the abdomen changes somewhat, which is noticeable even visually.
In the last weeks of the term, the pregnant woman's body weight slightly decreases. This is how the body prepares for the work ahead. On average, a woman's weight can decrease by 2-3 kilograms.
Shortly before giving birth, the expectant mother may have a mucous plug that protected the fetus from infections throughout pregnancy. After its complete or partial destruction, a woman should not take a bath. It is permissible to use only the shower.
Shortly before the start of delivery, the expectant mother may feel the leakage of amniotic fluid. This is a serious reason to see a doctor.
What does the expectant mother feel when the birth process has already begun
If labor has already begun, the woman begins to feel regular contractions. They can be felt rather weakly at first.
If you suspect the onset of labor, you need to note the intervals between contractions and their duration. If muscle contractions occur at regular intervals and their duration is the same, the generic process has already begun.
When bloody discharge from the genital tract appears, you must immediately go to the maternity hospital. This may be due to serious pathologies.
