Women who are preparing to become mothers for the first time almost always worry about the upcoming birth. The process of giving birth to a child takes several hours and is different for everyone. Most often, labor begins with the outpouring of amniotic fluid and painful contractions.
Instructions
Step 1
Abdominal prolapse testifies to the approach of childbirth. This is because in the last month of pregnancy, the uterus prepares for the upcoming birth, Braxton-Hicks training contractions occur, in which the head of the fetus gradually descends into the small pelvis.
Step 2
The first symptom of labor is the discharge of the anterior amniotic fluid. This process is painless and begins spontaneously; many women feel only a small prick inside the abdomen from a ruptured amniotic fluid. Sometimes a pregnant woman wakes up in a wet bed. With polyhydramnios, a large amount of water flows out - 1-2 liters. If the amount of water is scarce (with a post-term pregnancy and physiological characteristics), most likely, there was only a slight tear of the amniotic fluid. In this case, small amounts of water may leak, for example, when the pregnant woman is turned over on the other side or when she gets out of bed.
Step 3
If the amniotic fluid is draining or leaking, you should immediately go to the hospital, even if there are no other symptoms. In an anhydrous environment, the fetus can be without threat to life for only a few hours. When the amniotic fluid leaks, its volume is constantly replenished by natural physiological processes, but there is a high probability of intrauterine infection of the fetus, which leads to serious consequences.
Step 4
Along with the discharge of water, contractions usually appear - painful sensations in which the uterus enters a state of hypertonicity and the abdominal muscles are strained. During contractions, the walls of the uterus press on the fetus, and it moves along the birth canal. True contractions differ from false training contractions in that they occur at a certain time interval and last for about 1 minute. At the beginning of labor, cramping pains appear every 20-30 minutes. After some time, the interval between contractions decreases. It should be remembered that normal childbirth lasts several hours, while the nature of the painful sensations may change, localized in the lower abdomen or in the lower lumbar region.
Step 5
At the beginning of labor, the cervix begins to shorten and open. This process is evidenced by the appearance of discharge with blood.
Step 6
In the last month of pregnancy, labor may begin after a scheduled obstetric examination on a gynecological chair, because During the examination, the doctor “worries” the cervix - certain hormones are released, hypertonicity of the uterus appears, and generic physiological processes are triggered. For similar reasons, labor can begin after intercourse.
Step 7
If the term for the baby's birth has approached, and labor does not begin, for a period of 42 weeks, the doctor can artificially cause childbirth. The expectant mother in the maternity hospital is prescribed drugs that stimulate the process of softening and opening of the cervix, the obstetrician makes an incision in the amniotic sac through the slightly opened throat of the cervix and switches on hormone therapy.
