We have commented previously in our Childbirth Special that this occurs when a complex metabolic mechanism between the mother and the baby causes the first contractions that will lead to birth.
That if we talk about natural childbirth, of course, since there are artificial mechanisms responsible for triggering labor such as the induction of oxytocin, a synthetic hormone that causes uterine contractions.
Childbirth is triggered as a result of a combination of factors. Specifically, labor begins when the so-called "labor pains" begin to occur, that is, rhythmic, progressive and intense contractions. There must be at least 2 or 3 contractions every 10 minutes and the neck has reached a dilation of 2-3 centimeters.
But there are signs and symptoms that appear the days before delivery, which indicate that the date is approaching.
Doctors call it prodromes of childbirth. They do not usually occur in the same order in all pregnant women or with the same intensity, even the same woman may have different signs of childbirth in different pregnancies. Next, we will review the most common signs of next delivery.
● Abdominal distension: In the last period of pregnancy, the baby fits into the pelvis causing a lowering of the abdomen relieving pressure in the area of the ribs and stomach, but being more intense in the lower area of the pelvis. In some women, bloating occurs weeks before delivery, while in others just hours before labor pains begin.
● Increasingly intense contractions: the contractions that you were feeling during pregnancy become more frequent and intensify during the last days. Many women worry that they will not be able to recognize when they will be able to give birth, if they will know how to differentiate "false" contractions (Braxton Hicks contractions) from "true" contractions.
The former are irregular, usually occur at the end of the day or after some effort and last less time, while the latter are more painful and, above all, regular. Labor contractions are stronger, do not disappear when resting, last longer and longer (between 30 and 70 seconds) and are perceived as cramps in the lower back or as menstrual cramps. Think that the uterus, which is a muscle, begins to contract at regular intervals and should do so until the cervix (or cervix) reaches a dilation of 10 cm so that the baby's head can pass.
● Loss of mucous plug: Some women do not notice it, others may lose it weeks before delivery, while others only hours before or at the time of delivery. The mucous plug is a plug formed by vaginal secretions that have accumulated in the cervix during pregnancy. When the cervix dilates, the plug comes out. It is thick, transparent in color, sometimes slightly pink or with traces of blood.
● Dilatation: To allow the baby to pass through the birth canal, the cervix should dilate to 10 cm, that is, a complete dilation will occur. But it is likely that days before birth the dilation has begun, especially if you have had previous births. The modification of the cervix is one of the signs that childbirth is approaching, its consistency becomes softer, hence the term of having the “soft neck”, it is centered with respect to the vagina and erasing its thickness. The difference between early or latent dilation and active dilation will be explained in detail in our special later, when we explain the phases of labor.
● Emotional signs: Some mothers, especially first-timers, suffer some emotional instability as the birth date approaches. The anxiety to see the baby's face, the restlessness because everything goes well added to the fatigue are very natural feelings. But don't let fears blur the big day of your baby's birth. Being prepared and informed will help you face the moment with greater confidence and tranquility. Focus on the positive thoughts and the signals that your body and your baby send you.
