“Knowing the signs of giving birth can help pregnant women be more responsive in seeking medical services. That way, the delivery can go well.”
Thedoctormedical , united states - For mothers who are pregnant for the first time, they must be wondering what it's like to give birth, how long it takes, and what the signs are like. The answer can be different because every woman can have a different experience.
In addition, the delivery process for each woman can also be different. There are mothers who give birth vaginally (normally) and there are also those who have to undergo a caesarean section because they are considered safer. However, the majority of women expect to give birth vaginally.
Well, there are various signs of normal childbirth that mothers can recognize. That way, mothers can immediately take tests or go to the nearest clinic. For more details, see the following explanation!
Signs of Childbirth
Actually, mothers can start to feel the signs of giving birth starting from one month before the due date. These signs will be more obvious as the time of delivery gets closer.
Here are some signs that you can recognize:
1. Baby "drops"
One of the characteristics that mothers can recognize is starting to feel the baby descending into the pelvis. These signs of labor usually occur about two to four weeks before labour.
The baby descending to the lower abdomen can make the mother breathe more freely because it moves away from the lungs. However, mothers who have given birth may not feel it too much.
2. Dilation of the cervix
The cervix will begin to dilate in the days or weeks before delivery. Doctors can assess this dilation through internal examination to estimate how much longer labor occurs.
3. Increased cramps and back pain
Another sign of giving birth that a mother might feel is cramps and pain in the lower back that are increasingly felt. The reason is, the muscles and joints will stretch and shift in preparation for birth. This usually occurs in women who have given birth for the first time.
4. Joints feel looser
Mothers can also experience joints that feel looser. This is due to the hormone relaxin which makes the ligaments relax a little. This process will indeed occur to open the pelvis so that the baby is easier to be born.
5. Diarrhea
Not many people know that diarrhea can also be one of the closer delivery processes. The muscles that are increasingly relaxed make it difficult for the rectum to hold stool out. This is very normal and nothing to worry about too much.
6. Stop experiencing weight gain
Weight gain generally stops late in pregnancy. Some mothers have even lost a few pounds. In fact, this is normal and will not affect the baby's birth weight. The baby's weight can still increase, but the mother's weight has decreased because there is less amniotic fluid.
7. Trouble sleeping
Mothers also find it difficult to sleep as labor approaches. The reason is, the bigger the baby will put pressure on the bladder. This is what makes it difficult for pregnant women to sleep.
Therefore, when there is time and opportunity to sleep, make sure the mother does it so that the body remains healthy and has enough energy during childbirth.
8. Loss of mucus plug and changes in vaginal discharge
Did you know that vaginal discharge can be a sign of wanting to give birth ? This fluid can come out in large quantities and looks similar to mucus in the nose. Even so, there are women who do not experience it until it's time to give birth. Even so, there are women who do not experience it until it's time to give birth.
Leucorrhoea that is getting thicker and darker is also a sign of giving birth. If the vaginal discharge is pink, this can indicate that labor is imminent.
9. Contractions are more frequent
Contractions are a sign of active labor. Mothers can experience Braxton Hicks contractions (or "practice contractions") for weeks or even months before delivery.
These contractions occur when the muscles in the uterus tighten in preparation for pushing the baby out. So, how do you tell the difference between fake contractions and not? Watch for these signs:
If the mother changes position, labor contractions do not go away, but false contractions or Braxton Hicks often do. False contractions can come and go without being intense.
Real contractions grow to be more regular and painful. The intensity tends to increase over time.
10. The waters have broken
Breaking amniotic fluid is the last sign of giving birth. When this happens, chances are that the mother will have to be taken to the place of delivery to be immediately handled by a medical expert. Even so, it's possible for the mother not to experience rupture of membranes because this only occurs in about 15 percent of births.
Stages of Normal Childbirth Process
Every mother must also be curious about what a woman feels during childbirth. Well, conditions can vary based on the stages of the birth process. The following are the stages that are generally passed by a woman during a normal delivery :
1. Letting Phase (Awal)
In this phase, pregnant women will experience irregular contractions and tend to be mild. These contractions trigger the dilation of the cervix by about 3-4 centimeters. In mothers who give birth for the first time, this phase may last quite a long time, around 8-12 hours.
Even so some women through it more quickly. For mothers who go through it longer, doctors usually advise mothers to walk regularly to speed up opening. Of course, the doctor will check the pelvis regularly to see how wide the opening of the cervix is.
2. Active phase
Entering this phase, the cervix will widen, which is around 4-9 centimeters. The contractions will become more intense and stronger, which is every 4 minutes to 30 seconds. Mother also started experiencing back pain, cramps, and bleeding.
Some women also feel the seepage of water from the ruptured membranes. Well, the active phase generally lasts 3-5 hours. In this phase, the mother should be in the hospital or clinic because the time of delivery is getting closer.
3. Straining
If the doctor says that cervical dilatation is complete or has reached 10 dilated, it means that the mother is ready to push. Before the urge to constrict, strong contractions generally push the baby automatically.
Doctors and nurses will guide the mother when to inhale and exhale when pushing. The duration of the delivery process can vary depending on the condition of the mother.
In some cases, doctors can perform an episiotomy or vaginal scissors to speed up the birth process. An episiotomy is an incision in the perineum to widen the vagina to make it easier for the baby to come out.
To relieve pain, the doctor will generally give a local anesthetic. After the baby is born, the doctor will then suture the part. So that labor goes normally, mothers can read the tips in the following article. These are 7 Tips for Normal Childbirth that You Need to Know . Or mothers can also ask the doctor at Halodoc for tips on how to have a normal and safe delivery.
4. Removing the placenta
The final stage of labor is removing the placenta which has kept the baby in the womb. So, after the mother has succeeded in giving birth to her little one, the muscles will continue to contract to expel the placenta.
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