How Labor Begins

Labor rarely begins suddenly. Usually, 2 - 4 weeks before giving birth, under the influence of hormonal changes in a woman’s body, certain processes occur, which are called precursors of childbirth:

Abdominal prolapse
The expectant mother may suddenly notice that it has become easier for her to breathe, and her stomach has shifted downward. Prolapse of the abdomen occurs due to the insertion of the presenting part of the fetus into the pelvic inlet and the anterior deviation of the uterine fundus due to a slight decrease in the tone of the abdominal press. This makes sitting and walking a little more difficult. In primigravidas, the belly usually drops 2 to 4 weeks before giving birth. For those giving birth again - on the eve of childbirth. It happens that abdominal prolapse does not occur at all.

Increased frequency of urination and bowel movements
The urge to urinate becomes more frequent as pressure on the bladder increases. Hormones can also affect a woman’s intestines, causing some loosening of the stool. Almost like before an exam.

Lower back pain
After the baby is displaced downwards, the woman may experience uncomfortable sensations in the lumbar region.

Changes in fetal motor activity
The baby may either calm down a little or move very actively. But still, most women note a slight decrease in the child’s motor activity before giving birth, due to the fact that with a weight of about 3 kg it is cramped in the uterine cavity.

Irregular contractions of the uterus
After the 30th week of pregnancy, false contractions may appear. They are irregular and painless. Very often they are mistaken for the beginning of labor. But if a regular and continuous rhythm of these contractions is not established, and the intervals between them are not reduced, then this is not the beginning of labor at all.

Emotional instability
Changes in mood are largely associated with neuroendocrine processes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman before childbirth. The state of apathy can suddenly give way to vigorous activity. The nest instinct appears. A woman prepares to welcome her baby: she sews, cleans, washes, tidies up.

Change in appetite
More often, appetite decreases. Even if you wanted to eat for two throughout your pregnancy, women eat little in the weeks before giving birth.

Reducing body weight
Before giving birth, a woman may lose some weight. Sometimes a pregnant woman's body weight decreases by 1 - 2 kg. This is how the body naturally prepares for childbirth.

Removal of the mucus plug
A mucus plug is a discharge of cervical mucus from the vagina, which can be colorless, yellowish, or slightly tinged with blood. The mucus plug keeps the canal closed during pregnancy. Loss of the mucus plug is a definite sign of the onset of labor. The mucus plug can come off 2 weeks before birth, or maybe 3-4 days. The passage of a mucus plug is not yet a reason to go to the maternity hospital.

It is not necessary for a woman to note all of the above warning signs before giving birth. Typically, the expectant mother experiences 2-3 signs of impending labor. Sometimes, there may be no warning signs of labor.

There are two main signs of the onset of labor:

1. The onset of labor is considered to be the appearance of regular contractions of the uterine muscles - contractions. Rhythmic contractions are felt as a feeling of pressure in the abdominal cavity. The first contractions are accompanied by a dull pain in the lower back or hips. Then the sensations may be similar to those that occur during painful menstruation. Gradually, the pain during contractions becomes more noticeable. There is usually no pain between contractions. Real labor contractions are repeated every 15–20 minutes (other frequency is possible) with a gradual decrease in the interval between them to 3–4 minutes. Women giving birth for the first time prefer to go to the maternity hospital as soon as contractions begin.