Signs of childbirth

Days or a few weeks before the calculated due date, there are numerous changes in the woman's body. The Signs of childbirth express themselves in a variety of ways. On the one hand, the pressure on the ribs and sternum is reduced, and on the other hand, the pregnant woman notices that the unborn child is pressing down. The first sign that the pregnancy will soon be over and the labor process can begin.

The body sends harbingers

Pregnant women who are tired of their belly and the fact that they are pregnant are in many cases already close to the birth of their child. The “reluctance” is one of the first signs that things can start soon. Loss of appetite, insomnia, diarrhea and the leakage of first milk are further signs.

Sometimes they can Signs of childbirth occur as early as the 36th week of pregnancy. In the end, it doesn't matter how many signs are perceived; how long it will take until the birth process actually starts cannot be definitely said due to the number of signs. The body keeps sending harbingers that indicate that it will not be long.

And yet it can still take several weeks before the child is actually born. Often the expectant mothers do not perceive the harbingers of this, the body, however, is already beginning to adapt and to prepare for the birth of the child.

Lowering & practice contractions

Days before giving birth, women notice time and again that the shape of their belly has changed. From the 36th week of pregnancy, the unborn baby begins to change its position and, so to speak, moves into the “starting position”. Labor contractions, which can be as long as 30 to 40 seconds, are an indication that the child has slipped "lower down".

One advantage: if the pregnant woman suffered from heartburn, it will now be gone. One disadvantage: the child is now lying on the bladder, so that the pregnant woman has the feeling of constantly having to go to the toilet. A circumstance that can also be perceived as very uncomfortable, but means that the child would be ready to come out of the body.

However, if the pregnant woman cannot clearly see the difference between lower pains and labor pains, a warm full bath (38 degrees water temperature) can provide quick clarification. If the contractions stop, it was just lowering pains. But if the pain gets worse, it is probably labor pains.

A clear signal: the slime plug

The mucous plug fulfills one of the most important functions in pregnancy, as it protects the cervix from germs and bacteria and thus the unborn child. Many pregnant women have reported that the mucous plug loosened a few days or even a few hours before the birth. The appearance is different.

In many cases it is a translucent and clear slime; but sometimes it can also be slightly watery or bloody. The mucus plug can come off with a surge or gradually become visible or come off in "pieces". The detachment of the mucus plug means that the cervix has opened or that the opening process has started.

It cannot be said in general how many days or hours will pass before the birth actually begins. However, documentation from midwives has shown that the loss of the mucous plug is a very sure sign that it can be expected that the pregnancy will only last a few days or the child will be born in a few days.

40 weeks of gestation - now it can start at any moment

From the 40th week of pregnancy, the pregnant woman has to expect to go into labor at any moment. She will already have sufficiently noticed signs of the birth; Another sure sign is the so-called rupture of the bubbles. This means that the amniotic sac ruptures and amniotic fluid subsequently escapes. The amniotic fluid is clear, but - if the pregnant woman is past the calculated due date - it can also be yellowish, greenish or brownish.

The rupture of the bladder does not cause pain! As is often shown in films, the liquid does not have to come out with a gush. The child's head can often be seen as a seal, so that the amniotic fluid cannot leak out all at once, but at different intervals. Pregnant women who are already in or over the 40th week of pregnancy should pay more attention to signs that indicate that the birth process is about to begin.

When should you go to the clinic?

When it comes to their first pregnancy, many pregnant women are unsure when it will actually happen. Ultimately, one is afraid of constantly triggering a "false alarm" or of appearing "panicked". If there are any signs of childbirth, you should go to a hospital immediately.

A ruptured bladder or labor is a sure sign that you should go to the hospital straight away, as the birth will not be long in coming. And if it is indeed a false positive, none of the obstetricians or medical professionals is angry or upset. In fact, many doctors are happy when women go to the hospital, even if there are no real signs of childbirth; better to be more than too late or rather careful.