38th week of pregnancy: harbingers of labor, description

Normally, labor begins 38 weeks after conception, but a full-term baby can be born at 36 or 42 weeks. The date of planned birth is counted in different ways: from the date of possible conception or from the first day of the last menstruation, so the gestation period may vary.

The first signs of labor may appear 2-3 weeks before the onset of labor. But it is better to go to the maternity hospital directly during regular true contractions with an interval of 5-7 minutes in order to avoid medical stimulation and give birth naturally.

What does a woman most often experience before giving birth?

• irritability, fear and anxiety, which is caused by hormonal changes in a woman’s body;
• nausea, loss of appetite or, conversely, increased appetite, vomiting, upset stomach, as well as weight loss of 1-2 kg, which can occur several weeks or days before birth and is associated with the functioning of the hormonal system;
• a slight increase in body temperature and chills very often accompany the onset of labor;
• pain in the lower abdomen, lower back or sacrum, which are pulling or spasmodic in nature and are provoked by displacement of the vertebrae in the sacrum and increased excitability of the nervous system;
• excitability of the uterus, which is manifested by increased sensitivity and tension of this organ, this happens periodically, first 1-2 times a week, then several times a day;
• false contractions are training contractions of the uterus that begin to bother a woman several weeks before giving birth and differ from true contractions in that they do not have a strict frequency and can be eliminated with the help of relaxing procedures, walking, and a warm bath;
• true contractions are regular, cramping pain that occurs before childbirth and is accompanied by dilatation of the cervix.

Signs of the onset of labor are also brown discharge from the genital tract and prolapse of the abdomen before childbirth.

“Then laughter, then tears”

Curious changes also occur in the woman’s psyche. The expectant mother develops a kind of “lethargy” and “calmness.” This is explained by the fact that inhibition processes predominate in the cerebral cortex, and the woman becomes somewhat absent-minded, forgetful, and less anxious. All this has its natural validity. Such changes are necessary so that extraneous thoughts and emotions do not interfere with concentration on the birth of a child and the formation of the so-called “generic dominant”.

Frequent changes in mood, characteristic of the entire period of pregnancy, are especially pronounced before childbirth. This is due to the processes occurring during this period in the central nervous and endocrine systems of the pregnant woman. The state of fatigue and inertia may unexpectedly give way to periods of vigorous activity.

Some women, shortly before giving birth, experience a desire for “nesting”: they clean everything, wash it, clean it, wash it. In addition, the term “nesting” refers to the behavior of a pregnant woman when, closer to giving birth, she becomes withdrawn, avoids prying eyes and literally wants to hide from the whole world in some cozy, warm corner of the house. This also happens unconsciously, instinctively.

How does the plug come out before childbirth?

A few days before the onset of labor, a woman begins to experience discharge from the genital tract, reminiscent of the onset of menstrual bleeding. This is the release of mucus, which protected the uterus and the fetus in it from infection from the vagina.

The discharge of the mucus plug before childbirth can occur quickly, as if the plug had actually popped out (this is typical if the fetus is heavy), or it can flow out slowly over several days. This process signals the dilation of the cervix and the onset of labor.

Increased frequency of urination and defecation

The urge to urinate becomes more frequent as pressure on the bladder increases. Under the influence of biologically active substances produced in her body towards the end of pregnancy, a woman's intestines cause some stool liquefaction and acceleration of peristalsis, which leads to diarrhea and mild abdominal cramps. This condition is comparable to “bear sickness,” which is well known to many students and occurs before an exam. It is believed that the appearance of frequent soft stools is no coincidence: this leads to cleansing of the mother’s intestines, and at the same time frees up space in the pelvis to facilitate the passage of the child. Sometimes this process is so pronounced that it causes serious panic, as women mistake it for food poisoning. So, if there were no significant reasons for digestive disorders, then you can confidently perceive such a disorder as a harbinger of childbirth.

When does your stomach drop?

3-4 weeks before the planned date of birth, the pregnant woman’s belly seems to slide down, this happens gradually and slowly. At the same time, the stomach changes somewhat in shape and decreases in size.

As the abdomen lowers, it becomes easier for a woman to breathe and eat as the diaphragm is released.

When symptoms of impending labor appear, a woman should rest more and save her strength for the main period of pregnancy - the birth of the baby.

Breathing becomes easier

Immediately after the baby begins to descend deeper into the pelvic area and the pressure on the chest, diaphragm and internal organs decreases, the mother experiences relief: it becomes much easier to breathe. Most often, heartburn goes away because the space for the stomach increases and the contents from the stomach do not flow back into the esophagus. However, this increases pressure on the lower abdomen and makes sitting and walking a little more difficult. It is also possible that after the fetus is displaced downwards, the expectant mother will have difficulty sleeping, since at this time it is difficult to find a comfortable position. In addition, numbness in the legs is possible, which is caused by the lowering of the baby's head, which can compress the nerve endings - the numbness can go away when lying on its side.

Specialists

Makatsaria Alexander Davidovich

Obstetrician-gynecologist, famous scientist, founder of clinical hemostasiology.
It will help you plan and maintain your pregnancy if you have had cases of fetal loss, thrombosis, obstetric complications or blood coagulation disorders. You can also contact your doctor for a transcript of hemostasis tests.

Egorova Elena Borisovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest qualification category.
Specializes in peritoneal factor of infertility in women and management of problematic pregnancies.

It will provide effective help if, before conception, you were diagnosed with adhesions, endometriosis, erosion or other pathologies of the cervix.

Akinshina Svetlana Vladimirovna

Obstetrician-gynecologist, hemostasiologist with an academic degree.
Pregnancy management S.V. Akinshina will help avoid severe complications: gestosis, placental insufficiency, fetal loss syndrome.

The doctor's expertise includes hemostasis disorders and immunological infertility.

Bitsadze Victoria Omarovna

Gynecologist-hemostasiologist, professor, doctor of medical sciences.
The doctor's profile is management of high-risk pregnancies, including in women with genetic thrombophilia and a tendency to spontaneous bleeding. Develops effective treatment regimens for infertility associated with autoimmune pathologies and hemostasis disorders.

Frequently asked questions about blood pressure control during pregnancy

• What is preeclampsia?
• What are the symptoms of preeclampsia?
• At what stage of pregnancy does preeclampsia usually occur?
• Who is most at risk for preeclampsia?
• If my blood pressure is high, does it mean I have preeclampsia?
• Why is blood pressure control so important during pregnancy?
• What level of blood pressure during pregnancy is considered normal and what is considered high?
• What blood pressure levels before and after pregnancy are considered normal?
• How dangerous is preeclampsia for my baby and for me?
• How is preeclampsia treated?
• Can preeclampsia be prevented?
• Are there long-term effects of preeclampsia?
• Useful links on preeclampsia..

What is preeclampsia? Preeclampsia is a problem that some women face during pregnancy.
It occurs in the second half of pregnancy. The signs of this disease are as follows: high blood pressure, persistent swelling of the lower extremities and the presence of protein in the urine. What are the symptoms of preeclampsia? A woman with mild preeclampsia may feel very well. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo prenatal checkup for early detection of this condition. Symptoms of severe preeclampsia, which develops in the last weeks of pregnancy, include high blood pressure, headaches, blurred vision, intolerance to bright light, nausea, vomiting and excessive swelling of the feet and hands.

At what stage of pregnancy does preeclampsia usually occur? Preeclampsia can occur at any time during pregnancy, during labor, and during the six weeks postpartum period, but it most often occurs in the last trimester and resolves within 48 hours of delivery. Preeclampsia can develop gradually or appear suddenly, although signs and symptoms may already be present but go undetected for several months.

Who is most at risk for preeclampsia? Preeclampsia is much more likely to develop during the first pregnancy and in women whose mothers or sisters also suffered from preeclampsia. The risk of preeclampsia is higher in multiple pregnancies, during teenage pregnancies, and in women over 40 years of age. Other risk categories include women who had high blood pressure or kidney disease before pregnancy and women with a body mass index above 35. The cause of preeclampsia is unknown.

If my blood pressure is high, does it mean I have preeclampsia? Not necessary. If you have high blood pressure, you should see a doctor because this condition may indicate preeclampsia. In addition to high blood pressure, women with preeclampsia experience increased swelling and protein in the urine. Many women have high blood pressure during pregnancy, however, in the absence of swelling and protein in the urine, we are not talking about preeclampsia. If you have high blood pressure, then it is very important for you to monitor your blood pressure levels on a daily basis.

Why is blood pressure control so important during pregnancy? Preeclampsia manifests itself as high blood pressure. Therefore, it is necessary to measure blood pressure at least 2 times a day - morning and evening. It is necessary to measure in a sitting position, after rest and in a calm environment.

What level of blood pressure during pregnancy is considered normal and what is considered high? To answer this question, use the following table, which shows data on blood pressure values ​​during pregnancy (in mmHg):

Reference: Prof. A.H. Shennan, St. Thomas Hospital, London

What blood pressure levels before and after pregnancy are considered normal? Table of classification of blood pressure levels (in mmHg). Data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

How dangerous is preeclampsia for my baby and for me? Preeclampsia prevents the placenta from receiving the amount of blood it needs. If the placenta does not receive enough blood, the fetus suffers from air and nutritional deficiencies, which results in low birth weight and other problems for the baby. Most women with preeclampsia give birth to healthy babies. A small number develop a condition called eclampsia, which is very dangerous for mother and baby. Thanks to well-established antenatal care services, preeclampsia is detected at an early stage, when most problems can be eliminated.

How is preeclampsia treated? The only treatment is the birth of a child. If preeclampsia is diagnosed, mother and baby are closely monitored. It is mandatory to monitor the pressure level, at which measurements are taken 2 times a day. It is necessary to analyze the level of protein in the urine and monitor weight changes. There are now medications and various treatments available that prolong pregnancy and increase the baby's chances of survival.

Can preeclampsia be prevented? Preeclampsia is not a disease that can be prevented by lifestyle changes, such as diet, quitting smoking, quitting alcohol, exercise, getting enough rest, not worrying, etc. There is evidence that calcium supplements reduce the risk of preeclampsia, especially in women living in areas where calcium is deficient in foods. Calcium helps blood vessels relax and thus prevent hypertension.

Are there long-term effects of preeclampsia? For most women, childbirth reverses the effects of preeclampsia. Women who have preeclampsia during pregnancy may later develop high blood pressure. But this may also be a consequence of genetic predisposition, and not preeclampsia itself. In infants, the effects occur if they experienced severe lack of nutrition and oxygen in the womb or had problems as a result of prematurity. There are no health problems associated with preeclampsia in children born to mothers with preeclampsia.

Useful links on preeclampsia