What are the signs that can warn you that you are already in labor? Find out what are the alarm symptoms that will help you know if you are going to give birth.
Strong and regular contractions, every 5 to 20 minutes and lasting between 30 to 60 seconds, the expulsion of the mucous plug and severe abdominal pain are some of the main signs that can alert you that you are in labor.
Around the 37th week of pregnancy, delivery may be imminent. Although new mothers almost always give birth after 40 and 42 weeks of pregnancy, there are also premature deliveries.
There are a number of symptoms that indicate that labor is approaching. Many times they are usually false alarms, but it is convenient to know what they are and, above all, be prepared to go to the hospital. It is better to be prevented and not have to run when any of these symptoms appear repeatedly.
Helpful Symptoms That Can Help You Know If You Are Already in Labor
Each woman, a world
Although there are a series of symptoms that are usually common and announce that labor can occur from one moment to another, it is important to note that each woman and pregnancy is different. Since not all pregnant women present these symptoms in the same order or with the same intensity. Some, even, do not get to notice all the signs.
The contractions
They are one of the most important symptoms that indicate that labor is approaching. Although contractions can start as early as any time in the third trimester of pregnancy, the signs are in the frequency and intensity of the contractions.
These small repetitive pains or discomfort in the abdomen can occur intermittently, of great or lesser intensity and with or without pain. Normally, contractions that already indicate impending labor are usually painful, and quite often, strong and regular, last 30 to 60 seconds and occur every 5 to 20 minutes. Having this information allows you to control it with the clock and go to the hospital.
Lower abdomen
As delivery approaches, the abdomen drops as the baby lowers and is positioned to prepare for the big moment. It is usually positioned and fitted in the pelvis, putting pressure on the lower part of the abdomen.
In any case, it is not a completely general rule, since there are pregnant women who may have a lower abdomen for many weeks and others who do not, and can go into labor right away.
Expulsion of the mucous plug
It is another quite identifying symptom that labor is approaching. The mucous plug or thick mucus discharge is usually expelled as a result of the dilation of the uterus.
The vaginal discharge can be lost for several days or suddenly. This intense vaginal viscous discharge is usually accompanied by blood, being pink or brown. It is something that usually scares the pregnant woman thinking that something is not going well, but it is usually for this reason and more if the 40 weeks of pregnancy are already past.
In any case, in the presence of blood or a darker color coming out of the vagina, it is preferable to always go to the hospital.
Severe abdominal pain
It can indicate many things, but usually this pain is accompanied by contractions. That is, everything goes together. The abdomen can also be quite hard before giving birth, but some women already have it that way for weeks beforehand.
Other signs
The pregnant woman is usually much more irritated than normal, she may also have insomnia or sleepiness during the day as a result of not sleeping well. These symptoms can be common in almost every month of pregnancy, and depend from one woman to another.
Some useful tips
It can also happen that the baby moves too much, or on the contrary, we notice that his activity is less. In this case, it is advisable to call the specialist the next day or not to wait for many hours in case something urgent should happen.
Before any doubt or alarm, or any symptomatic change, it is always better to go to the emergency room so that the pregnant woman can be treated and examined properly.
As delivery can happen at any time, by week 38 it is preferable to have the bag that is taken to the hospital with the clothes of the pregnant woman and the baby ready.
In childbirth classes they usually teach how to detect the symptoms of childbirth. A very useful aid to know how and when to act, what to take to the hospital and thus be able to control contractions when they hurt the most.
