The signs of giving birth will be greeted with joy and tension. Generally, HPL (Estimated Day of Birth) is predicted to occur at 40 weeks of gestation. However, your baby is sometimes ready to be born sooner. Even so, many mothers are sometimes confused about whether what they are experiencing is a true sign of going into labor or just a false alarm, such as false contractions.

That’s why, it’s important to find out what the characteristics of giving birth are like in order to take the necessary precautions. Check out a full review of the various signs that appear when you are about to give birth.

The sign of giving birth is near

The normal delivery process usually begins with contractions with closer intervals, opening during delivery, until the delivery process. Here are some signs that labor is imminent that can occur from a month to a few hours before delivery:

Baby’s position is getting lower

Dropping the position of the baby with the head down is one of the signs that childbirth is imminent. This means that the baby is getting closer to delivery. When the baby is in this position, it can be seen from the size of the pregnant mother’s stomach or the increased frequency of wanting to urinate to the toilet. When the baby is getting lower, usually the complaints of pregnant women such as heartburn or shortness of breath are reduced because the space around the lungs is getting relieved.

Get rid of spots

One of the hallmarks of giving birth is the appearance of brown spots. In addition to spots, mucus mixed with blood can also come out of the vagina. This is normal. This mucus is a cervical plug. Its function, so that infection does not go to the uterus and harm the fetus. Approaching delivery, this mucus “plug” will come off. Usually, the mucus is clear to pink. Not infrequently, mucus is also accompanied by blood.

Contractions are getting more intense and regular

Signs that childbirth is imminent that pregnant women will almost certainly experience with normal delivery are contractions. Even so, false contractions can also appear in the final trimester so that it can be confusing. Usually, the actual contractions will be getting stronger with regular intervals and getting closer. Genuine contractions usually last 30-70 seconds, getting closer with each contraction.

The back hurts a lot

During pregnancy, it is very natural for the mother to experience back pain during pregnancy. This also makes you confused, is back or back pain including a sign that you are about to give birth? Yes, back or back pain is one sign you are about to give birth. The pain that is felt is generally stronger than during pregnancy. About a third of pregnant women who are about to give birth experience back and back pain.

Back pain during pregnancy occurs because the baby’s position is down and getting closer to the birth canal. As a result, the position of the baby will put more pressure on the mother’s spine. Consequently, the mother will feel constant pain in the back. In addition, the contractions that you feel when you are about to give birth can also cause pain in the abdominal area, back waist, or back. Usually, back pain during pregnancy is completely gone when you have given birth.

It’s easier to breathe

Pregnant women often feel short of breath, especially if they are pregnant. As you begin to approach the time of delivery, one of the signs that can be felt is easier to breathe and the body feels lighter. This again happens because the baby’s position is getting closer to the birth canal. That is, the pressure on the chest cavity and diaphragm will be reduced. In addition, this effect on pregnant women makes her weight go down. This is because the amniotic fluid gradually decreases and the mother urinates more frequently.

The uterus begins to open

Not only the baby’s position is getting lower, how to know when the baby will be born can also be seen from changes in the uterus. The main sign that you are about to give birth is that the walls of the uterus and cervix are starting to open and thin. This can be known through an internal examination by a midwife or obstetrician. The presence of an opening in the uterus is one of the most common signs to watch for when you are about to give birth. Usually, thinning and starting to dilate the cervix occurs a few weeks or days before delivery.

There are 2 main stages of opening, namely the latent and active phases. The latent phase is the initial dilatation phase, cervical dilatation is usually not very wide and generally slow. When entering the active phase, the cervix opens rapidly. Opening 1 will usually last a long time in the first pregnancy. Although, some are fast. You don’t have to worry. The maximum opening will be when it reaches opening 10. This means that the cervix is 10 cm wide or 10 fingers open.

Broken amniotic fluid

When the amniotic fluid breaks, there is no provision for every pregnant woman. But keep in mind that the rupture of the amniotic fluid is the most final sign of imminent labor. Broken amniotic fluid can be accompanied by other signs of imminent delivery or not. Generally, if the amniotic fluid has ruptured, labor should not be delayed too long.
This is because the rupture of the amniotic fluid indicates that the entrance to the uterus has been opened. That is, the protection of the baby in the womb has “leaked”. However, not all pregnant women feel the amniotic fluid breaks.
There are those who feel when the opening has been running halfway, there is also a broken amniotic fluid when the opening is complete.

Changes in body temperature

Signs of wanting to give birth that pregnant women may feel are changes in body temperature. Pregnant women who are about to give birth may feel cold even though the weather around them is hot.

Mood swings

These signs occur in mothers who gave birth vaginally or by caesarean section. This is due to changes in the mother’s stamina level. As a result, the mother’s mood can be affected.

When to go to the hospital?

The distance from contractions to delivery can be different for every pregnant woman. Some are fast, some take days or even weeks. You should go to the hospital immediately if the contractions are regular and intense. This indicates that the time of delivery may be coming soon. In addition, you also need to go to the hospital immediately if the amniotic fluid has broken. Entering the last trimester, make sure you have prepared all the preparations for giving birth, such as a hospital bag. Communicate with your partner and family members about the most appropriate scheme. Thus, the nervousness before birth can be reduced.