All mothers are concerned about the date of upcoming birth. And there is no absolutely accurate answer. Even if a woman knows the date of fertilization up to an hour, it is still impossible to take into account all factors affecting the birth of a child.

Doctors believe that normal pregnancy runs 280 days. From this date, they make a calculation of date of birth. There are several ways to calculate the date of birth of a child. For example, you can easily determine it using menstruation. Deduct 3 calendar months from the first day of last menstrual period and add 7 days. That would be a possible date of birth.

There are such ways of calculating the date of upcoming birth, which are only available to a doctor. For example, through size of uterus, its location and volume of stomach. However, these methods do not give full confidence in determination of date of birth.

Now physicians are increasingly inclined to the conclusion that there is no sense to divide children on premature and mature ones. They explain this by saying that if pregnancy proceeds normally, without pathology, it would not be anything terrible, if a child is born a little earlier or later dates. The main thing is that a child was physically mature. Therefore, now pregnancy occurring during the period from 35 to 45 weeks is considered normal.

Signs of labor

As the day of birth approaches, you may notice some signs, which indicate that labor will happen soon.

1. Breathing becomes easier

As a result of baby downward movement, pressure on diaphragm and stomach is reduced. Breathing becomes easier. Heartburn may dissapear. Pressure on the lower abdomen increases. Sitting and walking become a little harder. After baby’s displacement down, a woman may have difficulty with sleeping, at this time it is difficult to find a comfortable position for sleep.

2. Changes in appetite

Before childbirth, your appetite may change. More often, appetite decreases. It is good, if a woman at that time has more trust in her instincts when choosing products. Do not eat «for two».

3. Reduced body weight

Before childbirth a woman may lose some weight. Body weight of pregnant women can be reduced by about 1-2 kg. So the body is preparing for childbirth naturally. Before birth the body has to be flexible and ductile.

4. Belly descent

A woman may notice that her stomach moved down. Abdomen descent occurrs at the expense of lowering and insertion of fetal presenting part in pelvic entrance and discard of uterine bottom forward, due to a reduction in tone of abdominal press. A child begins to sink deeper in pelvic region. During first childbirth this sign is observed 2-4 weeks before delivery. During other labors - on the eve of birth.

5. Sudden change of mood

A woman looks forward to «her hour». She can not wait to give birth. Her mood can suddenly change. Change of mood is largely linked to neuroendocrine processes in the organism of pregnant women before childbirth. Explosions of energy are also possible. A state of fatigue and inertia may be unexpectedly replaced by turbulent activity. There is a «nest» instinct. A woman is preparing to welcome a baby: she sews, cleans, washes, tidies. Please, just do not overdo.

6. Frequent urination and defecation

Urination becomes more frequent, as pressure on bladder increases. Hormones affect female intestine, causing so-called pre-clearance. Some women may experience slight cramps in the abdomen and diarrhea. Like before exams.

7. Pain at the bottom of back

After displacement of child down, a woman may experience uncomfortable sensations in back. These sensations are caused not only by pressure from a child, but also an increase of sacroiliac connective tissue tensile.

8. Changes in fetal motor activity

A kid can calm down slightly, then start moving actively. He is like choosing the rhythm and selecting the most appropriate time for his birthday.

9. Irregular uterine contractions

After the 30th week of pregnancy a woman may feel false labor. Tangible, but occasional uterine contractions in this preparational (preliminary) period are mistakenly taken for labor. A woman may feel some contractions a few weeks before childbirth. If a regular and continuous rhythm is not established, if spacing between labors is not reduced, they usually do not mean the beginning of childbirth.

10. There are three main signs of birth:

- Appearance of regular contractions in uterine muscle - contractions mean beginning of delivery. Since then, a woman is referred to as giving birth. Rhythmic contractions are felt like pressure on abdominal cavity. Uterus becomes heavy, pressure can be felt throughout abdomen. The importance of the trait is not in the fact of contraction, but in its rhythm. These labor pains must be repeated every 15-20 minutes (other frequency is also possible). Gradually, intervals are reduced: contractions repeat every 3-4 minutes. Between labors abdomen is relaxed. When abdomen is relaxed, you should try to relax.

- Vaginal cervical mucus - mucus plug. Mucous plug can move away 2 weeks before delivery, and perhaps - 3-4 days. This usually occurs after the beginning of uterine contractions for enlargement of cervical canal - thus mucous plug is moving away. Mucus plug keeps the channel closed during pregnancy. Loss of mucous plug - a certain sign of birth. One can notice colorless, yellowish or light red discharge.

- Release of water. Fetal bladder can leak, then waters flow slowly. It can break suddenly, then waters will «gush». From time to time this happens before rhythmic uterine contractions begin. More often it occurs during second delivery. When fetal bladder is broken, one does not feel pain. When waters retreated immediately, before the onset of rhythmic labors - one should urgently go to maternity house!

Birth, as it happens

Each woman’s delivery begins in different ways. Some women give birth «classically», ie contractions develop gradually, intervals between labors are gradually decreased and there is a desire to retch. Others give birth «fast», ie contractions are active and intervals between them are short. Although all women experience birth individually, there are some things that are same for most women.

Is it started?

Long waiting will soon be completed - mom will be able to put a baby to breast. She is happy, but as the term approaches, her concern is growing. How to understand that labor has begun? Is it possible to relieve pain?

A woman has a great variety of questions about upcoming birth. Naturally, each process is individual. Many pregnant women start feeling anxious, sometimes palpitations, fever or headaches the day before contractions.

It comes suddenly

However, a woman may not feel any signs - in some cases delivery begins abruptly, with the emergence of labors. Labors are contractions of uterine muscles, facilitating disclosure of cervix. They are felt through periodical pain in waist or bottom of your stomach, which becomes regular and stronger. If contractions are repeated regularly and frequently, then it’s time to go to a maternity hospital.

This is important

Strong contractions of uterine muscles and stomach slowly push a baby’s head through uterine mouth and descent channel. The expulsion of fetus - a rather painful and difficult time of giving birth, but experiencing it, a woman regains confidence that the case is moving forward aggressively. When strains join labors, the finishing stage of childbirth begins. During strains a woman feels irresistible desire to retch (at this point she has to listen carefully to doctor’s recommendations) - her muscles are literally pushing a baby.

Most women want to give birth to a baby naturally, without any medical intervention. It is clear that labors can be quite painful. However, midwives and doctors know means and methods of alleviating pain.

Dispersing fears

Some women fear they will not be able to overcome labor pains, and therefore request anesthesia in advance. As with ordinary headache: some are trying to relax, escape, go to fresh air, others take drugs quickly.

It is good, that doctors today have many opportunities to help a woman during labor. And future mothers are not passive in delivery room - they can consciously influence the process of childbirth. A pregnant woman should learn thoroughly what kind of assistance one or another clinic may propose her in advance. In addition, talk about your wishes and fears with a gynecologist. It is likely that he would dispel your fears and inspire firm confidence in satisfactory result.