Harbinger of births

There can be a lot of suspense, anxiety, and excitement during the last few weeks of pregnancy, almost like a waiting game. It’s common for expectant parents to wonder when labor will start. Even though each birth experience is different, there are some telltale indications that the big day is almost here.

Often referred to as the "harbingers of birth," these symptoms aid in the body’s preparation for delivery and indicate that labor may be imminent. Being aware of what to anticipate can make you feel more prepared for any changes, from minor ones like a change in energy levels to more obvious ones like more contractions.

Knowing these warning indicators not only eases your mind, but it can also assist you in deciding when to contact your healthcare provider or go to the hospital. Let’s examine a few of the most typical indicators that labor is about to begin.

"Hints" of the body – what are?

The female body is very wise. Nature has provided for him not only large compensatory abilities, but also the opportunity to predict, foresee fast changes. This ability is most clearly manifested on the eve of childbirth. And therefore, for an attentive and observant pregnant woman, the onset of labor does not come as a surprise. Special specific symptoms that appear a certain time before the onset of labor are called precursors. In this case, not individual signs are assessed, but the general set of symptoms. Precursors are always individual. From a medical point of view, there are reliable and subjective signs. The former have a clear physiological basis, the latter depend more on the sensitivity of the expectant mother, her temperament, the characteristics of pregnancy, and so on.

The combination of consistent and subjective symptoms, in any case, makes it very clear that labor will start shortly.

The body’s natural indicators that labor is about to begin, such as the baby dropping lower, changes in energy, or more frequent and strong Braxton Hicks contractions, are known as harbingers of birth. These early warning signs give expectant parents a head start on the day of delivery and assist them in getting ready, both physically and mentally.

What is happening in the body

You must have a solid understanding of the large-scale processes that take place in the female body as the date of birth draws near in order to comprehend the origins of the precursors. These processes—which are imperceptible to the naked eye—show up as physiological manifestations. The internal processes begin to take shape gradually and eventually give rise to labor.

The preparatory process involves almost all organs and systems, hormonal background, hemostasis features, and nervous system functioning; however, the following are the areas where the most active changes take place.

Uterus

The reproductive organ has already accomplished a vital function by giving the child a space for development and maturation. The uterus must now assist in the birth of the child, which is an equally vital task. The uterus needs to fill up to its full capacity. The organ’s neurocontractile system starts to get ready in the second half of the third trimester. If this preparation is not done, the uterus will just be a regular "bag" that cannot push the baby out or shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size after childbirth.

The myometrium’s fibers start to shorten in order to facilitate contractions, and the uterine muscle cells start producing actomyosin, a unique type of protein. This protein is in charge of making sure that the body can contract. The uterus loses nerve fibers one to two weeks prior to delivery.

Placenta

The "baby’s place" is getting older quickly. The withering process starts after week 35 of pregnancy and continues until week 40 or the time of delivery. A few days prior to delivery, the placenta starts to produce oxytocin, a hormone that is necessary for contractions to happen. The pituitary gland of the woman aids in this.

Hormones

In the early stages of pregnancy, the woman’s body was dominated by progesterone. It was in charge of the child’s nutrition, the continuation of the pregnancy, and the uterine walls’ lowering of tone. Progesterone production declines a few days prior to delivery, but oxytocin and estrogen concentrations rise. Numerous physiological changes, including those affecting the nervous system, start to occur in reaction to shifts in the balance of hormones. On the other hand, the spinal cord’s sensitivity rises while the brain’s sensitivity to nerve signals decreases.

Metabolism

The body stores substances shortly before childbirth that, from an energy potential perspective, should guarantee childbirth. Electrolytes and glycogen are kept in storage.

Blood condition

The blood thickens. Blood clotting time decreases as platelet count rises. Preventing fatal bleeding during childbirth is imperative. Depending on how sensitive she is, these processes will have varying effects on the pregnant woman’s health.

Features of the approach of the first birth

Precursors in "first-time mothers" and more experienced women, who are not giving birth for the first time, will differ. First of all, in the timing of their onset. The first precursors in women before the second or third birth usually appear a few days before, at 38-39 weeks or even at 40 weeks. First-time mothers will have to wait longer – symptoms of approaching labor can appear two or four weeks before the expected date of birth. This is due to the fact that all preparation at the physiological level lasts longer before the first birth. The tissues and muscles of a woman giving birth for the first time are less elastic. The nervous system takes longer to prepare for the birth process. In most cases, women are more nervous and worried before their first birth, and therefore they interfere with their nervous system and create muscle “clamps”. For the same reasons, the first birth is usually longer than the second or third. At what stage do precursors most often start? If you are expecting your first birth, then you should expect signs of their approach at about 35-36 weeks or a little later. Are precursors obligatory? Optional. There are women who claim that they did not feel anything unusual at all before childbirth. This does not mean that their body was not preparing for the process, this is a manifestation of individual characteristics of perception.

The question of how long to wait for labor after the first harbingers is another one that is highly subjective. Everything hinges on how quickly the body gets through the preparatory phases. Typically, the first birth occurs as near to the expected date of birth (EDD) as is practical. It is challenging to pinpoint with precision; labor can occur between 39 and 40 weeks as well as between 41 and 42 weeks.

Labor does not always have to be postponed if there are no precursors. Early onset of symptoms prior to the 34th week of pregnancy is frequently indicative of the possibility of premature labor.

Signs

A first-time mother’s imagination can get her into such a maze, from which she may never emerge, in her search for precursor signs. Women who have never given birth have a tendency to feel and imagine things that are not there or to interpret any changes in their overall health as signs of impending labor. Let’s examine more closely at potential real-world precursor symptoms:

Abdominal prolapse

Usually this harbinger is considered one of the first. From the point of view of doctors, it is quite reliable and informative, that is, it really indicates the approach of labor. The lowering of the abdomen is a consequence of the baby"s descent to the very bottom of the uterus. Closer to labor, the baby takes the position from which it will begin its difficult journey along the birth canal after the opening of the cervix. The baby presses its head against the internal os. The woman notices that the abdomen began to look somewhat different, its shape became more elongated. And if earlier it looked like a basketball, now it looks more like an elongated melon or a rugby ball. Due to the decrease in the height of the fundus of the uterus, the load on the diaphragm weakens, it becomes easier to breathe, shortness of breath and heartburn cease to torment.

With visible improvement, there are also disadvantages that will not take long to appear. After the belly drops, the woman begins to run to the toilet more often for "little need" due to the pressure of the fetal head on the bladder, and the pelvic bones also ache more. During the first birth, this symptom is most often observed approximately 2-3 weeks before birth. But, by the way, not every expectant mother observes it. In multiple pregnancies, the lowering of the head of the fetus, which will be born first, is practically not felt by the woman. And there will also be no lowering in those whose children in the uterus are not located in the head, but in any other position – sitting or placed across.

Pregnancy-related polyhydramniosis will also prevent the abdomen from falling before delivery.

Weight loss

Women have long noticed – shortly before childbirth, weight decreases by 2-3 kilograms. Physiologically, this phenomenon is quite easily explained – the concentration of progesterone in the body decreases, which, among other things, contributed to the accumulation of fluid in the organs and tissues. With a decrease in hormone levels, the amount of intercellular fluid also decreases, and therefore weight begins to go away. A decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid can also be attributed to 2–3 kilograms. The closer to labor, the less water the amnion produces. This measure is necessary to prevent the fetal bladder from bursting prematurely due to increased intrauterine pressure, as the baby gains weight every day and takes up more and more space in the uterus. In addition, diarrhea may begin, because the body is trying with all its might to get rid of the excess so that it is easier for the woman.

The nature of the discharge

Genital discharge is a very significant diagnostic indicator. Every woman is aware of this. They become different a few weeks before labor. There was a period known as the "dry period" during pregnancy when progesterone caused the discharge to be sparse, thick, and scant. The genital tract is among the first organs to "show" that something is wrong with the body when progesterone concentration starts to drop. Vaginal discharge increases in volume and fluidity.

A special focus should be on the mucus plug’s discharge. During the whole gestational period, it seals the cervical canal and shields the unborn child from bacteria and viruses. However, the plug comes out when the cervix matures before childbirth because it cannot be held inside the enlarged cervical canal.

If it comes out once and in full, then it is quite difficult not to notice it – a large jelly-like clot of a yellowish or milky color, sometimes with blood streaks. But often the plug leaves the cervical canal in parts, and then they talk about a partial and systematic discharge of the mucus plug. Usually, during the first pregnancy, the plug leaves its place 5-7 days before childbirth. A woman must inform her doctor that this process has taken place or has started. As soon as the plug leaves the cervical canal, some restrictions will be imposed on the life of the pregnant woman – she will not be allowed to lie down and soak in a warm bath, or have sex, to prevent infections from entering the uterus.

Chest

The mammary glands of primiparous women become more sensitive shortly before labor begins, and the breasts begin to hurt more. The breasts "fill up", and blue vein lines are clearly visible through the skin. The areolas expand, become large, blurry, and "Montgomery tubercles" appear on them. In primiparous women, colostrum most often begins to be secreted for the first time a few weeks before the birth of the child. There is no need to be afraid of this, and it should not be squeezed out either. If there is no colostrum, then this again is not an indicator that there will be little or no milk after childbirth. Women prepare their breasts individually. In some, they hurt from the first month of pregnancy and colostrum is secreted. In others, the breasts do not look painful even before childbirth. Therefore, this sign alone cannot be a reliable symptom of approaching labor.

Whatever the situation, the mammary glands need special attention. They should be cleaned twice a day in warm water, and if colostrum is secreted, they need to wear special bra pads to prevent the underwear from getting stained.

Mood and emotions

The mood and well-being of the expectant mother is affected by her hormonal background, as well as psychological readiness for the birth of a child. Very often, a couple of weeks before giving birth, a woman begins to experience unreasonable anxiety, worry. As the date of birth approaches, anxiety can intensify. A harbinger can be conditionally considered a state of emotional instability, when the mood of a pregnant woman begins to change spontaneously and almost uncontrollably. Quite often, according to expectant mothers, the quality of sleep is disturbed. Women suffer from insomnia. Such symptoms require medical attention. Herbal sedatives approved by the doctor will help with anxiety and restlessness. They will also help improve sleep, because getting a good night"s sleep is a very important condition for successful preparation for childbirth in order to exclude disturbances in blood pressure during labor. In addition to light sedative teas and tablets, the bedrooms and walks in the fresh air will help to ventilate the bedrooms and walks.

Fetal activity

Before giving birth, children typically become less active. Most frequently, this feature is noticed three to five days prior to delivery. The child becomes difficult to move because the uterus is already very crowded. Furthermore, because childbirth requires the baby to be done and, there are presumptions that children initiate a decrease in activity in their own bodies with a recreation regimen and energy accumulation.

Cervix

One of the most reliable indicators that labor is about to begin is the cervix maturing. Mature neck: shorter, smoother, and no longer than 1.5 to 2 centimeters. As the cervical mucus changes due to maturation of the neck, a woman may also experience slight tingling in her lower back, similar to a tiny "sipping" feeling. However, it is the obstetrician’s responsibility to determine the cervix’s maturity. Beginning with the 38th week of pregnancy, this indicator will be examined during a routine doctor’s appointment.

At the 39th week of pregnancy, the woman is offered hospitalization for initial medical preparation of the cervix for childbirth if the cervix is too immature or not mature enough.

Other signs

Among other signs, which are more likely to be subjective, one can note such an optional, but rather striking sign as the manifestation of an ancient animal instinct for nesting. Before the appearance of offspring, many females of different animal species prepare a nest (burrow) in order to ensure a higher survival rate for the cubs. In humans, this instinct manifests itself as an irresistible desire to wash something in the apartment, paint, iron and wash. A couple of weeks before childbirth, a woman begins to intensively arrange her home. Psychologists believe that such behavior is quite normal and, in addition to following the instinct of ancestors, gives a woman inner peace, the opportunity to reduce anxiety and fears, and distract herself from thoughts about the upcoming birth. Also, the signs may include an increase in the number of training (false) contractions, a change in appetite. Either a woman begins to eat constantly, unable to cope with the feeling of hunger, or a few days before giving birth she does not want to eat at all.

A sign of labor or pathology?

Observing her own condition, a woman should not forget that many symptoms that she can intuitively associate with the body"s preparation for childbirth may in fact be signs of pregnancy complications in the later stages. In order not to make a mistake, in all doubtful cases it is best to consult an obstetrician-gynecologist, who will be able to easily distinguish one from the other. Thus, too strong pulling pains in the lower back and lower abdomen can be a dangerous sign of the risk of premature birth, and too much weight loss can indicate a metabolic disorder. In cases of unusual green, brown, gray discharge, discharge with an unpleasant odor, itching in the genital area, you should immediately consult a doctor, since such discharge is not a sign of approaching labor, but a sign of the presence of an infection in a woman. Loose stools and nausea can be not only a sign of cleansing the body before childbirth, but also a sign of food poisoning, as well as a symptom of intestinal infections. And fetal activity can decrease not only because of the upcoming birth, but also because of fetal oxygen starvation.

As a result, it’s critical to pose all pertinent questions to a licensed medical professional.

Signs of labor approaching	Description
Nesting instinct	A sudden burst of energy and urge to organize or clean the house.
Lightening	The baby drops lower in the pelvis, making breathing easier but increasing pressure on the bladder.
Increased Braxton Hicks contractions	More frequent practice contractions that help the body prepare for labor.
Bloody show	A discharge of mucus tinged with blood as the cervix begins to thin and open.
Water breaking	The amniotic sac ruptures, releasing fluid, often signaling that labor is imminent.

When your body starts to give signals that labor is about to start, the last few days of pregnancy can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. Although every woman’s experience is unique, you can feel more equipped for what lies ahead if you can identify these telltale signs.

Every one of these symptoms—from the baby dropping to the onset of more frequent Braxton Hicks contractions—brings you one step closer to meeting your child. These adjustments might appear small at first, but as the big day gets closer, they usually stand out more.

Pay attention to what your body is telling you, follow your gut, and let your healthcare provider know if you have any concerns. Since every birth journey is different, give yourself permission to fully experience it while keeping in mind that you’re almost there.

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