The norm of fetal movements, its height and weight at the 39th obstetric week of pregnancy, as well as changes in the mother’s body before childbirth

Will the baby be born soon?

It is not possible to accurately determine the baby’s birthday, even if you correctly calculate the due date.
The approximate duration of pregnancy depends on many factors, the influence of which is beyond the power of even the most experienced doctor. But the woman should be prepared for the onset of labor earlier than she expected, since the baby is already considered full-term. On a note! If the birth process does not occur within the time frame expected by the doctor, you must listen to the specialist’s recommendations and go to the maternity hospital in advance to avoid post-term pregnancy.
Many expectant mothers are interested in how many months is 39 weeks? To answer this question, it is necessary to clarify what period of calculation is meant: obstetric or embryonic.

• According to obstetric calculation of the gestational age, thirty-nine weeks is a full 37 weeks from the moment the baby is conceived.
• In embryonic calculations of the current period, thirty-nine weeks corresponds to 41 weeks.

Thus, according to medical standards, a woman at 39 weeks is pregnant for 8 months and 3 weeks.

How to avoid mistakes in determining the duration of pregnancy?

It should be understood that the actual gestational age may differ from the obstetric one, which assumes that ovulation occurred in the middle of the cycle. The maturity of the child and the age of delivery can be agreed upon with the doctor (there are clear criteria for the maturity of the child, obtained using ultrasound). If the gestational age already allows for childbirth, but the ultrasound doctor and neonatologist prohibit this due to the immaturity of the child, the expectant mother needs to be prepared to wait.

That is why, when it is already the 38th week, and even the 40th week, upon admission to the maternity hospital, an ultrasound should be done to determine the biophysical profile of the baby, the degree of its maturity and readiness for delivery. Then there will be no errors.

Intrauterine development of the baby at 39 weeks

By generally accepted standards, a baby is considered full-term and ready for birth. Expectant parents need to know that this may be the final stage of a 9-month journey. All vital organs have completed their development cycle, the baby is fully viable. Counting the days of the last weeks, the pregnant woman waits with anxiety and bated breath to meet the little lump that is under her heart.

What happens to the baby at 39 weeks

All the senses of a baby in the womb are already fully included in the work of his life. The fetus, while still in the mother's belly, can hear sounds, see changes in light, taste amniotic fluid and even smell. The maturation of the nervous system continues, becoming more perfect every day. The process of forming new connections between nerve cells began in the early stages of pregnancy and will continue to occur for the rest of the baby’s life.

How does the fetus develop during this period of pregnancy?

The following is observed in the formation of the baby’s body:

• All the child’s organs are formed, ready to function and ensure a full life for the baby after he is born.
• The respiratory system is prepared for the process of the first inhalation and exhalation, but is not yet perfect enough.
• The organs of the gastrointestinal tract and auxiliary organs of digestion are adapted to the absorption of nutrients that are rich in mother's milk.
• Its own hematopoietic system works.
• The immune response mechanisms come into play from the first minutes of the baby’s birth.
• Connective and adipose tissues are quite well developed by this time.
• The baby's head is covered with hair, and long nails have grown on his tiny arms and legs (this is why expectant mothers need to take baby nail clippers to the maternity hospital).

Changes in the body of the expectant mother at 39 weeks

This week, the pregnant woman is experiencing radically opposite feelings. There is a little excitement before the upcoming event of the birth of a child, but at the same time you want to quickly wait for the moment of touching your long-awaited baby. There may also be discomfort in the lower back, and some discomfort remains due to the heaviness of the abdomen. In the final week of pregnancy, you may be worried about how to speed up labor and get to the maternity hospital no later than the 40th week in order to meet your beloved daughter or son.

How does a woman feel during this period of bearing a child?

At the 9th month, the pregnant woman’s body directs all resources to prepare for the birth process. The baby's head pressed as tightly as possible to the exit from the uterine cavity. The main female organ in the cervical area softens and shortens. The excitability of the uterus increases. These manifestations are intended by nature so that in the process of moving along the birth canal, the fetus passes through the cervix and pelvic bones as painlessly and easily as possible, without receiving any injuries. The connective tissue in the pelvic bones also becomes softer.

At 39 weeks, the expectant mother understands that her meeting with the baby is not far off. On a wave of emotions, mood swings arise: moments of joy and fun are replaced by fear and anxiety before the upcoming birth. It’s all because of the hormones intensively produced by the body to prepare all organs and systems for the difficult work of childbirth.

How can you tell when contractions have started?

Contraction of the uterus, in other words it is called contractions

- This is an integral process during the birth of a new life. They are divided into false and real - harbingers of childbirth. By late pregnancy, every woman should become familiar with how to recognize contractions and how to know when they have begun.

What are contractions? This is a periodic contraction of the uterus, which is accompanied by nagging pain in the abdomen and lower back. This is an absolutely normal phenomenon, since during each contraction the cervix dilates, and the body independently prepares for the upcoming birth.

At first, a woman experiences weak uterine contractions, many do not attach any importance to them. They feel like they are accompanied by a nagging pain

, which is present during menstruation.
Primipara women may experience bouts of vomiting and diarrhea
.

There is no need to be afraid of such phenomena - this is a minor intestinal disorder in late pregnancy.

During this period, real and false contractions can be confused.

During pain, you need to take a warm shower, take a comfortable position and relax. If they pass or continue to appear with the same frequency, then this is nothing more than training contractions of the uterus.

Real contractions cannot be prevented or delayed by anything. The pain will continue to be present even after taking a shower and changing position. At the same time, they will become stronger, and the frequency between contractions will decrease.

How to understand that contractions have begun, the second birth?

Contractions may vary depending on the order in which a woman gives birth. As a rule, experienced mothers are already familiar with this process and can easily distinguish between training and prenatal sensations:

• During the first pregnancy, uterine contractions are accompanied by mild pain
  , gradually turning into stronger sensations. During the second birth, the uterus opens several times faster. Therefore, mild pains suddenly turn into severe ones;
• In connection with this phenomenon, the total time of uterine contractions also changes. If during the first birth the period from the onset of contractions can last from 6 to 24 hours, then during the second this time only takes from 6 to 8 hours;
• The duration of pregnancy
  also differs .
  In women who give birth for the second time, real contractions may begin earlier, from
  37 weeks
  onwards
  .

During your second birth, you need to be very careful with your body. Young mothers who had a cesarean section and those who developed a scar during childbirth need constant monitoring.

Therefore, they need to go to the hospital before contractions begin.

.

Stages of labor

The immediate stages of pregnancy and the birth of the baby are separated by childbirth. This process consists of three main stages

:

1. The first stage of labor
   is the dilatation of the cervix. This can happen at any time, the norm is 38-42 weeks of pregnancy. The process is accompanied by the appearance of contractions and the breaking of water. During the first stage of labor, you need to collect all the necessary things and go to the maternity hospital. The final stage is the dilation of the cervix by more than 4 fingers;
2. The second period
   is the birth of the long-awaited baby. Uterine contractions give way to pushing. During the moment when pain occurs, the woman should push more than twice. The final stage of this period is the birth of the child;
3. The last, third period
   is
   the birth of the placenta
   . For 9 long months, the placenta, umbilical cord and membranes, necessary for the full development of the baby, grew along with the embryo. The final process is to remove them from the mother's body.

Also watch the video in which doctor Anna Minkova will talk about the three stages of childbirth, and also provide useful tips for women in labor:

The birth process can be delayed depending on the body of each woman. If during childbirth she develops cracks or tears, the obstetrician will sew them up and treat them with an alcohol solution.

How to reduce pain during contractions?

Uterine contractions are not the most pleasant moment. Sometimes the pain becomes so severe that it becomes impossible to bear. In the later stages of pregnancy, you need to first prepare for the birth process

:

1. breathing exercises
   will help reduce pain during contractions . You should take a deep breath and exhale sharply. Several such repetitions will reduce pain;
2. In every clinic, doctors offer to give an anesthetic injection
   . Under its influence, a pregnant woman will be able to sleep and relax before the upcoming birth;
3. Exercising on a fitball
   can also reduce acute pain during contractions. Many elite clinics provide this equipment and allow you to bring it with you;
4. Walking
   and changing position will also help correct the situation;
5. If a woman feels well, then she can do a light warm-up
   , this will help her distract her and forget about the pain.

You need to take care of the upcoming birth in advance, proper nutrition and moderate exercise

have a positive effect on this process.

Contractions started at home

By the 40th week of pregnancy, a woman is given a referral to a hospital. She should stay in it until she gives birth. Under the supervision of specialists, she will feel safe.

But there are also situations when, during labor, the expectant mother remains at home completely alone.

If this happens, then you need not panic. Focus and gradually begin to prepare for childbirth

:

It is advisable that an emergency suitcase with all the necessary supplies be prepared in advance, since during contractions a woman may panic and most likely forget something.

What do you need in a maternity hospital?

List of necessary things

to the maternity hospital may vary depending on the level of service of the clinic. Typically, it consists of standard points:

• Change of underwear for mother;
• Clothes and an envelope for drinks;
• Postpartum pads;
• Hygiene products;
• Robe;
• Towel;
• Toilet paper;
• Dishes;
• Bottle of water;
• Diapers;
• Liquid soap;
• If necessary: ​​breastfeeding attachments.

You also need to first read the literature for expectant mothers. Such sources describe in detail about caring for a newborn, the birth process, contractions, how to understand that they have begun, and much other useful information.

Doctor visits and examinations

If pregnancy is normal during this period, no special examinations are prescribed. A visit to a doctor in consultation occurs once a week, where for each appointment it is necessary, as before, to do a general urine test as directed. In the office of the doctor managing the pregnancy, all the standard measurements will be entered into the woman’s chart: blood pressure, current weight, abdominal circumference. The specialist will also measure the height of the uterine fundus to determine whether the abdomen has dropped by this date. The doctor will also palpate the pregnant woman’s tummy to determine the location of the fetus in the uterus. The doctor will note the presence or absence of complaints, and the hands and feet will be visually examined for swelling.

Ultrasound at the current stage of pregnancy

Ultrasound examination is not scheduled. It is performed if there are certain risks associated with childbirth. For example, in case of multiple pregnancy, with previously identified multiple entanglement of the umbilical cord, or in the presence of pregnancy pathologies. Also, several control ultrasounds are prescribed for cesarean section delivery.

A few important points for pregnant women in the later stages of pregnancy:

1. All questions about the upcoming birth, the choice of a maternity hospital and the doctor chosen to be present in the delivery room must be resolved now.
2. Always keep several important documents with you: passport, medical insurance and exchange card. The last of the listed documents should be in the bag around the clock, wherever the pregnant woman goes. A woman can end up in a perinatal center literally at any moment, and without an exchange card, a woman in labor will be immediately sent to the pathology department.
3. If delivery by cesarean section is required, then the operation itself will be scheduled for this week.

Important medical examinations and ultrasounds

A consultation with a gynecologist is necessary to assess the child’s condition and determine your readiness for the upcoming birth. As before, you will need to have your urine tested before each appointment. The doctor will conduct the usual examinations for you to measure weight, blood pressure, and the height of the uterine fundus. He will listen to the baby's heartbeat using a stethoscope and determine the baby's position by palpation. Cardiotocography (CTG) and ultrasound are performed according to indications.

Using an ultrasound at the thirty-ninth week of pregnancy, the location of the umbilical cord is determined. It can wrap around the baby's neck or body. This is not considered a global problem, since the umbilical cord is long (on average, about 60 cm, but it can be short) and can be easily removed after birth. The length of the umbilical cord cannot be determined by ultrasound. But thanks to ultrasound, the condition of the placenta is assessed and the stage of its aging is determined.

The ultrasound also shows that the baby’s intestines have dilated and are gradually filling with meconium (original feces). Particles of skin and lubricant are observed in the amniotic fluid.

Precursors of labor at 39 weeks

Although the woman and her family prepare for the main process that completes the “nine-month marathon” throughout pregnancy, the onset of labor can be unexpected for many. A significant proportion of pregnant women enter the emergency department of the maternity hospital in a state of labor, often with broken waters and a large opening of the uterine pharynx. How to understand when to give birth, and what precursors can signal the beginning of the labor process? Let's try to figure it out.

Important! If the following warning signs or indirect signs of labor occur, a woman needs to remain calm as much as possible, consult a doctor or call an ambulance, and trust the doctors to receive qualified care in the maternity hospital.

Harbingers of the first and second births - what is the difference?

The above symptoms can be observed in full as precursors of labor in first-time mothers. Repeated births may differ from the first, especially if the interval between them is short. If the interval between two pregnancies was less than 1.5 years, then the second/third birth may be rapid. Precursors of labor in multiparous women may present a completely different scenario:

• there may be no preparatory period with false (irregular) contractions at all, and the woman will feel that she is in labor already during regular contractions;
• the cervix, which has retained increased elasticity, will open faster, significantly reducing the duration of the labor process.

On a note! According to statistics, the second pregnancy and childbirth are easier and with fewer complications.

As for the pain of repeated childbirth, everything is purely individual. It happens that the expectant mother refuses anesthesia under the pretext that the first time everything turned out to be quite tolerable, but then she regrets her decision. There can only be one piece of advice here - listen to the doctor and your inner feelings. Often it is the doctor leading the birth who is more clear about how events will develop in a particular labor.

How contractions begin

Pregnant women always anticipate upcoming contractions with fear, especially if a woman is about to give birth for the first time in her life.
Pregnant women try to find out as much as possible about this, constantly asking those women who have already become mothers. But the stories of women in labor are very often similar to each other, but in fact they are slightly different from reality. The first thing women say is that the onset of contractions can be called the beginning of labor itself.

This statement is considered not entirely correct, since quite often pregnant women experience “false contractions.”

Also, almost every woman who has given birth recalls acute and unbearable pain during contractions. As it turns out in reality, after giving birth, any woman gradually forgets these painful sensations, which cannot be compared with anything.

In addition, it is reflected that in the last period of pregnancy, almost any woman with fear, or even panic, expects upcoming contractions and thereby mentally prepares herself for the upcoming pain.

In addition, very often the gynecologist in the very early stages of pregnancy begins to discuss with the woman possible means of pain relief during childbirth.

• Childbirth
• How labor begins
• What to do if labor does not start on time

However, not all pregnant women are so negative, and they try in every possible way to believe that the upcoming pain will be bearable. In addition, what is very scary is precisely what has never happened before. Moreover, women are afraid of the very beginning of contractions, since they will not be able to predict it and prepare in advance. How exactly do contractions begin during childbirth?

Contractions are defined as certain sensations of sharp contraction. In this case, women feel contractions, of course, in the area of ​​the hip joints.

From a medical point of view, contractions are a complex biochemical process in which the placenta and pituitary gland of the child are actively involved.

Due to the fact that the placenta and pituitary gland begin to actively produce certain substances, the cervix of a pregnant woman begins to open. This is what leads to painful cramping sensations.

A woman's uterus contracts during contractions, causing her muscles to shorten and thicken. All these processes lead to the fact that the cervix expands to the size through which the baby’s head can squeeze through.

Experts consider the uterus to be fully dilated at twelve centimeters. Also at this time, the pressure inside the uterus increases greatly and all this leads to rupture of the membranes.

The result of all these processes is that the pregnant woman loses amniotic fluid.

How to know if contractions have started

When should a pregnant woman wait for contractions to start? Every woman has heard a lot about premature birth. In this case, everything also begins with contractions, but you can also notice other symptoms that should not be ignored. At the beginning of contractions, many women experience different sensations.

Not every pregnant woman can feel and notice false contractions. Also, during real labor pains, there are often cases when the expectant mother understands this only when she has a desire to push. There are also opposite cases, the so-called rapid birth.

In this case, the contractions are so strong that no woman can confuse them with something else.

False contractions most often begin to appear in a woman around the 20th week of pregnancy. Thus, the muscle fibers of the uterus contract from time to time in order to be ready for the upcoming birth. A woman may notice periodic strange sensations in the uterus, namely: there is a feeling of sharp petrification and relaxation of the uterus.

Not all pregnant women experience such false contractions; they may not occur at all. How do real prenatal contractions begin? First, the pregnant woman begins to feel slight discomfort in the lower back or abdomen. Many women later admit that they had a subconscious, strong belief that the moment of childbirth should come at exactly that time.

This was what their natural female intuition told them.

The next phase of contractions is more active. Contractions in the uterus occur at precise intervals. Over time, this interval becomes shorter and shorter, and the duration of each contraction increases significantly.

This also makes the pain much worse. Thus, contractions last approximately two minutes, and the interval between each of them is slightly less than a minute.

In this case, every woman should know and understand perfectly well that very soon she will begin real labor.

In practice, this usually happens in about forty minutes. The most painful stage of labor is the last. At this time, the woman feels a very strong desire to go to the toilet in a big way, which she cannot overcome. In this case, the doctor checks how open the uterus is, and if it is not open enough, the woman must restrain herself so as not to harm the baby in any way.

What to do if contractions start

When a pregnant woman feels the first contractions, she should take a break from everything and try to rest. Some women begin to walk around the room or get up and sit down.

But if contractions begin to become more frequent, you must immediately go to the parental home. There's no need to worry about anything.

Experienced gynecologists are well versed in this matter and will definitely tell you when to start pushing and what not to do.

The most important thing that is required from a woman at the moment is complete relaxation. You need to try in any way to let go of all fears.

You need to think about the fact that labor is about to begin, and you will very soon meet your beloved baby, whom you have been waiting for for many months. Therefore, it is necessary to try to help him be born.

A woman needs to try to breathe deeply and try to distract herself from the pain. The more you strain, the more pain you will experience during contractions.

Various techniques for proper breathing during childbirth are very helpful. In order to renew one’s strength, so-called “dog” breathing is very often used. You should inhale as much air as possible at the doctor's command, and then begin to push. You need to follow all medical advice and try to think only about your baby.

Is the pain during contractions terrible?

Is this last stage of labor so scary? All women fear him most. But very often it turns out that this pain is quite tolerable and can be easily tolerated. If you try to reassure yourself that this is how a long-awaited little baby is born, then these sensations may even become a little pleasant.

It has been scientifically proven that pain does not come from the uterus, because uterine contractions are a natural process. And a person feels pain only when pain receptors give a signal to the brain to respond to some change in the body.

Pain sensations occur in the muscle fibers that are located around the uterus. Therefore, in order to reduce pain during childbirth, you need to try to control the process of muscle relaxation.

It should be added that fear and panic increase the feeling of pain several times.

This is why in women who are terrified of childbirth, contractions are more painful. Following from all of the above, you need to understand that it is very important to properly set yourself up for the birth process.

Every woman should save her strength for such an important period as the process of expulsion of the fetus.

If a woman prepares in advance and sets herself up positively for the process of childbirth, then she will not have to think or worry about any painkillers that are sometimes used during childbirth. We are talking about nitrous oxide with oxygen, promedol, epidural and so on.

What to do if contractions do not occur

There are also opposite cases. A pregnant woman is looking forward to contractions, but they still don’t start. If contractions do not appear until 41-42 weeks of pregnancy, doctors decide to stimulate them. This is done because such a long stay of the fetus in the womb is dangerous for its life.

Artificial birth is caused by special hormonal drugs. The drug Cerviprost, which is injected into the cervical canal, is considered very common. Also, some medications are administered to a woman intravenously. All these hormonal medications help soften and contract the cervix.

But such methods still have their drawbacks, so if urgent medical intervention is not required, you should try to give birth to your long-awaited baby yourself. And the better prepared you are, rest assured, the more successful your birth will be!

: How to understand whether contractions are false or real.

Source: https://nedeli-beremennosti.com/kak-nachinayutsya-sxvatki/

The right attitude: preparing for childbirth

Thoughtful and prepared behavior during childbirth can not only calm the pain of labor without the help of medications, but also relieve unnecessary worries and help the baby to be born safely.

The reason for the decrease in the threshold of pain sensitivity may well be fears, fear of pain, negative emotions before childbirth. Meanwhile, the process of childbirth, like pregnancy itself, is a natural process, and normally during childbirth a woman should not feel severe, debilitating pain. There are techniques for simple self-pain relief that are taught in training courses for mothers, but they can also be learned at home, on your own, without outside help. Let's take a closer look at them.

Psychological attitude

From the first days of pregnancy, it is important for a woman to expect that all nine months will pass easily, carefree and without complications. If during childbirth there is no outside intervention and everything goes as nature intended, then the body turns on the “anti-pain system”, suppressing such unpleasant pain impulses, and releases endorphins into the mother’s blood to anesthetize the process. They are popularly called hormones of happiness, and they are provided by nature itself. With a positive, optimistic attitude, the body will receive endorphins in the required quantity, which will significantly reduce the pain during childbirth.

Important! The main thing is not to panic without reason. It is especially important to remember this for women who are experiencing their first pregnancy. During the birth process, it is important to imagine how not only the mother, but also her child feels. It’s also not easy for the baby and you need to help him be born. To do this, you need to listen carefully to what the midwife and the doctor leading the birth say.

Choosing the correct body position

The correct position for each stage of labor is also one of the keys to success and relief from discomfort. It is important to find out these positions in advance so that you have the opportunity to practice and master them at home, and at the right time choose the appropriate one. Possible positions include vertical (contractions become more intense), standing on all fours (stimulating effect), kneeling, squatting (expands the lumen of the pelvis) and lying on your side. For each expectant mother, the best position is different, the one in which she is comfortable at a particular moment of childbirth.

Massage techniques

Proper massage eases labor pain, making it less intense. Massage movements have a stimulating effect on nerve endings, which in turn send impulses to the brain. You can start massage from the moment of regular contractions. Movements can be stroking, kneading, rubbing. The back, sacral area, inner thighs and lower abdomen are massaged.

Breathing techniques

Proper breathing during labor is a skill that you can begin to learn and improve now. Breathing techniques will help a woman in labor relax her pelvic muscles at any time, get rid of emotional imbalance, and maintain strength. You can use the following breathing options:

1. “Dog” - the mother’s mouth is open, inhalation and exhalation are frequent and superficial. This technique helps, at the peak of a contraction, to reduce pain, relax the tense muscles of the uterus and just slightly distract yourself and take a break;
2. “Deep breathing” - a full exhalation several times longer than the inhalation. The technique is very effective in the process of dilation of the cervix;
3. “locomotive” - one deep breath and a series of short, accentuated exhalations. The technique helps before the cervix is ​​fully dilated, but when pushing is still prohibited by the doctor, and there is a need to reduce tension in the abdominal cavity;
4. “Blowing out a candle” - one short inhalation and a calm, long exhalation through pursed lips. An alternative technique to the previous method.

Note! If future parents are planning a partner birth, then it makes sense to master proper breathing together. During the birth process, the spouse will be able to help the woman in labor regulate her breathing by performing exercises with her.

What to do if labor begins

Giving birth at 39 weeks of pregnancy is quite natural. The baby is completely ready to be born, he just needs a little help with this.

When labor begins, it is important to focus on proper breathing. Follow your doctor's recommendations, and also listen to your baby, monitor your body position and general well-being.

During contractions, it is better to walk rather than lie or sit. When contractions intensify, you need to take deep breaths and exhales. This will help save energy for pushing. You should start pushing only when the doctor gives the start. It's better not to think about pain.

Don't panic, focus only on the baby . Immediately after birth, he will be placed on your breast so that he can taste milk for the first time and calm down after his first stress in his life. This moment will become one of the most wonderful and unforgettable in your life!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzMUWlVzpaE

Diet of a pregnant woman at 39 weeks

In the third trimester, a woman experiences maximum weight gain, because the baby in the womb begins to grow rapidly. Over 7 days, a pregnant woman normally gains 300-400 g. The daily diet at the 39th week of pregnancy should contain at least 2500 kcal in order to fully satisfy the mother’s body’s need for energy. In this case, special attention should be paid to the correct composition of microelements in food: magnesium, iodine, iron and calcium are especially important for expectant mothers.

This is what one of the menu options looks like for an expectant mother in the third trimester:

How much fluid to drink per day for swelling?

Often, having noticed swelling, a pregnant woman begins to limit herself in daily fluid intake. This approach is fundamentally wrong. The kidneys of the expectant mother are designed in such a way that if there is a lack of fluid, they stop its excretion. In other words, the less pregnant women drink, the more swelling may increase. To maintain a normal water-salt balance, doctors recommend consuming at least 1.8 - 2 liters of liquid per day, including broths/soups, juicy vegetables and fruits.

Recipes for easy everyday meals

Apple and prune salad

Grate the sweet, peeled apple on a coarse grater. Sprinkle lightly with lemon juice. Add prune pulp (2-3 pcs.), previously soaked in water and softened, to the apple. Stir, season a light salad with honey or natural yogurt.

Chicken soup with meatballs and herbs

Boil 2.5 liters. water. Add 250 g of chicken drumsticks to boiling water and bring to a boil. Add salt and cook for 15 minutes. Add 3 peeled and chopped potatoes, 1 grated carrot and finely chopped onion to the pan. Remove the drumsticks from the broth. Salt and lightly pepper minced chicken (100 g). Form small meatballs from minced chicken and one egg. Add to the boiling soup up to one, stirring lightly. Cook for 15 minutes. Then add finely chopped parsley to the pan. Bring to a boil and turn off the heat. Serve with a slice of bread or croutons.

Zucchini stewed in sour cream

Cut peeled zucchini (2 pieces) into small slices, add salt and simmer in a frying pan with a piece of butter. When the liquid from the vegetable evaporates, add 2 tsp. flour, mix well, pour 1-2 tbsp into the dish. sour cream and bring to a boil. Eat the prepared food warm, sprinkled with fresh herbs if desired.

Precursors and childbirth: how long to wait?

The appearance of precursors does not mean that labor has occurred. Sometimes the warning signs can last 2-3 weeks. The length of pregnancy depends on the nature of the woman's menstrual cycle. The likelihood of having a baby at 39 weeks is greatest for women, with an interval of 21 days between menstruation.

The classic onset of labor for first-time mothers is not a combination of precursors, but only regular contractions that increase over time. In a normal pregnancy, you need to go to the maternity hospital with a 10-minute break between uterine contractions.

Women who have given birth need to plan their trip to the maternity hospital a little earlier. Due to the anatomical features of their cervix, their cervix has a wider lumen and also responds more strongly to hormonal stimulation. In multiparous women, the warning signs are more pronounced and are noticed earlier. For example, there is more liquid discharge, the plug is larger, and multiparous women are more worried about test contractions. It is also noted that childbirth can be faster than the first time, and the warning signs appear just a day or two before delivery.

Tips for reducing the risk of labor ruptures

The following measures are used to prevent ruptures and obstetric injuries during childbirth.

Formation of a small fruit.

During pregnancy, it is important for the expectant mother to gain no more than 15 kg. A glucose tolerance test may be performed to rule out gestational diabetes, which leads to high fetal weight. From 38 weeks onwards, it is necessary to monitor body weight gain and the expected weight of the baby by monitoring your diet. During the first birth, a woman should reach the end of her gestation period with a baby weighing no more than 3600 g. With repeated births, the baby’s weight should not be significantly greater than during the first. Then the risk of ruptures will be significantly lower.

Do not purchase dubious products.

There are no technologies that could prevent labor ruptures during pregnancy. Various creams, balls, etc. This is just commercial marketing. There is no evidence of the effectiveness of these products.

Consult your doctor.

Before giving birth, it is advisable to undergo an examination by an obstetrician to determine the height of the perineum. With a high and rigid perineum, the risk of rupture is really high. Then the doctor delivering the baby will be able to draw up a plan for behavior in the second stage of labor and help you choose the right position (perhaps vertical birth or birth on the side, etc.).

No rush.

No rush during delivery is another condition for the absence of ruptures. If the birth proceeds physiologically, the baby’s heartbeat does not suffer, and situations requiring emergency assistance do not arise, you should wait until the head has maximally descended and entered the birth canal, and only then begin to push.

The issue of preventing ruptures should be resolved only directly with the obstetrician leading the pregnancy.

Pregnancy is prolonged: is it possible to speed up labor?

The fear of premature birth, present throughout pregnancy until the third trimester, is replaced by the fear of not giving birth on time and enduring pregnancy. The expectant mother worries that day after day passes, and her long-awaited baby is still in no hurry to be born. This makes the pregnant woman worry and look for ways to speed up labor. But even if the baby’s gestation period has already passed the expected date of birth, there is no need to worry or worry too much about this.

The thing is that even at the beginning of pregnancy, having determined the size of the embryo, the doctor could have made a mistake when calculating the expected day of its birth. By medical standards, a pregnancy is considered post-term if more than 1.5-2 weeks have passed since the estimated date of birth. In this case, an ultrasound examination is performed. If doctors in the emergency department of the maternity hospital decide that the fetus is ready for birth, they can perform an examination on the chair and puncture the amniotic sac to break the waters. From this moment, labor will begin.

In the antenatal clinic you can hear simple tips on how to stimulate the onset of labor yourself. There are many such methods, including traditional methods, but only a few of them can be considered truly safe.

• The first method suggests that the expectant mother in her final stages continue to have sex with her husband. Many couples refuse sex beyond 33 weeks, which is completely in vain - sperm tends to soften the cervix, gradually preparing it for the process of childbirth. At 39 weeks, making love 2-3 times a week will help tone the uterus and stimulate it to ripen faster.
• The second method invites a woman to massage her breasts and nipples daily, which also stimulates the production of hormones that help increase the body’s readiness for childbirth. The massage should be soft, not damaging to delicate skin, but persistent and regular.

Both methods are considered safe and cannot cause harm to the mother and the unborn baby. But you should know that you cannot induce labor at home without consulting your doctor! With an incorrect and careless approach to your own body, there is a risk of harming yourself and the little growing life inside you.

How to understand that labor has begun

For every pregnant woman, the most exciting moment is the upcoming birth. Many people are already familiar with the signs of the onset of labor, the sensation of contractions and pushing, but what should a woman who becomes a mother for the first time do? How can she understand that labor has begun? We'll talk about this in this article.

How labor begins

This moment is determined by several events - the breaking of water and the appearance of contractions. In some women, the onset of labor is accompanied by the appearance of contractions, in others by the breaking of water, and sometimes this happens simultaneously.

Option one - contractions begin

Contractions are rhythmic contractions of the uterus, felt as a feeling of pressure in the abdominal area. Some expectant mothers may feel such sensations several days or weeks before giving birth. Such contractions are called false or precursor.

False or precursor contractions are training of the muscles of the uterus before the birth of a child. During them, the woman feels tension in the abdomen, it becomes “hard” to the touch, and sometimes a pulling sensation may appear in the lower back or lower abdomen. More often these sensations are irregular, painless and short-lived.

Real contractions are contractions of the uterine muscles that cause the cervix to dilate. They do not go away, but only increase in frequency, duration and strength over time.

At first, real contractions are mild and painless, last 5-10 seconds, and the intervals between them are about 30 minutes. Gradually, the duration and intensity of contractions increase, and the intervals between them decrease. Between contractions, the stomach is relaxed.

Pain during contractions occurs due to dilation of the cervix, compression of nerve endings, and tension of the uterine ligaments. The pain resembles the pain during menstruation. Its strength depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the emotional mood of the expectant mother. It is very important not to be afraid of childbirth, because this process lasts several hours and the pain of labor is very quickly forgotten.

The difference between false contractions and real ones

Option two - water breaks

Typically, amniotic fluid flows out in the first stage of labor, but not before the cervix is ​​dilated by 4 cm. The amniotic sac ruptures and anterior water flows out in a volume of up to 500 ml. If the fetus is in the pelvic position or its head is located high, then up to 1500 ml of water is poured out. No pain is felt when the bladder ruptures.

Women often confuse the release of mucous plugs with water. A mucus plug is a clot of viscous mucus that forms in the cervix at the end of 1 month of pregnancy.

Its purpose is to protect against the penetration of various pathogens. At the end of pregnancy, under the influence of the hormone estrogen, the mucous plug softens and comes out of the vagina on its own.

It may come out in one piece or come out gradually over several days.

Amniotic fluid and the mucus plug are somewhat similar, both are liquid in consistency. However, they have significant differences.

Throughout pregnancy, the amniotic sac serves as protection against the penetration of various infections. For all 9 months, the fetus develops in a sterile environment.

Immediately after the membranes rupture and the waters break, bacteria from the vagina and cervix penetrate to the fetus, so birth should occur no later than 12 hours later.

The expectant mother should definitely remember the exact time of the outpouring of water and its color, which will help the doctor decide on the tactics of labor management.

Be sure to pay attention to the color of the water . Normally they are odorless, pinkish or transparent.

The dark green color of the amniotic fluid indicates that it contains meconium (original fetal feces), which indicates oxygen starvation of the fetus.

If the waters are red, then premature placental abruption has probably occurred. In these two cases, you cannot hesitate; you must urgently go to the hospital.

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Source: https://moykarapuz.com/rody/kak-nachinayutsya-rodyi.html

Recommendations for the expectant mother

• Check your own readiness for planned admission to the maternity hospital. Documents and plastic bags with things must be completely collected. Don't forget that things need to be divided into three parts: those that will be needed before the birth, then the necessary items after the birth, and the last package - with clothes for discharge for you and your baby.
• Each maternity hospital may have local rules and permitted/prohibited items that you need to know about in advance. To avoid getting into trouble at a serious moment, clarify important points with women you know who have recently given birth, ask a question on the forum in your city, or unscheduled visit the emergency department, where you can find information for expectant mothers.
• As in previous periods, it is necessary to adhere to the principles of a healthy diet. Before giving birth, you shouldn’t go all out, eating a lot of sweets, fast food, smoked and fatty foods. Overloading the digestive system before the birth of the baby is fraught with stomach upsets and loose stools. Priority is given to lean meat, sea fish, seasonal vegetables and fruits, cereals, boiled and steamed dishes.
• Get plenty of rest - very soon there will be no time left for proper sleep, so take the opportunity to get a good night's sleep now. Late TV viewing and late-night gatherings should be left behind. Organize your day so that you have at least 10-12 hours of sleep at night and during the day.
• Your family will soon be replenished with one more person, so try now to gradually accustom your loved ones to new responsibilities. Relieve yourself of household chores and distribute some of them among your family. This way, there will be no misunderstandings during the postpartum period, when you urgently need support and help.
• Take care of your body. Continue to lubricate areas of skin prone to stretch marks with special cosmetic oil or cream. It may be worth choosing a new deodorant - after the baby is born, it is recommended to use products without odor or aggressive substances in the composition so that the baby is comfortable during breastfeeding.
• Prepare for the birth process by studying specialized literature or visiting thematic websites. Theoretical knowledge about caring for a newborn will be imprinted in memory and will tell you how to act at the right time. It is especially useful to educate yourself in terms of breastfeeding for those who are preparing to become a mother for the first time.