Is It Normal to Have Doubts Before Delivery?

When it comes to childbirth, it's normal to have doubts before delivery, especially in the case of first-time mothers. Pay attention to the signs of labor. 

It’s normal to have doubts before delivery, even a little fear. The best solution to calm the anxiety leading up to the due date is to know and learn about the phases of childbirth and everything related to that important moment. A safe and serene future mother can turn this into a positive process.

What are the most frequent doubts before delivery?

The main questions that you as a future mother have is mainly in regard to how the process will be, how painful it may be, and how many changes your body is experiencing, and which are normal or abnormal changes.

Changes in your body as delivery approaches

As the much-anticipated delivery date arrives, here are some physical changes you may experience:

• Increase in hormone levels: Your body begins to prepare for birth. You may experience mild contractions, a cold sensation, tremors, or weakness. This occurs because hormonal changes are widening the neck of the uterus. They also cause contractions, which allow the baby to begin to position itself for birth.
• Swelling of the legs, thickening of the ankles, and cramps.
• Pressure in the urethra, constant desire to go to the bathroom, and pressure in the pelvis and rectum.
• Mild vaginal itching.
• Strong stomach acidity.
• Mild discomfort, similar to what you may experience during your menstrual cycle.

To help with this, familiarize yourself with the symptoms that signal you going into labor soon. One symptom can be differentiated from another and you’ll feel no untimely and unnecessary alarms.

5 signs that delivery is approaching

When the eighth month of pregnancy approaches, the uterus begins to contract and harden. This is commonly referred to as “baby kicks,” which are actually mild contractions. This means that the uterus is preparing for the day of delivery.

The following are other symptoms that confirm that the baby’s arrival is approaching:

• The baby will begin to position itself, descending towards the pelvis. This will cause relief in the thoracic region and allow you to breathe better.
• You feel rhythmic contractions, which will progressively become more painful. This is known as the progressive dilation of the uterus. They’re produced by the pressure exerted by the muscles of the uterus, which push the baby towards the pelvis.
• The cervix will begin to relax to allow the baby to exit. The medical specialist will determine how dilated the uterus is through a manual examination.
• Ejection of the mucous plug. The mucous plug protects the baby by sealing the cervix and avoiding contact with external agents. When the moment of delivery approaches, you expel a mucous substance in the form of a flow.
• Your water breaks. This refers to the moment that the amniotic sac breaks. Normally, it’s the prelude to the arrival of strong contractions. This is the right time to go to the hospital.

The most important signals are the ejection of the mucous plug, your water breaking, and the reduction of the lapses between one contraction and another. Normally, the contractions are every five minutes in the last hour, with a duration of one minute.

When this trio of symptoms occurs, go to your obstetrician to verify the degree of cervical dilatation. The baby is coming.

Reasons to see a doctor sooner than expected

If any of these symptoms occur, it’s necessary to see the doctor immediately:

• Your water breaks
• Visible bleeding
• Discharge with greenish or yellowish coloration
• Fever
• Strong headache
• Abdominal pain

In short, it’s necessary to have knowledge on every aspect of this important event. With this, you’ll go into the delivery process with confidence and tranquility, and with no doubts in sight.

The most important thing is always to guarantee your health and well-being and that of your baby.