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Pregnancy is an amazing time when the whole body changes for the baby in the womb. The body prepares for childbirth throughout pregnancy. Almost until the last moment before birth, changes take place in the child to facilitate this process.
Hormonal changes before childbirth
Changes in the hormonal sphere continue throughout pregnancy. At the end of it, they adjust to the upcoming delivery. The most important factor in labor is proper contraction of the uterus and opening of the cervix. Even 6 weeks before birth, the cervix begins to change. It loosens, becomes soft and opens. The hormones that cause this process are progesterone, estrogens, oxytocin, and prostaglandins. The levels of the above-mentioned hormones rise sharply at the end of pregnancy. In addition, the sensitivity of organs to the concentration of hormones in the body changes, e.g. the cervix becomes sensitive to the concentration of prostaglandins.
- Check: Hormones under control, or the hormonal profile for women
Cardiovascular system and childbirth
Hormonal changes, namely an increased concentration of progesterone, promotes the flexibility of blood vessels, which during pregnancy have to transport an increased amount of blood around the woman’s body. Its additional amount guarantees an adequate blood supply to the placenta and the fetus and protects the mother against bleeding that may occur during childbirth.
Larger breasts before childbirth
Breasts enlarge their size from the beginning of pregnancy. Progesterone, which prepares them for lactation, favors this. They increase in size because tissue is formed that will be responsible for producing and storing food. At the end of your pregnancy, a yellowish liquid will begin to leak out of your breasts. This is called colostrum, the first food of a newborn, rich in many nutrients. Hormonal changes after childbirth start lactation.
Lowering of the fundus before delivery
Throughout the pregnancy, the fundus of the uterus moves upwards. A few weeks before delivery, it decreases. The baby in the womb is responsible for this process. Namely in prenatal period the baby stands upside down, in the upper part of the birth canal. This lowers the pregnancy belly. This will give you a lot of relief, it will make breathing easier, but it will also cause you to urinate more often due to the pressure on your bladder.
Contractions and preparing the body for childbirth
Before giving birth, the uterus trains to contract. Already after the 20th week of pregnancy, the so-called Braxton-Hicks contractions or predictive contractions. Usually painless uterine tensions lasting a few minutes are felt. The closer to childbirth, the more regular and stronger they become. They are used to strengthen the uterus, fix the position of the baby, contribute to the shortening of the cervix. Additionally, relaxin is released. This hormone softens the cervix, relaxes the muscles and ligaments and prepares them for labor.
Departure of the mucus plug before delivery
This plug is a thick mucus discharge that closes the cervix. Its purpose is to protect the child against infections that may be imminent for him. Usually, a few days before birth, he is expelled. If it is stained with blood, it may have already started childbirth. Additionally, vaginal mucus appears more abundant and thicker than before.
How is the cervix preparing for childbirth?
The cervix also changes before birth. It loosens up, shortens and opens considerably. It becomes more pliable and stretchy. The term mature neck corresponds to its features such as: shortening its length to about one centimeter, changing its consistency to a soft and elastic, the neck becoming obtuse, located in the axis of the birth canal, or pointing forward. These changes are a harbinger of impending labor. Sometimes they occur too early, which is then called cervical failure.
Do assessment of the cervical readiness for childbirth the Bishop scale is used. It determines whether the cervix is naturally ready for delivery. It assesses such features of the cervix as shortening, position, i.e. the relation to the vaginal axis, centimeters, consistency and position of the leading point in cm in relation to the interspine line. Points are awarded for each feature, the more the better the cervix is prepared for childbirth.
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