38 weeks no energy. Weakness during pregnancy - why and when? How to get rid of her
Hyperhidrosis - delivers a lot of inconvenience, not only because of bad smell, but often becomes a cause of anxiety and anxiety. There are many ways to reduce excessive sweating, but first you need to find out the exact reason why you are throwing up a sweat.
Causes of heavy sweating in pregnant women
Symptoms and intensity of sweating may vary depending on the timing of pregnancy. most common cause profuse sweating is a hormonal change in the body that occurs in all pregnant women. Sweating is especially common in early dates pregnancy, this is due to sudden surges in estrogen. Basically, palms and legs sweat a lot, as hormones begin to be actively produced, which can affect the function of sweating. Sometimes the smell of sweat changes dramatically.
Strong sweating at the very beginning of pregnancy can be observed due to changes in the psycho-emotional background. If a woman's psyche is very vulnerable, she constantly sweats. Sudden mood swings, strong excitement, frequent experiences - all this contributes to profuse sweating. Try to stay calm and avoid stress.
Signs of hyperhidrosis at all stages of pregnancy
In the first trimester excessive sweating due to the properties of the endocrine system. Feet begin to sweat especially strongly, although the rest of the body may remain almost dry. A woman can suddenly break into a sweat for various reasons.
During the second trimester, perspiration usually returns to normal. The body adapts to changes in hormonal levels, this reduces the likelihood of excessive sweating. But at this time there is an increase in blood flow, which can provoke profuse sweating. In addition, during the second trimester, the body requires more fluid, which can also affect the development of sweating.
In the third trimester, sweating may increase due to the increased load on the body, because a woman has to carry a rather large fetus. Even with small loads, the expectant mother sweats, her hands, neck, and legs begin to sweat. At this time, blood actively rushes to the skin, and this can also affect the increase in sweating. At the end of pregnancy, the armpits, pubic area and legs sweat more.
Heavy sweating during night sleep
Often night sweats in pregnant women are associated with external factors. Therefore, before going to bed, it is advisable to check the humidity level and air temperature in the bedroom. Excessive sweating in a dream can be associated with a banal overheating of the body, try to sleep in linen made from pure linen or cotton. Be sure to ventilate the bedroom and make sure that the air temperature does not exceed 20C. Go to bed and wake up at strictly defined hours, observing the daily routine helps to normalize sweating.
If profuse sweating is observed only at night, then this can be a signal of a developing disease, especially if there is a specific smell of sweat. In this case, you should definitely visit your gynecologist or therapist to determine the exact cause of hyperhidrosis.
How to reduce sweating
Personal hygiene should be observed by every woman. It is worth noting that during pregnancy you can not use chemical products (deodorants, antiperspirants) that prevent the smell of sweat. They can cause fluid retention in the body, allergies and skin rashes.
To remove the smell of sweat, wash regularly in the shower, and if there is profuse sweating, then wipe the body with a dry towel or napkin. If your feet are constantly sweating, then they need especially careful care. To reduce sweating and remove the smell of sweat, feet can be soaked in baths with antiseptic herbs.
Proper nutrition
There is a group of products that strongly affect the process of sweating. If you eat dishes that are full of spices, peppers and spicy seasonings, then don't be surprised that you sweat afterwards. Onions and garlic can also cause profuse sweating, and these foods also cause a strong smell of sweat. Strong coffee also contributes to increased sweating.
Physical exercise
Try to properly distribute your household chores. Daily worries, especially long term, can be the main reason why the expectant mother often sweats. Take care of yourself and seek help from loved ones more often. To prevent excessive sweating during pregnancy, get plenty of rest and walk in the fresh air.
Water procedures
Throughout pregnancy, women are advised to shower only. A hot bath is harmful to the fetus and causes excessive sweating. It is strictly forbidden for pregnant women to visit saunas and baths. Overheating is dangerous both for the health of the woman and for the unborn baby. You can not soar your feet in very hot water, this will cause heavy sweating throughout the body.
But do not be upset, as a rule, after childbirth, as soon as hormonal background returns to normal, excessive sweating goes away by itself and no medical treatment is required for this.
Sweating during pregnancy
Increased sweating during pregnancy is observed in many expectant mothers, since due to the hormonal restructuring of the whole organism, many changes occur that cause tangible discomfort. The intensity of hyperhidrosis in each pregnant woman manifests itself in different ways, some pregnant women sweat at night in a dream, and the problem can be eliminated only after determining the cause.
General information about the problem
Every woman experiences changes in her body during pregnancy. Against this background, there are various symptoms that can significantly affect the usual rhythm of life. The problem of hyperhidrosis is a vivid example of the restructuring of the hormonal and endocrine systems, when, as a result of pregnancy, a woman has increased sweating of the legs, armpits or palms.
The problem is that excessive sweating causes serious psychological discomfort, which negatively affects the development of the fetus and the health of the mother. It is noted that excessive sweating during pregnancy worries the female representatives even when, in fact, there are no prerequisites for this: the woman is calm, the ambient temperature is acceptable, the general condition is normal.
An important point for a woman during the period of gestation is to understand the cause of the process of increased sweating, and to combat this phenomenon without consequences for the health of the child.
Is it normal to sweat a lot during pregnancy?
The main cause of discomfort is hormonal changes, plus the whole body is thus protected from overheating, which can lead to disturbances in the water-salt balance. The endocrine system of a woman during pregnancy also undergoes a number of changes, since since then the work has been aimed at ensuring the vital activity of two organisms. Sweat and sebaceous glands at an early stage activate their work with double strength. Skin changes during pregnancy can manifest themselves in different ways: if before there was a problem of dry skin, very prone to peeling, then during pregnancy the skin can become oily. The problem of hyperhidrosis also lies in the fact that the mother's body is oversaturated with blood, and a similar symptom causes her hot flashes, which affect heavy sweating.
Causes of excessive sweating during pregnancy
- Hormonal changes. Together with changes in the body, water metabolism disorders occur, which are accompanied by chills and thirst.
- Kidney problems. The paired organ performs double work, so the liquid is not excreted in full, which leads to increased sweating.
- Nerve jumps. A woman is in a state of increased excitability, so any emotional outburst provokes an illness.
- Rapid weight gain.
Back to index
Symptoms faced by women in position
1st trimester
Throughout pregnancy, the nature of sweating varies depending on the period. In the first trimester, women notice increased sweating of the feet. This is due to the beginning of the restructuring of the endocrine system. In areas where sweating is more pronounced, peeling and irritation are periodically observed. skin. If an infection joins places of high humidity, then prickly heat and diaper rash in the groin in pregnant women can develop as a sign.
2nd trimester
At the beginning of the second semester, all hormonal changes in the body come to an end. Sweating in areas that were previously prone to hyperhidrosis gradually returns to normal, problems cease to bother the expectant mother, but night sweats may persist. At this stage, it is important to monitor personal hygiene, take a cold shower or slightly warm, adhere to drinking regime and do not be zealous with taking medications.
Hyperhidrosis in the third trimester
At 37 weeks, sweating intensifies. The strength of the blood flow reaches a maximum, therefore, strong hot flashes and, as a result, increased sweating, especially at night, are characteristic of the 38th week of pregnancy. Together with an older child in the third trimester, the overall pressure on the internal organs increases, it becomes harder for a woman to move around, she sweats profusely between her legs and armpits.
How to get rid of the problem in the early stages?
Sweating during pregnancy should be dealt with with extreme caution. Any medication can harm the unborn child, so it is recommended to follow the following tips:
- Before going to bed, it is important to ventilate the room.
The expectant mother should take care to sleep in natural linen, mostly cotton.
Back to index
Deodorants for sweat
The use of deodorants for pregnant women is not recommended. Deodorants and antiperspirants contain aggressive aluminum salts, alcohol and triclosan, which harm the unborn child. Similar funds They have an antibacterial and disinfectant effect, but at the same time they clog pores and limit sweating. In addition, the use of deodorants can cause skin irritation.
If the expectant mother cares about the health of the child, it is better to refrain from using deodorants and antiperspirants during pregnancy.
Medicines for sweating
The use of any pharmaceuticals during pregnancy is also not recommended, since any medication can provoke unforeseen complications for both the mother and the child. Doctors recommend resorting to alternative methods of combating sweating, which do not have a toxic effect on the body, and will help you get through the complexity of the problem.
Recipes from the people
Folk recipes - one of the best options that are available to a pregnant woman to combat hyperhidrosis. The following remedies are popularly used in treatment:
- Baths of walnut leaves, mint and chamomile. Take 2 tablespoons of the mixture and steam with a glass of water. Infuse for about 2 hours and wipe the armpits and hands.
- Chamomile decoctions and baking soda are effective for wiping excessively sweaty areas.
- The use of baths using oak bark is effective if the feet are sweating. The tool will help minimize the negative symptoms of hyperhidrosis. You need to brew the bark according to the instructions that are in the package with the phytopreparation.
Back to index
Can excessive sweating be prevented?
Proper nutrition during pregnancy
By adhering to the basic rules, you can avoid such problems as excessive sweating during pregnancy. It is not recommended to get involved in spicy, fatty, fried foods with abundant spices. Dishes high in onion and garlic have a negative effect on sweating, and are also the cause of pungent odor during pregnancy. Coffee and caffeinated drinks have an impact not only on the nervous system, but also on increased sweating.
Water preventive procedures
During pregnancy, it is important for women to refuse to take baths and limit themselves exclusively to showers. Visiting baths and saunas is a serious danger to the health of the baby, and can also exacerbate the problem of sweating. For a while, it is worth abandoning hot foot baths, which stimulate perspiration throughout the body.
Physical exercise
Expectant mothers should take care of themselves and not be zealous with loads. It is especially important in the last weeks of pregnancy not to overexert yourself in household chores, to seek help from relatives if necessary, and to relax more often in the fresh air. Excessive physical work at a later date is dangerous not only with complications, but also with increased sweating.
What are the harbingers of childbirth during pregnancy?
When the months of waiting for the baby are coming to an end, the expectant mother begins to listen even more to her feelings. After all, everyone heard that shortly before the birth, their harbingers should appear. But not all pregnant women know what it is. If a woman is not giving birth for the first time, then most likely she is familiar with such a condition, but the woman giving birth for the first time is lost in conjectures about such a phenomenon. Therefore, consider what are the harbingers of childbirth during pregnancy, and when they usually occur.
Why do harbingers of childbirth appear during pregnancy?
IN recent weeks Pregnancy in the body of a woman begins smooth changes in hormonal levels. The placenta gradually ages, and the amount of the hormone progesterone that it produces decreases. The level of estrogen, another female sex hormone, on the contrary, begins to rise. And if progesterone was necessary for the female body to maintain pregnancy, then estrogen is already preparing it for childbirth. At the moment when the level of estrogen reaches its maximum concentration in the blood, the brain perceives this as a signal for the onset of labor and the birth process begins. Thus, the changes that occur under the influence of estrogen in the body and prepare a woman for childbirth are called the harbingers of childbirth during pregnancy. Obstetricians also call this final stage of pregnancy the preparatory period of childbirth, which is aimed at the safe movement of the fetus through the birth canal.
Usually, the harbingers of childbirth begin at 38 weeks of gestation. Although in women who give birth for the first time, harbingers of childbirth may begin at 37 weeks of gestation.
Harbingers of childbirth during pregnancy
The earliest sign of approaching labor is the prolapse of the abdomen. As a rule, this harbinger of childbirth is observed at the 37th week of pregnancy. This phenomenon occurs as a result of softening and stretching of the lower segment of the uterus. In this case, the baby descends and presses its head closely against the bone rim of the small pelvis. Thus, the stomach becomes lower. The lowering of the abdomen is accompanied by pulling sensations in its lower part. Shooting pains in the legs and perineum often also appear, which is explained by the pressure of the child on the ligaments, muscles and nerves. In addition, as the pressure of the uterus on the lungs decreases, it becomes easier for a woman to breathe.
As a result of the prolapse of the abdomen, another harbinger of childbirth during pregnancy is observed - a decrease in the activity of the baby. Some mothers are afraid of this, which is completely in vain. A decrease in movement is quite normal, because the child is pressed against the bone ring of the pelvis, so he can no longer roll over, but only moves his arms and legs.
It is worth noting that lowering the abdomen does not happen with a breech presentation of a child. The size and softness of the baby's ass does not allow it to be inserted into the bone ring of the woman's pelvis.
A frequent harbinger of childbirth at the 40th week of pregnancy is the discharge of the mucous plug. Throughout pregnancy, thick cervical mucus, like a cork, was a barrier on the way to the uterus, protecting the baby from pathogenic microorganisms. As a rule, 3-5 days before delivery, it becomes more liquid and flows out. A woman finds a brown or beige watery mucous discharge on a pad or underwear, often streaked with blood. Their volume is small, about 1-2 tablespoons.
A protrusion of the navel can also be attributed to the harbingers of childbirth. It is associated with overstretching of the skin of the abdomen, high pressure in the abdominal cavity and softening of the connective tissues.
Many women note that closer to childbirth, they begin to visit the toilet more often. The reason for this is hormonal changes that help to relax the intestines and increase the rate of fluid excretion from the body. In addition, the descending uterus puts more pressure on bladder and rectum, which also leads to increased urination and defecation. Usually such harbingers of childbirth are observed at 38 weeks of gestation and continue until the onset of labor.
Change in psycho-emotional state and well-being future mother also indicates the imminent onset of the birth process. A woman can rush to extremes - unbridled euphoria can be replaced by sadness, and laughter can be replaced by tears. In addition, pregnant women often experience a feeling of chills, slight dizziness, hot flashes to the head, and excessive sweating. Such manifestations are caused by changes in the hormonal balance in the body.
Those pregnant women who are regularly weighed may notice a stabilization or even a decrease in weight before childbirth (by 1-2 kg). This usually happens 2-3 days before the start of delivery and is explained by frequent urination and decreased appetite.
The most significant harbingers of childbirth that a woman can feel are premonitory contractions - special non-rhythmic uterine contractions that appear, as a rule, in the evenings 5-7 days before childbirth. Such contractions are necessary to prepare the birth canal for the birth of a child, namely, to shorten and expand the cervix.
These harbingers of childbirth during pregnancy disappear after a light massage, soothing tea. In some cases, contractions are represented only by pulling sensations in the lower abdomen, lower back and sacrum. Sometimes women confuse them with labor pains. But, unlike forerunners, labor pains are characterized by regularity and a constant increase in intensity and frequency.
If there are no harbingers of childbirth at 40 weeks of gestation and later, the doctor may suspect a prolonged pregnancy. This is a rather dangerous pathology that requires hospitalization of a woman and constant monitoring of her condition.
Harbingers of childbirth during pregnancy indicate the imminent birth of a baby. They allow a woman not only to prepare everything necessary for childbirth, but also to realize - "I will soon become a mother!"
B 38 weeks - I sweat profusely!
List of messages of the topic “B 38 weeks - I sweat profusely!” Forum Pregnancy > Pregnancy
about the project
All rights to the materials posted on the site are protected by copyright and related rights and cannot be reproduced or used in any way without the written permission of the copyright holder and putting an active link to home page portal Eva.Ru (www.eva.ru) next to the materials used.
We are in social networks
Contacts
Our website uses cookies to improve the performance and efficiency of the website. Disabling cookies may cause problems with the site. By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies.
Excessive sweating during pregnancy: normal or pathological?
Excessive sweating bothers pregnant women quite often. Especially in the first trimester at night. Then the sweating subsides slightly. But by childbirth, when the load on the body increases, it can return again. After delivery, this phenomenon most often disappears. But in rare cases, it continues almost until the end of breastfeeding. Sweating during pregnancy - normal or pathological? And what can be done so that it delivers as little inconvenience to expectant mothers as possible.
What is hyperhidrosis?
Excessive sweating in medical terminology is called hyperhidrosis. This definition combines two words - “hydro” (water) and “hyper” (“super-” in the sense of excessive, exceeding the norm). Together and it turns out - hyperhidrosis.
Many expectant mothers face the problem of excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis at night. Not superfluous information for a pregnant woman will be an understanding of how this phenomenon occurs and whether it is possible to get rid of it.
Excessive sweating during pregnancy: is it normal?
The main reason for the increase in sweating in women during this period is hormonal changes, and this is also how the body's protective reaction to overheating manifests itself, in addition, sweating can provoke a violation of the water-salt balance.
The endocrine system of a woman in the first trimester undergoes significant changes. These changes cause the active work of sweat and sebaceous glands.
The skin also reacts to these manifestations. She changes her state. Dry becomes oily, and oily, on the contrary, dries up and begins to peel off. All these problems disappear by the second trimester. Sweating normalizes, and the skin stops responding to hormonal surges.
However, excessive sweating does not disappear completely. After all, the expectant mother's blood volume increases by about 40 percent. This increase affects the flushing of the skin and causes perspiration. The pregnant woman experiences increased thirst, therefore, the consumption of water and its excretion increase.
Of course, sweating during pregnancy gives a woman discomfort. But in her condition, it's normal. Treatment is not required. It is enough to observe daily hygiene.
The most common symptom of hyperhidrosis during pregnancy is sweaty feet.
Symptoms depending on the week of pregnancy and the time of day
First trimester, early dates
If a future mother has excessive sweating in the first trimester, we can say with confidence that pregnancy and the restructuring of the endocrine system are to blame.
One of the signs of hyperhidrosis is sweating of the legs, and it occurs even when a woman remains motionless, sits or lies. Interestingly, other areas of the body are not affected by this phenomenon, and the skin on them remains dry, it may even begin to peel off. In the early stages of pregnancy, hyperhidrosis manifests itself unexpectedly and unevenly.
Second trimester
In the second trimester, hormonal changes are almost complete and do not have such a dramatic effect on the body as in the first. Sweating begins to normalize. Sweat in areas of the body that are especially prone to hyperhidrosis (legs and armpits) is not released as much.
Drinking water and other thirst-quenching drinks, the expectant mother begins in an increased volume. Consequently, perspiration also increases. Although in the middle of the term and not as worried as at the very beginning of pregnancy.
This phenomenon cannot be avoided. Yes, and you don't have to. Chemicals and medicines are especially harmful. Compliance with personal hygiene and daily routine will reduce discomfort.
Late term sweating, third trimester
In the third trimester, sweating increases with new force. This is because the blood flow increases to its maximum values. The rush of blood becomes more frequent, therefore, the pregnant woman begins to sweat more often. The load on the body also increases. In recent weeks, the fetus has grown, and its severity affects the well-being of the expectant mother. Even at the slightest movement, a pregnant woman begins to sweat, her hands and feet sweat especially actively.
Causes
The male body, unlike the female body, is less susceptible to hormonal changes and stress. Especially often the representatives of the weaker sex feel their influence during pregnancy and menopause.
Before the onset of menopause, a woman undergoes the same changes as during pregnancy. The hormonal background is rebuilt, blood rushes become more frequent.
The hormone responsible for the state of water-salt metabolism is called estrogen. Problems with sweating arise precisely because of a decrease in the level of this hormone in the blood during certain periods of a woman's life.
Changing the internal processes of the body is not the only reason for the appearance of sweating. thyroid problems, colds, infections cause an increase in temperature and, accordingly, increased sweating.
Overweight women are more likely to develop hyperhidrosis than normal-weight, lean women.
Heavy sweating at night
The reason is the same - hormones. At night, a pregnant woman's body begins to produce more heat, which is released through perspiration.
How can pregnant women deal with sweating?
Increased sweating during pregnancy caused by hormonal fluctuations cannot be eliminated, but the condition can be alleviated using methods that are allowed for expectant mothers. The main thing is not to self-medicate and get the approval of the doctor observing the pregnancy.
Try the following ways:
- Sleep in natural, breathable underwear, preferably cotton, but any natural material will do.
- Don't wear casual clothes synthetics, and don't over-wrap.
- Ventilate the room before going to bed.
- The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining temperature. To improve its performance, normalize the daily routine. Go to bed and get up regularly at the same time.
- Avoid spicy foods, spices and coffee in your diet. Pregnant women need to exclude such products completely from the diet.
- Avoid strenuous exercise.
- Spend more time outdoors.
- Take a shower, not a bath. So the pores of the skin will be better cleansed and will be able to fully breathe.
Effective at increased sweating there will be rubdowns with drying decoctions of herbs.
decoction recipe
For example, try this recipe. It is harmless for both the expectant mother and her baby. You can wipe the body with a decoction or make a drying foot bath with its addition.
- Willow and oak bark (15 grams) crush and place in a glass container (1 liter).
- There also add dry pounded horsetail (1 spoon).
- Pour the mixture with boiling water and put in a water bath (hot water container) and close the lid. The jar in the pan must be put on a rag.
- So keep the broth for twenty minutes on low heat. Then cool and infuse for at least one hour and no more than three hours.
- A foot bath is made using a hot decoction, slightly diluted with water at room temperature.
Deodorants, antiperspirants, medicines
On the shelves of stores you can find a huge selection of products to get rid of sweat and odor. They are in demand and widely advertised.
However, it is harmful for the expectant mother to use deodorants. The most dangerous substances that make up their composition are triclosan and alcohol. They have disinfectant and bactericidal properties. But pregnant women may experience allergies and skin rashes after their use.
Antiperspirants shrink pores, preventing the release of sweat. But in this case, sweat may be released elsewhere, or the fluid will begin to linger in the body. For a mother who is worried about the health of her unborn baby, the use of such funds is unacceptable.
You can use folk recipes that helped women with increased sweating even before the invention of their chemical counterparts. Over the years, they have proven their effectiveness.
Recipes
- For drying baths, you can use mint, leaves walnut, chamomile. Brew 2 tbsp. l. in a glass of water, leave for 1 hour and dilute with warm water.
- Add 1 tsp to chamomile infusion. soda and wipe problem areas of the skin.
- Pour boiling water over the oak bark in the proportions indicated on the package, and boil for 20 minutes over low heat. With this decoction, you can not only take foot baths, but also general ones.
Important! Before using any folk recipe, consult a doctor and do an allergy test (apply a little infusion or decoction to the bend of the elbow and wait 12 hours, if the skin at the site of application does not turn red, you can use the product).
There are also deodorants produced in industrial production, but which are natural and natural. For example, Tawas Crystal, offered in solid form or as a spray. Or stick Deonat. It does not contain aromatic and chemical additives, as well as alcohol.
Photo gallery "Remedies for hyperhidrosis"
Increased sweating during pregnancy is completely natural. The expectant mother must observe personal hygiene and use folk remedies to relieve the symptoms of this condition. No doctor will advise a pregnant woman to use modern chemicals or medications. It is best to show patience and understanding, then the entire period of bearing the baby will pass calmly and comfortably.
Harbingers of childbirth.
Under the harbingers of childbirth, they mean such special changes in the body of a pregnant woman before childbirth that she feels herself or they are observed externally. This is the preparation of the body for the upcoming birth and the completion of a difficult journey at nine months of pregnancy. They are necessary so that the body goes into labor as minimally traumatic as possible for the mother and baby, preparing the mother mentally and physically for the difficult test in her life. The body makes sure that the birth begins on its due date, the time allotted to it passes, without being too long. But not in a hurry. This will allow the birth canal to be fully configured to fit the head and stretch enough to avoid tearing. And the cervix opens smoothly and completely.
The body of a woman prepares female sex hormones for the upcoming birth, and this is quite logical. Before childbirth, the hormonal background of a woman is rebuilt - the amount of estrogen increases sharply, but the amount of progesterone decreases to a minimum. With a decrease in the level of progesterone, the tone of the uterus changes, contractile activity begins to increase, training contractions appear. The composition of the mucus in the cervix, which previously protected it from infections, begins to change.
By the end of pregnancy, progesterone is no longer needed and its concentration gradually decreases - due to this, childbirth begins to occur later. At the same time, estrogens gradually increase - they make the skin and muscles more elastic, pliable. However, they also loosen ligaments and joints - hence such a gait in pregnant women. Estrogens also affect the uterus, the smoothness of its opening and elasticity will depend on their quantity, and in the second stage of labor. When the cervix has opened, it will also depend on them how much the vagina and vulvar ring will be extensible, it is they who affect the duration of the attempts.
Harbingers do not mean that labor will begin right now - they can appear in different time, these are just subtle hints of being ready - soon everything will happen! There is no need to be afraid of this - the harbingers of childbirth are a physiological phenomenon, they do not require any medical intervention, immediate hospitalization or ambulance. But it’s already worth checking the bags to the maternity hospital. These are planned activities to prepare for childbirth and meeting with the baby, but if you do not feel the harbingers. This does not mean that everything is bad with you or that something is going wrong. Everyone's body is different and not always the precursors are pronounced. The appearance of the first precursors suggests that childbirth can begin in a period of 2 weeks to hours.
There are some phenomena that are not harbingers of childbirth, they are abnormal and when they appear, you should immediately consult a doctor or maternity hospital for help. These include:
Severe abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea and vomiting,
An increase in blood pressure of 130\80 and above.
Temperature rise above 38 degrees
Headaches, palpitations, visual disturbances, vomiting.
Severe swelling or their sudden appearance
Leakage amniotic fluid.
One of the first signs of an imminent birth is weight loss, which is very pleasing to pregnant women who have previously gained several hundred grams consistently every month. This usually happens as a result of increased urination and removal of excess fluid from the body. The more pronounced the woman gained weight and the more pronounced the edema was, the more weight she begins to lose before childbirth. Fluid retention and increased tissue hydrophilicity, or in common terms, edema, is noted by all pregnant women, only in severity they are different.
Usually before childbirth there is a "lowering of the abdomen", as noted by many pregnant women.
However, the prolapse of the abdomen carries with it another nuisance - the pressure on the bladder increases, because of this, pregnant women become frequent guests of the toilet, and sometimes false urges to the toilet can also increase in a big way. Therefore, pregnant women have to visit the toilet more often than usual.
During pregnancy, the cervix is closed from the inside with a dense lump of mucus, which protects against the penetration of infection to the fetus. It is secreted by the cervical canal and the neck itself, it contains many macrophages and leukocytes that kill microbes. The mucus is thick and looks like a cork that has sealed the entrance to the uterus. at the end of pregnancy, a few days before delivery, the cervix softens and the plug gradually moves away. This may be the simultaneous release of a lump of mucus or a gradual separation, in the form of increased discharge from the genital tract. The mucus is yellowish-white, without admixture of blood, if the doctor looked at the woman on the chair, then a very small admixture of blood can beat. The passage of the cork is painless. Before childbirth, there may be slight sipping in the lower abdomen, discomfort. If the cork has come off, it is not recommended to swim, it is better to take a shower, you should not go to the pool, have sex, there is a risk of infection, because the membranes are now not fenced off from the vagina. The plug comes off a few days or hours before delivery.
In the last weeks before childbirth, a woman opens a “second wind” and she begins to “twist a nest” intensively. She is intensively preparing the whole house for her imminent return to it already with a crumb - there is an urgent desire to move furniture and repaint the walls, wash the floor, windows and all the utensils, buy up half of the children's store, etc. It is necessary to monitor the diligence of the expectant mother so that she does not overwork and is not injured. In addition, due to hormones, she becomes emotionally labile - she laughs in euphoria, then cries and seeks peace. Take care of this condition, it's normal.
From the 38th week, the pregnancy is considered full-term. In the body of a woman, a whole complex of “events” takes place in preparation for childbirth. The cervix matures and shortens so that at the decisive moment it opens quickly and without pain. The expectant mother should be ready for the onset of an important event, because the expected date of birth is getting closer every day.
What happens at this time
38 obstetric week can often be the last week of bearing a baby. During this period, the expectant mother, if indicated, is sent to the maternity hospital for planned hospitalization. Reasons for it can be:
- mother's age (over 35 years);
- ultrasound diagnosed oligohydramnios/polyhydramnios;
- placenta previa;
- preeclampsia or its signs (edema, protein in the urine, etc.);
- the threat of premature birth;
- cardiac, renal pathology;
- infectious diseases dangerous to the fetus;
- other condition of a pregnant woman requiring constant medical supervision.
Childbirth at 38 weeks - should I be worried?
Delivery from a medical point of view at thirty-eight weeks is called urgent, or delivery at term. Often this week, labor begins in women with a second and subsequent pregnancies. In primiparous expectant mothers, the baby can sit in the stomach for another 2-3 weeks. However, a child born during this period is not considered premature, the intrauterine development of the fetus has come to an end and the baby is ready for birth.
On a note! Sometimes expectant mothers have a question, 38 weeks - how many months is it? Speaking of the 38th week of pregnancy, according to obstetric calculations, it has been established that 36 weeks have passed since the conception of the baby. That is, this period is exactly equal to 9 months of bearing a child.
Fetal development at 38 weeks gestation
At the thirty-eighth week, the baby is already fully formed. He already has the look that mom will see after childbirth. The skin of the baby is smooth, has a healthy pale pink tint. The head of most babies at this time has a hairline.
The weight and height of the fetus practically does not differ from the indicators of a newborn child, and on average it is 2.9 kg and 49-50 cm.
Child development
The placenta, which provides the baby with nourishment, becomes thinner and ages. The amount of nutrients received by the body of the fetus is sharply reduced, which leads to the suspension of weight gain. The mass of the child now increases slightly, the main part of the nutrients received from the mother is spent on the vital activity of the crumbs. The heart of a small person normally beats at a frequency of 120 - 160 beats per minute.
The organs of the child are well developed. The surface of the lung alveoli is already covered with surfactant. This will help the baby to take the first breath in the first second after birth. The pancreas and liver continue to mature. In the intestines, the original feces have already accumulated - meconium, which was formed as a result of the ingestion of amniotic fluid by the child.
In the uterus, the baby in the ninth month of pregnancy becomes crowded, so pushing and moving occur less frequently than a couple of weeks ago. Coordination at the same time improves significantly, and the movements of his limbs are no longer erratic. The first reflexes are already well developed in the child - sucking and grasping. The baby already has a strong grip, which the mother will be able to verify immediately after the birth, the baby will easily squeeze her finger in the fist.
What happens to the baby at 38 weeks
- The body of the child begins to produce the hormone cortisol in an enhanced mode, which helps the baby prepare for intrauterine life. Cortisol promotes the maturation of the lungs and the production of surfactant, a substance that allows the lungs to open with the first breath of air.
- Thanks to the action of the hormone cortisol, the liver also begins to function in a new way, the inner lining of the intestines and stomach changes. After giving birth, the baby will receive nutrients only through these organs.
- In addition, endorphins ("happiness hormones") begin to be produced in the adrenal glands, they will help the child more easily survive parting with the mother's womb.
The position of the baby in the uterus
There are two options for the position of the baby in the uterus - head and pelvic. In the normal position, the baby's head should be in the mother's lower part of the pelvis. Breech presentation is considered a pathology. It means that the baby has taken the wrong position in the uterus and is located with its legs down. It is necessary to control the position of the child in the uterus with a breech presentation using ultrasound every 5-7 days to select a safe delivery.
Note! According to the medical opinion, if by the end of the third trimester the child has not taken the position necessary for childbirth, then he is unlikely to be able to turn his head down because of his large size. If the fetus has a small weight, then there is a chance that it will roll over on its own by the time of delivery.
Changes in the body of the expectant mother at 38 weeks
Weight gain is minimal, sometimes a woman does not even gain weight at all during a given period, but, on the contrary, loses it. In total, the expectant mother from 1 week of pregnancy by this moment is gaining about 12-15 kg. A pregnant woman can lose about a kilogram in weight due to the fact that the stomach has dropped and the mucous plug comes out. A slight prenatal weight loss should not cause concern - this is quite normal for late pregnancy.
What does the belly look like at 38 weeks pregnant?
The tummy of the expectant mother outwardly looks large and gives the pregnant woman considerable discomfort. The circumference of the abdomen can reach an average of 92-96 cm. The abdomen begins to gradually lower, and the height of the bottom of the uterus is 35 cm. When the woman’s tummy drops, it will immediately become easier for her to breathe, because the uterus will no longer rest against the ribs.
A woman may feel that her baby is moving less than usual. The development of the baby's nervous system by the 38th week allows him to make more directed and less abrupt movements, difficult to perceive from the outside. However, movements still need to be controlled. If there are less than ten of them in the past 12 hours, or the baby has calmed down for more than 3-4 hours, you should seek the advice of a doctor.
What happens in a woman's body by this time
- the lower uterine segment stretches, becomes more pliable, the baby in head presentation presses its head against the entrance to the small pelvis;
- the mother's adrenal glands begin to produce stress hormones - adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine, they make the pregnant woman's body work in emergency mode, preparing it for the upcoming birth;
- blood clotting increases to prevent excessive blood loss if labor begins at 38 weeks;
- two weeks before the preliminary date of delivery, the woman’s brain activity increases and a special focus of excitation forms (“birth dominant”). It takes control of the work of all body systems, stimulates the birth process and controls it.
What can disturb the expectant mother by the end of the third trimester
Psychological discomfort
Two to three weeks before giving birth, many women begin to feel uncomfortable. The excitement and fear of the pain of the birth process make themselves felt, the heaviness of the abdomen does not allow one to feel a cheerful and active person. Do not worry - you are at the finish line of pregnancy, and soon your life will take a completely different, more troublesome, but happy turn.
Colostrum
From the mammary glands during the day and especially at night, colostrum can leak in large quantities. It's time to use special underwear pads that absorb fluid from the chest. Give preference to disposable liners - it is more hygienic and convenient.
Big belly
Due to the weight of the child, the belly of a pregnant woman seems simply huge and causes a lot of inconvenience in terms of choosing clothes, especially in winter. It seems as if he has become an obstacle to all significant life situations: sleep, walking and rest, a woman experiences heaviness, fatigue and weakness. Sometimes the stomach itches due to highly stretched skin, which signals the imminent appearance of stretch marks (stretch marks).
Braxton Hicks contractions
Normally, a woman feels these painless irregular contractions of the uterus as a “stiff stomach”. Sometimes training contractions are accompanied by pain or cause fatigue and insomnia, especially if a woman has a second pregnancy. In this case, you need to see a doctor for an examination.
Allocations
In the later period, a woman may have a clear or whitish discharge that is odorless and does not exceed a teaspoon in volume. More abundant discharge may indicate leakage of amniotic fluid (the third pregnancy in a row and subsequent ones are especially often faced with this symptom). Rupture of the membranes is diagnosed in medical institutions. But an invasive test for amniotic fluid leakage can also be done at home using a special strip with a reagent applied.
High pressure
At the ninth month of pregnancy, the load on the cardiac system increases, the heart beats faster, the release of blood increases, along with which blood pressure often rises. Arterial hypertension – dangerous complication for a woman in position. High blood pressure, tinnitus and headache should be the reason for the immediate call for an ambulance at this stage of pregnancy.
Menu and intimate life of the expectant mother at 38 weeks
Nutrition
The expectant mother should switch to light, low-fat foods in advance. The body of a woman begins to prepare for childbirth, getting rid of the products of digestion of food in the intestines, as well as ballast in the form of excess fluid and calories. You need to eat according to your appetite, do not over-indulge yourself with snacks, so you can avoid indigestion, problems with stool and indigestion.
What should be on the menu of a pregnant woman at 9 months, you can see in the table below.
| meal | Food and drink options |
| First breakfast |
|
| Lunch |
|
| Dinner |
|
| afternoon tea |
|
| Dinner |
|
| Before bedtime |
|
intimate relationship
If the pregnancy goes without complications, there are no obstacles to the continuation of intimate relations with the spouse. Of course, with sexuality in the third trimester, everything becomes a little more difficult - the volume of the female body is not in the best way affect dexterity and coordination, and the general fatigue of the expectant mother affects temperament.
Contraindications to having sex at the 38th week of pregnancy may be if:
- a woman bears several babies (after 28 weeks, doctors recommend giving up intimacy);
- with placenta previa (high risk of placental abruption and bleeding);
- with a threat of miscarriage or if a previous pregnancy ended unsuccessfully;
- with atypical copious discharge;
- with isthmic-cervical insufficiency of the cervix.
Mom shares her experience. We collect the bag to the hospital (video):
Pain and sensations: what does the expectant mother feel
The closer the expected date of birth of the child, the more anxiety and questions the expectant mother has. Especially if this is the first pregnancy. What can be considered a normal condition, and what requires urgent medical attention? Let's try to figure it out.
| Blood discharge | The mucous membrane of the vagina under the influence of the hormone estrogen becomes cyanotic, swollen and filled with blood. Because of this, even a standard gynecological examination at week 38 can end in blood "smears" on underwear. No need to be scared: if the discharge is very small and they occurred immediately after a visit to the gynecologist, then this symptom does not require treatment; but the attention of the doctor to this incident is still worth paying. |
| Discomfort | 1.5-2 weeks before childbirth, a woman's sensations undergo a number of changes - she is faced with heaviness, discomfort and pressure in the sacrum, pulls and stiffens her stomach. This is caused by an increase in the elasticity of the ligaments and a change in the position of the pelvic organs. Painkillers during this period will not have the desired effect, so you should not take them to suppress symptoms, especially since the side effects at this time can be very unpleasant. |
| Nausea and diarrhea | The cervix ripens under the influence of prostaglandins, and this affects the state of the organs that are "next door". The perilstatics of the intestine is significantly increased - the stool is loosened, sometimes accompanied by cramping pains. The opening of the cervix in some women is often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. But only a specialist can determine whether these symptoms are caused by prenatal changes or infection. |
| Weight loss | More than half of pregnant women lose 1-2 kg by the end of 38 weeks. This is due to the fact that the production of the hormone progesterone decreases. Edema disappears, it becomes easier to put on shoes and remove rings. The mother’s weight loss does not threaten the child; in any case, he continues to receive all the necessary substances in the amount his body needs. |
Examinations of the expectant mother at 38 weeks
It is necessary to visit a gynecologist once a week. The local doctor will conduct a vaginal examination to determine the possible dilatation of the cervix. Also at the reception, the specialist will conduct several standard studies:
- determine the size and position of the fetus by examining the abdomen and measuring the height of the fundus of the uterus;
- measure the weight and pressure of the expectant mother;
- listen to the fetal heartbeat with an obstetric fetoscope;
- give direction to general analysis blood and urinalysis.
CTG at 38 weeks
Cardiotocography at week 38 is performed to study the heart rate of the child and the state of uterine tone in a woman. The parameters are evaluated using two sensors that the doctor attaches to the pregnant woman's stomach. The expectant mother holds the third sensor in her hand, pressing the button every time she feels the baby move. The essence of the method is to analyze the change in the baby's heartbeat in response to his body movements in the uterus. After that, you can find out if there is enough oxygen for the child and track down other possible deviations from the norm.
Ultrasound at 38 weeks
Ultrasound procedure appointed during this period as needed. The purpose of an ultrasound near the end of pregnancy is usually to determine the degree of maturity of the placenta, determine the amount of amniotic fluid and correlate the size of the child with the current obstetric period. If it is noticed that the placenta is overripe or the amount of amniotic fluid has decreased, then perhaps the time has come for the baby to be born.
Signs of approaching labor
Harbingers of childbirth may appear singly, in a complex, or absent altogether. But even if you notice their onset, this does not mean at all that the process of giving birth to a baby is about to begin. Harbingers of childbirth in primiparas differ from those in women who have already given birth, with more vivid manifestations. Preparing the female body for childbirth is a delicate and purely individual matter, often it takes place gradually, and sometimes almost instantly.
Training bouts
An increase in the contractile activity of the uterus and an increase in its sensitivity lead to the appearance of training contractions (or Braxton-Hicks contractions). They are painless, occur at irregular intervals, and do not dilate the cervix. At week 38, such contractions intensify and become more frequent, these harbingers of childbirth are especially clearly felt in multiparous women. But their difference from true contractions is that training ones can be “calmed down” under a shower or in a warm bath, as well as by the action of antispasmodics prescribed by an obstetrician.
Removal of the mucous plug
Cervix by 38 obstetric weeks is shortened, which leads to the release of the mucous plug. Cork doctors call a dense clot of mucus, which during pregnancy was a kind of "barrier" between the membranes of the fetal egg and the vaginal female flora. Outwardly, the clot looks like a jelly-like discharge of a transparent color with pinkish streaks. The cork can come out in parts within 1-5 days, or come out all at once. If the cork has come off the expectant mother, she may complain that her stomach hurts, pulling her lower abdomen, as during menstruation.
Lowering of the abdomen
This sign is considered one of the most important external manifestations of the coming birth. Baby's head on later dates presses against the entrance to the small pelvis, while the bottom of the uterus drops a few centimeters. The abdomen at the 38th week of pregnancy becomes lower, which is quite noticeable to the eye. The feeling of lack of air disappears, the pressure on the diaphragm has decreased, and the woman can finally breathe in deeply. But at the same time, pressure on the bladder increases, and therefore the expectant mother has to go to the toilet more often.
Stirring reduction
It is widely believed that closer to childbirth, the child “calms down”, its physical activity, and fetal movements become rare. It should be noted that this is not actually the case. Yes, a pregnant woman may have a feeling that the baby has practically ceased to be active. This is due to the fact that the number of strong pushes and turns is reduced, but there are more complex, directed movements with legs and arms. It’s just that mom doesn’t feel them so clearly.
Important! From the appearance of precursors to the birth itself, it can take a few hours or a couple of weeks. In addition, the birth process at week 38 can begin just like that, without any "warnings".
5 signs that it's time to go to the hospital
Many women at this time prefer to go to the hospital to wait for childbirth under the supervision of doctors and for their own peace of mind. The risk of starting labor activity outside the home in this case is completely absent. If the expectant mother decided to wait for the birth in a calm home environment, then the question of how to understand that it is time to go to the hospital is important.
So, a pregnant woman needs to call ambulance and go to the maternity ward if:
- contractions became painful and regular, the interval between them was reduced to 7-10 minutes;
- the uterus does not relax between contractions, the pain in the lower abdomen increases;
- there was a premature discharge of amniotic fluid;
- bloody discharge appeared on the linen;
- the baby's movements became unusually strong, bringing discomfort.
On a note! Starting from the third trimester, the expectant mother must always carry three documents with her: a passport, a medical policy and an exchange card. It is they who will be the first to be needed in the emergency department of the maternity hospital, where a woman can get at any time with a sudden onset of labor activity.
Your baby will be born very soon. In order for the birth to be as easy and safe as possible, for the remaining time of pregnancy it is worth learning a few very important things:
- listen to your body. Try to feel its changes, and look for the most comfortable positions for relaxation;
- learn distraction breathing techniques to help you regain strength in the short interval between contractions. In addition, calm correct breathing in childbirth - the best anesthesia;
- learn the simplest basics of self-massage of the sacrum and lower back;
- shoe yourself in theory. For example, every pregnant woman should know that it makes sense to go to the maternity hospital with contractions that occur at least once every 5-7 minutes and last more than 30 seconds;
- Learn the basics of breastfeeding.
Enjoy last days pregnancy and more rest. Don't forget to spend time outdoors, preferably at least an hour before bed. Fill your days with the joy of the upcoming meeting with the baby, positive emotions, pleasant chores. Let next to you on this milestone There will be close people who are ready to provide support and help at the right moment.
By the 38th week of pregnancy, the internal organs and systems of the child are fully formed, they function, and if childbirth occurs, they will not be considered premature. 260-266 days have passed since conception, the baby can be born at any moment. A woman must prepare the necessary documents, collect a bag for the hospital, as she will become a mother one of the following days. If scheduled C-section, it is carried out in these terms.
Only 5% of women in childbirth carry their second and subsequent children to the due date (40 weeks). Babies who appeared 2 weeks earlier are considered full-term, and childbirth is not characterized by premature.
Belly and well-being of a woman at 38 weeks
Pregnancy is a special, incomparable state, bringing new sensations, dreams, hopes, excitement, fears and anxiety every month. Every expectant mother wants to foresee everything, ideally prepare for the long-awaited meeting. By this time, the stomach has reached the largest possible size and brings serious inconvenience in movement, you can forget about a comfortable sleep, even the best orthopedic mattress in the world will not help you sleep well. The baby presses its head against the pelvic floor in preparation for birth, which explains the lowering of the tummy at 38 weeks of gestation.
Heartburn disappears, breathing becomes easier, pressure on the bladder and intestines increases, which is associated with frequent urge to urinate. The mother's body is preparing for the upcoming birth and, if they are not the first, then with a probability of 90% the baby will be born at this time, especially girls do not like to sit in the womb until 40 weeks. Sometimes abdominal prolapse at 38 weeks of gestation is immediately noticed, you can check it yourself. In the morning, lying on the bed, it is necessary to put an open palm between the stomach and chest, if the hand is pressed tightly to the body, the stomach has dropped.
Physiological state
For the entire period of pregnancy, something happens to a woman all the time, sometimes not very pleasant, but quite understandable:
- discharge of a different nature from the genital tract;
- insomnia or vice versa all the time you want to sleep;
- fatigue, lethargy;
- puffiness;
- heartburn;
- the stomach seems to be stone;
- skin is excessively dry;
- suffering bouts of hunger;
- tingling in the chest;
- frequent urge to go to the toilet;
- feeling that the bones become soft;
- pain in the sacrum and back.
Some signs occur throughout pregnancy, but often the entire list accompanies the last weeks. The joints and ligaments are stretched, preparing for the birth canal, the compressed femoral nerve causes pain, cramps of the calf muscles appear due to a lack of calcium in the woman's body.
In general, the condition at this time is characterized by fatigue from bearing the fetus and the expectation of its birth. The woman has become clumsy, her independence is limited, she is looking forward to the start of contractions. With each attack, when she pulls her stomach, she hopes that this is the beginning of childbirth.
Allocations at 38 weeks
Secretion secretion throughout the entire period of bearing a child is a natural phenomenon. Normally, the liquid should be of a homogeneous consistency, milky in color, odorless, mucus may appear in small quantities. The presence of blood in the mucus indicates the separation of the cork, which is the first sign of imminent labor. The infection is accompanied by curdled discharge with or without pus, which has an unpleasant odor. This condition requires consultation with a gynecologist and treatment.
Abundant bloody discharge indicates placental abruption, this poses a threat to the life and health of the baby. Requires an emergency health care. A watery, turbid liquid, slightly colored yellow, is amniotic fluid. It is not necessary that they leave all at once, it happens that the separation occurs in small quantities, in portions. This is possible in violation of the integrity or aging of the membranes, which is a favorable condition for the penetration of infection to the fetus.
Painful sensations
The weight of the child is large enough, which causes a shift in the center of gravity, disturbs the sacrum and lower back, and the birth canal is laid. Calves begin to hurt, convulsions appear if there is not enough calcium in the mother's body. Also, pain at the 38th week of pregnancy is provoked by false contractions, it is easy to distinguish them from real ones. If, when changing position, the discomfort does not stop, but appears with some frequency, it is necessary to go to the maternity hospital.
A slight swelling of the limbs and face in the later stages is acceptable, this is normal. When other symptoms are present, it means that gestosis develops:
- dizziness;
- weakness;
- gagging;
- diarrhea.
With gestosis, blood circulation, the work of the kidneys, blood vessels and brain of the future woman in labor worsens. Therefore, it is required to monitor the degree of edema and pay attention to whether other alarming signs are added to them. If you have a headache at 38 weeks of pregnancy, it is important to stop being nervous, you must avoid depression. The best doctor in all unpleasant situations is proper rest and sleep.
child activity
It is very interesting to know what happens at 38 weeks of pregnancy with a baby. Every day, as the fetus grows, there is less and less space for active movement in the abdomen. Therefore, movements are not felt so often, but they are very distinct and sometimes cause severe discomfort. One of the first recommendations of the supervising doctor at this time will be to track the movements of the child. Normally, coups and pushes per day should be performed at least 10 times, which indicates the normal development of the crumbs. If there is no activity, urgent medical attention is needed, most likely, something threatens the baby's life.
How the fetus develops
By the 37-38th week of pregnancy, the child already looks like a full-fledged little man: facial features are honed, the skin is smoothed out, the original fluff has practically disappeared, hair has grown on the head. It is too early to talk about eye color, it will change after birth. It is possible that natural delivery will occur at this time, but while the child is developing and growing. In boys, the testicles should descend into the scrotum; after birth, the doctor must check this moment in the baby.
Approximately the weight of the fetus is more than 3 kg, the height is over 50 cm. The fetus has already matured all the organs, it is completely ready for life outside the womb, it is able to fully breathe. Of course, the maturation of systems and organs will continue after birth, this applies to the nervous system, bone tissue, which will grow stronger.
External and internal development of the child:
- all organs and systems are formed;
- the pancreas and liver continue to develop;
- movements are rare, but coordinated;
- strong grip;
- nails protrude beyond the fingertips.
Instead of amniotic fluid, the lungs will be filled with air after birth, the immune system will actively begin its work to protect the body.
Harbingers of childbirth
Signs indicating that labor is about to begin may occur days or weeks in advance. It is not at all necessary that this will happen exactly at the 38th week of pregnancy. The very first harbingers of childbirth are lowering of the abdomen and weight loss, in any case, the woman will not confuse what has begun tribal activity in preparation for it.
Primiparous
The most striking sign of the preparation of the body is the relief of breathing due to the prolapse of the abdomen. If the cork has come off, the secret of white, milky or Pink colour. The baby puts more and more pressure on the pelvic area, due to which there are pulling pains in the lower back. If there were no problems with the stool before, they appear before childbirth, along with frequent urination. Weight is reduced by 2-3 kg due to the removal of excess fluid from the body, plus reduced appetite.
Training fights, as a rule, pass when changing body position or during rest, by the evening painful contractions intensify. Just before delivery, there may be a lull in the movements of the fetus.
38th week of pregnancy: harbingers in multiparous
The peculiarity of the harbingers of childbirth during repeated pregnancies is that the stomach may not fall at 38-39 weeks. This can happen at the very beginning of the birth act. The mucous plug leaves completely, not in portions. The rest of the signs of the imminent birth of a baby, in principle, do not differ, they are simply more pronounced in women giving birth to a second and subsequent children.
Childbirth at 38 weeks
With each subsequent attack, when the stomach begins to pull, the expectant mother with bated breath waits for what will happen next - the birth will begin or these are training contractions. It is not worth focusing on this strongly, it is better to enjoy the moment of preparing for a meeting with the baby:
- collect the necessary things and documents for the hospital;
- complete the repair;
- wash undershirts;
- purchase diapers, wipes and other necessary baby care products;
- choose a doctor;
- complete all household chores.
After the birth of a baby, a woman long time will not be able to return fully to household duties. She needs to pay more attention to the baby, and not be distracted by annoying little things.
Of course, everyone is guided by the expected date of birth, which was determined by doctors at the beginning of pregnancy, then repeatedly confirmed by ultrasound. However, these figures are relative, very few women give birth strictly on time. As a rule, this happens earlier or later by 1-2 weeks. This fact is considered normal, and in terms of development, children born at 38 weeks of gestation are considered full-term and do not differ from babies born at 40-41 weeks. The lungs and genitals are formed, children hear and understand everything.
How does the body of a future mother change?
There is an active preparation not only for the birth itself, but also for breastfeeding. The mammary glands are poured, colostrum appears, leaving characteristic spots on the bra. It is worth stocking up with special gaskets. The chest at the 38th week of pregnancy becomes sensitive, reacts sharply to cold, a network of small veins is visible on the surface of the skin.
The woman herself can also participate in the preparation process. Massage the chest with light movements, lubricate with a remedy for stretch marks or olive oil, pour over the skin contrast shower.
Due to the large belly at the 38th week of pregnancy, there are problems with sleep, it is difficult to find a comfortable position, it simply does not exist. Sleep sensitive, often at night tormented by frequent urge to urinate and hunger. Pressure on the sciatic nerve provokes the development of another problem - varicose veins. Regular rest, compression underwear will help to alleviate the condition. Whenever possible, it is necessary to put the legs above the floor level, and lying down to put a roller or pillow under them.
Ultrasound procedure
Three main studies have already been completed, diagnostics at this time are prescribed according to the testimony of the doctor or if the woman missed the last ultrasound for some reason. It is important to make sure that the baby is not wrapped around the umbilical cord, develops normally, and the condition of the amniotic fluid is not characterized as pathological. The weight of the fetus during ultrasound at 38 weeks is an average of 2900 grams, height - 34 cm. Of course, the data are indicative, since the genetic characteristics of the body influence here. Expanded intestinal loops indicate intrauterine infection or hypoxia.
In 96% of cases, in boys, by the 38-39th week of pregnancy, the testicles descend into the scrotum. The remaining 4% experience it during the first year of life. If not, a specialist consultation is required, otherwise the child will face serious problems in sexual life in the future. Girls have fully formed genitals. Ultrasound studies show that the placenta weighs approximately 300-650 grams, it is already quite mature and begins to age.
What awaits the expectant mother at 38 weeks of gestation? This question is usually answered by experts. But you can find out for yourself what awaits you and what you need to be prepared for. So, let's try to find out what awaits a woman at 38 weeks of pregnancy.
Your baby for a period of thirty-eight weeks can reach a weight of three kilograms, height may vary, but most often it does not exceed forty-nine centimeters. Oxygen continues to flow to the baby with the help of the placenta, which at this stage already weighs about two kilograms, and its diameter is about twenty centimeters. Significant changes are already taking place with your baby inside, which begin to prepare him for the birth. In addition, the amount of original lubricant is significantly reduced, the nails are already fully formed, so if your baby is born with a scratch, do not be surprised.
Meconium has already appeared in the intestines of your crumbs - this is the original feces. If the expectant mother is expecting a boy, then she should know that it is this week that the testicles descend into the scrotum. You should also prepare for it. That you can give birth at the thirty-eighth week, especially for those who bear girls.
But the expectant mother should already be mentally prepared for childbirth, and you will also need to stock up on small clothes and everything you need in order to enter the maternity ward. It's very important to remember that. what did the doctors tell you at the preparatory courses. Your weight does not stop growing, but you must take care of it. to eat right and gain as few extra pounds as possible.
Heartburn at 38 weeks pregnant, this is due to the release of acid into your stomach, as the baby descends and with it there is a physical change in all organs. If at the 38th week of pregnancy you have spotting, do not worry, as most likely it was the cork that was previously located in your uterus. And this in turn means that you can give birth at any time.
In addition to all of the above, you will feel weakness at 38 weeks pregnant, it is associated with the last days, the fetus is very large, your weight is also increasing, your body is preparing for childbirth. Therefore, you will need to rest as much as possible. It is very important that your doctor check you this week, because at the 38th week of pregnancy, breech presentation is not uncommon, and before giving birth, you need to have as clear information about your baby as possible, childbirth will depend on this. Often, thrush appears at the 38th week of pregnancy, in connection with which the doctor prescribes special suppositories that help cleanse the birth canal so that the baby does not get an infection.
Therefore, hypotension must be dealt with. But during pregnancy, you can’t take the majority, and everything is ambiguous. But there is a way out. Well proven: lungs - , swimming, . Cool (not cold) shower in the morning will help to quickly bring the vessels into working tone, a glass of fresh orange juice will also be healthier than coffee or tea. By the way, with hypotension during pregnancy, you should not categorically refuse tea - green or black, and coffee. In this case, a portion of an invigorating drink will not cause harm, but you should not get carried away with them either.
Weakness in late pregnancy
Most of all, weakness during pregnancy has to suffer in the first. Then the body adapts to the new state, and most of the problems disappear. In the second trimester, periodic attacks of weakness are possible, but they appear as a symptom, or due to or due to other diseases.
But closer to childbirth, there comes a period when the expectant mother again feels exhausted. Weakness at 34-38 weeks is due to the pressure of the uterus on the inferior vena cava. There is stagnation of blood, reflex vasodilation and a sharp decrease, which can even lead to sudden fainting. To avoid this, you need to wear special support bandages. It is better to rest on - so you can avoid unnecessary stress.
C - weeks the body begins to prepare for childbirth. At this time, the level of oxytocin rises, the pelvic joints begin to soften, the uterus periodically begins to contract and the cervix opens. Due to the activity of the autonomic nervous system, sometimes the future woman in labor feels a sharp weakness in her legs, dizziness. This condition does not require special treatment and disappears after childbirth.
How to deal with weakness during pregnancy
The means of combating weakness must be chosen, based on reasons that cause weakness in this moment. In the early stages, this is most often hypotension and toxicosis, sometimes. Therefore, methods aimed at improving general condition of the body. In case of weakness, regular restorative procedures will be effective - a light cool shower, frequent walks in the fresh air, swimming, yoga or special gymnastics for pregnant women.
Raise the pressure drugs, herbal decoctions or strong tea and coffee are not worth it, since the smooth muscles of the uterus are also sensitive to the action of caffeine and plant alkaloids, which can lead to hypertonicity and the threat of miscarriage. In such cases it is better start the morning with a glass of fresh orange or apple juice - a portion of light carbohydrates flavored with natural vitamins will have a mild tonic effect and help to cope with weakness.
On the late pregnancy to the already familiar ways of dealing with weakness, it is worth adding regular good rest. For the expectant mother sleep at least 10 hours per day. And not only at night - it’s good to rest 2-3 times for 30-60 minutes during the day in a calm environment and lying on your side, this will help restore normal blood circulation and gain strength.
In severe cases, when weakness is caused by severe toxicosis, or any diseases, only a specialist will prescribe the correct treatment. So don't hesitate to let your doctor know what's bothering you.
The script for the opening of the Ice Palace has already been written The script for the opening of an ice rink in the village
Hottabych - Director's Companion - Corporate scenario
A team of men congratulates women on March 8