Baby continues to gain weight. Most newborns weigh between 6 and 10 lbs and are 18-22 inches long. Baby is practicing breathing, sucking and grasping.
How can you be sure not to miss labor? The usual signs of labor are:
• A bloody “show”.
• The “bag of waters” may break.
• You may have a gush or leak of fluid.
• You’ll feel regular contractions that get stronger and closer together.
• Most babies are born before or later than their due dates – less than 5% of babies are born on time, meaning within 24 hours of their due date.
How to predict the day of labor?
I’ll tell you a personal story that caused me embarrassment and a loss of sleep over 2 days. A good friend of mine brought in his wife who complained of vague contractions. An ultrasound exam showed an active baby girl practicing breathing in utero. I was thrilled; usually practicing breathing means that the baby is in good shape and is not planning to come out for at least 24 hours. Babies stop practicing breathing before birth, due to increased levels of prostaglandins in anticipation of labor. The baby’s head was low in the pelvis (in position).
I reassured the parents that nothing would happen for 24 hours. Imagine my surprise when, the very next morning, they called to tell me that she delivered at home, 3- 4 hours later, assisted by a midwife!
Because I was so surprised, I decided to call one of my mentors and asked if he could explain what happened. “You see,” he said “When the baby’s head is very low, the respiratory center of the brain is compressed, which causes the baby to practice breathing. Although, in most cases, breathing movements cease hours before labor, this is an exception to the rule. “Next time,” my mentor responded, “Before playing a prophet, check the position of the baby’s head!” I’ve learned my lesson.
Signs and symptoms of early labor: contractions are short and irregular. They may continue for hours, even become more regular, than die out. If it goes on for too long, the laboring woman might feel exhausted and need to be admitted for intravenous medication or be stimulated with Pitocin to get real labor started. A woman having her first baby should call her caretaker and be prepared to leave for the hospital when contractions become regular. If she is already feeling the need to bear down, she needs to get to the hospital quickly.
A woman who has previously given birth tends to have a shorter labor than one giving birth for the first time. The physical reward of having previously given birth is the easier delivery of subsequent babies. The pelvic bones and abdominal muscles have already accommodated a child, and the cervix has already been “conditioned” to allow a baby to pass through.