What is brown discharge before labor?

Many female friends who are already mothers understand that being pregnant for ten months is really a very hard thing. After finally getting to the point of delivery, it is a very happy thing. All the previous pregnancy reactions and all the unhappiness will be forgotten because a little guy's life is about to be born. So what is the matter with brown discharge before delivery? Many friends who are first-time mothers think, is it very dangerous? Let’s take a look at it below.

Brown discharge may appear before delivery. In the last few weeks of pregnancy, cervical secretions increase and the amount of vaginal discharge increases. Normal cervical secretions are a viscous liquid, which usually forms a mucus plug in the cervix to prevent bacteria from invading the uterine cavity. During pregnancy, this secretion is more abundant and thicker. As the uterus contracts regularly, this mucus plug is discharged with the contractions that begin with labor; and due to the separation of the fetal membrane at the endometrium and the uterine wall, there is a small amount of bleeding.

This bleeding mixed with the mucus plug on the uterus may be referred to by mothers as brown discharge, and this discharge from the vagina is called a bloody show. Showing blood is a relatively reliable sign that labor is about to begin. If the amount of bleeding is greater than usual, you should consider whether there is any abnormality. It may be placental abruption and you need to go to the hospital for examination immediately.

1. Feeling of the fetus descending: At this time, the pregnant woman feels that her breathing is lighter than before, her upper abdomen is more comfortable, and her food intake increases. Because the descending fetal head compresses the pelvis and bladder, pregnant women often have symptoms of frequent urination.

2. False labor: Before delivery begins, pregnant women often experience "false labor" of varying lengths. Its characteristics are: the intervals between contractions are irregular; the contractions are not severe, only slight distension and pain in the lower abdomen is felt, often occurring at night and disappearing in the early morning; the duration is short and not constant, generally not exceeding 30 seconds.

3. Spotting: When approaching delivery, some women may have a small amount of bloody secretions discharged from the vagina, which is called spotting. Sometimes, mucus plugs may also be discharged at the same time. Bloody show is a reliable sign that labor is about to begin. Most women go into labor within 24-48 hours. The amount of spotting is very small. If it exceeds the menstrual volume, you should consider whether there is bleeding in late pregnancy such as placenta previa.

4. Rupture of membranes: A large amount of fluid flows out of the vagina and cannot be controlled. Umbilical cord prolapse may occur easily after rupture of membranes, endangering the life of the fetus. Pregnant women should lie flat and go to the hospital immediately.

If there are regular and gradually increasing uterine contractions, usually every 5 to 6 minutes, each lasting 30 seconds or more, accompanied by progressive cervical dilation and descent of the presenting part, this indicates the beginning of labor. At this time, the pregnant woman should go to the hospital to give birth immediately.

The above are some issues about brown discharge before delivery. I hope female friends can use this as a reference. Friends who are not yet mothers can also learn about this knowledge so that when they are about to give birth, they will not feel too panicked. I also hope that every mother can give birth to a healthy baby.