My stomach hurts, is it time to give birth?

Women are very sensitive to symptoms in their bodies after pregnancy, especially when they have abdominal pain, which makes many women worry whether there is a problem with the fetus. Generally speaking, when approaching the delivery stage, most women are nervous, so they will be extra cautious when symptoms appear. So when women feel stomach pain, is it because they are about to give birth?

1. Feeling of relaxation in pregnant women’s abdomen

1-2 weeks before delivery, primigravidas often feel their upper abdomen more comfortable, breathe more quickly, and eat more because the fetal presenting part descends into the pelvis and the fundus of the uterus lowers. However, as the presenting part descends and compresses the pelvic bladder, rectum and other tissues, the patient often feels a sense of heaviness in the lower abdomen, frequent urination, and back pain.

2. False contractions

Pregnant women often have irregular uterine contractions 1-2 weeks before delivery. Compared with the uterine contractions after delivery, they have the following characteristics: short duration, long intervals, and irregularity. The intensity of the contractions does not increase. The contractions only cause mild distension and pain and are limited to the lower abdomen. The cervix does not expand with the contractions. A small amount of sedatives can suppress this "false contraction."

3. Seeing red

24-48 hours before delivery, some mucus mixed with blood will flow out of the vagina, which is called spotting. It is caused by the expansion of the lower uterine segment and cervix, the separation of the nearby fetal membrane from the uterine wall, the rupture of capillaries and bleeding, which mix with the mucus in the cervix to form bloody mucous secretions. It is a relatively reliable sign before delivery.

4. Others

If you experience irregular abdominal pain, spotting, or a feeling of the fetus descending near your due date, these are all signs of labor, which means birth is imminent. You should prepare to go to the hospital to give birth. This pain will gradually change from irregular to regular. Your stomach will feel hard when you feel the pain, and the intensity of the pain will gradually increase. The intervals became shorter and shorter, and the durations became longer and longer. Generally, when the pain occurs every five or six minutes, it is considered regular abdominal pain and means labor is imminent.