The first pregnancy is the joy and excitement of a young mother. Is everything going well? How does the baby feel? These questions sometimes haunt both day and night. Of course, a lot depends on the level of anxiety of the woman herself, but doctors confidently say that the more literate and informed the expectant mother is, the less she will have to worry. Therefore, today courses are opened, in which they talk in detail about the features of the course of pregnancy in each trimester, childbirth and care for the newborn. But even women who have listened to the lecturer sometimes still have a number of questions.
Analyzing the information on the forums, we are faced with the fact that many are interested in how the cork before birth gives birth to primiparous. Every woman wants to know for sure that she will not miss this important sign of an approaching birth, for this reason we decided to discuss this issue separately from the general description of the birth process.
No panic
Indeed, this is the most important rule. You will not be able to miss birth with all your desire. Even if you start at night, you are sure to wake up. When considering the issue of how the cork before birth gives birth to primiparas, we are faced with the fact that women want to notice the harbingers of a grand event as early as possible and how to prepare for this. In fact, you had nine whole months to get used to the idea that soon you will have crumbs. Now it’s better to rest and let the body decide for itself when the baby is fully ripe for birth.
What is a cork?
In order for our mini-research to be consistent, we need to start not with how the cork before birth in primiparas leaves, but what it is. This is just a mucous clot that performs a barrier function throughout the entire nine months of pregnancy. She is formed when the expectant mother still does not suspect her situation. Once conception has been completed, the cervix begins to produce gel-like mucus. This gelatinous lump fills with itself its entire cavity and does not allow microbes and infections to enter the womb. Our body is very wise, especially with regard to the conservation of offspring.
Each birth is unique
Why is it difficult to unequivocally talk about how the cork before birth in primiparous leaves? Because there are no two identical pregnancies. Even experienced mothers say that every time they left her at different times. But in official medicine it is generally accepted that cork discharge is the surest harbinger of the imminent birth of a baby. In fact, the timing is pretty blurry. For some, she leaves her rightful place a few weeks before giving birth, while for others, she leaves on the maternity chair. But in order to understand well what is happening with your body and not to panic, you need to have an idea of how it looks.
How to understand that the cork has come off
This process does not deliver any specific sensations. There will be no fights, no pain. Every woman is accustomed to the usual vaginal discharge, which does not manifest itself in any way, in addition to traces on the underwear or panty liner. Everything is the same here. Therefore, in order not to miss the moment of departure, you need to at least remotely imagine how the cork differs from ordinary discharge. Here, I want to note that during pregnancy, many women are faced with the fact that white marks regularly appear on linen that have never happened before. Despite the insignificance of the danger of this symptom, it is necessary to consult a doctor so that he makes an examination and, if necessary, prescribes treatment. Only if the specialist considered them insignificant can one come to terms with this phenomenon right up to the very birth.
So, we are a little distracted. How to understand that a cork has departed if it looks different for everyone, and the timing of its appearance is individual? There are certain general characteristics that will allow you to accurately diagnose what is happening with the body.
Important parameters
And the first thing you should evaluate is consistency. It is difficult not to notice the cork leaving . You go into the toilet and watch on the linen a dense gelatinous lump, somewhat jelly-like to the touch. Experts very accurately compare it with egg white. Normally, cervical mucus, which was produced by the cervix to protect the fetus from infection, is completely transparent, but more concentrated and dense.
But each rule has exceptions. Sometimes women claim that the cork has gone completely unnoticed by them. How is this possible? The fact is that in some cases, two weeks before giving birth, the cork may become more fluid. In this case, it comes out in parts, and the marks on the linen look like scanty spotting. In this case, the process really may not be able to be diagnosed as the first sign of an approaching birth.
Cork size
If you do not take into account exceptional cases, then a sufficiently large volume of mucus comes out, which allows us to say with great confidence that these are not ordinary discharges. If you definitely want to be sure that you were not mistaken, then carefully fold your underwear and take a walk to the clinic. The obstetrician will not be at all embarrassed by the patient’s similar question, for him this is a familiar job. At the same time, he can examine you on a gynecological chair and say exactly how much time is left before delivery. On average, the volume of the mucous plug is about 50 ml. It is not liquid, mucus does not spread over the linen, but remains a dense lump on it. Its size varies from 1.5 to 2 centimeters.
Cork color OK
This is another parameter that is also a variable. However, we know approximately what week the cork of the nulliparous leaves. Doctors call an average of 38 weeks. If your term is close to this figure, and you observe a phenomenon similar in description, then, most likely, you really have a traffic jam. The first pregnancy is always a cause for excitement, but here everything goes as usual. The cervix is prepared to let the baby pass into the birth canal, it becomes softer and can no longer hold the mucous lump.
But back to the color palette. The norm is considered transparent mucus, reminiscent of raw egg white. However, it can also be yellowish and white. At the same time, practicing gynecologists say that the palette can be from beige to brown in color, and there will be no violations of the course of pregnancy in any of these cases. Blood impregnations are possible, which indicates only damage to tiny capillaries at the time of opening of the neck.
What explains this difference? The health status of each woman, as well as the process of pregnancy, is very different. Chronic pathologies, diseases during the period of carrying the baby, even nutrition and intake of vitamins - all this affects the composition and shade of mucus. At the same time, both translucent and pink mucus should not scare the expectant mother.
What should alert
What to do if the cork has come off? In fact, nothing special is required from the expectant mother. First of all, you need to carefully examine it so that when you receive questions from the doctor, you can answer them. Pay attention to size, texture and color. What can be said about the need to immediately call an ambulance? Dark brown or deep red mucus. In this case, we can talk about the danger of detachment of the placenta, which can pose a threat to the life of the baby and mother. A bright scarlet shade of mucus and a large amount of blood in it are also one of the signs of pregnancy pathology.
Mom on the alert
So, your pregnancy is coming to an end, and today the cork has come off. When is the birth? This question is of concern to most women. However, for now, one more point needs to be paid attention. Until now, the mucus has performed protective functions. The birth cork protected the embryo from infections and germs, and also served as a mechanical cover for the uterus. It is the presence of cork that allows a pregnant woman to swim in the pool and have sex. In addition, it has bactericidal properties. After she left your body, you have to think for yourself about the safety of your crumbs.
What needs to be changed in your life
Or rather, what should be abandoned when the cork has come off? When the birth begins, you definitely will not miss them, but now it can happen at any time. Therefore, it is worth calling your obstetrician if you have an individual agreement with a specific specialist. Now you can not take a bath, limited to only light washings. Do not direct the jet directly at the perineum.
Pools, and even more so open reservoirs, are closed for you from this time, but don’t worry, this is not for long. Until the moment you pick up your baby in your arms, no more than two weeks remain, and in some cases even less. Stop sex and pay special attention to the sterility of underwear. Despite the fact that it is impossible to unequivocally answer the question: “If the cork has passed, how soon will the delivery begin?”, You need to check your readiness for departure to the hospital. First of all, you will need documents, an exchange card and things in the maternity ward. Relatives can give you the rest later.
The beginning of the birth process
Until now, we talked about the fact that from the moment the mucous lump comes out until the birth, it can remain about two weeks. This is official information, but in fact it happens quite rarely. However, this does not mean that you urgently need to go to the hospital if the traffic jam has come off. How long the delivery will begin is not yet known, but the appearance of mucus indicates the opening of the cervix. In the vast majority of cases, this occurs several hours before the onset of labor. Therefore, you have some time to once again think about proper breathing and calm down. It’s best to go to bed: you will need strength soon.
Recent preparations
Now we will not dwell on what you need to take with you to the hospital, most likely, the local gynecologist has already told about this. In addition, we have already come close to the question of how much the mucous plug goes for. Usually in primiparous this happens a few hours, a maximum of a few days before the start of the birth process itself. By this time, the bag with things should already be standing near the threshold. Therefore, we suggest you lie down and enjoy the peace. If you like, you can meditate.
Now it is extremely important to tune yourself in a positive wave. Fears and anxieties are a natural reaction, but they are bad advisers. In addition, if the pregnancy went well, is it worth it to worry now? Close your eyes and try to imagine your child as clearly as possible. What are his eyes, nose, how is he feeling now. Imagine yourself in the womb, next to it. Perhaps you want to calm and hug him, because he is much worse than you imagine what will happen to him in the process of childbirth. Rehearse the process of childbirth, repeat the correct breath, it will be very useful to you soon. Imagine yourself a beautiful flower that opens towards the sun and new life. It is this attitude that helps to survive childbirth easily and painlessly. Excessive tension and fear of pain, on the contrary, strengthen it and prolong the torment.
The beginning of labor
Some time after the cork leaves, the scenario may begin to develop in two directions. The first is water leaving. This is a normal occurrence, although it is marked on the card as a premature discharge of amniotic fluid. The second option is the first fight. In this case, the water will leave later, possibly already in the process of the child passing the birth canal. Any of these two options is considered normal.
But what if the traffic jam is removed and there are no contractions? If you are very worried about the lack of labor activity, or the term is approaching 42 weeks, then go for a consultation at the maternity hospital or to the local gynecologist. In all other cases, just calmly wait in the wings. From this moment it is not recommended to make long trips even within the boundaries of your city. But going out to breathe fresh air is a must. Pleasant walks will allow you to keep fit, which you will need during the birth process.