By the third trimester of pregnancy, you?ve likely experienced exciting and unwelcome changes to your body. Good news! You?re in the home stretch and your baby will be here shortly. Here are the signs and symptoms that happen in the weeks before you go into labor. Get ready because things can move swiftly!
Now is a great time to ask your pregnancy care provider when you should go to the hospital or birth center. If in doubt, call them and be sure to notify your doula when you?re headed out to give birth.
Lightening
Toward the end of your pregnancy, your baby may move down into the top part of your pelvis. It?s called ?lightening? because their movement places more pressure on your pelvic area, but your baby doesn?t feel like they?re trapped in your rib cage anymore. Yes, you?ll feel lighter and can breathe a little easier. There?s no need to worry, your baby?s still growing, they?re just getting into position for birth. Take your time while doing daily activities and add more rest breaks, such as elevating your feet during the day.
Losing Your Mucous Plug
What fun! Your cervix has to open to a whopping 10 centimeters to give birth to your baby. Your cervix begins preparing by effacing (thinning) and dilating (opening). As your cervix changes, you may lose the mucous plug that protected the baby from bacteria. You may notice a bloody show of mucous when you wipe yourself in the restroom. It?ll look similar to when you blow your nose when you have a cold, except with a few bl...