The Build-Up To The Birth

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Article Summary

Every birth is different and the signs and symptoms you experienced before may not be the same this time around. Remember to take care of yourself in these last few weeks - the last time you were pregnant, you didn't have a demanding toddler on your hands too. MUM CARE

Do’s and don’ts for the final weeks, and stay vigilant for signs of labour

BALANCING ACT

If you’re feeling that your balance is not what it should be, take extra care when lifting things or bending down. This may seem an obvious point to make, but when you’re looking after a young child, most of your day is spent doing just this.
If you need to get down to your child’s level to help him, kneel or sit on the floor rather than bending over. Discourage him from hanging onto your neck, and if you must pick him up, remember to bend you knees to bear as much weight as possible on your leg muscles.
Or better still, ask someone else to do it for you. Be careful when walking and climbing stairs, too, as you may be more prone to twisting your ankles, which is no fun at all when you’re getting ready to give birth. Finally, keep up your stretching, squatting and pelvic floor work so that your muscles do not stiffen over the next few weeks.

IT’S TIME!

Although you’ve done it before, no birth is the same. So it’s worth being ready for any eventuality.
Read up on the different stages of birth and look out for signs of labour that you may not have had last time:

- A “show” when the plug starts coming away from the neck of your womb - this consist of a jelly-like mucus discharge that is usually blood-streaked.

- A trickle or gush of liquid as a result of your waters breaking - make sure to look at the colour of the discharge, as evidence of meconium may be a sign that your baby is distressed.

- Regular contractions that persist over time and grow stronger and more regular.

Other less obvious symptoms include loss of appetite, insomnia, a feeling of excitement as your adrenalin kicks in, or a strong urge to clean - otherwise known as the nesting instinct - that finds you scrubbing floors, washing the dog and tidying up the house as your contractions kick in!

To read more about labour signals:

http://pampers.ph/en_PH/content.do?type=101&contentId=2367

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Symptoms

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Labour And Delivery

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having another baby

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water breaking