The COVID-19 pandemic has now caused unrest all over the world.
Various unusual epidemic prevention measures have emerged abroad, even surpassing those in China two months ago.
For example, hoarding toilet paper.
For example, what if you were having a baby while fighting for toilet paper?
Um???
In a Walmart in Missouri, USA, a pregnant woman was seen lingering by the toilet paper shelf, preparing to stock up for her family.
Suddenly, she felt a warm flow in her lower abdomen, followed by a sharp pain!
Is she...is she about to give birth?
The moment she sensed something was wrong, she sat down on the ground. Everyone around her panicked at the sudden turn of events, but fortunately, the supermarket manager reacted quickly and grabbed a sheet to cover her.
Fortunately, a nurse happened to be on the scene and provided her with emergency treatment until medical staff arrived and helped her complete the delivery.
The entire process lasted 45 minutes. After the new mother and her child were put into the ambulance, the surrounding customers cheered and watched them leave.
The supermarket manager was also terrified, but he said, "Although I don't like seeing blood, it's my job, and I have a responsibility to protect this poor lady's privacy from anyone, so I immediately grabbed a sheet to cover her up."
Currently, both the mother and her child are in good condition. However, given the current situation, further observation may be necessary.
It's hard to say whether this mother was careless or if the growing panic abroad led to this situation. But for mothers in their late pregnancy, I still want to say: please don't travel around unnecessarily!
Have you understood these signs of pregnancy and childbirth, and are you ready to welcome a new life?
What are the possible symptoms of pregnancy?
Menstruation stops
It's important to note that there may be some spotting during the first three months of pregnancy.
However, the possibility of menstruation occurring during pregnancy cannot be completely ruled out. This could be due to unstable implantation of the fertilized egg or shedding of the uterine lining. In such cases, the menstrual flow will be significantly lighter than normal.
Increased vaginal discharge
This is related to thickening of the vaginal walls. If the vaginal discharge has an unusual odor or causes burning or itching, you should go to the hospital for relevant examinations as soon as possible.
Expectant mothers should also pay attention to cleaning their vulva with warm water every day to maintain vulvar hygiene, but do not clean inside the vagina; use a special basin and towel to avoid cross-infection.
Pregnancy vomiting
Pregnancy vomiting usually occurs in the morning, typically starting about a month after menstruation stops, lasting for nearly two months before gradually subsiding.
When experiencing morning sickness, expectant mothers can take the following measures to alleviate it:
① Stay away from foods that make you feel nauseous;
② Eat a small snack before bed, such as cookies or bread slices;
③ Eat smaller, more frequent meals, and drink water at least half an hour before or after meals;
④ Engage in some gentle activities, such as outdoor walks or prenatal exercises.
Breast changes
During pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause breast swelling, pain, and even the production of small amounts of colostrum. If the pain is unbearable, warm compresses or massage can help.
Some pregnant women may also feel that their breasts become heavier, fuller, and softer to the touch, and that their areolas are much darker than before.
Normally, after the breastfeeding period, the areola will become smaller and lighter, but it may not return to its original shape.
You can wear loose and comfortable underwear normally, and you can also wash the areola and nipple skin with mild soapy water frequently, and clean the skin folds.
If the nipple is inverted or flat, you can gently pinch it outwards with your hands while washing.
What happens when you're close to giving birth?
Decreased fetal movement and weight loss
The normally active fetus may not be reacting much anymore, but please stay calm!
This is because the baby's position is relatively fixed. However, if the baby's movements decrease significantly or there is no movement for 12 hours, it is best to go to the hospital immediately to find out what is going on.
There's another thing that should make you feel really "happy".
That is, weight gain will stop before delivery, and sometimes it may even decrease.
Because you already have a mature fetus, and it has learned how to "take care".
Breathing becomes easier and appetite increases
As the height of the fundus of the uterus begins to drop, expectant mothers may feel heaviness in the lower abdomen and soreness in the lower back, as if the baby is about to fall out at any moment.
However, as the uterus descends, the pressure on the diaphragm also decreases, at which point the expectant mother will feel a sudden ease in breathing and a feeling of relief in her upper abdomen.
The baby may put pressure on your bladder and rectum, causing you to feel the urge to urinate even after urinating, and you may also feel the urge to have sex again after defecating. Increased discharge from the cervix and vagina may also occur.
In addition, the feeling of pressure in the stomach disappeared, and the appetite began to increase.
But don't think that just because you'll lose weight, you can eat like crazy! Remember to control yourself!
Seeing blood
If you find small amounts of brownish or reddish blood-tinged discharge on your underwear when you shouldn't be menstruating, that's spotting!
Spotting occurs when irregular uterine contractions separate the uterine wall and fetal membranes at the internal os of the cervix, causing capillary rupture and resulting in bleeding mixed with cervical mucus.
This is a reliable sign that labor has begun, and you may experience pain relief within the next 24 hours.
If there is only a small amount of bleeding, stay home and rest for a while, and observe the situation.
If the bleeding is as heavy as a normal menstrual period or you also experience abdominal pain, you should remain calm.
That's right, you have to stay calm at all times. After all, when it comes to childbirth, if you don't handle the details properly, things can get really messy.
Regular contractions
When you have contractions, your belly will start to contract rhythmically.
Contractions usually begin within a few hours of spotting, but sometimes it takes 1-2 days, or even several days, before regular uterine contractions begin, with intervals of about 10 minutes. The duration of contractions gradually increases to 40-60 seconds.
If regular contractions last for 3-5 minutes, don't hesitate, call 120 (emergency services).
If you have the energy, it's best to eat something easily digestible to replenish your energy and store up strength for the upcoming delivery.
Water breaking
If you feel a warm flow coming out of your vagina, be aware that it is very likely that your amniotic sac has ruptured.
Some mothers experience premature rupture of membranes (PROM) before labor begins. However, most expectant mothers experience PROM before or after the cervix is fully dilated.
Generally, rupture of membranes in late pregnancy is a sign that labor has begun.
At this point, you need to lie down immediately to prevent the amniotic fluid from continuing to leak out. If all the amniotic fluid leaks out, your baby may suffocate due to lack of oxygen.
Then don't hesitate, call 120 immediately!!
Premature labor
It's worth mentioning that expectant mothers may also experience "false labor contractions".
We also call it "signs of impending labor".
Around 28 weeks of pregnancy, due to the pressure and stimulation caused by the descent of the fetal head on the lower segment of the uterus, the frequency of these irregular contractions will increase, and the intensity will vary.
If you stand or sit in the same position for a long time, you will feel your abdomen harden in waves.
Characteristics of threatened labor
Contractions are short in duration (<30 seconds) and not constant, with irregular intervals and no increase in intensity;
The cervix does not dilate and the cervical canal does not shorten;
It appears at night and disappears at dawn.
This is a normal physiological phenomenon that helps the cervix mature and prepares for labor.
However, if it happens too often, it can disturb the expectant mother's rest. This phenomenon is more common among first-time mothers who are under stress.
If contractions shorten to once every 5 to 10 minutes, don't hesitate!
However, not all expectant mothers will experience the signs of labor listed above, and some may even experience premature rupture of membranes.
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