3 Ways the Body Changes to Prepare for Childbirth

Pregnancy is a life changing event for dozens of reasons. Whether you’re expecting your first child or simply welcoming another to your growing family, the nine months leading up to childbirth is always incredibly exciting as you prepare to introduce a new person into the world.   

Of course, these lifestyle changes aren’t the only thing that you can expect to happen throughout this period. From the first day of your pregnancy up until your due date, your body is constantly altering itself to help both you and your infant prepare for childbirth. 

Don’t worry; your obstetrician or midwife will be able to walk you through every new sensation that arises during this time. Still, it’s worth looking into some of the changes you’ll encounter along the way.

1. Contractions Can Start Early

Contractions are one of the most important aspects of childbirth, as they are what physically help you to push your baby into and through the birth canal.

Still, it might come as a surprise to learn that contractions can occur throughout your pregnancy — not solely during that fateful hospital visit. 

These Braxton Hicks contractions (also known as “false labour” or “practice contractions”) could be felt as early as the late first trimester. As an entirely normal part of the process, this simply means that your uterus is changing and strengthening your cervix tissue to prepare it for labour in the future.

Braxton Hicks contractions are usually painless and shouldn’t bother you much, though they can become more intense around the third trimester. They tend to be more noticeable with each subsequent pregnancy. 

2. The Pelvis Also Prepares for Action

Next, your pelvis will also get ready for childbirth, though a bit closer to the end of your pregnancy compared to the uterus. 

As you reach those final months, you can expect to feel some aches around your hips or pelvic area (or, if you’re lucky, nothing at all!). Don’t worry; this simply means that your body is gearing up for action once again.

To ensure that your pelvis is flexible enough for your baby to pass through the birth canal, hormones will enter the pelvic area, telling ligaments and joints to soften up. As a result, your pelvic bones will meet less resistance once it’s time for them to move around during childbirth. So, though it might be a bit uncomfortable, it means that you’ll experience a much easier end to your pregnancy!

3. The Cervix Shortens    

As your body prepares to deliver your child to the world, it’ll turn its attention to the next essential part of your body: the cervix.

In its normal function, the cervix acts as a sort of “plug”. Of course, a tight, mucus-filled cervix won’t do much good during childbirth, which means it’ll have to change itself near the end of your pregnancy.

Often experienced around week 40, mothers can expect hormones to encourage the cervix to shorten. As a result, it will pull itself up and into the uterus, sitting underneath the baby’s weight and dilating its opening.

It isn’t rare to experience clear discharge as the mucus “plug” loosens and falls out. Keep in mind that it’s normal for it to be tinted red or pink due to ruptured capillaries, so don’t be too alarmed. 

This development can take as long as a few weeks to a few days. A visit to your obstetrician or midwife can help you determine how far along you are in the process and prepare you for any other changes that are yet to come.

Final Thoughts

It’s no surprise that pregnancy comes with a series of changes to both your body and lifestyle, yet preparation can still help you to have a more relaxing, stress-free experience leading up to childbirth. So, speak with your obstetrician or midwife to know what you should expect and look forward to nine months filled with excitement and joy!