Pregnancy lasts about 280 days which is equivalent to 40 weeks. Of course, each month has about 30 days, but have you ever heard that “the last month of pregnancy has 1500 days.” A sick joke, right? This simply means that as your EDD approaches, you may start becoming anxious and due to the changes that happen, days seem longer and more difficult to manage. No two pregnancies are the same, but what happens during the last few weeks cuts across all. Knowing what to expect will put you in a better position to prepare for the arrival of the new little one. That said, here is what to expect when your EDD is approaching.
1. Increased Vaginal Discharge
As your expected due date nears, your vaginal discharge will increase, which is perfectly normal. It’s just your body preparing itself for the big day. The discharge comes about when your baby presses against your lower pelvic muscles as though they are saying, “Mom, I want to come out.”
The good news is that the discharge not only prepares the birth canal but also prevents any kind of vaginal infections from traveling up to the uterus.
Even so, look out for weird colors and smells from your vaginal discharge. Anything less than clear mucus or a milky white discharge should get you visiting a gynecologist.
2. Occasional Lower Backaches
Usually, the body kind of starts to rehearse for the due date as it approaches. That’s when you may feel some pain in your lower back as the weight and pressure against it increases. Luckily, it is usually mild for most women and only lasts a few seconds. For others, this pain can be as severe as real labor.
3. Dropping of the Baby
In the first and second trimesters, the baby is usually up in the uterus and pressing against the diaphragm. That’s why some expectant mothers experience difficulty breathing in their late second or early third trimesters.
As the EDD nears, the baby will slowly drop towards the lower pelvic region and engage against the cervix. Sometimes, the baby may drop on the delivery day, and it’s nothing to cause alarm.
4. Frequent Urination and Bowel Movements
As the baby descends lower in the pelvic region, it will exert a lot of pressure against the surrounding organs, including the bladder and rectum. This means you will experience frequent and somewhat painful urinations and loose stool.
This is common even in the early stages of the third trimester since the baby is big and is pressing the surrounding organs. If the frequency of peeing increases, it could be a sign that your estimated delivery date is approaching.
5. Dilation of the Cervix
During pregnancy, the cervix is normally closed with a layer of the mucus plug, which paves the way during labor. As you expected delivery date approaches, the cervix will gradually open up in a process known as cervix dilation. As it dilates, your vaginal discharge will increase because the baby’s head is exerting pressure on the cervix. During labor, the dilation happens faster to open the birth canal for the passage of the baby.
6. Increased Braxton Hicks Contractions
Also known as “false labor,” Braxton hicks are contractions of the uterine muscles that occur during pregnancy. Although rarely noticeable, they become more prevalent in the third trimester. The truth is that Braxton hicks can start from as early as 20 weeks of gestation and last through to the last week.
As you approach the end of 40 weeks, you will notice the Braxton hicks much more frequently and more evidently. Some moms mistake Braxton hicks for real labor and go to the hospital or call their midwives over. Generally, Braxton hicks just happen to push your baby lower in the pelvic region as a preparation for birth.
7. Restlessness
During the first trimester of your pregnancy, it’s normal to feel overly tired, weak, and lazy. This is because of the hormonal changes that occur in your body. On the contrary, the third trimester may come with lots of energy, which is good and necessary for giving birth.
Due to the high energy levels in the third trimester, most mothers tend to become anxious, restless, and all over the place. Hilariously, some wake up and walk to the hospital “to give birth” even before the onset of labor.
The bad news is that some mothers lose energy in the third trimester and look completely helpless. If you feel extremely weak, consider asking for professional advice on how you can boost your energy levels.
Final Thoughts
Other than the first few weeks of pregnancy, the last few weeks are also crucial in the gestation journey. Use all the help you can get and know what to expect when your EDD is approaching for adequate preparation. Need someone to support you through your pregnancy? AGAPE Confinement Nannies never disappoint call us Today.