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BETTER MATERNITY pregnancy by preventing contractions that to start the contractions to prepare the could lead to preterm birth. Oestrogen body for real labour. levels rise helping in the growth of the You may experience increased pressure in uterus and preparing your body for the pelvic region as the foetus moves lower labour. Your body continues to adapt to into the birth canal. As the due date nears, the growing foetus. Your breasts become — women often experience “nesting”, a burst larger and more sensitive as they prepare _ of energy and a strong desire to prepare for breastfeeding. Your abdomen will the home for the baby. Some women may expand, and you may feel back pain and experience ‘Braxton Hicks’ contractions, discomfort due to the added weight. which are practice contractions that help Hormonal changes also lead to skin prepare your body for real labour. alterations such as the darkening of ; the areolas and the appearance of the LABOUR AND BIRTH “Linea nigra”, a dark line that runs down —_Labour and birth typically go through the abdomen. three stages. Early labour happens when the cervix begins to dilate and thin out. THE THIRD TRIMESTER Contractions become more regular and (WEEKS 27 TO 40) intense and can be painful as the cervix During the third trimester your body goes _dilates to around 10 centimetres. Early through changes as it prepares for the labour can last a few hours to days, birth of the baby. The foetus continues to —_and contractions become progressively grow and gain weight, and the lungs and brain mature. The foetus also begins to position itself head-down in preparation for the delivery, though some babies may not settle into the head-down position until closer to labour. Cervical changes begin in preparation for labour. The cervix begins to soften, thin and dilate in the final weeks leading up to labour. This process known as “cervical effacement” and “dilation” is a sign that the body is preparing for delivery. Hormones such as oxytocin and prostaglandins play a key role in helping stronger. Once the cervix is fully dilated you will begin to push with contractions helping to move your baby down the birth canal. After the baby is born the final stage of labour occurs when the placenta moves away from the uterine wall and mild contractions help to expel it from the body. The uterus will then contract to close the blood vessels to prevent excessive bleeding, The uterus begins to shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size and hormone levels gradually return to normal. =
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