The moment of childbirth is usually filled with a lot of anxiety, in addition to all the common physical symptoms. This mix of feelings and emotions can leave a woman unsure of exactly what to do, but having the right information and understanding how your body works can help you stay calmer, as well as be more aware and less anxious.
Knowing, for example, what the waiting limit is for natural birth is important because the woman will know if the baby is close or not, and also know if she is waiting too long and what the signs are that she should go to the hospital.
That’s why today’s article will talk about this question that many women have, and whose answer can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety that appear in the final weeks of pregnancy.
How to calculate pregnancy time?
This may seem like an obvious question, but for first-time moms, it’s not. It’s important to be knowledgeable about everything that happens during pregnancy, especially about how the pregnancy time is counted.
So, should we count months or weeks? The most correct way is to calculate by weeks to be as accurate as possible, since a full-term pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, or 280 days. This counting can be done in a few ways. The first is from the first day of the last menstrual period. From this date, doctors will begin to calculate the 40 weeks of pregnancy.
Another way is through an exam called a ultrasound, which is usually done between weeks 11 and 13. In this exam, the doctor analyzes some measurements, and from the results, can more accurately establish the gestational age.
How long does a pregnancy last?
The length of a pregnancy is variable1, after all, there are many internal and external factors that affect this calculation. However, according to the standard calculation, a pregnancy should last 40 weeks, or 280 days. In terms of months, its duration is 10 lunar months or 9 solar months plus 7 days.
Therefore, a baby born with less than 37 weeks is considered premature, as he or she has not fully developed and may have some complications after birth2. A baby born after 42 weeks is considered post-term, meaning he or she waited too long to be born.
Just like in the case of premature babies, post-term babies can also have more complications due to the extra time spent in the uterus. The ideal is for the baby to be born between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. This is considered a term pregnancy, when birth occurs within the ideal period.
So, to know what is the waiting limit for natural birth, it is necessary to assess each pregnancy individually. Ideally, it should not go beyond 42 weeks. Therefore, it’s essential to be in regular contact with your doctor, attending prenatal checks to know if an induction is necessary or if it is safe to wait for natural labor to begin.
How do I know if I’m in labor?
Many women feel anxious thinking about when they will go into labor. But after all, how do you know if the time has really come? There are a few symptoms that indicate this. Unlike Braxton-Hicks contractions, the practice contractions, which are painless and irregular, real contractions are painful, regular, and frequent. As time goes by, this frequency and the pain increase.
Another sign that may indicate the start of labor is losing the mucous plug, the brownish discharge that covers the cervix. The pregnant woman may also feel strong back pain and intense cramping, similar to menstrual cramps.
And finally, one of the best-known signs is water breaking. If you experience these symptoms, it is time to go to the hospital, as only a doctor can say for sure if it’s really time or if you will need to wait a little longer3.
Is it possible to not go into labor?
It is extremely rare for a woman not to go into labor when the delivery is planned to be normal. This can happen when a C-section is scheduled from the start. In this case, the woman may reach the scheduled day without ever having gone into labor.
However, when a normal birth is planned, labor is part of that process, even if the symptoms take a while to appear. Of course, there are exceptions, women who waited until 42 weeks and had to induce labor without showing any symptoms. In any case, it is important to know that every pregnancy is different and that, if everything is moving towards a natural birth, labor will happen.
When should I be concerned about the length of time?
It’s normal to be anxious when the due date (estimated date of delivery) is approaching and labor symptoms still haven’t appeared. Doubts about what the waiting limit for natural birth is become more frequent, as does the fear of a post-term birth.
Therefore, when getting close to 39 weeks, women need to be aware of body signals and maintain frequent medical check-ins. From this moment on, monitoring is essential to know how long it is safe to wait and whether labor induction will be needed.
This decision will be made by the doctor together with the patient. Although many women strongly hope for natural birth, the baby’s health must always come first at this time.
Waiting is important
Although the ideal is for the baby to be born between 37 and 42 weeks, every pregnancy develops in its own way and has its particularities. Only your doctor will be able to say if there are problems in waiting, or not.
Most of the time, waiting is important. The baby is still growing inside, gaining weight, maturing, and even though mom is anxious to meet the new family member, it’s important to respect the baby’s timing. Don’t worry unnecessarily, talk to your doctor. Consultations at the end of pregnancy are very important, as are these conversations! Ask all your questions and try to stay calm. After all, anxiety can harm and prolong this waiting period even more.
Every mother wants to see her child as soon as possible. They want to know what the face of that little person they have been carrying for so many months looks like. But there’s no need to despair! The baby will arrive, sooner or later.
And for the birth to be smooth and the baby to be born in an atmosphere full of harmony, the mother must know the waiting limit for natural birth and understand why waiting is so important.
There’s no need to feel anxious. You will definitely have many days with your baby and follow each transformation in your child’s life. The main concern is with the moment of birth and a healthy delivery for your baby.
See Also: Normal Birth or C-section – Is It Really a Choice?
Photo: Mario Trainotti
