At 37 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus is considered full-term, and may be ready to be born at any time. If there are no signs of approaching childbirth by the expected delivery date, the pregnant woman can engage in appropriate exercise, such as climbing stairs, massaging the breasts and stimulating the nipple area, and taking oxytocin as prescribed by a doctor, to speed up the fetus' readiness for childbirth.
1. If within the expected delivery period, but the fetus shows no signs of readiness for childbirth, appropriate exercise can be used to prompt the fetus to respond. Common methods include climbing stairs, which can exercise the muscles of the legs and buttocks, helping the fetus to descend into the pelvis faster and facilitating vaginal delivery. Squatting exercises can also help prompt the fetus to be ready for childbirth to some extent.
2. Breast massage and nipple stimulation can also be combined. This method can, to some extent, prompt uterine contractions and induce the release of endogenous oxytocin in the body. Reasonable stimulation can cause regular uterine contractions, accelerating the fetus' readiness for childbirth.
3. During the expected delivery period, after specific examinations, oxytocin can be used under the guidance of a doctor to prompt uterine contractions. This is one of the commonly used and effective methods of induction in clinical practice. Additionally, to prompt the fetus to be ready for childbirth as soon as possible, multiple methods can be used comprehensively according to needs, in order to achieve a safe and smooth childbirth.
Signs indicating the fetus' readiness for childbirth:
1. Spotting: Mucous discharge containing blood from the vagina is called spotting. Generally, a hospital examination should be conducted within several hours of spotting. However, sometimes it may take 1-2 days or even several days after spotting for regular uterine contractions to begin.
2. Descending of the uterine fundus: As the enlarged uterus begins to descend, the pressure on the diaphragm is reduced, and the pregnant woman may feel relief from respiratory difficulties, disappearance of gastric pressure, and increased appetite.
3. Abdominal discomfort and lower backache: As the fetal head descends, the pressure on the pelvis increases, leading to increasingly obvious feelings of abdominal discomfort and lower backache.
4. Increased frequency of urination and defecation: As the fetus descends, it presses against the bladder and rectum, causing a persistent sense of urination after urinating and a feeling of incomplete defecation.
5. Decreased fetal movement: Fetal movement may become less noticeable at this time, which should not cause concern as it is due to the relatively fixed fetal position. However, if fetal movement cannot be felt for 12 consecutive hours, immediate medical attention should be sought.
