Your wife is miserable and it's a safe bet that you are as well. These past nine months have been full of ups, downs and everything in-between. All that is left is the happy moment when she looks you in the eye and says "It's time." Although labor can come on suddenly, often there are signs that indicate labor is near. Knowing what signals to watch for will help both you and your wife prepare for the journey of childbirth, and allow you to give a heads-up to family and friends.
Nesting
In general terms, nesting is when your pregnant wife begins to prepare her environment for the arrival of the baby. She may wake up one morning and decide that the entire house must be cleaned and organized, even though it already is. Or, she may opt to stay at home and relax on the couch rather than going out with friends. The need to be at home is what nesting revolves around and is often the first sign that your wife is getting close to having the baby.
Lightening
Remember how your wife had that perfect, well-rounded belly that looked as if she had a basketball under her shirt? When the baby drops lower into the pelvis, also known as lightening, her stomach will take more of a southern direction. Instead of poking out directly in front or being high up, you will see that the roundness has settled towards the bottom of her stomach. This change is recognizable, even if you see each other constantly. Your wife may also complain about pain in her hips, back and even legs. This is all natural and part of the process of her body preparing for childbirth. Although lightening can occur months before the actual birth, it is more common within two weeks of the due date.
Being Uncomfortable
The past nine months has been uncomfortable for your wife, but the last few weeks of her pregnancy will make the other complaints seem minor. When she is close to her due date, the baby is growing up to one pound a week and, unfortunately, so is her belly. Sleep discomforts, such as being unable to find a comfortable position, will often leave your wife tired and ready for the pregnancy to be over. In fact, the simple act of walking from the bedroom to the kitchen is more like a marathon race to her. Pay attention to her and the signals she sends that indicate she is uncomfortable. Help her relax by giving her a massage or helping her around the house.
Other Signals
When labor is near, your wife will begin to experience things that she may or may not wish to share with you. It all depends on your relationship and how open she is with you. Things such as vaginal bleeding, losing the mucus plug and leaking milk from her breasts all occur when labor is near. However, these are things that she may not be comfortable telling you about because she is embarrassed. Reassure your wife that you understand that things happen before and during labor that may not be pleasant, but that you would really like to know what is going on so you can help her prepare. Ease your wife's fears of grossing you out by opening the lines of communication.
References
- What to Expect When You're Expecting: Fourth Edition; Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel; 2008
- The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth; Sheila Kitzinger; 2003
