The birth

Your pregnancy is coming to an end! Maybe you’re happy about it, or maybe you’re a little wistful that this special stage of your life will soon be over. But don’t worry: the adventure will continue with your baby!  

The birth is imminent

The next stage starts with the birth. And this event involves big emotions: joyful anticipation, but also feelings of uncertainty, worry and perhaps even fear. Take all these feelings seriously and seek support and advice. Be it your gynaecologist, midwife or doula, or another specialist who can offer advice and assistance.

Is it time?

If you haven’t planned a caesarean section, you may be wondering how you can tell that it’s really happening. Actually, this is usually not like in the movies, where often the waters break and the baby arrives almost immediately. Of course, it can also happen like this in real life, but a birth usually plays out a little differently in reality.

You may suddenly feel an overwhelming urge to do housework or tackle the laundry, put up shelves and maybe even clear out the cellar. This behaviour is known as “nesting”. Some women feel this boost of energy a few weeks before the birth, while others really get going in the last few days or even hours.

Braxton Hicks vs real contractions

Many women already have Braxton Hicks contractions during the last trimester. If you’re not sure whether these are in fact real contractions, you can run yourself a bath. If the pain eases in warm water, it was probably a false alarm. However, if the intensity increases, they are most likely real contractions.

Another sign is that the mucus plug may be discharged. This plug protects the uterus from bacteria during pregnancy. If it comes away, this could be a sign that birth is imminent. Sometimes it is mixed with a little blood and therefore has a brownish tinge. This is completely normal and not a cause for concern.

What you can do

If your waters break or if your contractions come very regularly – every five to ten minutes as a guideline – it’s time to make your way to the hospital or birthing centre or, in the case of a home birth, to call the midwife. If you’re unsure, you can always call the hospital’s maternity ward for advice. Once the birth really gets going, you’ll go through the three stages – with the duration of each varying from one person to another the dilation stage, the birth of the baby and the delivery of the placenta. But don’t worry, you don’t have to remember everything: your body knows what it has to do and you will be well cared for.

BimBubble tip

You can prepare yourself mentally and physically, but a birth is and remains a big event. Try to remain as open as possible and don’t hold on to a fixed idea of how you want things to proceed. At the same time, trust your instincts and needs and stand up for them – or ask your companion to do so for you. Even if it may sound absurd – despite all the pain, try to enjoy the birth a little bit. But don’t worry if you don’t manage that: every birth is different and there’s no right or wrong way.

The birth in brief

• Your pregnancy is coming to an end and the birth is imminent – and with it so many emotions. If you feel unprepared or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a professional.
• “Nesting”, the loss of the mucus plug and, of course, contractions: there are various signs that birth is starting.
• If you’re not sure whether it’s time to go to hospital or a birthing centre, you can always call them for advice.
• Professionals divide birth into three stages: the dilation stage, the birth of the baby and the delivery of the placenta.
• A birth is a big event: try to remain open and confident and listen to your instincts.