What week of pregnancy do you give birth most often and what does it depend on? How many weeks do they give birth - first, second birth What time did you give birth to a girl

Of considerable importance for expectant mothers and fathers is the issue of determining the optimal time to increase the family; unfortunately, a large number of absurd, but extremely persistent myths are associated with this point of pregnancy planning.

Give birth before 25 years

This myth sounds almost like a slogan. Despite the complete absence of a scientific basis, it is the most common misconception about optimal age parents. The history of the appearance of this myth goes back to the middle of the last century, when in Soviet obstetrics women who give birth to their first child after 30 years (and not after 25, as the authors of the myth claim!) were called "old-timers". The term sounds, frankly, unflattering: what woman, and besides, a future mother, wants to be called old! In the days of our grandmothers, they got married and gave birth first child much earlier than now - on average at the age of 20 to 25 years. Against this background, women giving birth to their first child after 30 years of age involuntarily stood out from the general number of patients and attracted more attention from doctors.

In Soviet obstetrics, it was really believed that the optimal period from the point of view of a woman's health for planning first pregnancy- from 18 to 25 years old. The logic of this opinion boiled down to the fact that at this age, in most cases, there are fewer chronic diseases, and the hormonal background, on which, of course, the course of pregnancy and childbirth largely depends, is in the most favorable state. However, it is obvious that there is no magic in the number 25: there are no violations or cardinal changes in the sexual sphere of a woman at this age.

Normally endure and safely give a birth to a baby You can perfectly do it at 25, and at 30, and even much later - for this it is important to take care of your health, lead a proper lifestyle and not neglect medical examinations and doctors' recommendations. Today, doctors are forced to explain to their patients, who are worried about the fact that they “did not have time” to give birth before the age of 25: after this age, no fundamental changes occurred in their body, they are still young, healthy and capable of giving birth to healthy children. So do not try to get ahead of this date at any cost - there are much more important criteria that should be considered when planning a pregnancy!

Early pregnancy

This misconception, in general, is akin to the previous one, but is more radical - the authors of the myth are convinced that it is necessary to give birth in youth, since a very young and healthy mother definitely cannot have problems with pregnancy and childbirth. In fact, this is not so at all: too early pregnancy(up to 18 years) is fraught with no less, and sometimes even more dangers than the "age". There are many reasons for this: this is not a well-established hormonal background of a young girl, and a nervous system that is not mature enough to regulate such complex processes as bearing and giving birth to a child, and too active a metabolism, and an unfinished formation of the body as a whole.

The first menstruation appears on average from 12 to 15 years, but this transformation of a girl into a girl does not mean at all that she is already ready for motherhood. In fact, at this age, a girl is a teenager, in whose body the changes associated with growing up are gradually taking place. As you know, change is the least good time for testing, and pregnancy in puberty, unfortunately, is no exception to this rule. According to statistics, during pregnancy, which occurred at the age of 16–17 years, the greatest number of complications is recorded. The main percentage falls on the threat of abortion; this is due to insufficient production at a young age of progesterone - the main hormone necessary for pregnancy. At a young age, pregnancy is much more likely to end in premature (up to 37 weeks) childbirth. This is due to the pathologically high tone of the uterus due to the immaturity of the nervous system and the hormonal background of the "young-bearing".

More difficult to bear the load associated with pregnancy, and other organs and systems of a too young mother: early pregnancies are more often complicated by gestosis and hepatosis - toxicosis with impaired kidney and liver function. In early pregnancy, the greatest number of fetal malnutrition was recorded. This term refers to the underweight of the newborn (less than 2500 g) due to impaired placental blood flow during pregnancy. The reason for insufficient blood supply to the fetus is again associated with an excessive load on the cardiovascular system for a young age, and a significant role in this is played by the high metabolic costs for the continued growth of the mother's own body. So you should not rush too much into planning a pregnancy - everything should be in a timely manner!

Pregnancy after 30

It was believed that pregnancy after 30 always proceeds with complications. This common opinion is actually also a delusion - between the age of the expectant mother and pregnancy there is no direct relationship. It cannot be denied that with age, the risk of developing infertility, genetic disorders during conception, and the formation of chronic diseases in the mother increases. All these factors can adversely affect the course of pregnancy and fetal development. However, it must be clearly understood that such pregnancy pathologies are associated not so much with age as with the health of the expectant mother.

Currently, in megacities, there is a significant increase in the age of primiparas: the average age of a woman, giving birth to firstborn, shifted to 28–33 years. This is due to changes in the social way of life, which cannot but affect the biological age of a woman's maturation. Modern young girls study longer, enter an independent life later, build a career and marry than their mothers and grandmothers. A decrease in physical activity against the background of an increase in the comfort of life has brought unexpected results in the physiology of a modern woman: along with an increase in life expectancy by the 21st century, the age of a woman has also changed dramatically. giving birth to first child. At the same time, the percentage of pregnancy complications did not increase compared to the statistics 20–30 years ago, when first birth were most often between the ages of 20 and 25. To date, the results of clinical and statistical studies in the field of demography have shown that the successful course and outcome of pregnancy depend on the health and lifestyle of future parents, the level of medical care and the environment. Passport age in this matter is in the very last place.

The birth of a child: the second plan

First a career, then a child. This statement is, so to speak, the other side of the coin - a consequence of a change in the social way of life and the role of a modern woman in it. Today, many girls who are passionate about building their own careers are not in a hurry to change the status of a successful business woman to the status of a future mother, believing that this issue can be relegated to the background. The most common justification for such a position is a glance at Western Europe and America, where the victory of careerism over motherhood took place as early as the 70s of the last century. “There, in the West everyone gives birth after 40 years, and nothing!” - say the adherents of this idea ... and are greatly mistaken. Speaking of the possibility pregnancy and childbirth in principle, then, of course, with the current level of development of reproductive medicine, this is feasible at the age of 40, and at 45, and sometimes even at 50 years. But if you look into the details, for example, to assess the ability of an elderly organism to endure the loads associated with the course of pregnancy and childbirth, a decrease in the metabolic rate, the extinction hormonal background, the picture will no longer seem so rosy. Especially if you think about what moral and physical costs sometimes it takes to build a successful career for many years painstakingly - such stresses, with which the life of a successful woman is inextricably linked, cannot but affect health, and this factor is so important for the possibility of successful motherhood. So do not put off for a long time the important issues of having children - so that they do not become the most difficult!


Material well-being

The key to family planning is material well-being. Many believe that the most important thing in the matter of pregnancy planning is material well-being: a separate apartment, a good salary, and so on. Of course, an increase in the family is inextricably linked with an increase in costs, so, at first glance, the position “first wealth - then a child” may seem quite logical and justified. Future parents will have to invest in the arrangement of the nursery, the purchase of a dowry for the baby: clothes, furniture, strollers, etc.

taking care of health of the unborn child, many men and women think about the additional costs of medical care - the conclusion of a contract for pregnancy management, childbirth and newborn care, and this also requires significant financial investments. There are also far-sighted parents who, even before the birth of a child, plan the costs of his further education in early development groups, school and even university. One can go even further in this matter: for example, plan a pregnancy only after the money has been accumulated for additional education, a prestigious internship, the first car, an apartment, a child’s wedding ...

The only problem is that most potential moms and dads will have to spend many years, strength, and most importantly, health on all these financial projects. But the health of future parents is the main and most important "dowry" for a child, a guarantee of a successful pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby. And, as you know, health cannot be bought for any amount of money!

Season and conception

The course of pregnancy depends on the season of conception. A very common pseudo-scientific version pregnancy planning. The reasons for the "seasonal" approach to this important issue are explained in various ways: from the availability of fresh vegetables and fruits, air temperature and the number of sunny days to the influence of the signs of the zodiac and the lunar calendar. Some authors emphasize the importance of the season (or month, or decade) of conception, others emphasize the importance of choosing the right time for child birth. It is rather difficult to argue (or dispute) the influence of the horoscope and the lunar calendar on pregnancy planning, but as for the direct influence of seasonality on the course of pregnancy and fetal development in terms of health ... Of course, the sun's rays, warm air and fresh vitamins from natural vegetables and fruits. But after all, pregnancy lasts 9 months, or 3 seasons - therefore, regardless of the season of conception, the sun and vitamins will be enough for everyone!

Pregnancy after 40

After 40 years, it is too late to give birth. The most common explanation for this idea is that pregnancy and childbirth are a significant burden on a woman’s body, and after 40 years the risk of developing serious diseases already increases. That is, giving birth after 40 years is dangerous for the expectant mother herself. Another reason for such a categorical statement is the increased risk fetal genetic disorders(first of all, Down's syndrome - the presence of an additional 21st chromosome in the fetus) in pregnant women "aged". This explanation is based on the fear of child's health.

Finally, there is another, complex fear in question pregnancy planning after 40 years - increased risk of developing complications of pregnancy and childbirth. It is difficult to argue with all of the above arguments - they are all justified to one degree or another.

Indeed, with age, the risks of all kinds of complications associated with additional stress on the woman's body increase. However, this does not mean at all that pregnancy after 40 years will certainly be complicated, the woman's well-being will certainly worsen, and the child will not be able to be born healthy. Reminding a woman of her age and advising not to postpone motherhood until later, doctors point out the optimal time for planning a pregnancy, but this does not mean at all that after this period the issue of childbearing should be closed.

Medicine knows hundreds and thousands of cases of favorable course of pregnancy, safe delivery and the birth of healthy children from parents whose age significantly exceeded the fatal mark of "40". Certainly, planning a pregnancy at the Balzac age, it is necessary to carefully examine and soberly assess your health - as, in fact, at any other age. It is wrong to say that it is too late to give birth after 40 years - we are not talking about an imminent threat of the development of pathology in the expectant mother and the fetus, but only an increase in risks.

The approaching term of childbirth is a rather alarming period of time, filled with expectation and a very attentive attitude to one's condition. It is very scary to be outside the walls of the maternity hospital when the contractions begin, so expectant mothers are looking for signs of an approaching birth, they sleep poorly and count the days.

There are many beliefs among the people. For example, it is believed that boys are born earlier than girls, and in the first pregnancy, childbirth occurs later. What determines the term of childbirth, and what are the statistics?

What week do you usually give birth

The normal period is 37 seven days, but when more often depends on the menstrual cycle. Statistics show that childbirth most often occurs at 39-41. Approximately 70% of children are born during this period of time.

However, do not take these terms for yourself as true and binding for you. It doesn't matter when everyone else gives birth, your readiness for childbirth and the maturity of your baby are essential. For someone and 39 too early, the baby is born immature and has difficulties. And other children adapt perfectly, having been born after only 35 seven days. Your child will choose when it is best to give birth.

It is important to remember: the optimal period for childbirth is from 37 to 42. Before 37 seven days, the child is premature, and after 42 - post-term.

Obstetric gestational age is 40 times 7 days. However, only 4-5% of babies are born at the calculated time, why is this happening?

Main factors:

Menstrual cycle length

How long is your cycle? The time when you become a mother depends on its duration.

Two women had their last period on March 1st. Today is May 1st. What will be the obstetric gestational age, and what is the real age of the fetus? For both, the doctor will count the obstetric gestational age from March 1, and it will be 9 weeks and 4 days.

The first woman has a 24 day cycle. We count 14 days ago - ovulation was on March 10th. The actual age of the fetus is 7 weeks and 3 days. The second woman has a cycle of 35 days. We count 14 days ago - ovulation was on March 21. The real age of the fetus is only 5 seven days and 6 days.

It turns out that with the same calculated gestational age, the life of the baby in two women differs by almost 14 days, and of course, for them, the difference in the term of birth by about the same will be completely normal. But according to classical calculations, they will consider the same date of birth.

By the way, our service, which allows, takes into account the length of the cycle - use it (you will find out when you need to go to the hospital, much more accurately than with an obstetrician-gynecologist in the office).

Heredity

Genetic predisposition is another factor. Ask which of the female relatives when he became a mother. You are likely to repeat the fate of your mother or grandmother.

The course of pregnancy

The term of delivery depends on the characteristics of the pregnancy itself. During the Great Patriotic War, during the period of famine and devastation, children were in no hurry to be born. They seemed to know that they were not expecting a warm nursery and proper nutrition, and remained in utero for as long as possible. Several pregnancies have been described lasting 11 months instead of the normal 9.

If the baby is unwell in utero, for example, the placenta does not cope with its function, the likelihood of premature birth increases. This is also facilitated by overstretching of the uterus during, due to gestational diabetes in the mother, or multiple pregnancy. Despite the fact that babies can be born with a fairly serious difference in gestational age, they are born full-term and healthy. Therefore, the timing of normal births in obstetrics is not limited to a precisely calculated number.

From what week can you give birth

This is one of the main worries of any expectant mother. Throughout pregnancy, there is first a fear of a possible miscarriage, and then of the baby being born too early. However, even if your baby is in a hurry and was born before the 37th, do not despair! Once this period was only 28. Now children from 1 kg in weight are successfully nursed, but many survive and grow up healthy, having been born even earlier than 27-28. There are cases of successful nursing at 24-25, with the baby's weight slightly exceeding 500 grams.

However, for this, the baby must be born in a maternity hospital that can give him everything he needs to survive. In many cities, this is not yet possible. Therefore, remember the following “adapted for Russia” facts:

  • Births from 28 to 27 are premature, your baby will be premature, but he will have a good chance.
  • From 24 to 27 - children are born with extremely low body weight. The prognosis for them depends on the presence of other complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and on the conditions of nursing. The chances of health and survival are 50/50.
  • Before 24 - x - the baby has no chance to survive, at least in our country.
Fortunately, if the pregnancy is normal, the chance of preterm birth is only 2%.

What week do primiparas give birth

The first pregnancy and childbirth for the mother's body become a kind of "running", a test of childbearing function. For you, everything is for the first time, just as the genetic program for bearing a fetus is used for the first time. It is now that certain stereotypes and interactions in the body are taking shape, allowing you to safely endure and give birth to a child. If successful, all your subsequent pregnancies will fall on this tracing paper.

Unfortunately, the exact date of delivery cannot be predicted, but statistically nulliparous women give birth a little later than the rest. Approximately 6-9% of them prolong pregnancy for more than 42 weeks. For primiparas, late recognition of the signs of labor that has begun due to inexperience, and a slow development of labor activity are characteristic. The first birth lasts a long time, the cervix opens slowly. This is only an acquaintance with similar processes, it’s not worth worrying about the fact that you have a term of 39, and childbirth does not begin, be patient.

What week do multiparous children give birth

There is already a certain scheme according to which the body must act in order for the baby to be born. Events develop along the knurled rails, and this leads to an earlier onset of labor. In 95% of cases, the second birth begins earlier than the 39th seven days and proceeds much faster and easier.

If you are multi-pregnant, after 37 weeks, be ready to start contractions at any time. As a rule, the second, third time a pregnant woman easily recognizes the first signs of childbirth. The cervix dilates faster, the pushing is more effective, and the overall duration of labor is less than the first time. You may not even have training contractions, you are just going into labor.

What week are boys born?

Boys are born more than girls, about 107 boys are born for every 100 girls. However, if we talk about conception, then the statistics are even more interesting there, the ratio of “girls” zygotes and “boys” zygotes is about 1 to 1.5, for 100 girls there are 150 boys. But even at the very beginning, a significant number of pregnancies with a boy are spontaneously aborted. This happens before mothers find out that they were in a position.

A newborn girl, on average, weighs less than a boy, but by the month of life, the indicators change places. Boys are more likely to have malformations, they have a weaker immune system and they get sick more often. This is due to the biological role of girls, they will continue to give birth and give birth, so they are given great endurance and health. And the purpose of the boys is the progress of mankind and its development. Excessive depreciation resources of the body in this matter are not necessary, only physical strength and intelligence are important in the future. A boy needs more time to be born mature and ready for an independent life, so the gestation period is often longer.

What week girls are born

You can argue for a long time who is the stronger sex here, but the facts, they are such facts ... Girls are really born earlier. And if premature contractions occur, the survival rate among girls is much higher than among boys.

The earlier maturation and rapid development of girls persists throughout childhood. In the middle grades of school, the difference is especially striking, girls are already beginning to “bloom”, and boys remain children. The growth of the girl and her maturation ends at the age of 16, the boys grow until the age of 21.

Of course, the date of birth depends on the health of the mother, but in general, girls are given more vitality and abilities than boys, they are in a hurry to grow and get stronger, they are in a hurry to be born and physiologically develop faster.

What week are twins born?

Twins... Many dream of giving birth to two children at once, but nature provides for the birth of only one child. Multiple pregnancy is not the norm for a person, and one of the most common complications is the birth of twins too early. They increase the internal volume of the uterus 2 times faster, which reacts to overstretching with contractions. Childbirth with twins often begins at the 34-35th term. Despite the fact that many give birth to twins before, the chances of survival for twins are very high. They seem to be preparing to be born prematurely, and are often quite mature even at that age.

Week of pregnancy and childbirth, the main facts

You have only a 4-5% chance of giving birth at the calculated time. If this is your second birth, they will come earlier. If you're carrying a girl, your chances of giving birth earlier increase. If you are healthy and the pregnancy is normal, you have only a 2% chance of giving birth prematurely (up to 37).

The most impatient expectant mothers are those who are carrying a child for the first time in their lives. They carefully monitor the timing of their pregnancy, ask the doctor in detail about how the baby is developing, but most of all they are interested in how many weeks the pregnancy will last, and when the moment of birth should come. This interest is often fueled by relatives and acquaintances who, at each meeting, ask the question: “When will you finally give birth?”. At what time does the first pregnancy usually end, and what changes can be considered true harbingers of childbirth?

At what stage of pregnancy do first births most often occur?

In everyday life, you can often hear the saying that pregnant women for the first time usually do not reach the deadline set by the doctor and give birth before the appointed date. Is this opinion true or is it a myth? Statistics confirm that a primiparous mother goes through her gestational period a little faster than a woman who has already given birth before.

For most women, the first pregnancy lasts 41 weeks and one day, which is 2 days longer than the normal duration of gestation in multiparous women.

This period is very average and it would be a mistake to focus on it. When the doctor calls the expected date of birth, this does not mean that the long-awaited event will come exactly on the appointed day. If the pregnancy proceeds normally, then the complete formation of the child ends by the 38th week, and from that moment the baby is ready for his birth. However, he has every right to linger in his mother's belly up to 42 weeks. This is confirmed by those 10% of women who give birth to absolutely healthy babies at 42 weeks.

The duration of pregnancy depends on the individual characteristics of the woman and on the external conditions surrounding her. Any day between 38 and 42 weeks of gestation is a normal time for delivery. Some doctors take this into account and prefer to use “floating” dates instead of the exact day of delivery. This helps to save the woman and her inner circle from unnecessary worries and disappointment about the fact that she did not manage to give birth exactly on the day indicated by the doctor in the exchange card.


The maturity of the baby and the criteria for its determination

When a child is born, obstetricians and pediatricians evaluate his physical condition. To determine the maturity of a newborn, doctors use the following criteria:

  • height (height from 46 to 52 cm is considered normal);
  • weight (about 3200-3400 g);
  • the presence of a subcutaneous fat layer, due to which the body of a child of the European race has a pink color;
  • developed and elastic cartilages of the auricles and nose;
  • the presence of nails, the ends of which protrude slightly beyond the edges of the fingers;
  • the length of the hair on the head is at least 2 cm;
  • the testicles in boys are located in the scrotum, in girls the large labia cover the small ones;
  • shout;
  • active body movements.


With the advent of ultrasound, doctors have an additional opportunity to assess the maturity of the fetus even before its birth. Measuring the length of the bones and the diameter of the head is not considered a reliable indicator, since these parameters can vary greatly in different children. To determine the maturity of the fetus on ultrasound, the ratio of the cortical and medulla of the adrenal glands is measured - the adrenal coefficient.

The second important criterion is the degree of development of lung tissue. The ability of the child to breathe after he leaves the mother's womb into the external environment depends on the state of the lungs. Modern ultrasound techniques allow you to measure the size of the lungs, echogenicity, and also evaluate their blood supply.

Does the term of the first birth depend on the sex of the child?

To answer this question, we must turn to statistics. On average, primiparas carrying girls give birth 1-2 weeks earlier than expectant mothers pregnant with boys. This is due to the fact that girls develop a little more actively than boys, and their body is ready to be born faster. This advance in physical development continues after birth, at preschool and early school age, as a result of which girls normally look larger and more developed than their peers of the opposite sex.


Harbingers of the first birth

Counting the days left until the cherished date, women carefully listen to their bodies and pay attention to even minor changes. In recent weeks, the body begins to train for future births. The closer the birth, the more often a woman feels how her lower abdomen tenses. Up to a certain point, this tension has an irregular character and passes quickly. The appearance of repeated muscle spasms, repeating at approximately the same time intervals, indicates that labor activity has begun.

In addition to contractions, there are other, earlier harbingers of labor, such as:

  • weight loss;
  • prolapse of the upper pole of the uterus, and with it the entire abdomen;
  • separation of the mucous plug.

Some pregnant women on the eve of childbirth notice that they have become more likely to go to the toilet. Thus, the body reacts to the changed hormonal background and tries to remove excess fluid in the urine.

Features of the course of childbirth during the first pregnancy

There are many factors that affect the course of childbirth in different women. The course of childbirth depends on:

  • age of the expectant mother;
  • the size of the pelvic ring;
  • hormonal characteristics of a woman;
  • elasticity of soft tissues;
  • fruit weight and head size.

Medical records from different years show that 50 years ago, the average duration of delivery was shorter than it is now. Reasons for this difference:

  • in the past, the average age of primiparas was earlier;
  • to speed up the process, doctors more often resorted to methods such as cutting the tissues of the perineum and applying forceps.


However, at present, as in the past, primiparous women take longer to give birth than multiparous women. Their vagina and cervix have a whiter narrow and elongated shape, so the expansion of the entrance to the uterus to the desired size is slower.

How long does it take to give birth for the first time? For different women, this process takes from 6 to 12 hours. Some people may dispute this number by saying if many of their acquaintances have had much longer labors. This discrepancy arises because most people measure the duration of labor from the onset of the very first contraction, and doctors only start counting from the beginning of the active period of labor, which lasts an average of 7.5 hours.

Is it the first time you have a rapid birth?

Yes, such childbirth can be in primiparous women. Rapid delivery is defined as labor that has a total duration of 3 hours or less. Which of the primiparas has a high risk of giving birth at an accelerated pace? Factors that contribute to the development of rapid labor:

  • hereditary predisposition;
  • young age of the mother;
  • high compatibility of the fetus and the birth canal;
  • increased emotionality and mental excitability;
  • excessive production of thyroid hormones;
  • infectious and inflammatory processes of the genitourinary organs;
  • high excitability of the muscles of the uterus.


What signs indicate that childbirth will become rapid? In such women, contractions usually begin suddenly, quickly gain strength and have small intervals between them. If you suspect a rapid birth, you should urgently call an ambulance or take the pregnant woman to the nearest medical center on your own. Women at risk of rapid labor are hospitalized in advance in the prenatal department of the maternity hospital.

Premature and late first births

Premature births are considered to occur at or before 37 weeks after conception. Reasons for having a baby prematurely:

  • inflammation and infection of the reproductive organs and urinary tract;
  • stress and emotional stress of the mother;
  • high blood pressure, preeclampsia;
  • Rhesus conflict;
  • chronic diseases;
  • anomalies in the structure of the uterus;
  • isthmic-cervical insufficiency;
  • placenta previa and its other pathologies.


Cases when a baby is born later than 42 or more weeks after conception are called late births. Reasons for late birth:

  • dysfunction of the endocrine organs;
  • mental stress;
  • chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys;
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • adverse environmental conditions, malnutrition.

Prolonged stay in the womb is dangerous for the baby, so obstetricians use artificial labor induction in these cases, for example, inserting prostaglandin suppositories into the vagina. If there is no effect, a caesarean section is recommended.

The born is considered full-term from 38 weeks, so the prenatal period begins at this time. It continues until the development of labor activity. If a woman is expecting her first child, then childbirth is considered normal at a period of 38 to 42 weeks.

The doctor sets the preliminary date, at how many weeks childbirth can begin. Most often, during the first pregnancy, this period is 40 obstetric weeks. If the child is born later, they talk about post-term birth.

The scatter when you can give birth to your first child is large - 4 weeks. All this period, expectant mothers are very interested in the question of what week they give birth to a healthy baby and when he will be born. The answer is not sought in books, but in the health of a woman, the state of her body.

Depending on how many weeks they give birth, the body of each woman warns her 2 days before the onset of childbirth.

What week they give birth - normal terms

When primiparas give birth, the normal period is 37 seven days. If the timing of the birth of the first child is earlier, it depends on the day of the last menstruation. Statistics show that childbirth usually occurs at 39-40 weeks. About 70% of children are born at this stage of childbirth.

It is impossible to say the exact date, how many weeks of childbirth. According to statistics, in primiparous this term comes later than the others. This is due to the late recognition of signs of pregnancy and harbingers of childbirth, as well as the development of labor.

In the long wait

The first pregnancy lasts a long time, the cervix opens slowly. The body is just getting acquainted with this process, so do not worry about how many weeks the birth will begin. Firstborns give birth later.

We look at the weight of the baby

Noting how many weeks the first child is born, doctors talk about a period of 37 weeks. During this period, the baby is ready for birth. All vital systems and organs are formed and ready for the birth of the baby.

If labor begins at this time, the baby is considered full-term. The average height is about 48 cm, and body weight is 3 kg. The weight of the baby increases every day due to the subcutaneous fat that the child has accumulated in the womb.

Depends on the length of the menstrual cycle

Gynecologists, when calculating the period at which week of pregnancy a woman can give birth, use the Negele formula. Calculating the date of birth of the baby from it, you need to subtract 3 months from the beginning of the last menstrual cycle and add 7 days.

However, this method of determining from which week a woman goes into labor is not accurate. It is used for an approximate date when a healthy baby can be born if the expectant mother's menstrual cycle is 28 days. If it is longer, then the period in which week you can give birth will come later.

With an irregular cycle, it is difficult to know the date of ovulation, so this method of determining which week the birth will come is considered inappropriate.

Affects heredity

If close female relatives had their first birth earlier or later than the due date, this situation is also possible for you. Ask the question, how many weeks did mother and grandmother give birth. The hereditary factor plays an important role, you can repeat their history.

The course of pregnancy is another factor

The period in which week they give birth depends on the characteristics of this period. During wars and devastation, children were in no hurry to be born. They both felt that a warm bed and good nutrition were not waiting for them, so they stayed in their mother's stomach longer.

When a child feels uncomfortable inside the womb: the placenta does not perform its function, the mother has suffered stress, a protracted illness - the likelihood of premature birth increases. The same consequences are observed with overstretching of the uterus, large fetal weight, polyhydramnios or multiple pregnancy.

Regardless of the period at which primiparous women give birth, babies can appear healthy and full-term. Therefore, the timing of how many weeks normal labor begins is not limited to an exact number.

At what week is the first child usually born?

If you are becoming a mother for the first time, then there is about a 70% chance that the birth will come on time - about 40 weeks of pregnancy. This is due to the fact that the woman's body has not yet gone through the processes that occur inside and it takes time to expel the fetus.

Share their impressions

A pregnant woman does not know how labor begins and what week the first child is born, so she may miss the beginning of this moment. Labor activity in the first years lasts a long time, it is weak and protracted, contractions can last up to 7 hours.

But here too there are exceptions. If we do not consider the causes of premature birth (up to 36 weeks), when there are violations in the body of the expectant mother, then there are also post-term pregnancies. In this case, the baby comes out with a short interval - after 42 weeks.

second birth statistics

Noting in which week the second child is usually born, the period of 36 weeks is mentioned. The second birth begins suddenly, and passes faster and easier.

The cervix, as well as the birth canal, opens quickly, so women who have already given birth often do not have time to get to the hospital. Repeated births come around 38 weeks, but there are exceptions.

Third pregnancy

Preparing to become a mother for the third time, a woman is interested in the question in which week the third child is born more often. Usually childbirth begins earlier. If during the first pregnancy delivery occurs starting from the 38th week, then the third pregnancy is associated with a period of 36 weeks.

The dates for boys and girls are different.

Usually girls want to see the world before boys who are in no hurry to leave their mother's tummy. If doctors note the statistics on which week boys are more likely to give birth, then they talk about the terms of 40-41 weeks. Sometimes there are champions who stay up to 42 weeks. The girls are ready to make their first cry at an earlier date - 38 weeks.

The princess is sleeping

It is important not to forget about the cycle of the expectant mother. If the cycle is standard or short, when ovulation occurs on the 14th day after the start of menstruation, the baby is born at the prescribed 40 weeks.

There are several reasons why girls are born first:

  1. It takes time for a boy to be born ready for existence. Girls mature faster, which is due to their biological role in life: procreation.
  2. What week girls usually give birth depends on the health of the mother, but initially girls were born stronger than boys. They are in a hurry to grow and be born, and during life they develop more rapidly.

From what week can you give birth to twins

For a person, multiple pregnancy is not the norm, so early birth is a consequence of the complication. The uterus doubles as quickly as children in volume, and overdistension causes contractions.
Considering how many obstetric weeks a second baby is born, we talked about a period of 37 weeks. Speaking of multiple pregnancy, 34-35 weeks are mentioned. Regardless of the fact that twins may be born earlier, they have a very high chance of survival.

The best time to have a healthy baby

If we consider from what week you can give birth to 1 girl or boy without chronic diseases in a future mother, then doctors insist on 38-42 weeks. At this time, good, healthy, full-fledged children appear.

fast asleep

Doctors are guided by 40 weeks - this period is recorded in the medical record and sick leave as the date of the onset of childbirth. But even at 38 or 42 weeks, healthy, mature babies are born.

Another issue is multiple pregnancy. In this case, it is better to give birth 4 weeks earlier, which is associated with the load on the body that the woman is experiencing. If a caesarean section is not planned, you need to prepare for childbirth at 35 weeks.

Symptoms and causes of preterm labor

Unexpectedly begun childbirth causes anxiety and stress in a woman. Let's see why this situation occurs:

  1. Infectious diseases.
  2. This reason is one of the most common among pregnant women, which leads to early childbirth. The expectant mother feels unwell, and the suffering of the baby inside the womb acts as a start to the onset of labor. Therefore, it is necessary to undergo an examination so that the pregnancy is safe.

  3. Aging of the placenta.
  4. Doctors evaluate the condition of the placenta based on the results of ultrasound and CTG. The most important thing is to regularly visit a gynecologist and undergo all examinations. If the doctor detects placental aging or placental abruption, treatment is prescribed that improves blood flow and nutrition of the fetus.

    In advanced cases, drugs are prescribed that accelerate the maturation of the baby's respiratory system. Then even premature monthly babies survive and are nursed.

  5. Viral diseases.
  6. In the season of infectious diseases, not only the respiratory tract suffers, it is possible to infect the amniotic fluid and violate the integrity of their membrane. With early outflow or leakage of water, premature birth occurs.

    Of the complications, it is noted that if the integrity of the bladder is broken, and the cervix is ​​not smoothed, the birth canal is not yet ready and the mucous plug has not moved away, an emergency cesarean is required.

  7. Placenta previa.
  8. In this case, the pressure on the internal os increases, the cervix quickly smoothes out. Adhering to the recommendations of the gynecologist and observing bed rest, you can prevent premature birth.

  9. Pathology of the cervix.
  10. A shortened neck and obturator dysfunction can be congenital or result from trauma from previous births or abortions. This leads to premature birth.

    Sometimes early labor does not come spontaneously, but the doctor prescribes an emergency caesarean section in order to preserve the health of the mother and child. The causes are vascular, heart or endocrinological diseases.

New Generation

Early childbirth occurs at a period of 28-36 weeks. If a woman feels alarming symptoms, it is urgent to visit a doctor:

  • sipping in the lower abdomen, which resembles menstruation;
  • feeling that something is pressing on the bladder;
  • small discharge of blood from the vagina;
  • cramping pain lasting more than 30 seconds. Just do not confuse with training bouts;
  • leakage of amniotic fluid;
  • no fetal movements.

The gynecologist will assess the condition and suggest hospitalization if necessary. Don't panic, it's not scary. You can always slow down childbirth with special drugs and procedures.

Why can there be late birth?

A post-term pregnancy is no less dangerous than a premature one, so ask your doctor how long the third birth comes. They come before the rest, and the risk of carrying a child is higher.
Consider the causes of late birth:

  1. Hormonal disorders in the mother.
  2. Changes in the hormonal system signal the body about the onset of labor. If the expectant mother's hormone levels and metabolism are disturbed, the signal will not be received, and contractions will not begin.

  3. extended cycle.
  4. At that time, if a woman's menstruation came regularly, but the cycle was 30-35 days, the child will be born later than the deadline. Here we are talking about a natural physiological process, not pathology. Such a pregnancy is called prolonged.

  5. hereditary factor.
  6. This reason is physiological. Heredity affects early and late birth. Knowing how long mother and grandmother were born, you can prepare for your labor activity in advance.

  7. Taking medication.
  8. When taking drugs to reduce the tone of the uterus, changes also apply to childbirth. Remedies for chronic diseases also affect labor activity. Therefore, inform your gynecologist about your situation so that he can adjust the appointments.

sincere look

When should you be afraid?

  1. Stomach ache.
  2. Any discomfort in the abdomen is a reason to see a doctor. The reasons may be different, but if the danger is not recognized in time, the child will die. With pulling pain in the lower abdomen, abortion is possible. To prevent this from happening, timely treatment is required.

    If there is pain that resembles an inflammation of the bladder or appendicitis, there is a threat of premature birth. Do not rely only on your feelings, especially multiparous ones, but always find out the exact cause from the gynecologist.

  3. Bloody issues.
  4. In any case, bleeding during pregnancy is not the norm. Color changes are suspicious: brown, scarlet, dark yellow or burgundy. If this is observed, immediately call an ambulance or rush in your car to the hospital. Inform the gynecologist about this symptom.

  5. The abdomen has changed shape.
  6. This case does not apply to the moments of active stirring of the baby. If in a calm state the stomach is asymmetrical, hard and tense for more than 30 minutes, sank down or changed shape after a fall, immediately go to the hospital.

  7. Leakage or outpouring of water.
  8. It is impossible to miss such a moment. If the waters receded at night, the bed will be wet; if during the day, they will flow down the legs. Leakage is more difficult to detect: underwear gets wet, which is dangerous in case of premature pregnancy. If there was an outpouring - the fetal bladder is damaged, you need to start labor.

  9. The baby's movements are not felt.
  10. A woman feels the first movements of the baby from the 20th week, during the second pregnancy - from the 16th. If they disappear, you need to beware. The lack of movement for more than 12 hours is an alarming sign, which should be reported to the doctor.

    If this happened once, after which the baby is active again, this is the norm. An alarming sign is the regular lack of movement or low activity.

    Keep a diary with records and control of the child's activity time, and then present to the doctor.

: Borovikova Olga

gynecologist, ultrasound doctor, geneticist

When can you give birth

How many weeks of childbirth are considered normal, from what period can you not worry that the baby will be born prematurely and (or) with health problems? These questions for expectant mothers are very relevant, since the vast majority of them already from 35-36 weeks begin to wait for the first signs of an imminent birth. It is not surprising, because the longer the gestation period, the harder it is to bear it physically, various chronic diseases appear. Yes, and the baby is already very eager to see as soon as possible. Doctors, when asked how many weeks they give birth to a second child or first, answer that full-term at 38-42.

Of course, there are cases when a full-term baby is born at a period of 36-38 weeks. He can immediately breathe on his own, because his lungs have matured. In the case of normal weight, not less than 2.5 kg, it has normal heat exchange. However, these children are at risk for neurological diseases, they may have problems with the eyes, joints, etc. Such children often need special care. And in the case of natural childbirth, they are more likely to experience birth trauma. This is largely due to the fact that there is a dependence on how many weeks labor begins in primiparous and multiparous. And if childbirth begins at 37 weeks or earlier, then they are often rapid. It lasts for primiparous about 8 hours, and for multiparous 6 hours. This leads to the fact that the child leaves the uterus very quickly, often in the wrong position, because he is injured himself, and the woman has ruptures of the vagina and cervix.

Premature birth, or rather their management, requires the obligatory presence of a woman in a maternity hospital, where there is a children's resuscitation and the possibility of medical benefits such as epidural anesthesia. The task of doctors is to make childbirth as soft as possible. But if possible, the pregnancy is prolonged until full-term. Even if all or part of the water has departed, a woman can be given prophylactic antibacterial drugs and, in the meantime, inject dexamethasone, a hormone that accelerates the maturation of the baby's lungs. This helps to avoid such a serious complication as pneumonia after the birth of a child. Valid until approximately 35 weeks.

Normally, pregnancy lasts 38-42 weeks, but in some cases it ends earlier, and this is considered a variant of the norm. For example, when a woman bears more than one child. So, about which week twins are born, it is known that approximately on the 36-37th.

It remains to figure out how to correctly calculate your gestational age and how to predict the day when the baby will be born. Of course, this should be done, rather, by a doctor, but nevertheless, doctors are not always right. Especially in cases where a woman knows the day when the conception occurred. Nevertheless, the so-called obstetric gestational age is usually taken into account. It is counted from the first day of the last menstruation. And there is a formula. To do this, you need to add 280 to the first day of your last period. Or subtract 3 months and add 7 days. This is the so-called Negele formula. True, it is relevant for women with a regular menstrual cycle of average duration - 28-30 days. For some women, a non-term pregnancy at 42 weeks is if their menstrual cycle was long, and ovulation occurred much later than its classical terms.

In addition, there is a difference in the date of birth of a child for those for whom this is the first experience of childbirth and no longer. Often, primiparous women give birth at 40 weeks or even later. Especially often this happens in women who do not have health problems, including those with the cervix. But ladies who already have experience in carrying a pregnancy and giving birth to a child can give birth even earlier. Usually multiparous women give birth at 38 weeks, because their neck is often softer and slightly shorter than those who become mothers for the first time.

In women's communities, one can often read the opinion that the term of a child's birth also depends on his gender. They say that there is a difference in how many weeks women give birth to boys or girls. Allegedly, the boys are born a little earlier. Of course, this is a myth. If in doubt, you can interview your friends, try to conduct a statistical study yourself and be sure to verify this.

Normally, a child is born when his body is completely ready for life outside the womb, and the mother's body is ready to start labor.