‘Sometimes between life and death stands a paramedic’. In this emotional short clip, you see two paramedics Nat and Nat, respond to an urgent call of a woman in a difficult labour.
The young mum, Ionela, can be seen struggling to deliver baby number three, in the bath before the paramedics moved her to the bedroom to deliver naturally in an upright position. Apparently, a midwife had been called to the scene, but had not arrived in time, leaving the crew with no option than to help deliver the baby themselves.
Ionela explains to the paramedics how she lost a baby the year before, delivering the baby stillborn. The clip shows the paramedics comforting her, whilst sharing their own stories – one of the paramedics having a severely disabled daughter after a difficult birth.
Viewers of the BBC Three clip have been praising the paramedics for their amazing work, one woman writing: ‘I love watching vidoes like this where it shows the wonderful work of the NHS. The video made me cry – well done to a very brave mum and all the paramedics who helped!’
Read next: the early labour signs to look out for
Your waters break
Otherwise known as the moment the sac of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby ruptures. This can happen as an all-in-one gush, or a slow trickle that lasts a few days.
Heartburn relief
As your bump grows, your baby will push your stomach upwards. This forces acid in your stomach into your windpipe, causing heartburn. In the weeks before giving birth, your baby will drop down into your pelvis, which means you might finally get some relief.
You have backache
An ache in your lower back can mean your baby is rotating into the right position for labour. This can take a few days and might be painful. Put your feet up, ask your partner for a backrub and take a hot bath to relieve symptoms.
You have a ‘show’
A mucus plug covers your cervix in pregnancy and this may come loose up to a few days before labour starts. A brown, pink or red-tinged stringy or jelly-like discharge, it can come out either in one lump or more gradually over a few days. Find out all you need to know about the mucus plug here.
Your nipples leak
This can happen throughout the final few weeks of pregnancy, but you might notice it more in the last few weeks before your baby arrives. The milk you’re leaking is colostrum, a nutrient-rich liquid that will nourish your baby until your proper milk comes in a couple of days after the birth.
Diarrhoea
The hormones that help your uterus contract can also sometimes cause diarrhoea in the hours before birth.
Swollen down below
As your baby moves down into your pelvis, usually around week 37, the increased blow flow to this area can leave your vagina feeling swollen. This is very normal and nothing to worry about, however if you are uncomfortable, try placing an ice pack in a tea towel and resting it on the area.
Frequent toilet stops
One you're probably used to by now, as your growing bump has been pressing on your bladder for the last few months, but expect those toilet trips to increase in the last few weeks of pregnancy as your baby moves into your pelvis.
Sudden burst of energy
It's not one many women complain about, but it's usual to feel a sudden burst of energy those few days before labour stars. Make the most of it while you can!
Walking differently
As your pelvis widens to get ready for birth, this can often affect the way you walk.
