Contractions During Pregnancy

Contents:

• Contractions in Pregnancy
• What are Contractions During Pregnancy?
• How do I tell False Contractions from True?
• How to Behave During Contractions?

Contractions in Pregnancy

Contractions. Only a woman going to become mom for the tenth time wouldn’t care about them. While a pregnant woman experiencing such contractions for the first time will have lots of questions. Indeed, how can she know what to do when contractions begin and how to tell true and false contractions? Of course, you don’t have to panic as it’s prohibited during pregnancy. You’d better read this article to clear up many questions.

What are Contractions During Pregnancy?

Labor pains are involuntary contractions of the uterus coming at regular intervals. If a woman feels true contractions – the baby is going to appear soon. Specific substances such as prostaglandins and oxytocin hormone cause contractions. Of course, every contraction has a distinct start and end. The period in between contractions can be absolutely painless.

During this time in between contractions a woman may rest and get ready for further hard labor. With the beginning of the real contractions the cervix dilates (during the pregnancy it’s closed). A complete dilation is of about 10-12 cm in diameter. Then starts the period of so called “expulsion of a fetus” and contractions are joined by pushes. A pregnant woman should know that contractions are absolutely uncontrolled, while she can delay or strengthen pushes.

How do I tell False Contractions from True?

Closer to the birth date a woman starts experiencing unusual contractions and sharp abdominal strains. However, if contractions are irregular they are not signaling a starting labor. Thus, your body gets ready for the most important event in your life and such contractions are called “harbingers” or even “false”. Harbingers may occur after the 20th week of pregnancy.

However, if the contractions have started when you have only two or three weeks left before the birth date and they are joined by the passing of a mucus plug and amniotic fluid has broken – immediately go to maternity hospital. The less time is left before the delivery – the stronger and longer contractions are and intervals are shorter.

How to Behave During Contractions?

• Relax. Once you feel the contraction beginning, try to relax your body, especially the abdomen. Try to relax and don’t bite lips. Watch your face and try not to strain it.
• Breathe deeply. Proper breathing allows the woman to pass the contractions easier and helps the baby, as at this time he/she really needs extra oxygen.
• Try not to shout. Believe me, it isn’t of help. If you shout, you are unlikely to relax and are going to spend much forces.
• Move. Moving contributes to a faster dilation. In other words, it reduces the time of delivery. Walk. Dance if you wish. Move your hips sitting on a fitball.
• You can have a loins’ massage. For example, ask your husband or someone else to massage your loins. It really works.
• Listen to nurses. People working in maternity for a long time, know their job very well, so you’d better follow their advice. In this case you can be sure that you are doing everything right.