The process by which your child leaves the uterus is known as labor (also known as childbirth). When your cervix changes due to regular contractions, you are in labor. The uterine muscles contract during a contraction before relaxing. Contractions aid in ejecting your unborn child from your womb. The uterine cervix, located at the top of the vagina, is the opening to the uterus. Your cervix dilates when labor begins. Knowing the signs of labor as your due date approaches can help you feel more prepared for labor and delivery. Call your healthcare provider if you notice any labor-related symptoms.
False versus real labor
Most women experience "false labor" before they go through actual labor. Brief contractions characterize latent or false labor that may or may not be painful. The contractions are irregular in frequency and do not coincide with any bleeding or fluid leakage.
There are some indicators, though, that real labor has started. Contractions will happen regularly and frequently if labor is happening. At this point, contractions will continue and typically last for 30 to 70 seconds, if not longer. During labor, you will experience sharp physical pains in the lower back and upper abdomen. As time goes on, contractions may become more painful and forceful. In fact, during this stage of labor, some pregnant mamas won't be able to converse with others or even laugh at a joke.
What are the warning signs that labor may soon begin?
- Your infant lowers or drops into your pelvis. Lightening is the term for this. It indicates that your baby is preparing to position itself for birth. It may occur just a few hours or a few weeks before your labor starts.
- Vaginal discharge that is clear, pink, or barely bloody has increased. Show or bloody show is what this is. It may occur a few days before or at the start of labor.
- Your doctor informs you that your cervix has started to efface (thin) and dilate during a prenatal checkup (open). Your cervix is roughly 3.5 to 4 centimeters long before labor. It is 10 centimeters when fully dilated (open) for labor. Contractions aid in opening your cervix once labor begins.
- You have the urge to build a nest. This is the time to organize your home and start preparing for the arrival of your child. You should prepare meals for the baby's room and clothes. It's okay to carry out these actions if you don't overdo them. For labor and delivery, you require energy.
Which labor symptoms signal a visit to the hospital?
In general, contractions that are coming more frequently and strongly indicate that labor has begun. Start timing your contractions and recording their duration and spacing before rushing to the hospital or birthing facility. (When you have a contraction, your entire uterus may cramp or feel pressure, and occasionally your back.) Your practitioner must know this information to advise when to go to the hospital or if you are giving birth at home when the certified midwife should visit.
Start timing once you experience several consecutive contractions. The tightness is a sign of labor contractions if it lasts 30 seconds. From the beginning of one contraction to the start of the next, count the seconds between them.
- If contractions last 45 to 60 seconds and happen every 3 to 5 minutes for an hour, first-time parents should go to the hospital.
- If you expect your second child and your contractions to last at least 45 to 60 seconds and happen every 5 to 7 minutes, go to the hospital.
Despite those above, be ready to go to the hospital right away if:
- You are heavily bleeding.
- You observe the infant moving less frequently.
- While you are not experiencing contractions, your water breaks. (If your contractions aren't yet spaced closely apart, your doctor might advise waiting a little longer at home.)
- You experience intense pain nonstop, with no relief in between contractions.
Of course, call your doctor or midwife if anything seems abnormal or if you are unsure what to do.
Pain management without medication
Breathing. Childbirth education classes often teach breathing techniques that can be very beneficial.
Walking. Walking and moving around to relieve pressure on your back and body while giving birth. You can move around as long as we don't have to check on your baby constantly.
Hydrotherapy. Early in labor, taking a shower can help with slow or difficult labor by easing pain and stress.
Massage. During contractions, your partner or labor support person can massage your shoulders and lower back.
Labor Signs: Final Thoughts
The number of deliveries you've had before this pregnancy and how quickly you delivered with your prior pregnancies are factors in the rule of thumb. There is a higher chance that you can labor at home for at least a few hours before going to the hospital to check your cervix if this is your first pregnancy and your cervix was barely dilated at your last doctor visit. However, every labor is different and challenging to predict.
On the other hand, you shouldn't wait an hour before going to the hospital if this is your fifth delivery and your cervix was 4 cm dilated at your most recent doctor visit. Call your doctor if you need clarification. Remember that you need to get to the hospital immediately if your water breaks or there is significant bleeding. When your contractions occur every five minutes or more for over an hour, the best is to go to the hospital. But there is no absolute rule because it depends on how dilated your cervix was during your previous doctor's visit.
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