How contractions begin before childbirth

During pregnancy, a woman feels a variety of sensations, ranging from unusual taste preferences to nagging pain in the lower back. And as the date approaches childbirth the expectant mother is more attentive to her feelings, trying not to miss the onset of contractions.

How to distinguish contractions from training ones

In order not to be tormented by unnecessary suspicions, it is important for a pregnant woman to be able to distinguish training contractions from real contractions. These contractions were first described at the end of the 19th century. It was agreed that such contractions were intended specifically to prepare the woman’s body for childbirth. During the training contractions, the uterus and its cervix are prepared for labor.

There are several differences that make it possible to distinguish real contractions from training contractions or, as they are also called, false ones:

• Contractions of a training nature are irregular, with different periods of time between them.
• Such contractions do not cause pain to the woman, at most they are unpleasant sensations.
• After changing position, contractions usually go away. To do this, you just need to get up and walk around or, on the contrary, lie down.
• As a result of false contractions, the cervix does not open.

How to count contractions

Before you learn how to count contractions, it's a good idea to understand the signs that labor is about to begin. Typically, birth occurs from 37 to 40 weeks. This is considered the norm. Signs that labor is imminent include:

• Outpouring of waters. If your amniotic fluid begins to leak, this definitely indicates that you will see your baby very soon. Even if contractions do not start, it is no longer possible to stop the birth process.
• Plug exit. If you had training contractions, a plug of mucus that was closing the cervical canal may come out. This phenomenon does not indicate an immediate onset childbirth, in fact, the birth of a baby can occur in a few days.
• The third sign is contractions. They gradually lengthen, and the gap between them decreases.

During a contraction, the abdominal muscles tense, and the woman often experiences changes in her pulse and breathing rate. The match ends at the moment when the uterus completely relaxes. A repeated contraction begins after a certain period of time. It can range from a few minutes to half an hour.

When you feel the first contraction, remember and write down its duration. Then wait for another contraction and record the length of time between contractions. It usually lasts as long as the first contraction lasted, or a little longer. Continue to record the duration of the contractions themselves and the intervals between them. The duration of contractions will increase, and the interval between them will gradually decrease.

How to breathe during contractions

Breathing technique during contractions is very important. If you breathe correctly, you can relieve pain and help the baby to be born sooner.

As a rule, obstetricians advise women in labor to breathe using a technique called “Candle” during labor. To do this, during the entire contraction, you need to inhale through your nose, and then exhale through your mouth. To better understand the technique, imagine that you are trying to put out a candle. Inhalations and exhalations should be quick and shallow. During this breathing process, the body experiences increased production of endorphins, which reduce pain.

Contractions have started - when to go to the hospital

As soon as you feel contractions, start counting them. Usually, at the beginning of contractions, the expectant mother does not feel much discomfort. Contractions at this time are short-lived, and the interval between them reaches 20 minutes. During labor itself, the interval between contractions is reduced to 3 minutes. This process lasts for primiparous women up to 12 hours, and for multiparous women it is reduced to 6 hours.

You should go to the maternity hospital at a time when the interval between contractions has decreased to 10 minutes, and the contractions themselves have become regular. You also need to go to the maternity hospital as soon as possible even if the amniotic fluid has passed, but contractions have not started.