The first pregnancy is the most exciting time for every woman, because it is filled with new sensations, events and worries. In order for childbirth to be easy, you need to prepare for them in advance, learn more about the process itself, because, as they say, forewarned is forearmed. And of course, the expectant mother has a lot of questions about this, but most often women are interested in this moment: how to understand that contractions are starting? There are some signs, the so-called harbingers of childbirth, by which one can judge that contractions will begin soon, and then the process of expulsion of the fetus.
Signs of approaching labor
Although a woman has to bear a child for nine months, already at the very beginning of her pregnancy, she begins to worry about questions related to childbirth: how does the birth of a child take place? How to understand that contractions are starting?How to prepare for them and not miss them? It often happens that childbirth begins suddenly and takes the expectant mother by surprise. But if you prepare in advance for this process and learn more about it, you can understand when the birth of a baby will begin approximately. For example, changes such as increased urination, prolapse of the abdomen, periodic uterine contractions, changes in mood and appetite, and the passage of a mucous plug can be signs of an approaching birth.
Cramps are the main sign of childbirth
The main sign of the onset of labor is contractions, which are accompanied by the discharge of amniotic fluid. Contractions are called the contraction of the muscles of the uterus, in which the opening of its neck occurs, which contributes to the passage of the child through the birth canal of the mother. In this case, there is aching pain in the lower abdomen, similar to pain during menstruation. You can also feel how the child presses on the pubic bone, and at the same time, tingling is observed in this area. The tone of the uterus rises, and the stomach becomes very hard, the lower back begins to hurt. Similar sensations may occur at the end of the term during training bouts. How to understand that these contractions are false and not real?
Training (false) contractions
In the last weeks of pregnancy, a woman may feel uterine contractions. But do not worry, you need to listen to your body, because these contractions can be false. Thus, the uterus “trains”, preparing the body of the expectant mother for the upcoming birth. How to determine whatTraining contractions started, not real ones? There are several differences by which you can understand what kind of contractions they are and whether it is worth going to the hospital.
Training contractions:
- abbreviations irregular;
- n
- the time between contractions can vary, from 15 minutes to half an hour, while there is no reduction in the duration of this interval;
- pain can last for several hours and then disappear. If you take a warm bath, the pain subsides and gradually disappears completely.
short duration;
Prenatal (real) contractions:
- contractions occur at regular intervals, while the frequency of contractions increases, and the interval between them becomes shorter;
- First contractions may last only 30 seconds, but then their duration increases;
- time between contractions can initially be about 15 minutes, then this interval is constantly decreasing, reaching one minute;
- after taking a warm bath or shower, contractions become more regular and painful.
In this regard, to the question “How to understand that contractions are starting?” you can answer like this: you need to monitor the duration of the contractions and the intervals between them or take a bath, so you can understand whether these are false or real contractions.
Useful information
An equally important sign of the onset of labor is the discharge of amniotic fluid. They can move away before the start of contractions, then you should immediatelyget together at the maternity hospital. It may also be that the contractions have already begun, but the water has not yet departed, then the obstetrician himself pierces the bladder, this procedure is painless, but stimulates labor even more. If everything is in order, then the amniotic fluid should be clear, but if it is brown or green, then you should immediately seek medical help.
Conclusion
How to understand that contractions are starting is not very difficult, you can’t confuse this with anything. The main thing is not to panic, monitor your breathing and try to relax, this will help reduce pain, and besides, after childbirth, they will be forgotten very quickly. You need to think about the most important thing - about the baby who is about to be born, about how you will take him in your arms for the first time and press him to your chest. For the sake of this moment, you can endure a little.
