Real contractions are what they are. Light spotting or spotting

Women who carry a child repeatedly are already more prepared for the upcoming process. But it is not always possible to recognize contractions during the second birth, perceiving true moments as false.

The muscles of the uterus contract throughout pregnancy, but some women begin to feel this closer to the 9th month. Such contractions are called prenatal contractions and are the body’s training for the upcoming birth. The purpose of false contractions is to prepare the uterus and cervix for the birth of the baby; the baby’s position in the mother’s womb is adjusted.

The intensity and absence of pain symptoms indicates that training contractions have begun before the second birth. Spasms last no more than 60 seconds, are irregular, and only cause inconvenience. At these moments, the pregnant woman can practice breathing technique and mastering pain-relieving poses.

Signs of real contractions are also observed during training contractions, if the mucus plug comes off prematurely. This is triggered either by vaginal examination or sexual intercourse. In case of false spasms, the plug has brown tint no signs of blood.

At the culmination of preparatory muscle contractions, the pain is concentrated only in the lower abdomen. When it begins to spread to the back, this is the beginning of true contractions. Spasms occur at any time of the day, but more often labor activity begins closer to the night, when the body produces oxytocin.

If the duration of contractions does not increase and the interval between contractions does not decrease, these are false signs. On at this stage Irregular spasms are characteristic. When a woman begins to move, the training tension will ease or stop altogether.

True

How to understand that contractions have begun during the second birth? Main indicator labor contractions- their frequency. The spasms are more frequent, quite painful and last for several hours.
An experienced woman can easily understand the sensations of a second pregnancy. This is already a sign that to the expectant mother it became easier to breathe, indicating a drooping of the abdomen, which was previously pressing on the diaphragm. This is the baby's head dropping into the upper pelvis.

How do contractions go during the second birth?

1. the baby begins to move more actively;
2. the frequency of spasms and relaxations lasts more than 40 minutes;
3. the woman feels painful contractions in the abdomen and back;
4. The contractions begin gently, reach a climax and gradually subside.

Each subsequent contraction of the uterine muscles is more intense than the previous one, which is a sign of dilation of the cervix. Muscle tension pushes the child forward. But initially a mucus plug will come out, resembling pinkish jelly.

You can determine that contractions have begun by the fluid flowing down your legs - this is a rupture. amniotic sac. At the same time, the body begins to cleanse itself, so the pregnant woman experiences gastrointestinal disorders, accompanied not only by diarrhea, but also by vomiting.

Others appear accompanying sensations before 2 births. Some pregnant women feel tired, lose their appetite, and feel chills. Others, on the contrary, experience a surge of energy and high spirits. A woman manifests nesting syndrome on a subconscious level; she tries to restore order in the house.

Deadlines

Is it possible to miss contractions during the second birth? Yes, this is possible if the water has not completely broken due to a bubble that has not burst. Women before their second birth wait for all the signs to be present, so muscle tension without water breaking is perceived as false.

Contractions in a second-bearing mother do not manifest themselves in the same way as when the child first appears. The muscles of the uterus are already more elastic, the organ becomes soft and pliable in a short period, so everything happens quickly.

If the waters have broken completely and there are no signs, the first uterine contractions may appear when labor is already progressing. In order not to miss the main point, they call an ambulance if there are contractions or their absence at the stage when the fluid begins to ooze. This will avoid subsequent infections and fetal suffocation.

But if everything goes according to the standard scheme, then the pregnant woman still has time to prepare for delivery. The birth of a baby is accompanied by periods of contractions. At the first stage, the spasms are not so strong and do not last long - everything is dynamic, increasing. The phase lasts several hours.

How long do contractions last during the second birth? Once labor spasms have been recognized, the woman should control their frequency. If contractions occur every hour, and the relaxation period lasts no more than 20 minutes, it is too early to worry; at this stage, delivery is slow.

If the duration of contractions has been reduced to 10 minutes, and the spasms continue for 40-50 seconds, the period of cervical dilatation is noted. But if contractions are observed after 2 minutes, and each takes 90 seconds, the baby is already able to leave the uterus, since the cervix is ​​fully dilated.

When to go to the maternity hospital if contractions begin during the second birth? Too frequent spasms, with a period of less than 10 minutes, are already a reason to call ambulance or go to the maternity hospital using your own transport. If for primiparas the expulsion phase takes about an hour, then for women giving birth again, everything happens in a shorter period.

While waiting for transport, there is an opportunity to feel better during contractions breathing exercises. In the interval between spasms, it is advisable to relax, rest, waiting for the next wave. Massage is practiced, which is a natural pain reliever.

Anomalies

Sometimes the first phase of labor drags on for several hours, or even days. If a woman is already ready for the process, you can speed up the birth of a child with stimulation - a shower, nipple massage, exercises. But with pathologies labor activity, any independent manipulation is prohibited.

Swift. Typically, in second-bearing women, the stages occur quite quickly, immediately moving from one phase to another. When the process takes less than 4 hours, the birth is said to have been rapid and is considered abnormal. This is due to disturbances in the contractile functions of the uterine muscles. Rapid delivery occurs if the pregnancy was accompanied by pathologies ( severe toxicoses , pyelonephritis, inflammation), or there is genetic predisposition

to myocytosis. At imminent birth premature placental abruption occurs, which threatens the baby’s life due to lack of oxygen. Complications arise for the mother - the rapid advancement of the fetus leads to tissue ruptures in the birth canal. Possible, which cannot always be stopped in time.

Breaks. Even a woman giving birth repeatedly can have ruptures not only of the perineum, but also of the muscles inside the vagina. This happens not only during rapid labor, but also when large fruit

. Deep tears are not always diagnosed, they are very difficult to stitch up, and this leads to infection of the woman. Sloppy seams make the muscles less elastic, which will affect subsequent births, and also cause discomfort during sexual intercourse.

To avoid ruptures, the obstetrician cuts the perineum, clearing the way for the baby. This is done at the stage when the baby’s head is at the exit of the vagina and there is a risk of rupture. C-section.

After waiting for the first stage of contractions to begin, the pregnant woman is prepared for the procedure. Sometimes surgery is not planned and becomes the final stage of a complex natural birth.

After the birth of a newborn, a woman will be weakened; discomfort from the stitches causes severe pain, which can be relieved with medication. To avoid the development of infections after a cesarean section, the mother is prescribed strong antibiotics. Because of this, the baby is not immediately transferred to breastfeeding. Birth of twins.

Multiple births entail many problems during childbirth. The uterus is overstretched and will not contract as it should. In such a situation, a woman cannot always find out the true contractions, because the birth of babies occurs before the appointed time. The duration of the process depends on the presentation and the number of amniotic sacs.

At the birth of the first twin, the traditional stages of delivery are observed, but the second child will appear much faster, since the path has already been prepared. But if there are problems with the exit of the first baby, then the second will develop hypoxia.

Postpartum period

The final stage of labor is the appearance of the newborn, the release of the placenta and membranes. But until this moment, the woman will still have to spend energy on pushing, helping the child move out.

• Birth process for 2 births:
• emergence of the crown of the baby from the vagina;
• after a couple of contractions, the whole head is already outside;
• First one shoulder comes out, then the other;

a few attempts - and the baby is finally born.

If rejection persists, the woman in labor is given an injection of oxytocin to stimulate active contractions. Mechanical force is also used. As soon as the placenta slips out of the vagina, it is inspected to ensure its integrity. If at least one slice is missing, a control cleaning of the uterus is done to avoid infection.

Incomplete detachment of the placenta leads to blood loss, since the pieces remaining inside interfere with blood vessels close. This is especially important during the birth of twins, when the uterus is overstretched and muscle tone weak An improperly attached placenta changes the position of the uterus, which leads to further problems for the woman. Therefore, the midwife will have to immediately return the uterus to its place by manually adjusting it.

For a multiparous woman, the description of contractions is already familiar, but each subsequent pregnancy is still perceived as the first. Some processes are completely different from others, and can even introduce experienced woman confused. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to find out and remember everything about the second birth and contractions in advance.

When the time of birth approaches, a pregnant woman begins to worry and worry: how and when everything will happen, how successful the delivery process will be... Also, many women are afraid of contractions. Indeed, they can be quite painful, although contractions during pregnancy and the sensations during them are quite individual.

The cervix is ​​a muscular ring that is normally closed around the os of the uterus. Longitudinal smooth muscles extending from this ring form the walls of the uterus. As labor approaches, the fetal pituitary gland and placenta begin to produce special substances - childbirth provocateurs(for example, the hormone oxytocin), under the influence of which the uterine pharynx opens to 10-12 cm in diameter.

Contractions during pregnancy

The uterus contracts in volume, intrauterine pressure increases, and all these factors contribute to the fact that the baby begins to move along the birth canal. Under the influence of hormones, the cervix relaxes, smoothes out from weak contractions, and opens from strong contractions.

False contractions during pregnancy

By the way, have you ever heard of false contractions? They are also called training contractions during pregnancy or Braxton Hicks contractions. They are similar to real contractions: the uterus also becomes toned, and you can even feel it - but the cervix does not open and labor does not begin.

False contractions during pregnancy are a kind of training for the body before the onset of labor; they usually begin several weeks before birth. However, their complete absence is not a pathology: women who have not experienced training contractions during pregnancy give birth no less successfully than those who are familiar with this phenomenon.

How to distinguish real contractions from false ones? As a rule, this question is asked only by first-time mothers: more experienced mothers they already know that the real ones cannot be confused with anything. Training contractions take place irregularly, erratically, with of varying duration and frequency. Doctors recommend that expectant mothers calm down, relax, take a warm shower and drink juice or warm milk.

If contractions become periodic, their intensity increases, and the intervals between them shorten - most likely.

Contractions during pregnancy: sensations

If you are giving birth for the first time, contractions may last from 5 to 12 hours. In multiparous women, this period is usually 2-4 hours shorter. They also join the fights attempts- contractions of the muscles of the diaphragm and abdominal wall. They involve different muscle groups than during contractions.

But the main difference between pushing and contractions is that pushing is at least to some extent amenable to volitional control on the part of the woman in labor (she can strengthen or, conversely, delay them), while the process of contractions cannot be controlled with all the desire.

The pain during contractions is vaguely reminiscent of the pain experienced during menstrual bleeding. For those who usually have painful periods, such pain will seem quite tolerable and familiar.

There is no need to be panicky about contractions: firstly, during childbirth, a woman’s body produces painkillers. Secondly, there are many ways to self-help during childbirth, which we will discuss below. Well, and finally, as a last resort, doctors will use medicinal methods relief of pain.

Start of contractions

How do contractions begin? Most often, real contractions begin after the release of a plug - mucus, which, throughout pregnancy, seems to clog the cervix, protecting it from infections entering the body. Therefore, when large quantity If there is mucous bloody discharge, call an ambulance immediately.

Contractions occur at precise intervals (at first it is 30-35 minutes, but then the pause time between contractions is reduced). The first contractions last from 1 minute, and then last longer and longer.

So, contractions have begun, the sensations during them are quite individual, but most women describe the beginning of contractions as tremors somewhere in the lumbar region. Then the pain moves to the stomach, becomes encircling, and there is a feeling as if the bones of the sacrum and pelvis are moving apart.

As long as the contractions are not too painful and not frequent (up to 5 minutes), there is no point in rushing to the maternity hospital: the first birth, as mentioned above, lasts a long time, and part of this time it is better to stay at home, slowly walking around the apartment. But if your water breaks, call an ambulance as soon as possible: during this period the risk of infection is high.

Breathing during contractions during pregnancy

It's time to remember everything that was said about breathing in prenatal classes, because correct breathing during childbirth is very important: it helps the woman in labor relax, makes it easier painful sensations, provides a full flow of oxygen to the fetus.

IN first period during labor (when contractions become regular), at the beginning and end of each contraction, inhale air through your nose and exhale through your mouth. At the peak of the contraction, breathe through your mouth, often and shallowly, but not for too long - such breathing may make you feel dizzy.

Breathing in second period depends on what the doctor or midwife tells you: push or, conversely, be patient (if the cervix is ​​not yet fully dilated, you need to try to hold back your pushing, otherwise cervical swelling is possible). If you need to hold back your pushing, take two short breaths and then one long exhale. When the pushing stops, exhale slowly and evenly. If, on the contrary, you are told to push, you need to, feeling the urge to push, take a deep breath, lean forward and hold your breath. When the effort passes, try to breathe more evenly and deeply, relax, calm down.

How to relieve pain during contractions

Besides breathing exercises, there are many ways to relieve labor pain for a woman in labor. You must know how to help yourself. Obstetricians advise:

• in the intervals between contractions, it is better to walk rather than lie down; during contractions, take a comfortable body position;
• stay straight: in this position, the baby’s head rests against the cervix, contractions become stronger;
• in between contractions, relax to save your strength;
• try to distract yourself and not think about the pain - you can look at some object, etc.;
• focus on breathing to distract yourself from the pain;
• urinate more often to get full bladder did not interfere with the child's progress.

If your husband is next to you, ask him to massage your back and lower back: this will help relieve the pain. The massage is done soft in a circular motion back side palms on the lower back, then, expanding the range of strokes, on the back. You can use talc.

What can you advise a man in this situation? The husband must be an intermediary between the wife and the medical staff - as a rule, in the presence of one of the relatives, the woman in labor is treated much more attentively. Take your spouse's side in everything: for example, if she asks for a painkiller. Encourage and support your wife in every possible way, even if she is irritated or does not pay any attention to you.

Pain relief during childbirth

If contractions become too painful, your doctor may prescribe pain medication. Do not be angry that you are forced to endure pain: any anesthesia is not completely harmless, and therefore is used only in extreme cases.

Types of pain relief during childbirth:

• Epidural anesthesia – relieves pain by blocking the nerves of the lower body. Used for severe back pain. It is not offered in every hospital, because it requires great skill of the anesthesiologist: the time must be calculated so that the effect of epidural anesthesia ceases by the second stage of labor, so as not to interfere with natural labor. Sometimes it is accompanied by trembling hands and weakness, but these are just mild side effects.
• Nitrous oxide with oxygen - a gas mixture used at the end of the 1st stage of labor. Reduces pain and causes a state of euphoria. Enters through a mask. You may feel nauseous or dizzy when inhaling.
• Promedol – also used in the 1st stage of labor. It begins to act after 20 minutes and is administered intramuscularly. It affects everyone differently, you may feel nauseous or unsteady, and some women in labor may feel drowsy.

The last trimester of pregnancy is the most exciting period for a woman. The closer the birth gets, the more questions arise. The most relevant ones concern how contractions begin before childbirth, what sensations arise during this process, and whether pain is felt.

It is this process that is most feared by the fair sex, whose pregnancy is their first. There's really no need to be nervous about this. With negative emotions, pain can seem very strong. The less you think about it and fear contractions, the easier the birth will be.

Yes, and there are special techniques to reduce pain during this natural process.

A woman carrying a baby under her heart can be misled by false (training) contractions. They can begin from the 20th week of pregnancy. False contractions before childbirth cause slight discomfort, but are irregular, short-lived and in most cases practically painless. Uterine tension and discomfort can be relieved by a warm bath or walking. It is important to remember that the bath temperature should be between 36 and 38 degrees.

True contractions are the main harbinger of childbirth. How are contractions before childbirth and what are they like? Every woman experiences contractions differently. It depends on the physiological characteristics pregnant and the position of the baby in the tummy. For example, some may feel weak aching pain in the lumbar region, which after a certain period of time spread to the abdomen and pelvis, encircling the woman.

Others note that the sensations during contractions are comparable to the discomfort that occurs during menstruation. The pain subsequently intensifies. During contractions it may feel like the uterus turns to stone. This can be clearly seen if you put your hand on your stomach.

All of the above signs may also be characteristic of false uterine contractions. Then how to recognize real contractions before childbirth? There are general signs of this natural process that every pregnant woman can determine that she is about to go into labor:

• regularity of occurrence;
• gradual increase in frequency;
• increasing pain over time.

At first, a pregnant woman may feel contractions after a long period of time. The pain is not severe. In the future, the intervals between contractions gradually decrease, and the pain of this natural process increases.

Based common features contractions before childbirth, we can distinguish 3 phase process:

• initial (latent, hidden);
• active;
• transitional.

initial stage on average lasts about 7-8 hours. The duration of the contraction can be 30-45 seconds, the interval between them is about 5 minutes. During this period, the cervix dilates by 0-3 cm.

During active phase, lasting from 3 to 5 hours, contractions can last up to 60 seconds. The frequency of contractions during childbirth is 2-4 minutes. The cervix dilates 3-7 cm.

Transition phase(deceleration phase) is the shortest. A woman can stay in it for 0.5-1.5 hours. Contractions become longer. Now they last for 70-90 seconds. The interval between contractions also becomes shorter compared to other phases. After about 0.5-1 minutes, a woman in position will feel uterine contractions. The neck of this organ dilates by 7-10 cm.



Contractions during the second birth are also divided into three phases, but the total duration of each of them is shorter than during the first birth.

What to do if contractions start?

If contractions occur, a pregnant woman should calm down, because vanity is not best helper. Preferably take a comfortable position in a chair, chair or bed and begin to record the intervals between contractions and their duration. It is advisable to record all this data. There is no need to think about what is more painful: contractions or childbirth. Fear will make the pain seem unbearable.

If contractions do not last long and the duration between them is long (20-30 minutes), then it is too early for the baby to be born. A woman has time to collect the necessary things, call an ambulance. At this time, with the help of loved ones, you can take a warm shower. When contractions occur, the intervals between which are 5-7 minutes, you already need to go to the maternity hospital.

A trip to medical institution There is no point in postponing, despite the fact that the initial phase of contractions can last several hours. The amniotic fluid may recede earlier, and at this time it is advisable to be under the supervision of an obstetrician-gynecologist. When your water breaks Under no circumstances should you take warm or hot bath, because this may increase the likelihood of developing infectious complications, bleeding, embolism, etc.

How to induce contractions and labor?

For many women, labor begins at 37-40 weeks. However, there are cases when pregnancy continues at 41, 42 and even 43 weeks. Representatives of the fair sex in such situations begin to worry and get nervous, because they so want to see their baby quickly, but he still doesn’t want to be born. Yes, and there are cases when the child died at this stage in the mother’s tummy, and contractions never began.

The death of a child can occur due to the fact that the placenta begins to age. Oxygen and nutrients the baby may no longer have enough. How to induce contractions and childbirth is a question that worries expectant mothers who are carrying a child longer than the expected date of birth, which was calculated by the doctor.

To prevent the occurrence negative consequences, you can cause contractions and childbirth. However, this decision must be made only doctor. If there are no pathologies, and amniotic fluid are clean, there is no need to stimulate the birth process. Everything has its time. If any deviations are found, the doctor will certainly suggest stimulation of contractions and labor. There is no point in giving this up.

Contractions can also be induced independently. For example, they recommend being more upright, walking, moving, but there is no need to provoke fatigue or stress, as this will not be beneficial.



Feelings of contractions before childbirth may occur because of sex. Sperm contains prostaglandins, which prepare the cervix for childbirth by softening it. Sexual arousal and orgasm tone the body and cause uterine contractions.

You can induce contractions using nipple massage. You can start doing it from the 37th week of pregnancy. During a massage, the hormone oxytocin is released in the body, due to which the muscles of the uterus can begin to contract. Massage allows you not only to stimulate labor, but also to prepare the skin of your nipples for breastfeeding your baby.

There are also folk remedies stimulation of labor and contractions, but you should not experience them yourself. For example, certain teas and decoctions can negatively affect the health of the mother and her baby, because some herbs are contraindicated for pregnant women, as they can cause miscarriage.

How to ease contractions during childbirth?

Doctors can help a pregnant woman reduce pain during labor and childbirth using special medications. However, you should not rely on anesthesia. There is a possibility that medicine will have a negative impact on the mother and her baby.

The main way to reduce pain is correct breathing during childbirth and labor. With its help, a woman in labor can relax. When a contraction occurs, it is recommended to focus on exhaling. At this moment, it is worth imagining that pain is “leaving” the body along with the air. A woman in labor may also make “noise” during contractions and childbirth. Sighs, groans and screams will ease the condition. Proper breathing should be learned in advance and practiced more often, because childbirth is stressful, due to which all poorly memorized information can be easily forgotten.

The mother in labor can relax thanks to massage and simple gentle touches of a loved one. Contractions are the beginning of labor. It is when they occur that it is recommended to do slow massaging lower section backs. At this time, a woman can stand or sit on a chair, leaning on its back with her hands.

Massage of the lumbar back during childbirth is considered very effective. This is because the sacral nerve travels to the spinal cord from the uterus through the lower back. If you massage this area, the pain during contractions will be felt less. It is very good if the spouse wants to be present at the birth and help his beloved at this difficult moment.

No less important psychological attitude . Positive emotions, thoughts that you will soon be able to see the baby will help reduce painful sensations. In order to react correctly to what is happening and not worry, a woman needs to understand how childbirth proceeds and what she can feel at this time.

Between contractions no need to wait for the next contraction. This time is given to the woman for rest. When you are tensely waiting for the next contraction, you can quickly get tired.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that contractions are natural process. All pregnant women go through this. The question of how contractions begin before childbirth worries many expectant mothers. It is worth noting that it is impossible to accurately describe all sensations, since they are individual. Some compare contractions to pain during menstruation, while others compare them to intestinal upset.

February 19, 2019

It's hard to explain in words what contractions are like. But if you listen carefully to your feelings, then everyone can determine when and how contractions begin before childbirth.

What frightens women most is pain; they say it can seem unbearable. But it is important to remember: than fear is stronger, the more painful the contractions will feel. Against, positive attitude and the anticipation of meeting your baby soon will help you get through the first stage of labor easier.

Nature of contractions

Every pregnant woman, especially a first-time mother, wants to lift the veil of secrecy and find out what awaits her during childbirth. Nature has arranged everything so that a pregnant woman prepares for the upcoming test - symptoms appear during half the term.

Compare false contractions It’s difficult with real ones - they are painless, irregular, and the intensity and duration do not increase over time.

Many women, even during training contractions, feel painful sensations, partly reminiscent of those that will later appear during childbirth. But it is almost impossible to confuse them.

Both the expecting first child and the multiparous mother almost immediately understand what is happening. Finally, a walk or walk helps to dispel doubts. warm bath, in such conditions the body calms down.

Often the labor process begins at night. By the time contractions start, you will wake up anyway. Inner voice will immediately tell you - longevity this moment close. Shortly before the onset of contractions, you may have been bothered by other signs of impending labor:

• nagging pain in the lower abdomen
• long “silence” in the tummy – the baby hardly moves
• painful pulling sensations in the lower back
• bloody discharge

We are making observations

Contractions are usually called involuntary regular contractions of the uterus, which, in “commonwealth” with attempts, lead to the expulsion of the fetus from the uterus.

Most often, labor begins with contractions, rather than the outpouring of water, which marks the beginning of the first stage of labor. Thanks to painful contractions, the cervix opens completely (we are talking about 10–12 cm).

In this state, the cervix is ​​ready for the baby to pass through it. The contractions will stop after the baby is born, and in the second stage of labor, pushing will be added to them.



It is important to record the time when you felt the first contractions, especially if labor began with them, and not with the rupture of amniotic fluid.

Immediately arm yourself with a pen and paper, note the time and duration of each contraction. Contractions should ideally gradually lengthen and intensify, but the time intervals between them should be shortened.

Primiparas should not neglect recording data. Notes and analysis will help you concentrate and take your mind off the pain, which is sometimes severe even in the first period.

And the doctor, with the help of records, will understand at what stage the birth is and whether there are reasons that could interfere with the normal course of the birth process.

There are three stages in the period of contractions:

1. Initial or hidden stage.
   • Duration on average is eight hours, the interval between contractions is 5–10 minutes.
   • Dilation up to three centimeters.
2. Active phase.
   • Duration is from three to five hours, the interval between contractions is 2–4 minutes.
   • Dilation up to seven centimeters. During this period, the duration of the contraction increases to a minute.
3. Transitional stage or deceleration phase.
   • The shortest stage, from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, the interval between contractions is up to a minute.
   • Continues until fully expanded.

In the second and subsequent births, the time for each stage will most likely be shorter.

Irregularity is a sign of pathology

The duration of contractions can vary, but the “distance” between them is often the same. At the beginning of labor, contractions are usually short, no more than 30 seconds, and occur once every half hour - a sign that enough time will pass before the baby is born.

For first-time mothers the best solution will spend some time at home. Contraindications: there will be no bleeding associated with the process, you are not pregnant with twins and there are no various kinds pathology.



When the difference between contractions reaches 10 minutes, it is better to be in the maternity hospital. Don’t wait until the last minute - in the hospital you will have to fill out a number of documents and undergo preparation for childbirth ( hygienic shower and enema, examination by a gynecologist on a chair).

It is better to undergo procedures while in a sane state, which is why strong pain definitely won't help.

Please note that if contractions vary greatly in intensity and occur at different intervals, labor may not have started yet, and you just felt Braxton-Hicks contractions.

Another reason for the absence of any patterns is that labor is slowed down, and thus the first symptoms of pathology appear. Moreover, weakness often manifests itself in primiparous women - then mandatory stimulation will be required.

Otherwise, in such situations, childbirth does not occur soon. You can spend up to three days waiting - the painful sensations will exhaust the woman and she simply will not have enough strength to push.

First discomfort, then pain

Let's try to understand a woman's feelings during contractions. Many mothers talk about their first sensations of contractions that have just begun - they can’t even really be called pain.

Contractions are more like a strong tension in the abdominal muscles with periodic pulsation - gradually the tension intensifies, and then everything subsides. Sometimes you just feel some discomfort, which gradually develops into something painful.

The sites where the first pain occurs are different areas bodies. For some, it begins with lower back pain; for others, primiparous or multiparous women experience pain first in the abdomen.

At this stage, almost all women easily tolerate these signs of the onset of labor. Most mothers, when describing pain during contractions, compare them with pain during menstruation, increased tenfold.

But time passes and the contractions intensify and become more frequent. Now the pain occurs in the upper abdomen, including the lower back, and at its peak it can even “reach” the tips of the fingers, passing through the legs.

Sometimes you will feel confident that at the moment when the contraction reaches its peak, your whole body hurts. At this time, most women in labor require medications to relieve pain.

How to relieve pain

Remember: it is better not to take drugs until you are able to do without painkillers.

After all, childbirth is a natural process; the body secretes its own painkillers.

And there’s not much time left to endure – it will appear soon long-awaited child. Don't forget, in most government maternity hospitals they simply won't give you painkillers. The anesthesiologist is only admitted when they are about to do C-section.

There are several ways to reduce pain.

• Look for positions that can help ease the pain of contractions.
• Sometimes pregnant women are given IVs before giving birth - then you will not be able to take full advantage of this advice.
• If you have the opportunity to move freely around the birthplace, try tilting your body forward and leaning on the wall at the moment of contraction - it helps many.
• Try breathing using the methods from childbirth preparation courses - this method is one of the most effective. A loved one or doula can give you a lower back massage.
• For many people, a bath or at least a shower helps relieve pain; they have begun to be installed in modern maternity wards.

When pushing begins, the pain will move closer to the perineum as the baby moves directly through the birth canal. All these signs indicate soon to be born baby - no more than 40 minutes left.

Most women have been in special chair surrounded by doctors. It will seem like you have no strength - in this case, try to use the intervals between attempts for maximum relaxation.

Childbirth: the baby also works

The duration of labor periods in primiparous women starts from several hours and reaches three days. Those who are expecting their second baby usually have a quick birth, since the body operates according to a well-known pattern.

And only at the third stage of the process you will not feel contractions.

By that time, childbirth has already occurred, now the placenta and other parts of the “house” in which the child lived for nine months will be born. Perhaps this moment in childbirth is one of the calmest.

The woman is resting after the work done, and the baby, tired from vigorous activity, may have fallen asleep. During childbirth, the baby also has a difficult time - he does serious work helping his mother.

During each contraction, the child rests his head on the pelvic floor - he does this thanks to his reflex of pushing away from the support. It will remain with him for some time after childbirth - place your palm on the small heels and you can easily feel how the baby pushes off from it.

Another reflex needed by the baby during childbirth is called posotonic. It allows the baby to turn the body following the turn of the head or the pelvic end.

This skill is very important during the birth process, since the child, passing through the birth canal, which has an irregular shape, is forced to turn several times.

As a rule, during childbirth, the mother does not feel the baby move. Firstly, the movements cover the sensations of contractions, and secondly, the baby also rests during the “calm” moments.

If you feel that he is actively moving during contractions or between them, then there are signs of fetal hypoxia. Be sure to tell your doctor about your feelings.

Women await the birth of their baby not only with trepidation, but also with anxiety. Many are afraid of the pain they will have to experience, others fear for their health and the health of the child. There are also those who are afraid of missing the onset of labor. This is especially true for first-time mothers who do not know how contractions begin. A number of signs will help a woman not to confuse training contractions of the uterus with labor.

1. Latent or hidden period.
2. Active period.
3. Slowdown period.

The most important thing for first-time women is to be able to distinguish sensations during labor contractions from sensations during false ones, the symptoms of which are in many ways similar to the latent period of contractions.

They are also called training ones. They occur mainly in first-time mothers from about the 20th week of pregnancy and help the body prepare for childbirth, they also “train” the uterus: making it more elastic and soft. They last on average up to 2 minutes, the interval between them is variable, ranging from 30 minutes to an hour.

There are a number of signs that distinguish training contractions:

• irregular nature;
• contractions do not increase or intensify;
• the interval between them is always different;
• the uterine os does not open (this will be determined by the gynecologist).

Training contractions of the uterus sometimes seem quite strong, but they are not cramping, but are more of an aching, pulling nature. You can easily cope with them if you take a different position, just lie down, take a warm bath, and relax.



Real contractions

A more common name is generic. They are difficult to confuse with other conditions, and women who are going to give birth for the first time easily recognize them. Signs by which you can determine how contractions begin in first-time mothers:

1. Labor contractions of the uterus begin, as a rule, with aching pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, hips, which intensifies over time and has a wave-like character: it either subsides or returns. These pains are often compared to menstrual pain, but during contractions they are regular and increasing in nature, and the intervals between them become shorter every hour. Such contractions do not stop, do not calm down, but only intensify.
2. The uterus tenses, a so-called tone occurs, which can be easily felt by placing your hand on your stomach. The uterus turns to stone, becomes hard, and there is a feeling that it is shrinking and straining. After a while, when the contraction loses its intensity, the uterus relaxes again. Each time the pain and tone intensify. During training contractions, the tone of the uterus is noticeable to a lesser extent.
3. Duration uterine contractions increases, and the gaps between them become smaller each time. The cervix dilates.

The first labor contractions in the latent period are short, lasting from 20 to 30 seconds, the interval between them is 20-30 minutes. Gradually, they are felt not like a simple stretching of the abdomen, the pain increases, the contraction itself lasts up to 40-45 seconds, the interval between them decreases to 5-6 minutes. This is the time to go to the maternity hospital.

Important: If the waters break initial stage childbirth, then you need to call an ambulance immediately, since in anhydrous period high risk of fetal initiation.

If contractions last an average of 1 minute, and the break between them is reduced to 1-2 minutes, this is a sign that the cervix is ​​dilated and pushing will soon begin, that is, the baby will be born very soon. At this time, the woman should already be in the delivery room, since only the doctor should control the attempts. Due to improperly organized childbirth at this stage, cervical ruptures, fetal injury and other unpleasant consequences often occur.

Video: How to distinguish pushing from contractions

General differences between training contractions of the uterus and labor contractions

In primiparous women, contractions begin for the most part in the same way as in multiparous women. Thus, labor contractions during the preparatory period are distinguished by their regularity and at the initial stage do not last more than 40 seconds. The interval between them cannot increase, but always only decreases.

When preparing a pregnant woman for childbirth, doctors advise that when she feels contractions of the uterus, write them down: the time when they began and when they ended, after what time the next ones appeared and how long they lasted, whether the pain increases each time or, conversely, subsides. It is advisable to make recordings accurate to the second. Using them, the doctor testifies whether these are false contractions or labor. It is possible to clarify this even by phone if there was an agreement in advance.

Contractions in the latent phase can be schematically represented as follows:

Worth remembering: During training contractions active phase does not occur, that is, the pain does not intensify, their duration does not change, the interval between them fluctuates (more often - in the direction of increase).

Training contractions of the uterus rarely last more than 2-3 hours.

Video: Feelings during contractions. Differences between training contractions and birth contractions

What to pay attention to

Many not only multiparous women, but also primiparous women do not feel the preparatory period. The trained uterus of multiparous women does not need “preparation”, moving directly to active contractions. This is why many women who give birth to their second and subsequent babies experience so-called rapid labor, lasting only 4-6 hours.

Primiparas, accustomed to training contractions, often do not pay attention to the first “bells”, skip the latent phase and understand that labor has begun only when the pain intensifies, the stomach “turns to stone”, and the interval between contractions significantly decreases. There is no need to panic, because this is exactly the period when doctors advise going to the maternity hospital. The second phase of contractions lasts up to 5 hours, so there will be enough time.

Severe pain during contractions, according to many obstetrician-gynecologists, is provoked by the woman herself, panicking, clenching, thereby interfering with normal birth process. It is necessary to relax as much as possible, using proper breathing and other techniques that are discussed in courses for expectant mothers.

If there are no contractions

Sometimes a primigravida woman does not wait for labor contractions of the uterus. The absence of contractions before 40-42 weeks is considered normal, if hypoxia is not registered in the fetus, the placenta is in normal condition and the pregnancy as a whole is not in danger. As a rule, from the 40th week of pregnancy, a woman is placed in a hospital and there, under the supervision of doctors, she waits for the onset of labor.



If there are no contractions at 42 weeks, labor is induced. In case of conditions that threaten the health of the woman or the unborn child, a decision is made on surgical delivery.