By the time the baby arrives, most of the future moms are ready fully armed.
Prepared the necessary medicines, packed their belongings and tiny baby clothes, checked documents and medical records. Some tried to create a cozy and beautiful children's room, to purchase the best toys.
The culmination moment of pregnancy inevitably approaches and everything is ready for the appearance of the crumbs. And the closer this moment, the more alarming Mommy. Of course, in the first place is anxiety about the well-being of delivery.
But there is also a fear of contractions during pregnancy and an experience of missing the start of the process of labor.
Physiology of contractions during pregnancy
Panic moods in pregnant women are associated with a lack of reliable information and, of course, experience. For some reason, contractions, despite the naturalness of this phenomenon, are fanned by fiction and myths. And the negative stories of experienced acquaintances only aggravate the situation. Each woman has her own pain threshold. And knowing the physiology of each stage, accompanied by contractions, and learning how to respond to them correctly, you can significantly reduce pain and relieve your condition.
What happens in the body?
Nature provided and calculated everything to the smallest detail. The whole process of pregnancy proceeds according to a universal algorithm, and the change of states occurs under the influence of the hormones leading at a certain moment. Pregnant hormone progesterone, which has successfully maintained all 9 months and the tone of the uterus, and the development of the baby before the birth gives way to estrogen and oxytocin.
The cervix, tightly closed during pregnancy, prevents the opening of the uterus and the penetration of infections inside. Before giving birth, it should open up, freeing the way for the baby. To do this, its fabric must become more elastic and pliable. This task copes well with estrogen. It also makes the uterus sensitive to oxytocin and prostaglandins. Under their influence, contractions of the uterine walls begin, allowing the baby to assume the correct position and move along the birth canal.
Contractions and balance of hormones
Muscle contractions of the uterus and are called contractions during pregnancy, which, depending on the period, have different intensity. With each contraction, the muscles of the uterus pull the neck, so that it opens. By the time of birth, the cervix opens up to 12 cm, and the uterus becomes practically an extension of the vagina. The whole process is accompanied by changes in the level of hormones that are intensively produced by the placenta, pituitary and fetus.
Oddly enough, it is fear that can influence generic activity. He is able to increase the duration of the preparatory fights, which take power from mommy, and pain. The hormones cortisol and adrenaline released into the blood during stress, fear and anxiety block the production of the main generic hormones.
Therefore, the recommendations about the emotional mood during the bouts have a logical explanation.
False contractions during pregnancy
Changes in the hormonal balance occur throughout pregnancy. Therefore, uterine contractions can appear long before childbirth. In this way, both the uterus and the cervix are prepared for future deliveries. These contractions during pregnancy and called false, training or Braxton Hicks.
What are the sensations during false contractions during pregnancy?
Of course, women who give birth, can easily distinguish false contractions from real ones. These unforgettable sensations can not be confused with any other pain. But how to behave women during their first pregnancy? There is no sense at every incomprehensible symptom to go to the hospital. You need to focus on your feelings:
1. These contractions during pregnancy almost do not cause pain, and, most likely, discomfort in the form of pulling or aching sensations. The uterus seems to shrink, which is already familiar to some by the way it was in good shape. Cuts are felt at the top or bottom of the abdomen, can give in the groin.
2. Pain sensations are concentrated in one area and do not apply to the lower back and other places.
3. Occur unexpectedly and gradually fade out. Most often occur in the evening or at night, when the body is relaxed and mommy listens to her feelings. Some, on the contrary, experience discomfort after exercise or stress.
4. They are distinguished by irregularity and short duration. The duration of false contractions during pregnancy does not exceed a minute. A repeated at irregular intervals. There may be several times (up to six) per hour, or even per day.
The surest way to determine the falsity of a contraction during pregnancy is to fix its duration and frequency. In contrast to real fights, the sensations of false will not increase, and they will be repeated chaotically.
What can provoke false contractions during pregnancy?
Natural contractions of the uterus occur throughout most of the pregnancy. But to feel their future moms start after 20 weeks. With the approach of childbirth the probability of their appearance increases. Some women are fortunate enough not to experience false contractions during pregnancy, and this is not a pathology. This does not mean that there are no preparatory abbreviations. Simply, they may not be as intense, or the future mom did not notice them, did not attach any importance. Also, the perception of false contractions during pregnancy depends on individual sensitivity.
However, there are provocative factors that increase the likelihood of unpleasant cramping pain. False contractions may occur under the influence of:
• physical activity;
• rapid activity of the fetus;
• stress and nerve shocks;
• dehydration;
• an overflowing bladder;
• sexual activity.
What to do in false fights?
For most pregnant women, false contractions do not cause frightening discomfort. But for some women with a high pain threshold, uterine training contractions become a real torment. In this case, it is recommended:
1. Use a warm bath or shower, if there are no contraindications. Warm water will ease muscle tension. And the aromatic oils added to the water will calm the nervous system.
2. Go for a walk. Fresh air and slow walking will reduce discomfort.
3. Change the pose. An inconvenient situation can provoke uterine tension.
4. Lie down and relax. Pleasant music and soothing aromas of oils will help eliminate discomfort.
False labor during pregnancy is a good reason to use knowledge of proper breathing during labor.
If training cuts bother you closer to childbirth, you need to watch out for other signs. Since such a training can easily go from the dress rehearsal to the real labor contractions during pregnancy and signal the beginning of labor.
How do real contractions begin during pregnancy?
Real contractions during pregnancy begin suddenly. Do not worry, it is simply impossible to miss this moment. Even the beginning of the fight during the night rest, wake up the future mom. At this point, it will be clear not to sleep. Women differently describe the start of contractions. But, no matter what the woman feels, they cannot be confused with training cuts.
True contractions are expressed:
• regularity;
• increased pain.
• a gradual decrease in the intervals between contractions;
• increasing the duration of the fight.
What will tell about the approaching birth?
Even before the start of contractions during pregnancy, a woman can predict the approach of the climax on the changes occurring with her. Under the influence of a changing hormonal balance immediately before childbirth begins:
1. Slightly reduce the weight to three kg or stop weight gain. 2. Losing appetite.
2. To manifest excessive emotionality. Inadequate reactions to events, words explained by increased levels of estrogen.
3. Observe fickleness in mood, capriciousness.
4. Appear nesting instinct. Pregnant women have a desire to urgently start repairing or cleaning, to rearrange furniture.
5. Lowering the belly, which gives mommy the opportunity to ease breathing immediately before birth.
6. Reduce swelling of the face, hands. However, swelling can appear on the legs due to fetal pressure on the lower abdomen and squeezing of blood vessels.
7. Feel back pain, which is explained by the change in the position of the fetus and the separation of the pelvic bones.
Frequent urination, changes in stool, and even vomiting may occur. All these signs are very individual: each pregnant woman manifests itself differently and at different times.
A true symptom of the approach of labor is the discharge of the plug, manifested by discharge. They can be transparent, and in the form of a bloody brown liquid. Cork can go away as a few weeks before childbirth, and during labor.
The kid is also preparing for the upcoming process and stops the rapid movements.
If the fetal bladder bursts, and water begins to flow away, even without preliminary contractions during pregnancy, you should not doubt the advisability of visiting the maternity hospital. This is a sure sign of the beginning of the birth process.
Following the discharge of water necessarily begin labor. But even if there is some kind of pathology and contractions do not begin, it is necessary to immediately go to the hospital.
What feelings accompany the onset of contractions during pregnancy?
The first cuts most women distinguish intuitively. They cause tension in the abdomen and nagging pains that spread to the lower back, groin and have a shingles character. Some compare the sensations with menstrual pain, only several times stronger. As if the uterus seizes and squeezes the invisible hand from the inside. Beginning at the top of the abdomen with tension as the contraction increases during pregnancy, the pain intensifies, covering the entire abdomen. The loin and pelvic bones are under heavy pressure. Some women note it is strong lumbar pain and the spread of sensations in the legs to the toes. Gradually, the pain is released, and there is a pause, allowing you to breathe.
The first contractions can last up to 15 seconds, and a break between them is 20-30 minutes. The duration of contractions during pregnancy gradually increases, and the rest period is reduced. At the same time, pain increases.
What you need to know the first-born woman about contractions during pregnancy?
In women who have not given birth, contractions begin. minor painthat are more like discomfort. But even they cause panic. In these moments you need to calm down and rest as much as possible. Do not fuss, try to finish some business. Ahead is still hard work that requires strength. Prenatal labor in figurines may last up to 8-10 hours.
If possible, this time should be devoted to relaxation and rest. Pregnant women are advised to record the time and duration of contractions. And it is not easy to note the time, and record the data. This will help determine the period when you should go to the maternity hospital, and the medical staff to track the dynamics of the process and in time to detect possible deviations.
The duration of contractions, accompanied by pain, tension, gradually increases. And when between fights intervals will be less than 15 minutesYou should not postpone the visit to the clinic. If there were any abnormalities during the pregnancy or if the waters broke, the bleeding started, you should immediately call an ambulance and not wait for the increase in contractions during pregnancy.
For women before the first birth tend to panic and fear. Therefore, at the first fights should be next to someone from relatives. If this possibility is absent, feeling the pain, immediately report that you give birth to relatives, friends or even neighbors.
Primiparous may occur weak generic self-activity. Because of that, after a certain period of contractions during pregnancy, expressed by periodicity and severe pain, the intensity may subside and the pain will disappear altogether. This does not mean that the contractions were false. In this case, urgent help is needed from medical professionals who can figure out the cause of the pathology and stimulate generic activity. Inaction in this situation threatens the life of the baby and the mother.
Features prenatal fights in multiparative women
Women who give birth in advance feel the approach of childbirth. According to the main features, they can predict the beginning of the process. However, if no more than five years have passed since the previous birth, all processes can be accelerated. The organism, having muscular memory, easily adapts to changes and reacts to them more promptly.
In addition, the cervical tissue has not yet had time to come in prenatal form. They stretch faster, and the neck opens. Unlike primipara women, shortening of the neck occurs simultaneously with the opening.
The pains during contractions begin to multiply more tangible. More common is the rupture of the amniotic bubble and the discharge of water. The period of prenatal contractions does not last more than six hours, and sometimes there is a rapid birth. Therefore, it is not advisable for such parturient women to postpone visiting the clinic until the last. If you do not want to give birth at home or in an ambulance, you need to go to the hospital immediately after the appearance of cuts, or take care of it in advance and wait for the labor activity in the hospital under observation.
In contrast to the first birth process does not stimulate, and try to slow down. During rapid births, there is a high probability of injuries to the infant and tears in the parturient. Therefore, a woman should listen to the recommendations of doctors during labor and delivery.
How to behave during labor contractions?
Contractions during pregnancy will certainly increase, become longer, and the pain intensify. Painful sensations encompass almost the entire body, do not give an opportunity to rest, and practically merge into a series of attacks. It seems to a woman that it will never end. With a high pain threshold of women in labor, doctors may suggest painkillers. But it is worth remembering that you can independently influence your condition.
Nature provided natural anesthesia during labor. The hormone endorphin, produced by the pituitary gland, is able to reduce pain. But this process is quite fragile. Screams, tears, fear, strong feelings, panic can break this mechanism and only aggravate the situation. It is impossible to relax physically with psychological tension. Therefore, women during contractions during pregnancy are recommended:
1. Use relaxation techniques with which they met on courses.
2. Trying to take poses in which the pain is not so acute. You can just walk. Someone helps posture on his heels, on all fours.
3. The time between contractions during pregnancy use for rest.
four. During the fight, especially at the peak of pain, use breathing techniques. Frequent intermittent breathing will ease the condition.
5. Apply an anesthetic massage. Massage in the lumbar region, sacrum or neck helps.
6. Do not refuse help from relatives and listen to the recommendations of physicians.
Remember, each new contraction during pregnancy brings a wonderful moment of the appearance of the baby.
He is also scared at this moment: the tender uterus somehow became hostile. All pain quickly forgotten. And this day will be the most wonderful day in the life of your crumbs.
