3 different uterine contractions pregnant mothers should know

Although there are many signs for pregnant mothers to recognize the process of labor, one of the most reliable symptoms is the appearance of uterine contractions. So what is uterine contractions?

If this is the first time you are pregnant, when it gets closer to the due date, you will have a lot of feelings like expectation or anxiety. This is very common, you will wonder when and what will you feel like.

In fact, there are many uterine contractions of varying intensity and duration that you may be confused about. Here are uterine contractions you may experience:

1. Braxton - Hicks (physiological contractions)

Around the 4th month of pregnancy you may notice uterine contractions suddenly during the day. This is the Braxton - Hicks mound, which is often irregular and irregular. This physiological contraction is the way your body or womb trains for the day of labor.

Features of the mound:

Usually painless, lasts about 30 seconds

A feeling of tightness in the lower abdomen

A feeling of concentration in the abdomen

May make you uncomfortable

The physiological contraction does not increase with time nor does the pain get worse, it does not change your cervix. You may experience these bumps when you are tired, dehydrated or when walking too much. Your physiological stress usually goes away when you rest or relax.

Before going to your doctor, you can try the following measures to see if the contraction subsides or goes away:

Drink a lot of water

Change positions (like from standing to sitting)

Stop what you are doing and take a break (lie on your left side).

If you have tried the above methods and the contractions do not go away or occur more often, you should see your doctor right away as you may be born prematurely.

2. Premature uterine contractions

A contraction of the uterus that occurs frequently before 37 weeks may be a sign of preterm labor . The contractions appear steadily over time, such as every 10 to 12 minutes for more than an hour, you may be on the verge of having a preterm birth.

During the contraction of the uterus, your whole abdomen will become harder when you touch it. Along with a tight feeling in the uterus, you may feel:

Dull ache

Pressure in the pelvis

Abdominal pressure

Cramps or cramps

Pregnant mothers should go to the doctor or hospital to examine immediately if these signs appear, especially if you are accompanied by vaginal bleeding , diarrhea or water discharge from the vagina (rupture of membranes).

Some of the risks for preterm birth include:

Suffering from infections

Had a history of preterm birth

Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets)

Being underweight or obese before pregnancy

No prenatal care or proper pregnancy care

An abnormality in the uterus, cervix, or placenta

Excessive stress, not taking enough time to rest.

You need to pay attention to the distance between uterine contractions or the frequency of contractions as well as other accompanying symptoms to notify your doctor and take timely intervention.

3. Labor uterine contractions

Unlike Braxton - Hicks, once uterine contractions of labor will give birth really happened, they will diminish and disappear with measures as simple as drinking water or rest. Instead, these mounds will increase in intensity as well as time and distance between mounds. All of these contractions help the cervix to expand and prepare the baby for birth.

The early stage before labor

The mounds in this period are still gentle. You should feel a tight uterus or lower abdominal pain , lasting 30 to 90 seconds. These mounds will appear steadily increasing in distance and intensity. Initially, it may be quite a distance, but as the labor progresses, each contraction may appear after 5 minutes.

In the early pre-labor period, you should also look for signs that will help you recognize real labor like you will see pink mucus from the cervix as the cervix expands. It may even break your water into a discharge or a large stream from your vagina.

Real labor

These mounds will be painful more and more often than in the early stage. During this stage, the cervix will expand 4 to 10cm, preparing the baby to be passed out.

You should feel this contraction from your back to the front of your abdomen. You may also experience leg cramps and pain. If you find that you are really in labor, you need to go to hospital immediately, contractions can last 45 to 60 seconds, after 3 to 5 minutes.

During labor, the cervix is ​​enlarged from 7 to 10cm, uterine contractions will last from 60 to 90 seconds and the distance between each contraction is 30 seconds or 2 minutes. The mound can even overlap to push the baby out. However, the perception of uterine contractions in different women will be different. Headache and nausea are common symptoms associated with contractions during labor. You may also feel:

Vomiting

Chills

Hot flashes

Bloating, belching, gas.

4. Measures to relieve pain caused by uterine contractions

Uterine contractions are strongest during labor. Therefore, you will experience great pain and discomfort. There are many methods to help you cope with the pain, with or without medicine.

Measures not using drugs

Massage

Meditate

Listening to music

Take a shower or bath

Do yoga exercises for pregnant women gently

Walk or change work positions often

Distract to temporarily forget the pain like playing games, watching movies

Drug use

Analgesic

Anesthetics

Pain relievers like Demerol will give you a lot of pain relief but still feel the uterine muscle contraction. An epidural will make you feel no pain and no feeling of muscle spasm.

These drugs are all effective, each with its own risks and side effects. Therefore, you should find out before deciding which method to use.

5. When do pregnant women need to be hospitalized?

You will be confused as to what the real signs are for hospitalization. You can consult your doctor first if you are concerned and concerned about your condition. Go to the hospital if your cramps are characterized by:

Occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy

The interval between mounds is 5 minutes

Occurs often, even if it is painless

Gradually increase in time, distance and intensity

Does not decrease when you drink, rest or change positions

Accompanying severe pain, bleeding, rupture or oozing of amniotic fluid and other signs of labor.

It can be quite difficult when this is your first time as a mother to determine which seizure is real labor. When in doubt, it is best to see your doctor for prompt diagnosis. You should be aware of the timing of uterine contractions and other signs to inform your doctor during the examination.

When it is time to go into labor and prepare to welcome your baby, remember that the pain you are experiencing is divine and is temporary. When the baby is born, everything will be all right.

Hopefully the recent sharing has helped you better understand what uterine contractions are to ensure a healthy pregnancy.