Braxton Hicks contractions can occur often during the 9th month, such as every 10 to 20 minutes. Braxton Hicks contractions: Usually go away during exercise or activity. True labor pains continue or increase with activity. Are felt more during rest. Preterm labor The length of a normal pregnancy is 37 to 42 weeks, measured from the date of the woman's last menstrual period. Early labor Early labor is often the longest part of the birthing process, sometimes lasting 2 to 3 days.
Uterine contractions: Are mild to moderate and last about 30 to 45 seconds. You can keep talking during these contractions. May be irregular, about 5 to 20 minutes apart, and may even stop for a while. Active labor The first stage of active labor starts when the cervix is about 3 cm 1. Compared to early labor, the contractions during the first stage of labor: Are more intense. Occur more often, about every 2 to 3 minutes.
Last longer, about 50 to 70 seconds. Related Information Pregnancy. Labour happens in 3 stages. The first stage is usually the longest. Most are somewhere in between. Take it one step at a time and one contraction at a time. Try to keep the end goal in your mind, and discuss your concerns with your partner and midwife. Sometimes it can start without you realising it. A show is when the mucus plug that seals the opening of your cervix comes out of your vagina.
It can come out as a single blob of pinkish jelly or in smaller pieces. It's sometimes reddish brown and blood-tinged. The amniotic sac is the bag of fluid that surrounds your baby in the womb.
When the skin of the sac breaks, the fluid comes out. If you think this has happened contact your midwife or midwifery unit straight away. Watery fluid leaking from your vagina, or a gush or trickle of fluid — this may indicate your water has broken Dull, low backache felt below the waistline. It may be constant, or it may come and go. Intestinal upset, nausea, or diarrhea Pelvic or lower abdominal pressure that may feel like your baby is pushing down.
The pressure may also feel like you need to have a bowel movement. Vaginal spotting or bleeding Increase or change in vaginal discharge — it may be watery, bloody, or include mucous Because preterm labor symptoms can also resemble other medical problems, the best person to make a diagnosis is your doctor. What are the risk factors for preterm labor? If I am at risk for preterm labor, are there things I can do to prevent it?
Eat a well-balanced diet, including extra calcium, iron, and folic acid. Take a prenatal vitamin every day — starting a few months before you get pregnant if possible. Stay away from tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs throughout your pregnancy. Check with your doctor regarding any medication you take, including over the counter medicine and herbal supplements. Research from the Mayo Clinic suggests a link between preterm labor and pregnancies that occur closer than six months apart.
Consider discussing pregnancy spacing with your doctor. Research also shows a link between preterm labor and in vitro fertilization IVF , because IVF often results in multiple pregnancies — a risk factor for preterm labor. This is another topic to discuss with your obstetrician. Your doctor might recommend medication to reduce the risk of early labor, including weekly injections or vaginal suppositories of progesterone during your second trimester.
Your doctor may suggest you limit heavy lifting, strenuous physical activities, or spending too much time on your feet if you are at risk for early labor or show signs of preterm labor.
Because chronic health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure increase your risk of early labor, it is important that you work closely with your doctor to manage these during your pregnancy. How do I tell the difference between a real contraction and a Braxton-Hicks contraction?
What do I do if I think I am going into preterm labor? Take these steps if you feel like you might be experiencing a symptom of early labor: Empty your bladder, but do not strain or bear down to try and have a bowel movement. Lie down on your left side.
Often this slows or stops symptoms of early labor. Do not lie flat on your back, as this can increase contractions. Drink several glasses of water. Dehydration can sometimes cause contractions. Time your contractions for one hour, from the start of one contraction to the onset of the next. Will preterm labor always lead to early delivery of my baby?
What treatments are there for preterm labor? Common medications given to women in preterm labor include: Magnesium sulfate : This is given through an IV line, sometimes in a large dose at first and then in a smaller, continuous dose over 24 hours or more. You will probably receive magnesium sulfate if you are less than 32 weeks pregnant and at risk for early delivery within the next 24 hours. This medication also helps reduce the risk of complications such as cerebral palsy in babies born early.
You are more likely to receive these if you are between 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. Tocolytic medications : These drugs are given to delay delivery up to 48 hours, so corticosteroids and magnesium sulfate can be administered and have time to work.
A stalled labor could lead to a C-section. Learn the reasons why labor could stop—and what can be done when it does. While there are certain universal markers for the different stages of labor , not all women experience labor in the same way or at the same pace. When a woman is in active labor and her labor slows down or stops, it is referred to as "stalled labor. A stalled labor can feel distressing and discouraging, but the good news is that it usually does not pose any danger, and it can often be resolved.
In the hospital, many caregivers view stalled labor as something that needs to be "corrected" with interventions such as administering the drug Pitocin, artificially breaking the bag of water, or even cesarean.
Labor may be considered "stalled" because caregivers compare it to "normal" labor as dictated by "Friedman's Curve. In , Emanuel Friedman, an American obstetrician, developed a set of data that was used to predict the speed at which a woman would dilate in labor. He found that a woman should dilate 1cm per hour once she is in active labor.
Despite evidence that this practice is outdated, many care providers still use this incorrect information as a guideline. The best way to avoid getting shuttled into the labor-Pitocin-cesarean trap where stalled labor can often lead is to know your stuff: Learn about the common causes of labor, things you can do to get labor back on track, and the best questions to ask when your doctor or midwife suggests an intervention due to suspected stalled labor.
Induction: Induction carries risks, one of the most common being that the induction will not "work," ending in a cesarean rather than a vaginal birth. When you are induced, your body is artificially forced into labor, likely before you and your baby are ready. This can lead to a stalled labor, more interventions to speed up your labor, and then a possible cesarean section. If your doctor suggests an induction, find out why, and whether or not it's for a true medical reason. Ask about your Bishop's Score, which is an assessment of how ready your cervix is for induction.
The higher your Bishop's Score, the more likely your induction will be successful you will go into labor. If your Bishop Score is low and you and your baby are healthy, tell your care provider you would like to go into labor on your own.
If your doctor or midwife presses for an induction, ask about the risk of waiting to induce until your cervix is more favorable.
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