Urge to push during braxton hicks

What to Expect Before, During, & After Labor

Contractions are a normal part of pregnancy and occur when the uterine muscle tightens and flexes, just like flexing any other muscle. In the end, uterine muscle contractions are what will help you in labor, pushing your baby down the birth canal and out into the world (woohoo!). But to many, decoding the activity of the uterine muscle can be confusing, especially when it comes to the telling the difference between non-labor and labor contractions. Even within those categories, there are still different types of contractions to prepare for.

Let’s break down six types of contractions you can to expect to feel before, during, and after labor.

Named after an English doctor, Braxton Hicks contractions are essentially “warm up” contractions. They are totally normal and usually start in the second trimester. Often you will feel a quick hardening or tightening of the uterus, usually felt in the front. Dehydration or exertion can bring them on. You may feel more of them at night, especially after a long day.

Just a gentle reminder again, these little twinges are normal and no reason to grab the hospital bag and run out the door.

These contractions may be slightly uncomfortable and feel like mild to moderate menstrual cramps. Usually, they’re intermittent and variable, seven to ten or even twenty or more minutes apart. You may be able to sleep or do other activities while experiencing them.  To help figure out if you’re experiencing early labor contractions or Braxton Hicks, you can start timing contractions and look at the pattern.

When you are in early labor, you should aim to stay home as long as possible. Ask your partner to help you create a space to rest through early labor, with low lights and a calm vibe. If that’s not your thing, trying to distract yourself with other activities (like walking, cooking, or watching a favorite TV show or movie) is a good idea, too.

Things are picking up in active labor, with contractions coming closer together, from about 4-5 minutes apart and lasting around 30 seconds to a minute. This is usually when your doctor or midwife suggests it is a good time to head to your chosen place of birth—when contractions are strong, regular, and progressing (getting closer together). Most people experience these types of contractions as painful, in both the front and back of the uterus.

You may need more emotional reassurance or help with comfort measures during this time.

Transition is the time when the cervix changes from 8-10 centimeters. It’s often the hardest and most difficult part of labor, the time when people say “I can’t do this!”. Transition contractions are long (up to two minutes) and strong, with short breaks in between. Often, they are accompanied by large amounts of pressure in the vagina and rectum. During transition, you may experience shaking, vomiting, chills, and the need to vocalize. 

It’s common for people not to want to be touched or talked to very much during transition, but if you do want support, encouraging words from your partner and strong counter pressure on your back can make a difference.

During the pushing stage, you will most often feel a strong expulsion sensation with (and sometimes between) contractions, a feeling very much like having to poop. It’s not uncommon for contractions to slow down quite a bit during this time, allowing rest in between. Some people say it feels good or pressure-relieving to push during these contractions.  

Pushing is pretty darn physically taxing so ask for whatever support you need. Your partner can support you during pushing with lots of encouraging statements like “You’re doing great” or “You are so strong”. They could also hold one of your legs as you push. It’s also helpful to have water, cool washcloths, lip balm or other small things available to stay comfortable.

Not only are contractions needed to expel the placenta immediately after the baby, but the uterus will continue to contract after birth, as it returns to its pre-pregnancy size (this is called involution). Breastfeeding can trigger post-birth contractions, as well. Known as after-pains, they are at their strongest two to three days after birth. This is totally normal!

Just like during labor, stay calm and remember that you can (and will!) get through this.

Enjoy those newborn snuggles. You certainly earned them!

YOUR PREGNANCY SMARTS. Delivered.

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What do they feel like?

It can be hard to know what to expect from labor pains and contractions, especially during a person’s first pregnancy.

Pregnant people may wonder if they will recognize their contractions when they begin. They may also question if what they are feeling is premature labor.

While contractions can vary widely, there are some common symptoms of each stage of labor. Learn about them in this article.

Labor can vary greatly in length and pain levels between individuals and also between different pregnancies.

However, by knowing what to expect from each type of contraction, a person can feel better prepared.

Braxton-Hicks contractions

Health experts sometimes call Braxton-Hicks contractions “false” or “practice” labor contractions. These contractions do not indicate that labor has started.

Some of the key indicators of Braxton-Hicks contractions include:

• contractions that do not increase in intensity or get closer together
• irregular contractions
• sensations that are more uncomfortable than painful
• contractions in the groin area or front of the body instead of the back
• walking or lying down may help the contractions subside

Braxton-Hicks contractions can occur as early as 6 weeks into pregnancy but are usually more pronounced during the second or third trimester. However, some people may be unaware of these contractions until well into their third trimester.

Prodromal labor

Prodromal labor refers to the contractions a person experiences in the weeks, days, or hours before true labor begins.

These contractions are often stronger, more regular, and sometimes longer than Braxton-Hicks contractions. However, they do not signal true labor.

Doctors believe prodromal labor may help move the baby into the proper position for true labor.

Some indicators of prodromal labor include:

• no cervical changes after 24–36 hours
• when lying down does not help contractions go away
• strong contractions that do not tend to get closer together over time

Prodromal contractions do not contract so much that they thin or dilate the cervix. This is how doctors can usually tell the difference between active labor and prodromal labor.

Early labor

Early labor is the stage during where a person’s cervix begins dilating or enlarging, usually between 0 and 6 centimeters (cm).

Full dilation of the cervix is at around 10 cm, which is usually enough for the baby to pass through.

People can have very different experiences of early labor contractions. Some of the symptoms they may describe include:

• a dull ache or pain in the back
• some difficulty breathing through the contractions
• pelvic pressure and fullness
• pain that starts in the back and moves to the front
• very strong cramps

As labor progresses, the contractions lengthen, usually lasting at least 45–60 seconds, and will be 5 minutes apart or less.

At this stage, a person will probably prepare for childbirth by going to the hospital or birth center or by calling a midwife if they are planning to give birth at home.

Doctors often recommend laboring at home for as long as possible before going to the hospital. This is especially true if it is someone’s first pregnancy, as labor tends to take slightly longer.

Active labor

Active labor is when contractions start to be more pronounced and painful. Delivering the baby is imminent at this time, and dilation of the cervix is usually at least 6 cm.

In addition to cervical dilation, symptoms of active labor include:

• contractions that occur every 5 minutes or less
• contractions that last 60 seconds or more
• feelings of the uterus not relaxing between contractions
• significant pain and pressure in the back as the baby’s head moves down the birth canal

During this time, the pressure on the rectum may make a person feel as if they need a bowel movement. They also may feel a strong urge to push.

Some measures that may help a person with labor pains include the following.

• Exercise: Unless a doctor recommends restricting physical activity, exercise throughout pregnancy can help develop physical endurance, flexibility, and muscle tone before labor. Exercise does not have to be high impact to be effective. Many low impact activities, such as yoga and swimming, can also be beneficial.
• Attending birthing classes: Many hospitals and community centers offer birthing classes that focus on relaxation and how to support labor. Examples include the Lamaze technique and the Bradley method. Each approach focuses on breathing techniques, distraction, and massage, among other techniques.
• Meditation: Meditation, yoga, and other forms of relaxation can help a person breathe deeply, focus, and find energy through the contractions.
• Distractions: Listening to soothing music, counting, and other distraction techniques can help take the focus away from labor pains.
• Aromatherapy: Smelling soothing essential oils, such as lavender, may aid relaxation and encourage deep breathing.

In addition to these techniques, a doctor can discuss medical pain management methods, including epidural anesthesia or oral medications.

If a pregnant person thinks labor contractions have started, they can perform a few techniques to help confirm this, including the below.

• Record the contractions for 1 hour, including the duration of each one and its intensity.
• Attempt to walk or lie down to see if the contractions improve.
• Note any signs of vaginal discharge, such as clear, pink, or bloody discharge.

If a person cannot rule out Braxton-Hicks contractions after lying down or walking, they should contact their doctor to discuss the contractions.

The individual should also call their doctor if their water breaks, especially if they experience any discharge of any green- or brown-tinted fluid.

If contractions are especially painful or if a person has concerns about themselves or the baby in any way, they should also seek medical attention.

Labor contractions are part of the natural process that moves a baby through the birth canal.

They can be very painful, but natural techniques and medications can help reduce their severity.

People should discuss labor contraction symptoms with their doctor in advance to help identify signs that it is time to go to the hospital.

false or real / “Waiting for a baby”

February

Shortly before the birth, the expectant mother may be disturbed by training contractions, rhythmic contractions of the uterus, which quickly pass and appear occasionally. How to distinguish them from real contractions, and why they are needed, we will try to find out.

For the first time, the phenomenon of temporary contractions was described by the English doctor John Braxton Hicks. That is why they are called - Braxton Hicks contractions or false, training contractions, precursor contractions. In his scientific work of 1872, he argued that these contractions are short-term (from half a minute to 2 minutes) contractions of the muscles of the uterus, which are felt by a pregnant woman as an increase in the tone of the uterus. They appear after the 20th week of pregnancy. And during the day they happen often, but the expectant mother in the daytime may not even notice them. However, as time goes on, they intensify, becoming more and more obvious.

WHAT DO YOU NEED FALSE BROUGHT

The uterus is a muscular organ. And like any muscle that has to perform the work allotted to it in the body, it needs training. After all, if she hangs for all forty weeks like a bag, she will not cope with the load in childbirth. Thus, the purpose of training or false contractions is to prepare the uterus and cervix for childbirth. That is why one of the names of training bouts is contractions harbingers - harbingers of an approaching birth.

ARE FALSE PARTS PAINFUL?

As a rule, false contractions are painless, but with increasing duration they become more noticeable and bring more discomfort. However, in all women, they manifest themselves in different ways, someone does not feel them at all, and someone does not sleep at night, tossing and turning and trying to find a comfortable position for sleeping. It all depends on the pain threshold. The main thing in this situation is to stop being nervous about this and calm yourself with the thought that such training is necessary for the most important upcoming event - the birth of your crumbs. And to calm down a little and sleep better, ask your doctor to prescribe a sedative for you and get a special pillow for expectant and nursing mothers. With her, falling asleep and experiencing the discomfort of the last weeks of pregnancy will be much easier!

HOW TO LIVE WITH FREQUENT PARTS

Some expectant mothers complain that their Braxton Hicks contractions are frequent and cause significant discomfort, even when they are doing housework or other light physical activity. In such a situation, obstetricians are advised to lie down or vice versa, take an easy walk, in any case, change the type of activity. If training contractions bother you a lot, it is recommended to drink a glass of water, juice or herbal tea, calm down and get some rest. Ask someone close to give you a massage. Lie in silence. And to also benefit from training fights, try doing breathing exercises: practice breathing techniques in childbirth in practice.

HOW TO DIFFERENTIATE TRAINING FROM LIVING

The most important thing to understand is that real contractions are much more painful than Braxton Hicks contractions. You will understand it right away. In addition, the contractions that bring you closer to childbirth are more regular. The contractions begin in the lower back, spread to the front of the abdomen, and occur every 10 minutes (or more than 5 contractions per hour). Then they occur with an interval of about 30-70 seconds and over time the intervals between them are reduced. Some women describe the sensations of labor pains as severe menstrual cramps, or sensations during diarrhea, when the pain rolls in waves in the abdomen. These contractions, unlike false ones, continue even after a change in position and when walking, constantly intensifying. As soon as you feel all these symptoms, call your ob-gyn - hour X has arrived. If in doubt, also do not be afraid to disturb the doctor. The doctor will ask you a few questions that will help him determine the type of contractions and eliminate all your doubts and worries. After all, it is always better to consult a doctor and trust his professional experience.

You should seek help if:

• you have more than four contractions an hour and they happen regularly
• contractions are accompanied by pain in the lower spine
• contractions are accompanied by watery or bloody vaginal discharge
• the contractions are so strong that it is very difficult for you to endure them
• there is a marked change in the child's movement, or less than 10 movements every 2 hours
• you think your waters have started to break

Alla Misyutina, Consultant Physician, Independent Laboratory INVITRO

Dear women, during labor, the body needs a lot of oxygen, so proper breathing is very important. A large influx of oxygen into the blood of mother and baby alleviates the condition of the crumbs, which during childbirth experiences oxygen starvation. Special breathing techniques help to properly open the birth canal and make contractions and attempts as effective as possible.

Different types of breathing should be used at different stages of labor.

• During "false" contractions, breathing should be deep and slow. During the period when the contractions become more intense, it is necessary to use "pain-relieving breathing". This breathing is slow, deep, the inhalation is done through the nose, it should be longer than the exhalation through the mouth. More details: inhale is done at the expense of 1-2-3-4, and exhale - at the expense of 1-2-3-4-5-6. With the help of such breathing: mom relaxes, distracts from pain, focuses on the score; the baby receives as much as possible, so he needs oxygen.
• In breaks from contractions, you need to rest and breathe evenly without any effort, so that you can then easily follow the doctor's recommendations.
• During attempts, you need to exhale all the air from the lungs, then take a deep breath and push for up to 6-9 seconds. Quickly exhale all the air, quickly take a deep breath and again hold your breath for 6-9 seconds, and so on - about three times per attempt.
• In breaks from attempts to rest and breathe deeply, evenly and relaxed.
• It is very important to only push on the perineum and never push on the head. In this case, all efforts are wasted and will appear in the form of burst vessels in the eyes and on the face.
• In the period after the birth of the head, it is necessary to stop pushing and breathing shallowly, some call this breathing “dog-like”, deep breathing can harm both mom and baby. Then everything goes on as usual, the main thing is to obey the doctor.
• After the baby was born, within half an hour the last stage of labor begins - the birth of the placenta. Special breathing is no longer required, at the doctor's command, push a little into the perineum and EVERYTHING! Dear women, pain during childbirth is good, it means that your baby will be born soon. There is no need to resist the pain, this is a mistake that brings a woman and a child nothing but fatigue. On the contrary, it is necessary to concentrate and help in every possible way to give birth to a healthy baby.

BIRTH AGAIN

So, you have decided that this is no longer a “teaching”, but the beginning of childbirth. In addition to contractions, the onset of labor can be indicated by the outflow of amniotic fluid and the passage of a mucous plug that closes the lumen of the cervix. The mucous plug can also come off 2-3 days before delivery. However, her departure does not always mean that it is time to go to the hospital. During pregnancy, the cervix is ​​tightly closed. With the onset of labor pains, its opening begins: the cervix of the uterus gradually expands to 10-12 cm in diameter (full disclosure). The birth canal is preparing to "release" the child from the womb. Intrauterine pressure increases during contractions as the uterus shrinks. And in the end, this leads to rupture of the fetal bladder and the outflow of part of the amniotic fluid.

The first, preparatory, period of labor for women giving birth for the first time takes an average of 12 hours, and 2-4 hours less for those who have second births. At the beginning of the second stage of labor, contractions join the contractions - contractions of the muscles of the abdominal wall and diaphragm. In addition to the fact that different muscle groups are involved in contractions and attempts, they have one more important difference: contractions are an involuntary and uncontrollable phenomenon, neither their strength nor frequency depend on the woman in labor, while attempts to a certain extent obey her will , it can delay or strengthen them. Therefore, at this stage of childbirth, a lot depends on the expectant mother and her ability to quickly and correctly follow the commands of the obstetrician taking delivery. And most importantly - to tune in correctly and not allow panic and thoughts about something bad. Obstetricians and gynecologists recommend that mothers perceive childbirth as a holiday, a baby's birthday. Then it will be easier to concentrate on the fact that now your main task is to help the baby be born. If, during childbirth, the expectant mother panics, the concentration of adrenaline in her blood will increase significantly. Which will not have a very good effect on the process of childbirth. Adrenaline affects the synthesis of oxytocin, which significantly weakens contractions and slows down the process of childbirth. In addition, adrenaline completely blocks the production of endorphins, which will increase the feeling of pain during contractions and attempts. That is why it is so important to properly tune in, concentrate and help the baby to be born as soon as possible.

Lilia Egorova

Braxton-Hicks contractions. How to distinguish between false and real contractions?

Braxton-Hicks contractions, or false labor pains, are irregular contractions and relaxation of the uterine muscles as a way of preparing for true labor. They are thought to start around 6 weeks of gestation but are not usually felt until the 2nd or 3rd trimester.

False contractions are a normal part of pregnancy. They may be uncomfortable, but not painful. Women describe them as a feeling that feels like mild menstrual cramps or tightness in a specific area of ​​the abdomen that quickly resolves.

They are also irregular in duration and intensity, occur infrequently, are unpredictable and not rhythmic, and are more uncomfortable than painful.

Braxton Hicks contractions tend to increase in frequency and intensity towards the end of pregnancy. Women often mistake Braxton Hicks contractions for real labor. However, unlike real contractions, they do not dilate the cervix and result in the birth of a baby.

Braxton Hicks contractions occur when the muscle fibers of the uterus contract and relax. The exact etiology of Braxton Hicks contractions is unknown. However, there are circumstances that can cause them:

• when the woman is very active,
• when the bladder is full,
• after sexual activity,
• when a woman is dehydrated.

Common among all these circumstances is the potential stress on the fetus and the need for increased blood flow to the placenta to provide oxygen to the fetus.

• Change position or activity level: if you were very active, lie down; if you have been sitting for a long time, go for a walk.
• Relax: take a warm bath, massage, read a book, listen to music or take a nap.

If you have Braxton Hicks contractions or if they continue and become more frequent and intense, you should see your doctor.

When evaluating for Braxton Hicks contractions, there are a few key questions to ask yourself. We have prepared a table for you with questions, the answers to which will help you understand what kind of contractions you have:

	Braxton Higgs	Real labor pains
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