From the 28th week of pregnancy, women begin to wonder if the contractions they feel are normal. Lower abdominal pain in the first trimester is normal, but you still need to know how to tell the difference between real and false contractions. One question I get from almost every mom-to-be, whether it`s a first-time mom or a mom with multiple kids, is, “How do I know if I`m actually at work?” The timing of contractions is an important element in recognizing the differences between real and false labor. Other differences you may notice are contractions that change when you change position, such as .B such as stopping with movement or rest. The strength of the contractions is also different and the pain is felt in different places. Typically, Braxton Hicks are the localized contractions on the sides of the uterus rather than the front. However, since the abdomen is already tight, it can be difficult for you to distinguish whether your abdomen is tightening up and down or just to the sides. In general, you will feel false contractions as a kind of painless and numb pressure in your upper abdomen. If you are sensitive enough to realize that cramps occur on the sides of the uterus, so much the better for you! If not, don`t be alerted. There are still many ways and strategies to distinguish false from actual contractions.
During labor, your cervix becomes shorter and thins to stretch and open around your baby`s head. Shortening and thinning of the cervix is called extinction. Your doctor can tell you if the cervix changes during a pelvic exam. False contractions or Braxton Hicks contractions will disappear. They won`t have a model, they won`t be consistent, and they won`t get stronger together. The false pain of labor is called Braxton Hicks contractions. Sometimes called exercise contractions (because you can practice your breathing exercises when they occur), Braxton Hicks contractions can occur as early as the second trimester, but most often during the third trimester. These are not “random” contractions, but a way the body prepares for childbirth by softening and thinning the cervix. Your baby may move less as labour approaches, but tell your doctor. This can sometimes be a sign of a problem. If you are not yet in labor and are afraid of missing the first signs of preterm labor, your concerns are even greater. From a humorous point of view, most women realize that the intensity of Braxton Hicks contractions is far from equal to the intensity of actual contractions.
Rest assured that you will be able to distinguish between real and false contractions. If you are still worried, do not hesitate to call your midwife or doctor and ask questions. The process by which your baby settles or lowers himself into your pelvis just before birth is called lightning. It is also known as “letting go” of the baby. They are stronger and last longer than Braxton Hicks. The actual work usually lasts 30 to 90 seconds and they will have a model. Some people also report a sudden burst of energy and a desire to prepare the house for the new baby. This is called the nesting instinct and occurs in humans as well as animals (caused by increased production of estradiol).
The nesting instinct can occur at any time during pregnancy, but it is more common before the onset of labor. True contractions are followed by abdominal pain, ranging from mild menstrual-like cramps to severe pain. Braxton Hicks can cause discomfort, especially if you already feel pain under your ribs or back (which is normal during pregnancy). By caring for thousands of pregnant women, I have learned that every pregnancy is different and that “normal labor” is a relative term. “Normal” contractions depend on what is normal for the individual. Because contractions are unlike anything else, they are hard to describe for someone who has never experienced them before. If this is your first pregnancy, you know that what is normal for you when it comes to contractions can be extremely difficult to determine. Unlike real work, Braxton Hicks is weaker and lasts up to 30 seconds.
It is best to go through the first phase of work (the so-called latent phase) from the comfort of your own home. Here are some tips to help you manage: Some women have acute back pain during real labor. If you already have back pain, the contraction pain stands out because it is more acute and intense. Braxton Hicks contractions last an average of 30 to 60 seconds, but can sometimes last two minutes or more. They differ from the actual pain of labor in that they are irregular in their frequency and intensity. Braxton Hicks contractions tend to be uncomfortable rather than painful (although some women experience pain) and look more like mild menstrual cramps than actual contractions. Also, before the “real” contractions begin, you may have “false” labor pains, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions. These irregular uterine contractions are quite normal and can occur during the second trimester, but more often in the third trimester of pregnancy.
They are your body`s way of preparing for the “real.” Mild contractions usually begin at intervals of 15 to 20 minutes and last 60 to 90 seconds. Contractions become more regular until they are spaced less than 5 minutes apart. Active labor (the time when you need to come to the hospital) is usually characterized by strong contractions that last from 45 to 60 seconds and occur at intervals of 3 to 4 minutes. Some women may not know how they feel because their due date is weeks away, only to find out during their regular checkup that they are completely dilated. On the other hand, some women with regular contractions, who are 3 minutes apart, go to the hospital or birth center only to have them stopped completely after their arrival. When this happens to you, you don`t have to feel embarrassed or frustrated. Instead, try to keep your thoughts positive and try to consider the experience as good practice. There are variations in these scenarios, but false alarms can be even more convincing in the second and third contractions, although these mothers already have experience. So, if you have any doubts, call your doctor.
Remember that if your contractions become longer, stronger, and closer together, that`s probably the real thing! Next, let`s talk about the real work. .