How long it takes: Although the transition phase of work is often the most intense, it is also usually the shortest, lasting from a few minutes to a few hours. Today, many doctors call these contractions “Braxton Hicks contractions” or simply “Braxton Hicks.” You can describe them as your body practicing for work. False contractions of labor can improve the muscle tone of the uterus and increase blood flow. If the membranes do not rupture and your contractions are at a standstill, your doctor or midwife may want you to come to the hospital or maternity ward to be induced. The opposite can also happen: if you have contractions and your contractions are trying to progress, but your water is not broken, your doctor or midwife may need to tear the amniotic sac for you in the hospital or clinic. An intravenous (IV) line can be placed into a vein in your arm to provide fluids and medication if needed. Your doctor may prompt you to restrict what you eat and drink right now if they think you may need a caesarean section with general anesthesia. At the beginning of labor, contractions may begin slowly, perhaps only one or two per hour. They gradually become more frequent and stronger at this stage.
Your cervix will dilate to about three centimeters. Some tips to help you get through the active phase of labor: The place of contraction is another clue to whether you have false contractions. Often, women experience Braxton Hicks contractions in a small area or only in the front of the abdomen. Real labor often begins in the back or wraps around the entire abdomen. Your doctor may have told you to follow the 5-1-1 rule. This means you should call your doctor and go to the hospital if: Unless your doctor or midwife advises you against taking a hot shower, having a snack or a light meal and making sure your hospital bag is packed, are all good uses of your time while you work from home. You can also remember the numbers 5-1-1: A general rule of thumb is to go to the hospital if your contractions are five minutes apart and last at least an hour for at least a minute. If you`re not sure whether to go into labor or not (or if you think you might be, but you`re worried it`s too early), call your doctor or midwife. If your contractions begin with mild, irregular cramps, but slowly move on to more painful and regular events, this is an indication that true labor has begun. There are a few questions you may have when trying to determine if you are in the real job.
Measure the duration of a contraction by starting your timer when a contraction begins and stopping the timer when the contraction ends. Somewhere in the middle, you will feel a spike in intensity, but wait until all the sensations have stopped before stopping the timer. Dehydration can cause Braxton Hicks contractions. You may become dehydrated from the heat or if you have struggled with a cold, virus or flu. Drinking water can cause work to stop. Tips for getting by: Go to the hospital or birth center first if you`re not there yet. You will feel uncomfortable during active labor, so try to change position or breathe deeply during your work. Some women opt for a shower or bath to relieve some of the discomfort. If you want epidural anesthesia, active labor is the phase in which you get it. This part of the work can take hours or even days. It is best to spend it in the comfort of your own home.
Here are a few things you can do to support the process: Usually, you know you`re ready to go to the hospital if your contractions are spaced 4 minutes apart and last 1 minute and last at least 1 hour. The second phase of labor begins when your cervix is completely dilated by 10 centimeters. This phase continues until your baby passes through the birth canal, vagina and birth. This phase can last 2 hours or more. Your goal may not be to go to the hospital until you`re in real work, but to trust your instincts. If your body tells you to call your doctor, go for it. And be sure to call your doctor or go to the hospital if: The timing for 5-1-1 statistics is based on the frequency of contractions (especially the actual interval between the two), which are on average 5 minutes apart, the duration of your contractions lasts on average 1 minute, and the timing lasts more than an hour. WomensHealth.gov: “Stages of Labor.”, Mayo Clinic: “Stages of Labor and Birth: Baby, It`s Time!” While there is evidence that your body will tell you that your baby`s birth is imminent, only a doctor can confirm (usually with a vaginal exam) that your labor has begun and where you are.
The 5-1-1 rule also takes into account the “How long have you been feeling them?”, as contraction patterns must be recorded for at least one hour. This rule of thumb often comes from your healthcare team and/or birth educator to know when early labour becomes active labour. This can take many forms, you can hear 4-1-1 or 3-1-1, so talk to your healthcare team about their specific recommendations. As with preterm labor, there are risk factors for preeclampsia that you can`t change or prevent (for example. B a family history of the condition or pre-existing problems with your blood pressure). If you know you are at risk for preeclampsia, your doctor or midwife will help you take steps during your pregnancy, labour and delivery to reduce the risks to you and your baby in case the disease develops. What you may feel: With active labor, contractions are more intense. They can become so intense that you probably won`t be able to relax or do things at home. Dealing with contractions will attract your full attention. Unless your doctor or midwife says otherwise, you can probably rest at home while you`re in the early stages of labor. Labor begins slightly and rarely in this phase, but becomes stronger, more frequent and more regular, and gets closer in the course of labor.
In transition, your cervix expands from eight centimeters to 10 centimeters. It`s intense, to say the least – for many people, it`s the phase that brings “work” into work. In real labor, you have regular and strong contractions. Your cervix begins to open so that your baby can be born. This can be a slow and gradual process, although it sometimes happens quickly. Keep in mind that just as you are different from others, your pregnancy and contractions and childbirth may also be different. Contact your doctor or nursing team if you have any questions about real work versus fake work. Frequency is based on the time between the beginning of one contraction and the beginning of the next contraction. If your contractions are so intense that you can`t talk about them, sleep through them, or focus on something else, they`re more likely to be active labor contractions. The timing of contractions is an important element in recognizing the differences between real and false labor. Other differences you may notice are the contractions that change when you change position, para. B example when you stop with movement or rest.
The strength of the contractions is also different and the pain is felt in different places. Moldenhaur J. Preliminary work rupture of membranes (PROM). Merck Manuals Consumer version. Updated January 2020. Tips for getting out of it: You may find that exercising, stretching, or soaking in the tub helps you feel comfortable while your contractions increase. As nervous and excited as you may be at this point, try to relax and rest if you can. If you`re carrying a baby full-time and you`re experiencing contractions irregularly, but your water isn`t broken, you might experience Braxton Hicks contractions. As delivery approaches, your uterus prepares for labor by contracting slightly from time to time without the cervix expanding. When your uterus does a “trial” for real work, you may feel a feeling of tightening or cramping in your abdomen. In addition to knowing when to go to the hospital with labor and when to stay home, it`s also a good idea to discuss signs of preterm labor or complications such as preeclampsia with your doctor or midwife.
What you may feel: For many women, labor is like cramps in the lower back or abdomen. They each last about 30 to 45 seconds. You may not be uncomfortable, but you`ll know it`s early labor because contractions will keep coming (Braxton Hicks doesn`t like contractions that go away). You might also lose your mucus plug and/or the bloody spectacle, which means the cervix changes to prepare for childbirth. Your water could also break. Preeclampsia is a serious condition of pregnancy in which your blood pressure becomes too high (hypertension). Preeclampsia requires close medical treatment as it can lead to life-threatening complications during labour and delivery. You can also hear about Rule 511. The only difference between rules 511 and 411 is the first number, which represents the number of minutes between your contractions. Depending on your medical history, especially if you have already given birth, your provider may recommend that you follow the more conservative 511 rule. I think I may be in labour, but I can`t reach my doctor or midwife.
Do I have to go to the hospital? Signs and symptoms of premature birthWhen you reach 37 weeks and the contractions are more painful and increase in frequency, you have abdominal pain or menstrual cramps, increased pelvic pressure or back pain, and contractions are more than four contractions per hour. The first step is the longest part of the job and can take up to 20 hours. It begins when your cervix begins to open (dilate) and ends when it is completely open (completely dilated) at 10 centimeters. .