What are Contractions?
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Labor and contractions can be painful and daunting experience for most women and this cause them undue stress and anxiety during pregnancy. To be prepared for delivery and labour, it is important to be aware of what contractions are and how to recognize them. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about contractions.
What are contractions?
Contractions may seem like a menstrual cramp that is accompanied with the tightening and strengthening of the lower abdomen and the muscles of your womb. Contractions occur at the onset of labor. During the early stages of labour, the muscles of the womb work to thin down and dilate the cervix so that it is ready for the baby’s head to pass through. At the later stage of labour the muscles of your womb helps to push the baby out of the womb.
Contractions builds in intensity with time, they come to a peak and then ease down. There is usually a break between each contraction and then a downtime period, before the next one starts.
What do contractions feel like?
This a difficult question to answer because contractions differs from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy and can also differ within the different stages of labour.
Contractions at the early stages of labour are felt as the tightening or mild cramping in the back and lower abdomen, much like the menstrual cramps. These early contractions help in dilating and thinning up your cervix so that it can be stretched for the baby's head to pass out later on.
In the beginning there will be a gap of about 10 minutes or so between each contraction and sometimes it may be irregular. But as your labor progresses, your contractions will become more regular, will build in intensity and will last longer.
Once you enter the stage where your contractions are more intense and regular you may need to call your doctor or rush to the hospital. At this point, practicing some breathing exercises will help you a lot. At this stage many women will opt for a pain relief option that is offered to them.
Gradually, your contractions will become a lot stronger and regular until you are completely dilated and ready to push the baby out. Many women find this stage of contractions more manageable as they are in a greater sense of control over the whole process and also the time to meet your baby is very close.
Braxton Hicks contractions Vs labour pains
Some women may face painless contractions known as Braxton Hicks throughout their pregnancy. And it can be easily confused with the real contractions. But the real labor contractions will be more regular and intense when compared to Braxton Hicks that occurs randomly and then subside.
While Braxton Hicks contractions may help to strengthen the muscles of your uterus and make it ready for labour, it however doesn’t help to dilate or efface your cervix.
Braxton Hicks contractions can easily be confused with the early signs of labour and hence it is important to be aware of the different between the both. So, if you're before 37 weeks of pregnancy and if you experience more than four contractions in an hour then you need to contact with your healthcare provider.
About the Author
Andrew White, leading gynecologist, has written a number of useful blogs and medical journals on women health. He is an advisor with Association of Women Health, in USA.
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