Contractions 3 5 minutes. Contractions during pregnancy, what sensations indicate the approach of childbirth. The beginning of labor: how to understand that contractions have begun

The last trimester of pregnancy is the most exciting period for a woman. The closer the birth, the more questions arise. The most relevant of them relate to how contractions begin before childbirth, what sensations arise at the same time, whether pain is felt.

It is this process that the fair sex, whose pregnancy is the first, is most afraid of. You really shouldn't be nervous about this. With negative emotions, the pain can feel very intense. The less you think about it and fear contractions, the easier the birth will be.

Yes, and there are special techniques to reduce pain in this natural process.

A woman carrying a baby under her heart can be misled by false (training) contractions. They can start from the 20th week of pregnancy. False contractions before childbirth cause little discomfort, but are irregular, short-lived, and in most cases almost painless. Uterine tension and discomfort can be relieved by a warm bath or walking. It is important to remember that the temperature of the bath should be in the range of 36 to 38 degrees.

True contractions are the main harbinger of childbirth. How are contractions before childbirth and what do they look like? Every woman experiences contractions differently. It depends on the physiological characteristics of the pregnant woman and on the position of the baby in the tummy. For example, some may feel mild aching pains in the lumbar region, which after a certain time period spread to the abdomen and pelvis, encircling the woman.

Others note that the sensations during contractions are comparable to the discomfort that occurs during menstruation. The pain subsequently intensifies. During contractions, it may seem that the uterus is turning to stone. This can be clearly seen if you put your hand on your stomach.

All of the above signs can be characteristic of false contractions of the uterus. Then how to recognize real contractions before childbirth? There are general signs of this natural process, by which every pregnant woman can determine that she will soon begin labor:

regular occurrence;
gradual increase in frequency;
increased pain over time.

At first, a pregnant woman may feel contractions after a long period of time. The pain is not strong. In the future, the intervals between contractions gradually decrease, the pain of this natural process increases.

Based on the general signs of contractions before childbirth, 3 phases of the process can be distinguished:

initial (latent, hidden);
active;
transitional.

The initial stage lasts on average about 7-8 hours. The duration of the fight can be 30-45 seconds, the interval between them is about 5 minutes. During this period, the cervix opens by 0-3 cm.

During the active phase, which lasts from 3 to 5 hours, contractions can last up to 60 seconds. The frequency of contractions during childbirth is 2-4 minutes. The cervix dilates 3-7 cm.

The transition phase (deceleration phase) is the shortest. A woman can stay in it for 0.5-1.5 hours. The contractions become longer. Now they last for 70-90 seconds. The interval between contractions also becomes shorter compared to other phases. After about 0.5-1 minutes, a woman in position will feel uterine contractions. The neck of this organ opens by 7-10 cm.

Contractions in the second birth are also divided into three phases, but the total duration of each of them is shorter than in the first birth.

What to do if contractions start?

When contractions occur, a pregnant woman should calm down, because fuss is not the best helper. It is advisable to take a comfortable position in a chair, on a chair or on a bed and begin to fix the intervals between contractions and their duration. All of this information should be recorded. No need to think about what hurts more: contractions or childbirth. Fear will make the pain seem unbearable.

If the contractions do not last long and the duration between them is long (20-30 minutes), then it is too early for the baby to be born. The woman has time to collect the necessary things, call an ambulance. At this time, with the help of loved ones, you can take a warm shower. With contractions, the intervals between which are 5-7 minutes, you already need to go to the hospital.

A trip to a medical facility should not be postponed, despite the fact that the initial phase of contractions can last several hours. Amniotic fluid may leave earlier, and at this time it is already desirable to be under the supervision of an obstetrician-gynecologist. When water breaks, in no case should you take a warm or hot bath, because this may increase the likelihood of developing infectious complications, bleeding, embolism,.

How to induce contractions and childbirth?

For many women, childbirth begins at 37-40 weeks. However, there are cases when pregnancy continues at 41, 42 and even 43 weeks. Representatives of the fair sex in such situations are already beginning to worry, get nervous, because they want to see their baby faster, but he still does not want to be born. Yes, and there are cases when the child died at this time in the mother's tummy, and the contractions did not start.

The death of a child can occur due to the fact that the placenta begins to age. The baby may already lack oxygen and nutrients. How to induce contractions and childbirth is a question that worries expectant mothers who carry a child longer than the date of the expected birth, which was calculated by the doctor.

To prevent the occurrence of negative consequences, you can cause contractions and childbirth. However, only the doctor should make this decision. If there are no pathologies, and the amniotic fluid is clean, then there is no need to stimulate the birth process. Everything has its time. If any deviations are found, then the doctor will certainly offer stimulation of contractions and childbirth. It's not worth giving up.

Contractions can also be called on their own. For example, they recommend being more upright, walking, moving, but you don’t need to provoke the appearance of fatigue, stress, as this will not be useful.

Sensations of contractions before childbirth can arise due to sex. Semen contains prostaglandins, which prepare the cervix for childbirth by softening it. Sexual arousal, orgasm tone the body and cause uterine contractions.

You can induce contractions by massaging the nipples of the breast. It can be started from the 37th week of pregnancy. During massage, the body releases the hormone oxytocin, due to which the contraction of the muscles of the uterus can begin. Massage allows not only to stimulate childbirth, but also to prepare the skin of the nipples for breastfeeding the baby.

There are also folk remedies for stimulating labor and contractions, but you should not experience them for yourself. For example, certain teas and decoctions can adversely affect the health of a mother and her baby, because some herbs are contraindicated for pregnant women, as they can provoke a miscarriage.

How to ease labor contractions?

Doctors can help a pregnant woman reduce the pain of labor and childbirth with special medications. However, do not rely on anesthesia. There is a possibility that the drug will adversely affect the mother and her baby.

The main way to reduce pain is proper breathing during childbirth and contractions. With it, the mother can relax. When a contraction occurs, it is recommended to focus on exhalation. At this moment, it is worth imagining that along with the air, pain “leaves” the body. A woman in labor can also “make some noise” during contractions and childbirth. Sighs, groans and cries will alleviate the condition. Proper breathing should be learned in advance and practiced more often, because childbirth is stress, because of which all poorly memorized information can be easily forgotten.

A woman in labor can relax thanks to a massage and simple gentle touches of a loved one. Contractions are the beginning of labor. It is at their onset that it is recommended to do a slow massaging of the lower back. A woman at this time can stand or sit on a chair, leaning on its back with her hands.

Massage of the lumbar back during childbirth is considered very effective. This is due to the fact that the sacral nerve passes to the spinal cord from the uterus through the lower back. If you massage this area, then the pain during contractions will be less felt. It is very good if the spouse wants to be present at the birth and help his beloved at this difficult moment.

The mental attitude is equally important. Positive emotions, thoughts that you will soon be able to see the baby, will help reduce pain. In order to properly respond to what is happening and not worry, a woman needs to understand how the birth proceeds and what you can feel at this time.

In the interval between contractions, you do not need to wait for the next contraction. This time is given to the woman for rest. With intense anticipation of the next fight, you can quickly get tired.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that contractions are a natural process. All pregnant women go through this. The question - how contractions begin before childbirth, excites many expectant mothers. It is worth noting that it is impossible to accurately describe all the sensations, since they are individual. Someone compares contractions with pain during menstruation, and someone with an upset stomach.

Contractions are rhythmic contractions of the uterus, which are felt as a feeling of pressure in the abdominal cavity, which can be felt throughout the abdomen. A pregnant woman may feel such contractions even weeks before the baby is born. The table shows the differences between "false" and true contractions.

sign	false contractions	True contractions
Number of times per day	4-6 times a day, no more than 2 hours in a row	More than 8 times in 2 hours
Duration	a few seconds, rarely up to a minute	Builds up over time
Intensity	Weakens or does not change	Builds up over time
	Irregular	Regular, increases over time
Pause between contractions	very fluctuate and can be from 10-15 to 20-30 minutes	Decrease over time
Appearance time	After 24 weeks, increasing towards childbirth	Start of labor
When changing body position and after massage, warm bath, aromatherapy	Are being discontinued	Do not change

What happens during contractions?

Due to contraction of the muscles of the uterus during contractions and pressure on the cervix of the fetal bladder or the presenting part of the fetus after the outflow of amniotic fluid, the cervix is shortened to smoothing. This continues for 4-6 hours and is called the latent phase of labor. At first, the contractions are weak and not painful, the intervals between them are about half an hour, and sometimes more, the contraction of the uterus itself lasts 5-10 seconds. Gradually, the intensity and duration of contractions increase, and the intervals between contractions gradually decrease. Between contractions, the abdomen is relaxed. Pain during contractions is due to the opening of the cervix, compression of nerve endings, tension of the uterine ligaments. Sometimes the first tremors are felt in the lumbar region, then spread to the stomach, becoming girdle.
Pulling sensations can also occur in the uterus itself, and not in the lumbar region. Pain during contractions (in case you cannot relax or find a comfortable position) resembles the pain that often accompanies menstruation. The strength of the pain sensation depends on the individual characteristics of the threshold of pain sensitivity, the emotional mood of the woman and her attitude to the birth of the child. It is important not to be afraid of childbirth and labor pain. After all, the whole process of childbirth takes only a few hours, and labor pain is quickly forgotten. You can often hear from women giving birth that the contractions were either completely painless, or the pain was quite tolerable. During contractions, the body releases its own painkillers. In addition, relaxation and proper breathing techniques mastered during pregnancy help to get rid of painful sensations.

What should be done during contractions?

You have some time to take a shower, put on clean underwear, cut your nails and wash off the varnish from them. For many women, shaving the perineum upon admission to the hospital is a very unpleasant moment. However, this procedure is necessary, as it allows you to control the degree of stretching of the perineum during childbirth, to prevent its rupture, and in case of injury, it is better to match the tissues during suturing. Feelings of embarrassment can be avoided if you perform this simple procedure at home on your own. Just take a brand new razor and treat your skin well with an antiseptic solution or antibacterial soap.
You should go to the hospital when the contractions become regular, and will come every 10-15 minutes. If a clear interval between contractions has not yet been established, but they are accompanied by severe pain, it is also necessary to consult a doctor. If the childbirth is repeated, then with the onset of regular contractions, it is better to go to the hospital immediately (often, repeated childbirth is swift, so it is better not to hesitate). During contractions, you can choose a body position that is convenient for you: you can lie on your side, walk, stand on all fours or kneel. Keep track of the duration of contractions and the intervals between them. Try to walk, get on all fours, ride a big ball.
During contractions, slowly, deeply and rhythmically inhale air through your nose and exhale it through your mouth. If the contractions become very strong, frequent shallow breathing, in which the inhalation is also made through the nose, and the exhalation through the mouth, will help. From the very beginning of the contraction, stroke the lower half of the abdomen. You can massage the lower back with fists or an open palm on both sides of the spine, up and down, to the base of the coccyx. After a contraction, there is always a period of time when there is no pain, you can relax and unwind. Do not forget to empty your bladder regularly - this stimulates contractions.

What can not be done?

During contractions, you can not sit and lie on your back;
can't eat;
you can’t take painkillers on your own: they won’t relieve normal labor pain, but they can mask important symptoms;
You can not stay at home in the following cases:
a) if bleeding occurs;
b) if you are worried about headache, blurred vision, pain in the epigastric region and in the uterus;
c) if the child's movements became very violent or, on the contrary, began to feel bad;

In these cases, it is necessary to get to the hospital as quickly as possible, ideally by ambulance with medical escort.

What should a husband do?

Usually, the expectant mother endures the first contractions quite easily: they last 15-20 seconds and repeat every 15-20 minutes. At this time, you can still chat with your wife about something abstract, create a reserve of good mood, joke and dream.
During the fight, help your wife use her imagination. Let her imagine that the fight is a wave, and your wife is overcoming this wave.
Breathe with your wife, especially if she is out of rhythm. To set her up for proper breathing, first copy her breathing, and then gradually change the frequency of your breathing, and already your wife will unconsciously copy your breathing.
Remind her of techniques that relieve pain. You can try to save your spouse from discomfort by massaging her back in a circular motion from the lower back and below, or by tapping the pain points with your fingertips, stroking her stomach from the bottom up and to the sides.
Persuade her to walk around the room, inviting her beloved to lean on your hand. Walking speeds up the birth process by 30%. This is especially important at the initial stage of childbirth.
Before leaving for the maternity hospital, it is necessary to check the availability of documents: passport, exchange card, insurance policy, labor contract (if any). If there is an individual agreement for childbirth, with the onset of contractions, call the doctor who will conduct your childbirth. If you are going to wait for the baby to appear in the hospital, then you can take a small bag of sandwiches with you, while you need to carefully make sure that your wife does not eat anything.

It is customary to divide the entire process of labor into three periods: the first period or the period of opening of the cervix, the second - the pressing period or the period of exile, and the third - the afterbirth, during which the placenta is separated. The appearance of contractions indicates the beginning of labor.

Frequency of contractions

Contractions of the uterus in the first stage of labor are called contractions. With the true onset of labor, the duration of contractions is 7-10 seconds, the interval between the first contractions is usually about 30 minutes. True contractions differ from false contractions by increasing the intensity and reducing the intervals of contractions. Reducing the interval between contractions to 5 minutes and increasing their duration to 10-15 seconds indicates that there is an opening of the cervix by 4 cm and regular labor activity has been established. That is, childbirth has already begun.
The counting of contractions should begin after the appearance of the first contraction. To count contractions, it is desirable to have a watch with a second hand in order to know exactly how the intervals decrease and how their intensity increases. It is recommended to record the time of contractions on paper or, if it is not possible to do this, then at least remember the time of the first contraction in order to tell the doctor about the onset of labor. Contractions every 10 minutes (or at least 5 contractions per hour) indicates that labor has begun, at this stage the mucous plug may be discharged. Some doctors believe that with such contractions it is not necessary to immediately go to the hospital. But, it is impossible to exclude the onset of pathological conditions or rapid childbirth, therefore, at this moment it is better to stay in the hospital.

Contractions every 5 minutes indicate the establishment of regular labor activity and serve as an indication for an early visit to the maternity hospital. Contractions every 3 minutes with a duration of 50-60 seconds indicate the complete or almost complete opening of the cervix and the beginning of the straining period. At this stage, a woman may feel pressure on her anus and a growing desire to have a bowel movement.

contraction counting software

There are many computer programs that help a woman count contractions, you can use them online or by downloading the program. The developed programs will easily allow a woman in labor to track the duration and frequency of contractions. And also help to distinguish true contractions from false ones.

It must be remembered that the correct behavior during childbirth, counting contractions and understanding what is happening in the body will help a woman figure out what to do in a given situation.

Contractions are false and real, what is the difference.

Before the birth itself, a woman experiences frequent and sharp pains in the lower abdomen, which cannot be stopped by anything. If contractions every 5 minutes for several hours, then you should already gather your thoughts and go to the hospital. After all, they are the main sign that the birth process begins. In the last month of pregnancy, false contractions occur every 5 minutes.

What do contractions say?

Contractions are contractions of the uterus, accompanied by the opening of the cervix. The woman begins to feel that her stomach takes on a solid shape, as if compressed into a ball. This pain lasts for a few seconds, after which it makes the uterus feel relaxed again. may change. The first pain symptoms are characterized by their occurrence with a frequency of 10 minutes, then gradually increasing the frequency. If the frequency of contractions is once for 5 minutes, then you can already think about what you need to go to the hospital.

All women experience pain differently. For some, this is a completely acceptable process, while others do not know how to behave in order to slightly reduce the pain. Training contractions every 5 minutes also cause different sensations. They have less intense pain than contractions that occur before the onset of childbirth.

What to do about contractions

Many women, as a result of a lack of strength to endure pain, wonder. There are several methods. First you need to take a comfortable position in bed, which alleviates the pain without making it too pronounced. Good methods are classes on a gymnastic ball, because during such exercises the load from the lower back is removed as much as possible. Women at the time of pregnancy should always perform sparing exercises on gymnastic balls, sticks and rugs. They have a positive effect on the health of mother and child.

Frequent and regular contractions indicate that the birth process begins. A woman must prepare for it, go to the hospital and, under the supervision of a doctor, expect prenatal contractions, which will already end directly in the process of the birth of a long-awaited child.

Having heard about the rapid delivery in the ambulance and even at home, many girls worry about how not to miss the start of labor and arrive on time at the hospital. To do this, there are certain guidelines, knowing which it is very difficult to miss “hour X”. Attention must be paid to your well-being, the frequency of contractions, vaginal discharge and baby movements. How do contractions begin before childbirth in primiparous and multiparous, how to distinguish true from false?

In a few days and sometimes even weeks, the body of a pregnant woman begins to intensively prepare for childbirth. Everything changes, from the nature of the woman's breathing and well-being to the size of the abdomen and vaginal discharge. Careful self-monitoring will help the expectant mother understand how soon she will give birth.

Signs that contractions are starting before childbirth

Already a few weeks before childbirth, you can notice changes that indicate that the body begins to prepare. In primiparous, these processes are slower, so they are somewhat easier to notice. With repeated forthcoming births, many changes can occur simultaneously, quickly, so detecting them is a little more difficult. The main points are as follows.

The stomach is decreasing. Gradually, the baby descends deep into the small pelvis. At the same time, the bottom of the uterus also shifts behind it, so it seems that the stomach has become a little smaller.
It becomes easier to breathe. Due to the fact that the bottom of the uterus and the fetus are shifted down, space is freed up for the lungs, which until this moment are in compressed conditions. Therefore, the woman will notice a decrease in shortness of breath and the appearance of ease when breathing.
Heartburn is reduced. Due to the decrease in pressure on the stomach, the speed and volume of the reflux of its contents into the esophagus decreases, this causes a decrease in the symptoms of burning and pain behind the sternum.
There is pain in the lower abdomen. Periodic pulling pain in the lower back, sacrum and lower abdomen is a sign of the imminent start of “training contractions”.
Pressing sensation in the perineum. The presenting part of the fetus, which descends into the small pelvis, compresses the nerve endings and tissues, causing bursting sensations in the lower abdomen, on the perineum.
Mucus plug comes off. Throughout pregnancy, a special mucus is in the woman's cervical canal, which protects against the penetration of microbes to the fetus. On the eve of childbirth, as the cervix opens, it begins to come out. Often women notice it as a thick, clear or slightly grayish mucus in the vaginal discharge.
Diarrhea appears. Nature has long made sure that a woman's body comes prepared for childbirth. There is a natural loosening of the stool no more than a day before contractions.
Decreased body weight. Usually, on the eve of childbirth, a woman loses 1-2 kg instead of an increase. This is due to a decrease in appetite, a decrease in fluid in the body.

If a woman notices all of these symptoms, or at least some of them, it will be easier for her to recognize contractions before childbirth.

What are "false" abbreviations

"Training contractions" or Bregston-Higs - uterine contractions that are necessary to prepare the birth canal for the baby to enter. Often women confuse them with the onset of labor, especially during the first pregnancy.

Normal

False contractions by their nature do not differ from ordinary ones, but they are less intense, short, irregular. As a result of false contractions, the cervix opens, and the baby descends even more into the pelvic cavity.

The period from the beginning of training contractions to regular labor activity is called preliminary. It can occur in physiological and pathological forms. Normally, a woman may feel the following:

contractions begin suddenly, more often in the evening or in the morning;
do not bring general concern to a woman;
despite them, the expectant mother can fall asleep;
decrease after taking antispasmodics;
irregular - there may be one fight in two minutes, and then one after a 10-20 minute break;
contractions end as abruptly as they started.

Usually after such training, true contractions begin. The transition can be smooth, but often takes a couple of hours or even days. Also, false contractions can be in several approaches, for example, for two days in the evenings. The way training bouts go before childbirth depends on many factors, for example, on the psychological mood, the presence of diseases.

Pathological

The pathological preliminary period is characterized by the following features:

the contractions are painful and it seems that they do not go away at all;
a woman feels pain in the lower abdomen, lower back;
unpleasant sensations violate the psycho-emotional state;
unable to sleep or rest;
pain is not relieved by antispasmodics.

The pathological preliminary period does not lead to structural changes in the cervix, but exhausts the woman and is accompanied by fetal suffering. Therefore, it is important to identify it in time and treat it. Often, a pathological preliminary period becomes the reason for a caesarean section or bladder puncture without contractions to stimulate labor.

How to distinguish

An important question is how to identify contractions before childbirth and when to go to the hospital after that.

The intensity of true contractions does not decrease - they only become stronger and more frequent. They can start every 20 minutes, but then they become a multiplicity of ten, five, and then every three to five minutes. At this time, there is often a need for special breathing, which will help a woman endure not quite pleasant and even painful sensations. At the peak of the contraction - “like a dog” (frequent shallow breathing), with a decrease in intensity - deeper and calmer. The following table will help distinguish between true and false contractions.

Table - True and false contractions before childbirth

Options	false contractions	True contractions
Duration	- 10-15 seconds	- First, 5-10 seconds; - gradually increase up to 30-40 seconds
Intensity	- Medium	- First weak; - then the intensity increases
Periodicity	- Irregular; - with different intervals - from 15 seconds to an hour or more	- Every 15; - then 10 and 5 minutes
Is there fatigue	- Lightweight	- Moderate
Is it possible to sleep	- Yes, especially after taking antispasmodics	- No
Vaginal discharge	- Mucous membranes (often a "cork")	- Mucus plug; - water may appear

The main difference between true fights and training fights is that the latter come and go again. If the birth has really begun, then the contractions of the uterus become only stronger and more frequent.

Many women wonder how to count contractions. It is customary to determine its duration, and then the number of minutes before a new one. But modern gadgets allow you to use a simple program. Having fixed the time, she presumably gives out whether these are false or true contractions.

When to go to the hospital

Women always have the question of when to go to the hospital if contractions have begun - immediately with the first symptoms or wait some more time.

If the contractions begin, but the water has not yet broken and nothing else worries the pregnant woman, as soon as the contractions of the uterus are every three to five minutes, it is necessary to go to the maternity hospital if it is no more than 30 minutes away. You should immediately go to the hospital in the following cases:

if water flows- they are usually milky in color, with pathology - yellowish or greenish;
if vaginal discharge with blood- one of the signs of placental abruption;
if during contractions there are attempts- a feeling of strong pressure on the perineum, when you want to expel the fetus;
if the movements have changed dramatically- either became excessively stormy, or stopped altogether;
if there is a suspicion of pathological "false contractions" - in this case, the sooner a woman seeks medical help, the higher the likelihood of a favorable outcome;
if the pressure rises or when other signs of progression of preeclampsia appear (flashing of "flies" before the eyes, severe headache).

What to do when in doubt

Often pregnant women doubt whether they are having contractions or just training. Especially often such situations occur in primiparas. However, you should not be worried or ashamed to seek medical help. When contacting any maternity hospital, the doctor will confirm or deny the onset of labor. It is especially necessary to be vigilant in multiparous women, because often the contractions last for some time inconspicuously, and it is difficult to determine how long the gap is between them. As a result, such mothers barely have time to come to the hospital.

How to relieve pain

Many women are lost and do not know what to do during contractions. In fact, there is nothing special, but the basic rules on how to make childbirth and contractions easier for yourself are as follows:

learn to breathe correctly in each period of childbirth;
you can be in a warm shower, directing a stream of water to the sacrum and lower abdomen;
drink warm tea or water;
for many, pain at the stage of cervical dilatation decreases when walking;
you can massage the sacrum - with your hand, with tennis balls;
exercises in which you need to sit on a gymnastic ball help.

If the contractions are more like false, you can take an antispasmodic drug (for example, No-shpa is safe), after which the pain should become less. Other painkillers should not be taken on their own.

Contractions, like pregnancy itself, are different for every woman. After all, there are no identical organisms. Then the question arises, how to understand that contractions are starting? You should listen to your body, noticing even the slightest changes. With this approach, it will be difficult to miss an important point, and the woman's reviews confirm this.