Uterine contractions are an important feature of labor, but some people don\’t see any movement in the baby after contractions. What exactly are contractions? What is the difference between false contractions and real contractions?
Have mothers-to-be experienced abdominal pain during pregnancy? Sometimes this feeling disappears quickly, and sometimes there are bursts of pain, which are contractions. Some people say that contractions are a sign that the baby has been delivered, but others say that the baby does not move after contractions. What exactly are contractions? What should I do if my contractions are too frequent?
A few days before the due date, shopaholic Xiao Hong and her husband went on a shopping spree. Unexpectedly, just after visiting the milk powder area, the mother-to-be suddenly felt numb and nervous. Is this the legendary contraction? She didn\’t dare to move, but her stomach felt tight for about thirty minutes. Xiaohong once heard someone say that contractions on the due date mean that the baby is about to be born. In this big shopping mall, both of them were afraid of the baby\’s movements. He quickly packed his things and rushed to the hospital. But I went to the hospital for many days and didn\’t see the baby being born. This was a false alarm. But this also puzzled Xiaohong and her husband. Could it be that contractions are not a sign that the baby is in labor.
In fact, contractions are indeed an important feature of childbirth, but they are not the defining feature. By the due date, only true uterine contractions accompanied by pain are a sign of labor.
Is there a difference between false contractions and real contractions?
False contractions
A few weeks before delivery, the uterine muscles are relatively sensitive, and irregular uterine contractions may occur, which may be short-lasting, weak, or limited to the lower part of the uterus. It stops again after a few hours, the cervix cannot open, and labor has not started. This is called false contractions. These contractions are irregular, non-cyclical and painless.
real contractions
Uterine contractions are regular during childbirth. The initial interval is approximately every 10 minutes. Pregnant women feel abdominal pain, and then the duration of pain gradually extends to 40 to 60 seconds. The degree will also increase and the interval will shorten, about 3 to 5 minutes. When your uterus contracts and you experience abdominal pain, your lower abdomen may feel hard.
When uterine contractions begin, some women feel pain in their abdomen, while others feel pain in their waist. In fact, mild uterine contractions can be felt at all or be the same as lower abdominal pain during menstruation. The intensity of pain varies from person to person. This is the same situation when contractions give you mild pain. The intensity of pain varies from person to person. When uterine contractions cause mild pain, the pain gradually intensifies after a period of time, the intermission period is shortened, and the pain duration is prolonged.
Uterine contractions come in waves, with bursts of pain spreading to the lower abdomen, or back pain and a feeling of defecation. This contraction of the uterus is in preparation for the birth of the baby. So this little pain is nothing. As long as you cooperate with the doctor and use the breathing exercises you have practiced to coordinate with the contractions, you can give birth smoothly. A doctor said it well: when the mother is nervous, the cervix will be tight; when the mother relaxes, the cervix will relax. Only when the pregnant woman relaxes can the babyLee came into this world.
What should I do if my contractions are too frequent?
Uterine contractions usually begin about a month before delivery, and expectant mothers will feel their contractions becoming more and more frequent. Generally when calculating contractions, if the number of contractions per hour is about 10, it is more frequent. You should go to the hospital in time and take some drugs that inhibit uterine contraction under the guidance of a doctor to prevent premature birth. If the contractions are not very frequent and there is no abdominal pain, just pay attention to rest.
It should be noted that you should not self-medicate to avoid damaging the fetus. And taking medicine generally can\’t relieve it. Pregnant mothers should pay attention to rest at this time, especially not to stimulate the abdomen. If the contractions are accompanied by strong abdominal pain that makes you feel restless and your work and life are affected, you need to go to the hospital for treatment.
What can pregnant women do when they have contractions?
Pregnant mothers can learn breathing techniques to cope with contractions.
First, lie on your back, close your eyes, relax and breathe deeply through your nose.
Next, take a deep breath through your mouth and relax your abdomen.
Third, after inhaling through your nose, hold your breath, and then exhale long.
What can expectant fathers do during contractions?
1. Thought transfer during pain
Every expectant mother experiences contractions. Contractions are uncomfortable and everyone feels the pain. When contractions begin, each contraction is shorter and the time between contractions is longer. At this time, the husband can tell his wife some jokes to distract her attention. However, as your due date approaches, contractions can become longer, shorter, and more painful. Telling jokes may not be useful at this point. Expectant fathers may wish to ask their mothers or other female elders to understand their wives\’ personal feelings at this time, and then think of countermeasures.
2. Relax your wife’s body
When my wife has contractions, the intermittent contractions last for 8-10 hours. It\’s normal for your abdominal muscles to feel tight at this time. At this time, other parts of the pregnant woman\’s body should be relaxed as much as possible. At this time, my husband can help. In the early stages of contractions, the wife does not need to be hospitalized. The environment at home can make her feel better. When the wife is sitting or lying down, the husband should ensure that the wife\’s elbows, legs, waist and neck are supported, and check whether all parts of the body are completely relaxed. Husbands should actively help pregnant women relax and unwind. After arriving at the hospital, if the wife feels nervous due to pain, the husband can divert her attention, take her to take a deep breath, and remind her to stay relaxed. A husband can also give his wife a massage to relieve her tension and discomfort during childbirth.
What should mothers do to prevent contractions?
First, don\’t walk long distances or lift heavy objects. Walking too much and the weight of the fetus is a big burden for the mother. In addition, holding heavy objects will exert force on the abdomen and easily cause uterine contractions.
Second, tiredJust lie down and rest. Being quiet is very effective.
Third, don’t be nervous. Mental fatigue, like physical fatigue, can lead to a variety of problems. After pressure accumulates, the abdomen tends to become hard. It’s best to relax physically and mentally.
4. Prevent colds. Air conditioning makes the lower limbs and waist too cold, which can also easily cause uterine contractions.