To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Top of the page. Contractions During Pregnancy: What to Expect. Topic Overview Regular contractions may mean that your uterine muscle is tightening Braxton Hicks contractions or that you are in labor.
Braxton Hicks contractions During the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, you may have episodes when your belly tightens and becomes firm to the touch, then relaxes. Braxton Hicks contractions can occur often during the 9th month, such as every 10 to 20 minutes. Braxton Hicks contractions: Usually go away during exercise or activity. True labor pains continue or increase with activity. Are felt more during rest. Preterm labor The length of a normal pregnancy is 37 to 42 weeks, measured from the date of the woman's last menstrual period.
Early labor Early labor is often the longest part of the birthing process, sometimes lasting 2 to 3 days. Uterine contractions: Are mild to moderate and last about 30 to 45 seconds. Being relaxed and confident helps labour to progress but if you are feeling very uncomfortable at this point please discuss this with your Midwife.
There is lots of evidence to support that a change in your birth environment can have a hormonal effect on your body, which may affect the progress of your labour. Often, when women come into hospital, they become anxious and stressed. A hormone called adrenalin is released which reduces the effects of oxytocin.
As a result, women often find that their contractions slow down or even stop when they come into hospital. This is ok and is a natural hormonal response. Do not worry - your Midwife will help to make you feel comfortable and at ease. Attend a tour of the hospital so that you know what to expect, and what the hospital looks like. Your birth partner will also be less anxious as they know where to park and when to bring you when you are in labour.
Bring some of your favourite music with you we do have some CD players or you could bring your iPod. Your birth partner can provide support through massage or distraction techniques to guide you through this stage. Remember: Working with your body, adopting upright positions, will encourage effective regular contractions, resulting in a quicker, less painful labour. For more information about the stages of labour, please see the Labour and Birth Information section of the website internal link.
Search our Site Search our site. Members What is a Member? Work for us Why Work For Us? You are unlikely to mistake the signs of labour when the time comes, but if you are not sure contact the hospital for more information or advice: If you are booked to have your baby on the Midwifery-led Unit contact - Labour can be divided into stages: The latent phase or preparation for labour stage The first stage Transition Second stage Third stage. The Latent Phase of Labour.
For the baby, it can increase the risk of low oxygen levels, abnormal heart rhythm, meconium in the amniotic fluid and infection. You are also at greater risk of slow progress if you are overweight or have gained a lot of weight during the pregnancy, or if this is your first baby. If you are experiencing slow progress, your midwife and doctor will monitor you closely.
They will measure how quickly your cervix is dilating, how long your contractions last and how often you are having them. If you are in the first stage of labour, your midwife and doctor may decide to break your waters or give you the medication oxytocin to speed up your contractions or make them stronger. You will probably be given pain medication and asked to change position , which might speed things up.
If your baby has already entered the birth canal, your doctor or midwife might deliver them by using forceps or ventouse. If the baby is in distress, you may give birth by emergency caesarean. If your doctor uses either forceps or ventouse to help you have your baby, there is a risk they may have some swelling or marks on their head , but these usually fade quite quickly.
If meconium is found in the amniotic fluid, your baby may have difficulty breathing when they are born and may require special care. Babies usually have their first poo after they are born, but some babies who are stressed during delivery pass meconium when they are still in the womb and can inhale it.
Low oxygen levels or an abnormal heart rate might also require your baby to need have special care after the birth. Assisted delivery can also result in injury to the mother. Most injuries will be temporary and will heal over time, but occasionally the injury can be more long lasting and may require further treatment. As with any type of surgery, there are some risks, but a caesarean is usually the safest option if you or your baby are at risk.
Every pregnancy is different. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Labor is unpredictable. While worrying that you won't make it to the hospital in time is common during pregnancy, you may also find yourself in the opposite situation: your labor is progressing very slowly.
Having a slow or stalled labor can increase the likelihood of needing medical intervention, such as a Cesarean C-section. One of the main benefits of standing positions during labor is gravity, which helps increase pressure on the cervix and supports your baby's descent into the pelvis. If you are able to get up and walk around, you get the added benefits of movement. In fact, women who are upright and moving around during labor typically have shorter labors, report less pain, receive less intervention and are more satisfied with their birth experience.
Breast stimulation releases oxytocin into your bloodstream, which can bring on contractions. Some women find getting in the shower and letting the water beat down on their chest is enough to encourage the flow of oxytocin.
Massage and acupressure can be very beneficial in helping to speed up a stalled labor. A general massage may help you relax, decrease your pain, or just be a nice change of pace.
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