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When pregnant, it turns out that there are several contractions that occur before labor arrives. Actually, what are contractions? So, what are the types and how are they characterized? Check out the full review here.

Contractions are a sign that the mother is about to give birth

There are various signs of childbirth that appear before delivery, whether it's a normal delivery or a cesarean section.

Apart from the rupture of the membranes and the opening of the delivery, there are also genuine labor contractions that characterize the imminent labor process.

However, do not confuse them with false contractions (Braxton Hicks) which are often difficult to distinguish from real labor contractions.

As the name implies, original labor contractions are contractions that are indeed a sign that pregnant women are about to start giving birth.

In fact, quoting from the NHS, the feeling that occurs during contractions is a sensation like the abdominal muscles repeatedly tightening and loosening.

When it is time to give birth, the characteristics of the pregnant woman's original labor contractions are that they feel longer, stronger, and appear more frequently than false contractions.

As labor contractions appear, the muscles tighten with increasing pain.

Contraction is an attempt to smooth the process of getting the baby out of the womb through the cervix (cervix) to the exit of the vagina.

After all the signs of birth appear, then the mother is ready to give birth to a baby or to give birth to twins.

The doctor will give a signal so that the mother applies the way of pushing during childbirth if it goes through the normal process with the delivery position according to the mother's comfort.

If needed, the doctor can use alar assistance in the form of delivery forceps or vacuum extraction.

Contractions during pregnancy that mothers should recognize

Types of contractions in pregnant women as characteristics of childbirth are divided into two, namely real and fake contractions.

However, even the original contractions that characterize labor may vary based on the time they appear.

The following are the types and characteristics of real labor contractions when pregnant women are approaching labor:

1. Contractions just before childbirth (early labor)

Contractions in pregnant women are the types of contractions that occur just before childbirth.

Contractions just before childbirth are a condition characterized by the dilation of the cervix or cervix.

Usually, the cervix or cervix can be up to 0-6 centimeters (cm) wide.

Basically, every mother experiences different signs of childbirth contractions.

Some of the characteristics of contractions of pregnant women who are about to give birth that usually appear are as follows:

• Very painful back
• Difficulty breathing
• The pelvis feels a lot of pressure and feels full
• It feels like the body hurts from the back to the front
• Experiencing very strong cramps
• As you get closer to labor, these contractions seem to last longer.

Launching from the Mayo Clinic page, the pattern of this contraction lasts for 30-70 seconds.

While the pause in each contraction usually lasts for 5 minutes or a little less than 5 minutes.

It is at this time that a pregnant woman usually prepares to go to the hospital or birthing center.

Since the onset of contractions can be very sudden, make sure all labor preparation and delivery supplies are provided in advance.

So, the choice of whether a pregnant woman gives birth in the hospital or gives birth at home has also been determined so that you can be treated immediately.

2. Active contractions

Active contractions are the last type of contractions that occur before the baby is born.

The characteristic sign of this contraction is the pain that feels more intense than the previous contraction.

These contractions make your cervix expand up to 10 cm and indicate that the birth canal is open at that time.

Usually, these active contractions will also make you feel pain in the back to the feet.

These contractions generally last less than 1 minute, with a 3-5 minute pause subside, then feel the pain again.

The closer the baby is to discharge, the larger the cervix will be, the size is about 7-10 cm.

The contraction pattern also lasts longer, namely for 1 minute to 1.5 minutes with a break of only 30 seconds to 2 minutes until the pain will return.

One of the characteristics of this active contraction with other contractions is that when the contraction pause, the uterus does not feel relaxed either, it remains tight.

The mother may also feel as if she has to have a bowel movement but the urge is really very strong.

This pain gets worse when the baby's head starts moving down the birth canal.

How to relieve pain when the original contractions are about to give birth

Contractions are a characteristic of pregnant women about to give birth that often cause pain.

However, the mother can do a number of ways to help the body feel more comfortable during contractions.

These natural methods include breathing techniques during childbirth, stretching muscles, and other methods aimed at relaxing the body during labor.

Various tricks to relieve the pain of original contractions when pregnant women are about to give birth are as follows:

1. Make yourself feel as comfortable as possible

The simplest way to reduce pain when pregnant women experience contractions is to make yourself feel as comfortable as possible.

Before giving birth, take a moment to take a warm bath. Then, apply a warm or cold compress to the affected area.

Make sure the place you are lying on is comfortable and soft. To relax your body, inhale the fragrance you like while waiting for contraction.

If necessary, ask your partner to accompany you so that you feel calmer during labor.

2. Move a lot and change body positions

In addition to reducing pain during contractions, moving a lot and changing body positions are ways to help adjust the position of the fetus in the womb.

Any movement you make can push the fetus's head toward the birth canal, making the birth process easier.

You can try walking, squatting, sitting on the edge of the bed, or resting on your hands and feet.

You can also move around on top birthing ball , namely a large ball commonly used as a gymnastic aid.

3. Touching or massaging certain areas of the body

Massaging the body is a simple, but effective way to relieve pain during contractions.

Try getting your partner to massage your hands, feet, temples, or other part of your body that you want to divert the pain and make you feel more relaxed.

If the massage causes discomfort, you can try a gentler touch.

Ask your partner to hold your hand, caress your cheeks and hair, or make other touches that can reduce pain during contractions.

Is it normal if you are pregnant but have not had contractions?

Every pregnant woman must feel a "sensation" that is different during pregnancy at any gestational age, including before the due date of birth (HPL).

Most mothers usually have started to feel contractions during their late pregnancy.

However, don't worry if you don't feel those contractions.

First of all, you should know that the normal gestational age is 37 to 41 weeks.

So don't worry when the womb has entered the 38 week period but there are no signs of contractions yet, because this is still considered normal.

Most babies are born 3 to 4 weeks later than their expected day of birth.

As long as they are within this range, the doctor will usually only wait until there are signs of natural contractions.

If the signs of labor do not appear even after 41 weeks of age, labor induction is usually required to stimulate birth.

Usually labor induction at more than 38 weeks is also medically necessary if you have pregnancy complications.

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