Pregnancy, Contractions Apparently there are several types. Come on, get to know
Pregnant women, especially those who have just had their first child, may still be confused as to what the contractions feel. Moreover, there are more than one type of contraction with different characteristics. Yuk , identify one per one type of contraction.
What does the contraction look like? In general, pregnant women who experience contractions will feel the stomach tighten and hard. The purpose of contractions, especially contractions before labor, is to prepare the birth canal for the baby's release. However, not all contractions are a sign that the baby will be born.
Three Contraction Types
Not only is the contraction ahead of labor, there are also false contractions and early or premature contractions. Pregnant women need to recognize the following differences:
1. Fake contraction/ contraction Braxton-Hicks
Around 4 months of pregnancy, pregnant women may feel the uterine muscles contract irregularly. But this contraction is actually not a sign of labor, how come . These contractions tend to subside if pregnant women change the position of the body, for example from lying down and standing and walking for a moment.
Generally, a contraction called Braxton-Hicks is characterized by symptoms of a tight but not painful stomach, contractions centered on the abdomen, and begin to be felt if pregnant women are tired or lack of drinking.
These fake contractions generally won't get stronger and don't cause changes or opening in the cervix. But pregnant women need to be examined immediately if this contraction is accompanied by bleeding or contractions felt stronger.
2. Early contractions
Unlike fake contractions, early contractions cannot subside with rest. This type of contraction occurs when pregnant women feel regular contractions before 37 weeks' gestation. These contractions usually have a certain pattern, for example every 10 minutes to one hour.
In addition to a tight stomach, usually early contractions are accompanied by symptoms:
- Back pain
- Abdominal cramps
- It feels pressure on the abdomen, pelvis and genitals
- Constipation
- Frequent waste of wind
There is an assumption that contractions early in pregnancy are a form of body adaptation by stretching ligaments around the uterus. However, given that this type of contraction is at risk of causing premature labor, it is a good idea for pregnant women to go to the doctor if they experience it, especially if accompanied by bleeding or seeping amniotic fluid.
3. Pre-labor contractions
The original contraction that is a sign of labor is nearing usually feels longer and stronger. This is a sign that the cervix is more open 4-10 cm as the baby's birth canal. The characteristics of the contraction before labor are:
- Lower abdominal pain that feels stronger. Sometimes it's similar to menstrual cramps.
- Contractions can be felt throughout the body, starting from the back and abdomen and then radiating to the thighs and legs.
- Can be felt for 45 seconds to 1 minute, with a 3-5 minute pause.
- When the cervix is 7-10 cm wide, the intensity of the contraction becomes 1-1.5 minutes, with a half pause of up to 2 minutes.
- Exit blood or pink mucus.
When experiencing contractions before labor, pregnant women can also feel other symptoms, such as ruptured membranes, nausea, and dizziness.
How to Differentiate Contraction
Those who have just had their first pregnancy may still be confused about what type of contraction they feel. How to check whether the contraction experienced is the original contraction or just the movement of the baby is to lie down and place the hand pregnant woman in the stomach.
If a portion of the stomach feels hard while another part feels soft, then it's probably not a contraction. But if the whole stomach feels cramped and hard, then natural pregnant women may be the original contractions.
Cramps or contractions that are not a sign of labor can be alleviated in several ways, such as:
- Eat enough water.
- Change the position of the body, for example from a sitting position to standing.
- Rest by lying on your left side.
- Take a warm bath.
- Adjust the breathing pattern regularly, how to take a deep breath and then slowly exhale.
By recognizing types and characteristics of contractions, pregnant women can now anticipate signs of imminent delivery and danger signs that can threaten pregnancy. But if pregnant women are not sure what kind of contractions are being experienced, immediately consult a doctor. Especially if pregnant women have ruptured membranes with or without labor symptoms, the contractions are tight but the gestational age has not been 37 weeks, or if pregnant women feel very strong and irresistible contractions or cramps.
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