Prenatal contractions: frequency, signs and sensations

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

All mothers-to-be experience anxiety before childbirth. The primiparous representatives of the weaker sex are especially afraid of this process. They have a lot of questions about their own behavior, the duration and pain of the procedure. If you are interested in the frequency of contractions before childbirth, then the article is written about this.

There are several types of contractions before childbirth. They all differ in strength, frequency, duration and final outcome of the process.

Involuntary uterine contractions

To tell how labor contractions feel (frequency, duration and intensity of the process), you need to define this concept. Contractions are called involuntary contractions of the reproductive organ - the uterus. A woman is unable to independently manage this process or somehow control it.

The substance actomyosin, a contracting protein, starts contractions. HeIt is produced by the placenta, as well as the pituitary gland of the embryo under the action of certain hormones. The process of contractions is very complex, and it is quite difficult to understand it for an inexperienced person in this area. In violation of the synthesis of actomyosin or its incorrect spatial distribution, various complications in childbirth occur. These include weak, unproductive contractions, a decrease in the strength of the woman in labor.

Early contractions: a threat

There are not always timely contractions before childbirth. What is the frequency of pathological uterine contractions? Even an experienced gynecologist will probably not be able to answer this question. Much depends on the gestational age.

Threat interruption may occur in the first trimester. This happens most often. At the same time, the sensations in women are as follows: pulling pain in the lower abdomen, liquefaction of the stool, backache in the lower back. Often, the threat of termination of pregnancy at these times is associated with insufficient release of progesterone. With appropriate therapy, signs of pathology, like the problem itself, can be eliminated.

In the second trimester, the onset of contractions may already indicate the threat of premature birth. There can be many reasons for this: physical activity, sexual contact, cervical insufficiency, stress, and so on. At this time, contractions are already felt more clearly. Some patients can even talk about the frequency and timing of uterine contractions.

False contractions, or harbingers

Roughly from the middle of pregnancy, expectant mothersmay notice new sensations. False contractions before childbirth, the frequency of which is very different, most often do not pose any danger. At the moment of uterine contraction, a woman feels tension in her stomach, which does not cause her pain. This state lasts from a few seconds to a minute. A false contraction may repeat in a few hours or days.

Precursor contractions of the reproductive organ become more frequent with increasing duration. Before giving birth, a woman notes Braxton-Hicks contractions daily. Such spasms help prepare the cervix for childbirth: soften and shorten it. If you feel false contractions, then be sure to tell your doctor about it. You need to make sure they are really safe.

Signs

How do labor contractions manifest? What is the frequency of uterine contractions? Here are the main signs of the onset of labor:

• frequent and thinning of stools;
• outflow of amniotic fluid;
• girdle aching pain;
• lumbago in the back;
• pressure on the pelvis;
• nausea and vomiting;
• feeling of tension, petrification in the stomach;
• decrease in fetal motor activity.

The frequency of contractions during childbirth can be from 2 minutes to an hour. It all depends on the stage of the process. Consider them.

Onset of labor: latent phase

How do labor contractions feel before childbirth? The frequency of uterine contractions is always steadily decreasing. In the beginning, a womanmay notice slight pulling sensations in the lower abdomen and lower back lasting up to 20 seconds. The interval between contractions is 15-30 minutes.

In the latent phase, the expectant mother can take a shower and prepare for childbirth. Subject to the integrity of the fetal bladder, the woman in labor does not experience severe discomfort. However, do not stay at home. Go to the he alth facility of your choice.

Prenatal contractions: periodicity of the active phase

Such uterine contractions last at least 20-30 seconds (up to a minute). They are repeated regularly, the interval is gradually reduced and ranges from 2 to 5 minutes. Painful sensations in this period become more pronounced. It is already difficult for the expectant mother to move around. Often it is at this stage of childbirth that the fetal bladder bursts and water pours out. If so, then the process will now go much faster.

The duration of the active phase may vary. On average, it is from 2 to 5 hours. If the integrity of the membranes is maintained, then the pain sensations are significantly dulled, and the process is slower.

Attempts

There is an interesting feature that contractions before childbirth have. The frequency of uterine contractions decreases by the time the cervix opens. In other words, as soon as the birth canal is ready for the passage of the child, the frequency of contractions will decrease. If in the active phase you can feel painful contractions throughevery two minutes, now the break will be 3-4 minutes. An increase in the term will allow the woman in labor to push the fetus out using each contraction.

During the attempts, the expectant mother feels a strong pressure on the bottom. Many compare it to the urge to defecate. During this period, it is very important to listen to the doctor. Incorrect and untimely straining can lead to ruptures of the birth canal of varying degrees.

Let's make a conclusion

If you have contractions before giving birth (frequency of 20 minutes or less), you need to collect all the necessary things and go to the maternity hospital. Tell your doctor about all your feelings. Describe the duration and frequency of contractions. A gynecologist or obstetrician will definitely conduct an examination and will be able to say for sure whether you are giving birth or are these only harbingers.

Doctors remind patients that second and subsequent births always go faster than the first. Therefore, if you are preparing to become a mother again, do not delay visiting the maternity hospital. Surely you already know what contractions are and what their frequency is. In the event of a rupture of the fetal bladder and the outflow of amniotic fluid, you need to go to the maternity hospital even in the absence of contractions. Happy delivery and good he alth!