Women who are preparing to become mothers should know exactly when to go to the hospital. This issue is especially relevant for primiparas.
An obstetrician, a gynecologist should tell the expectant mother what happens to the body during contractions and discharge of water, so that she understands when it is time to go to the hospital.
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The question of when to go to the hospital during the first pregnancy, all women are puzzled. The doctor leading the pregnant woman should inform her about the state of health, on which the nature of the delivery will depend. At 35-36 weeks, the expectant mother will find out the planned place of birth, so that at the 39th week of pregnancy, when it is time to go to the maternity hospital, there will be no unnecessary problems.
A woman undergoes numerous examinations that reflect the condition of the baby and the pregnant woman herself. The decision when to go to the maternity hospital for nulliparous is based on an assessment of the results of all studies and risks on an individual basis.
During the first pregnancy, childbirth can last an average of 12 hours and begin with pulling cramping sensations that appear with temporary regularity. If such pains appear in the period from 37 weeks, the onset of labor should be suspected and it should be understood that it is time to go to the hospital, as recommended by the doctor according to the plan.
The contractions have begun - is it time already?
Contractions are muscular uterine contractions. Their appearance marks the fact that the woman began to give birth. You should immediately go to the hospital during contractions, when the cervix begins to open. This is especially true in the second and subsequent pregnancies, because a woman gives birth much faster than for the first time in her life.
There is a danger of fast and rapid childbirth, when the fetus is expelled in a shorter time period than expected. Therefore, if contractions occur before childbirth, it is urgent to go to the hospital when the baby has just begun its journey.
With what interval of contractions can not be postponed?
During a different period before childbirth, women feel false contractions, characterized by irregularity and painlessness. Primiparas often cannot distinguish between false contractions and true generic ones and wonder what kind of contractions to go to the hospital with.
Birth pains:
- go at regular intervals;
- painful and their intensity depends on the pain threshold of the woman in labor;
- there is a decrease in the interval between contractions;
- pain increases from contraction to contraction.
With what interval of contractions to go to the hospital depends on the state of health of the woman. But it is better to call an ambulance when detecting the regularity of uterine contractions, without waiting for the opening of the cervix.
If there is a minute between contractions, then the birth is already in full swing and the cervix is fully opened.
If the amniotic fluid broke
The outpouring of water during normal delivery indicates the end of the first birth period and the full disclosure of the uterine cervix. If the waters have broken, you need to go to the hospital when the amniotic sac is opened, immediately more than a minute, because there is very little left before the birth of the baby. In the second period, the mother needs to start pushing to expel the baby from the uterus. When the waters have broken, you should go to the maternity hospital with repeated births faster because of the possibility of giving birth before reaching the hospital.
What feelings make you understand about the imminent start?
About when to go to the hospital during pregnancy, in addition to contractions and outflow of amniotic fluid, the woman will be prompted by the exit of the mucous plug that closes the uterine cervix. It is an accumulation of dense mucus about three milliliters in volume and can go out a maximum of two weeks before childbirth, or maybe already during contractions. The presence of blood streaks in the cork is normal and should not frighten the expectant mother.
Amniotic fluid and mucous plug
During the second and third births
It is easier for a woman to understand when to go to the hospital during the second birth, since she can focus more accurately on her feelings experienced during the first delivery.
Going to the hospital during the third birth, when cramping regular pains began, is necessary as soon as possible to ensure the safety of the mother and the child, who will be born within five hours.
How to understand that it's time to go to the hospital, a gynecologist will tell a pregnant woman. There are the following methods for determining the date of birth of a baby:
- according to the gynecological examination;
- by the number of expected conception;
- according to the last menstruation;
- by the first movement of the fetus.
A woman prepares for delivery in advance, visiting a gynecologist and narrow specialists, undergoing examinations. A positive result of the preparation is the participation in the classes of the school for pregnant women, where they will competently talk about when to go to the hospital, how to behave there, and about the first steps in caring for a newborn baby. It is useful to prepare not only morally, but also physically, so that the body reacts correctly, and the muscles relax and tighten where necessary. Breathing, yoga and walking will help with this.
When you need to go to the hospital, the question arises of what should be taken from the essentials. Birthing bag includes:
- documents: passport, insurance, exchange card, referral, sick leave;
- clothes for mom: bathrobe, shirt, underwear, socks, washable slippers;
- hygiene items: pads, wet wipes, toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, brush, comb, shampoo;
- mug and spoon;
- clothes for the baby: diapers, bonnets, undershirts, sliders;
- for a baby: diapers, disposable diapers, cotton pads, diaper cream, pacifier.
Approximate contents of the bag in the hospital
Conclusion
- should be aware of the timing of the trip to the hospital, which in each case is individual and depends on the health of the woman and her baby.
- Gynecologists need to familiarize pregnant women with the order of the appearance of contractions, the features of the opening of the cervix and the discharge of amniotic fluid.
- Starting from week 37, a woman should be ready to go to the hospital, knowing about the delivery procedure and the rules for caring for a newborn baby.
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It is not difficult to find information about how childbirth takes place, but often it does not satisfy the curiosity of expectant mothers, as it is presented in medical language and from the position of a doctor. The pregnant woman is interested in more specific questions. How to understand that childbirth has begun? When is it time to go to the hospital? How long will I give birth? The excellent book "Yoga for Pregnancy" has answers to all these questions, describes in detail what a woman feels in childbirth, and also shows the actual timing of the birth process. We publish a chapter that tells about the longest and most difficult period - contractions.
Childbirth occurs in three stages: the first stage (contractions and opening of the cervix), the second stage (and the expulsion of the fetus) and the third stage (birth of the placenta). The first period consists of three phases: latent, active and transitional.
Each of the phases of the first period corresponds to emotional and physiological signs that are the same for everyone. Working as an attendant in childbirth, I observed these signs personally. Although your birth will be completely different from anyone else's, you will notice some similarities when you compare your birth story with those of other women.
Of course, all births begin differently, and all women react differently to the first contractions. You yourself will not be able to determine that the cervix is dilating, but you will be able to identify the three phases of the first stage of labor if you are aware of the physiological and psychological changes that occur to a woman at this stage. Trust your body, arm yourself with the information received and trust that the birth will be successful.
Latent phase of the first period: the onset of labor
Usually, when it comes to the first birth, you can expect that they will last from 12 to 24 hours. But it often happens that childbirth lasts 48 hours, or even longer. Some women even experience so-called preparatory contractions before the start of the latent phase. These are regular contractions that suddenly stop, but then resume at chaotic intervals. In the end, these contractions go into the first stage of labor. During preparatory contractions, the cervix does not significantly open, but the softening process starts, which prepares it for childbirth.
The prep contractions are stronger than Braxton Hicks contractions and seem to be regular. If you don't know how to distinguish preparatory contractions from the true onset of labor, you may decide that labor has begun and rush to the clinic as soon as possible. But of course you will be sent home!
Waiting during prep contractions can be irritating, frustrating, and even physically exhausting if they go on for a long time. However, if you get up and start walking, the preparatory contractions usually subside. If, on the contrary, the contractions intensify during movement, this indicates the beginning of labor activity. This is the main distinguishing feature of false contractions from true ones.
How to understand that childbirth has begun:
- There is a dull pain in the lower back, which then moves to the abdomen.
- If you track the time between painful attacks, you will notice regular intervals between them.
- Water may begin to leak or move away. Keep in mind that water does not always break naturally during labor.
- The pain gets worse with movement.
- You may feel the need to clean the house or put things in their places; this is the so-called "nesting" instinct.
- A flu-like condition may occur, along with nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- You may feel more tired than usual.
One of the physiological signs of the onset of labor is regular contractions. To manage intense pain as contractions escalate, it's important to be aware of pain levels. The pain you experience in the latent phase is just the beginning. When the active and transitional phase comes, the pain will increase significantly. Contractions will become longer and more intense, and the intervals between them will be reduced. So when the pain starts to feel unbearable, remind yourself that it will only get worse. This will help make the perception of pain relative. By recognizing pain as a means to an end, you take it for granted, and that makes you stronger. Expecting the pain to get worse helps raise your pain threshold.
What happens to your body during the transitional phase of the first period?
Physiological changes:
- The neck opens from 8 to 10 cm.
- Contractions become very painful, and the intervals between them are reduced.
- The intervals between contractions are 1-3 minutes, and the duration of contractions is 60-90 seconds.
- Contractions quickly reach the peak of pain; there may be several of these peaks.
- If the waters have not yet departed, it is in this phase that it can break through.
- In the transitional phase, it may happen that the cervix has reached full dilation, but has not yet completely flattened out; a part of her inner shell called the lip protrudes, which often happens when the opening is 10 cm. Sometimes during a contraction, the midwife can smooth out this protrusion with a massage or ask you to start pushing while pushing the protruding part.
- You may feel pressure on the rectum and a desire to push (the baby is in the birth canal at this stage, his head is pressing down, but it is very important not to push at this point to prevent swelling of the vagina).
- Uncontrollable trembling may appear in the legs, as the child presses on the nerves.
- You will be hot during contractions and cold in between.
- You may feel nauseous; maybe you'll throw up.
The question of when to go to the hospital becomes especially relevant among women in the last month of pregnancy. It seems that the meeting with your beloved baby is already close, but the mother still feels quivering excitement. She worries that she will not be able to recognize the onset of labor, will not have time to call an ambulance and get to the hospital on time. Various thoughts are swarming in her head, which make her very worried. But the excitement is in vain - you can understand that the birth is close, and the woman needs to immediately go to the hospital, you can. It is only necessary to pay closer attention to certain signs, which we will now talk about.
What are the symptoms that indicate the imminent onset of labor?
The expectant mother urgently needs to go to the hospital if she noticed the following signs:
There are a number of signs that indicate that it is time to go to the hospital- Disappearance or reduction of edema on the limbs and face. Immediately before childbirth, the woman's body begins to actively get rid of excess fluid, as a result of which not only edema can go away, but also body weight can also decrease.
- The location of the fetus closer to the birth canal leads to a prolapse of the abdomen, which can be noticed not only by the doctor, but also by the expectant mother herself.
- Disappearance of heartburn.
- Frequent urination. Since the baby has moved down, he begins to put more pressure on the walls of the bladder. This causes frequent urge to empty it.
- Reduction or complete disappearance of shortness of breath. The fetus stops pressing on the diaphragm, making it much easier for mommy to breathe.
- Pressing sensation in the small of the back. And no wonder, because the baby has already grown enough to give mom a little discomfort.
- Attacks of cramps in the legs. Especially often, such anomalies occur during sleep, when the mother is in one position for a long time (on her back or left side). Many women characterize such a condition as “I don’t feel my legs”, “I feel numb legs”, “I feel pain and unpleasant tingling, my legs become heavy, they don’t obey.” This is not a dangerous phenomenon, but it can greatly scare the expectant mother.
- Intestinal disorder.
- Constipation.
- Significant decrease in fetal mobility.
- A sudden increase in female activity (the so-called nesting instinct). At the same time, she tries to do everything that she did not have time to do before - clean the house, wash all things, prepare the baby's room, etc. In addition, many mothers do this unconsciously, instinctively. In this way, they express their readiness to meet the baby, and also try to show their love and care.
- Attacks of "false" contractions, which are also called training. They prepare the uterus for contraction during labor.
- The appearance of mucous discharge from the vagina. As a rule, they are odorless, and their color can be either pinkish or completely transparent.
Note. Rejection of the mucous plug and the outflow of fetal water is a clear sign that you need to call an ambulance and immediately go to the hospital. As a rule, labor activity begins a few hours after the discharge of amniotic fluid.
If the cork has come off and contractions have begun, then you should not delay the trip to the hospital What is the difference between true contractions and false ones, and how to recognize them?
Shortly before the onset of labor, a woman may experience cramping pain in the abdomen and lower back. However, in some patients this does not always happen, because the body of each expectant mother is individual.
Contractions can be true, announcing the imminent onset of the birth process, and training, which prepare the body for the expulsion of the fetus from the uterine cavity. They need to be able to distinguish, since many mothers begin to quickly gather in the hospital long before the expected day of delivery. In order not to raise a premature alarm, you need to know the difference between false and real contractions.
You can see their differences in the table below.
There is one way by which you can check which contractions a woman has - training or real. Take a sedative (such as a regular valerian tablet), then lie down. If the pain subsides, it means that it is not soon to give birth. If the contractions intensify, then this means that it is time to call an ambulance to the maternity hospital.
Note. With the second birth, training and real contractions last longer than with the first. But even in this case, if you notice a discharge of water and increased pain in the lower abdomen, immediately go to the hospital - a meeting with the long-awaited baby is just around the corner!
If the pain from contractions does not decrease, but only increases, then they are probably not false. When do you need to urgently go to the hospital?
So, when is it time to go to the hospital? There are cases when you need to urgently go to the maternity hospital, such a need arises in the following cases:
Second pregnancy - when to go to the hospital?
Women who are giving birth for the second time are already more experienced and can easily determine when to go to the hospital And when to go to the hospital, if the upcoming birth is the second? Every woman has her own answer to this question. Someone says that this must be done in advance, someone - that you need to go to the maternity hospital only when the water breaks. So who is right?
If you feel well, you do not have any ailments and alarming symptoms, then with 2 pregnancies you can wait until contractions occur and water breaks. A woman who is about to become a mother for the second time, the contractions last longer than those of the firstborn, so she will have enough time to call an ambulance to the hospital after the start of the contractions.
However, for any ailments or symptoms described above, you should not wait for the date appointed by the doctor for hospitalization, so as not to harm yourself and the fetus. Under such conditions, every minute counts.
On a note! The gynecologist leading your pregnancy should warn you in advance of the upcoming date of delivery. It may not be entirely accurate (no one can say for sure exactly when the baby will be ready to be born), but at least you, as a future mother, will be able to prepare for your temporary “move”.
When is Advance Hospitalization Needed?
Unfortunately, not all women have a cloudless pregnancy, so long before the onset of childbirth, certain problems may arise that cannot be ignored. The question of premature hospitalization is especially acute if the patient has a risk of early birth or a threat to the fetus. In this case, the doctor is obliged to offer the expectant mother to come to the maternity hospital ahead of schedule in order to preserve her health and the life of the child.
If there is a risk of preterm birth, the doctor may decide on hospitalization When do you need to go to the hospital in advance?
When do you need to call an ambulance and go to the maternity hospital in advance? This is essential under the following circumstances:
Under such circumstances, it is very important to seek qualified medical help in a timely manner. If you are unable to get to the hospital on your own, call an ambulance. But, as a rule, this is not required, since the doctor during a routine examination of a pregnant woman notices deviations from the norm, and he himself invites her to lie down "for preservation." And no matter how menacing these words may sound, sometimes it really preserves health (or even saves lives), both for mother and baby.
- emotional instability. Pregnant women can hardly be called absolutely calm people, but shortly before the birth, the situation of the very first weeks is repeated. The mood changes without intermediate states - either laughter or tears. There is a tendency to solitude;
- decreased appetite. The desire to eat even your favorite dishes practically disappears;
- prolapse of the uterus. In the last weeks of pregnancy, the abdomen noticeably drops, decreasing in size. This is the uterus with the fetus inside moving closer to the birth canal;
- frequent urge to urinate and changes in stool. The mass of the pregnant uterus, which has moved to the pelvic area, presses on the bladder and prevents the normal amount of urine from collecting in it. Therefore, you have to empty it more often. The feces in the intestines soften to get out more easily and not interfere with the birth process by compressing the pelvic organs;
- weight loss of the expectant mother. Weight gain with normal appetite slows down as a result of bowel cleansing and the removal of excess fluid from edema that torments many women;
- passage of a plug of mucus. During pregnancy, the mucous plug in the uterine cervix saves from getting infections in the placenta and amniotic fluid. Shortly before childbirth, she gradually begins to come out through the vaginal opening. From the flow of amniotic fluid, the process of cork discharge can be distinguished using special tests. But keep in mind, if the amniotic fluid flows out, then constantly, and the mucus is either in parts at different intervals, or all at once before childbirth;
- nesting instinct. By analogy with birds, equipping their nests before hatching, the desire of women to create comfort in their homes is called the nesting instinct. He manifests himself with a desire to put things in order in the house - perhaps the beginning of repairs - and the purchase of necessary and not very things for the crumbs;
- baby wiggling. By 36 weeks, babies become quite large and it is not enough for them to swim in their mother's womb. From that moment on, the fetus reminds of its presence less often and with jerks of the arms and legs, very noticeable for the mother;
- training or false contractions. They are designed to prepare the body for real uterine contractions. They occur most often in the evenings and in the morning up to 6 times a day for 45–60 seconds. The intervals between false contractions are at least half an hour, pain is usually absent, only uncomfortable pulling sensations.
Video: obstetrician-gynecologist about the harbingers of childbirth
Signs of the onset of labor
It is necessary to clearly separate the precursors and signs that labor activity has already begun. Harbingers, especially in primiparas, begin a few weeks before birth.
Table: features of the harbingers of childbirth in primiparous and multiparous
| Precursor | First birth | Repeated births |
| Prolapse of the abdomen | 2-3 weeks before delivery | Due to the weakened abdominal muscles from the previous pregnancy, the stomach looks somewhat lowered from the very beginning, so the movement of the uterus into the pelvic region may not be noticed. Although this happens a week, or even less, before the birth. |
| Emotional instability | For 2-4 weeks | For 1-3 weeks |
| Weight loss | 3-4 weeks before | For 1-2 weeks |
| nesting instinct | For 2-4 weeks | in 1-3 weeks |
| Increased urination, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, vomiting | For 2-3 weeks | 7-10 days before |
| Removal of the mucous plug | For 2-3 weeks, but it is possible to withdraw after the start of contractions | In multiparous, the cork departs in the interval from several hours to two weeks before childbirth. |
| Fetal movements | For 2-4 weeks | For 1-2 weeks. In some children, the inability to swim as before due to tightness and a decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid provokes active movements of the limbs. The baby often and noticeably “knocks” from the inside. |
| false contractions | Preparation of the body for childbirth begins about a month before them. | During the second and subsequent pregnancies, false contractions may be absent or begin 2-3 days before real ones. |
The cervix softens closer to childbirth, which causes a plug of mucus to come out and preventive contractions begin. From this moment on, women feel an increase in uterine tone, the stomach seems to turn to stone at the peak of muscle tension.
Do not put off collecting bags for childbirth for yourself and your baby at the last moment, it is better to put the necessary things and documents at least a month before the due date
The gradual opening of the uterus for the passage of the child is accompanied by painful contractions of the uterus, called real contractions. In multiparous, the period of contractions lasts about 2 times less than during the first birth. This process is impossible to control, like training contractions, and the interval between contractions is shrinking every hour.
The outflow of amniotic fluid occurs both after the onset of contractions, and 1–2 hours before the start of uterine contractions. Amniotic fluid comes out gradually or all at once.
An easy way to determine if water or normal discharge comes from the vagina is available at home and does not require commercial tests. It is necessary to roll up a sterile gauze cut (bandage) in 3-4 layers and put it in underpants. After 10 minutes, take it out and examine it carefully. The water will soak the gauze through and through, and the mucus will remain on the surface.
You need to call an ambulance or go to the hospital on your own as soon as the waters break or contractions begin. Both of these signs are signals that childbirth has begun, it is not necessary to wait for the second to appear, and sometimes it is dangerous for the woman in labor and the baby.
In what cases, besides childbirth, an urgent visit to the maternity hospital is necessary
Reasons for seeking medical help may appear throughout all three trimesters of pregnancy. Call the obstetrician team or go to the maternity hospital by private transport or taxi in the following cases:
- the appearance of bloody vaginal discharge, especially a bright scarlet color. This may indicate spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, or placental abruption;
- deterioration in general well-being, accompanied by chills, headache, blurred vision and flies before the eyes. These symptoms may be signs of anemia, heart problems, intoxication of the body due to a stop in the development of pregnancy or the onset of proeclampsia;
- heat. From scratch, this symptom does not appear, which indicates the penetration of infection into the body and internal inflammation. Both are dangerous, especially during pregnancy;
- severe vomiting that does not allow eating and drinking. With this sign of acute toxicosis, there is a risk of dehydration of the mother's body, which negatively affects the child. Also, vomiting more than 5 times a day suggests kidney failure or internal infection;
- allergy attack. If a negative reaction to any irritant other than redness of the skin is accompanied by breathing problems, severe itching and other signs, medical help is needed immediately. Otherwise, the development of suffocation and laryngeal edema is possible, and this already leads at least to oxygen starvation and cannot be treated without medical help;
- sudden onset of severe pain in the abdomen. One of the main signs of a threat to the safe bearing of a child;
- an increase in blood pressure above 140/90. Such a life-threatening pathology for the mother and child, like eclampsia, develops very quickly, its first sign is an increase in blood pressure, then convulsions follow;
- strong swelling. If the limbs have become like columns of a large theater, we are talking about preeclampsia - late toxicosis of pregnant women, threatening the development of preeclampsia. Also, edema can be a symptom of a serious disorder in the functioning of the kidneys;
- absence of tremors or fetal movements for more than 6 hours in a row. Even in the last weeks, children in the tightness of the mother's womb periodically show signs of life with jerks. If the child does not send any signals for more than 6 hours, then he has problems. Possible intrauterine death of the fetus;
- outpouring of amniotic fluid or the onset of regular contractions long before due date. Most likely, premature birth began.
I did not have any forerunners, because my son abruptly decided to be born a month ahead of schedule. The contractions were real. On June 9, 2018, my sister went for an ultrasound, because the day before the doctor called and said that the tests were not very good. At the clinic, she underwent dopplerography, which showed a complete absence of blood flow in the placenta. The ambulance team was immediately called and 3 hours later, by caesarean section, my nephew was born at 36 weeks. We did. Due to pre-eclampsia - Anya had high blood pressure in recent days - there was almost no amniotic fluid, they were not produced. There were also no fights. Therefore, if the doctor recommends an additional examination or retake of tests, do not ignore at any time.
Video: what threatens preeclampsia in pregnant women
What is the danger of untimely hospitalization of pregnant women
Every fifth expectant mother is at risk for various indicators and these women cannot avoid hospitalization. And there are previously healthy pregnant women who do not want to call an ambulance once again or go to the hospital after relief, although the symptoms are serious. In addition to the planned ones, there are emergency reasons to go to the hospital; in no case should you refuse to stay in hospital. Risks for untimely hospitalization of pregnant women:
- spontaneous abortion;
- premature birth;
- inability to provide qualified assistance in the "field conditions";
- intrauterine fetal death;
- poisoning of the body during the decomposition of a frozen embryo;
- rupture of internal organs in which an ectopic pregnancy develops;
- death of mother and child with a critical form of preeclampsia - eclampsia;
- delayed fetal development as a result of hypoxia;
- angioedema;
- placental abruption, which is dangerous for maintaining pregnancy.
Timely hospitalization increases the chance of carrying a pregnancy and gives the mother and child the opportunity to receive the help of doctors and equipment if necessary. In addition to the above dangers, there is an individual development of events. Depression is not ruled out due to an incorrect decision to refuse hospitalization. The rapid delivery of women who naively believe that they have a lot of time left takes both the woman in labor and the doctors by surprise.
I personally know a woman who lives three minutes walk from our city maternity hospital, but who gave birth in an ambulance. Even in difficult years, the "ambulance" to the women in labor came to us as soon as possible, and they did not take them to the delivery room. Everything ended happily, but what nerves did it cost all the heroes of the story.
By the end of the ninth month, every expectant mother begins to actively prepare for the upcoming birth. This expectation becomes especially exciting for those who are going to become a mother for the first time. Fortunately, a woman's body is designed in such a way that she can find out in advance about the imminent onset of the long-awaited birth. Changes in the body will help a woman understand when to go to the hospital.
Symptoms and signs
To determine when to go to the hospital, a woman needs to know what signs are the main harbingers of the upcoming birth. These include:
- weight loss;
- reduction of puffiness;
- decreased activity of movements of the unborn child;
- the appearance of leg cramps;
- frequent diarrhea and vomiting;
- frequent urination;
- reduction in shortness of breath.
In addition, one of the signs that childbirth will soon come is the relentless desire of a woman to clean the house and organize preparations for the future appearance of a child in it.
All these moments serve only as harbingers. But you don't have to go to the hospital just yet. But as for urgent signs, when it is no longer possible to delay, then the expectant mother should be wary if:
- contractions began;
- the waters break;
- the mucus plug came off.
Contractions before childbirth
To begin with, it is worth understanding what contractions are. They are involuntary rhythmic contractions of the uterus. With what frequency of contractions to go to the hospital? Contractions foreshadowing childbirth should be accompanied by mild pain, which first intensifies, and then weakens again, appearing at certain intervals, which become shorter each time. The presence of pain can make it possible to distinguish these contractions from false contractions, which will be discussed later.
The first contractions may last only a few seconds with large intervals of approximately 11 minutes. Between contractions, a pregnant woman can relax and unwind. If a woman is going to become a mother for the first time, then the duration of contractions can be from ten to twelve hours. During the second birth, the contractions last much less - from six to eight hours. These contractions are not generic, they act as generic harbingers.
If contractions occur more than once every ten minutes, you need to go to the hospital. Labor pains last about two minutes at minute intervals and are quite painful. Their beginning suggests that childbirth will begin very soon. You need to count contractions using a regular watch or stopwatch.
Tips for expectant mothers:
- A woman must definitely keep in mind that during contractions it is very important to try to relax.
- Proper breathing also greatly facilitates the period of contractions.
- Sleep can reduce the sensation of pain.
- You should try to avoid uncomfortable body positions when lying or sitting, as they can increase the already painful sensations.
- Taking a warm bath will help a woman not only relieve tension and relax, but also ease discomfort.
false contractions
Such contractions can accompany a woman throughout the entire period of pregnancy. They can be caused by sudden movements, physical activity, including brisk walking.
How to recognize false contractions:
- Complete absence of pain;
- The intervals between contractions do not decrease;
- The mucus plug is not expelled.
For healthy women who are carrying a child for the first time, it is time to go to the hospital under the following conditions:
- the number of contractions reaches 12-15 per hour;
- contractions become permanent, with a break between them of no more than 5 minutes;
- the duration of one contraction is less than one minute;
- contractions become quite intense, it becomes beyond your strength to endure them and you have to cope with them with various methods.
There is one useful rule, guided by which, you need to go to the hospital at the right time for this. This rule sounds like this: “4-1-1”. It means that the frequency of contractions is 4 minutes, the duration is 1 minute, and the contractions do not stop for an hour or more.
Mucus plug
As a rule, it comes out 2-3 days before the onset of childbirth. The cork is a collection of red-brown mucus. However, there are frequent exceptions when the cork comes out either a couple of hours or even a week before the birth.
If the waters broke, then when to go to the hospital?
Perhaps this is one of the most striking harbingers of the approaching birth. You need to go to the hospital if the amount of water that has broken is more than half a glass. This indicates that the onset of labor can occur within a few hours.
In the second and subsequent births, the discharge of water can occur before the onset of regular contractions. If there was a discharge of water, you should immediately go to the hospital.
The shade of amniotic fluid can say a lot about the condition of the child. If they are transparent and do not smell, then everything is in order. However, the appearance of a pungent odor and a dark color may indicate a lack of oxygen in the unborn baby.
If a woman is going to resort to a caesarean section, then she is recommended to arrive at the maternity hospital a week before the day of the operation in order to have time to pass all the necessary tests and prepare for the procedure.
Also, a woman should remember that it is necessary to go to the maternity hospital when the due date should have already occurred, despite the absence of the above signs. This situation may indicate a delayed pregnancy.
Many women are in vain afraid of the approaching birth, because, as practice shows, most often everything goes well. If one or several harbingers of the upcoming birth appeared at once, the expectant mother in no case needs to worry much. In the case of an upcoming delivery, you just need to go to the maternity hospital and transfer further care of pregnancy and childbirth to qualified specialists.
Cases requiring emergency hospitalization
A pregnant woman is allowed to arrive at the maternity hospital in advance, provided there is a referral from the gynecologist who observed her. Some expectant mothers are more comfortable under the supervision of medical specialists than surrounded by loved ones within the walls of their home. Often, early hospitalization is resorted to by those who had previous births with complications.
Medical indications for early hospitalization in the maternity hospital:
- Overwearing. If the period is more than 41 weeks, even in the absence of labor, it is recommended to go to the maternity hospital. In a hospital, a woman in labor will undergo a set of procedures designed to prepare the body for childbirth, soften the cervix and open it.
- Preeclampsia. This complication of the normal course of pregnancy requires mandatory hospitalization. Preeclampsia can cause premature birth, and with a neglected form, emergency surgical delivery operations are necessary.
- C-section. Early hospitalization allows the woman in labor and the medical staff to perform preliminary procedures before the operation, including taking the necessary tests, choosing anesthesia and other medications.
These three reasons most often become the basis for hospitalization in the maternity hospital. In other cases, this issue, depending on the general condition of the body, the nature of gestation and the presence of complications, should be decided by an obstetrician-gynecologist who observed the woman throughout the pregnancy.
Cases requiring emergency assistance
In some cases, an urgent call to the emergency team is required:
- for up to 37 weeks, real contractions began;
- there was a complete withdrawal of amniotic fluid, and contractions did not start - in this case, it is necessary to remember the time of withdrawal of the water and note their appearance (transparency, color);
- leaking amniotic fluid with blood impurities appeared;
- bleeding from the vagina has opened (it must be distinguished from the discharge of a mucous plug containing impurities of scarlet or dark blood);
- false contractions lasting more than two days, without the onset of real contractions;
- extremely painful contractions, without relaxation of the uterus in the intervals between them;
- contractions come on at intervals of less than 7 minutes and last more than a minute;
- contractions are accompanied by active movement of the child, causing acute pain to the mother;
- during contractions, dizziness or a severe headache, darkens and doubles in the eyes;
- blood pressure has risen sharply;
- urination became difficult or impossible.