Childbearing is a sacred process that marks the birth of a new person. Many primiparous women, even carefully preparing for the meeting with the baby, are at a loss, fearing the unknown. For example, what are contractions and how to understand that they started? We will understand this article.

Contractions, their types and functions during childbirth

Contractions are undulating sensations caused by an increase in the tone of the uterus during the period of gestation and directly in childbirth. The contraction of the muscles of the genital organ lasts from a few seconds to a minute, and the woman feels the growing and falling tension of the abdomen, which sometimes becomes hard, then relaxes again.

The following varieties of contractions are distinguished:

  1. Fights Brexton Hicks. They are also called training. They got their name thanks to the British physician John Brexton-Hicks, who first described them at the end of the 19th century. The contractions mentioned were characterized as light, painless and short contractions of the uterine muscles. Contractions can begin to appear after 20 weeks of gestation. These uterine contractions are separated by an impressive amount of time and can occur several times in the morning, once or twice during the day, and once before bedtime. A pregnant woman, initially worried about these manifestations, gradually gets used to them, and sometimes ceases to notice at all. The functions of these contractions are easily explained: the reproductive organ consists of muscles that need activity, at least occasionally. Thus, the uterus is as if training, preparing for delivery.
  2. Birth pains. Mark the beginning of labor. The former are usually painless, in addition, they are insignificant in time. A strange sensation of contraction and squeezing appears inside the abdomen of a pregnant woman. In addition, sipping in the lower abdomen and lower back can be monitored. These contractions are similar to those experienced by a woman before starting menstruation. Labor pains differ in a certain time interval. In pauses, the woman’s stomach and entire body relax. This type of contractions performs several functions: it opens the cervix, so that the fetus can leave the genital organ, and helps to promote it through the birth canal.
  3. Hard fights. Observed after full opening of the neck. Each new contraction pushes the fetus forward, and it begins to move along the birth canal. Such contractions resemble the urge to defecate. This phenomenon is explained simply: the fetal head presses on the rectum, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the vagina.
  4. Afterpains. After delivery, the contractions subside for a while, but after about 10 minutes, the woman in labor feels them again. These contractions are necessary to separate the placenta, including the membranes, umbilical cord and placenta. After the release of the afterbirth, childbirth is considered completed. Such contractions are not similar to labor: they resemble intestinal cramps, and the feeling of tension is practically not monitored.

Note. Postpartum contractions can also be felt by a woman for several days following delivery. The uterus gradually returns to its usual size, its muscle layer is restored.

Phases and duration of labor

There are 3 stages of labor pains, called phases:

  1. Hidden phase. It lasts an average of 7-8 hours. Fights last about 15 seconds with an interval of 15 to 30 minutes. At the end of the phase, the contractions can last up to 45 seconds, and the interval between them will reach about 5 minutes. The cervix opens up to 3 cm for the entire period of this phase. This period is called latent, because contractions are practically painless.
  2. Active phase. In primiparas, it can take 3-5 hours. These contractions more often, longer, cause pain. Contractions last up to 1 minute with a break of 2 to 5 minutes. The neck opens up to 7 cm.
  3. Transition phase. The interval between contractions is up to 2 minutes or less, and their duration, on the contrary, increases and can take more than 1 minute. The birth canal is almost open and attempts will soon begin.

Tip. The active phase is a signal that you should immediately contact the hospital if the woman is not already there. The meeting with the baby is just around the corner.

Differences between real and false

It’s quite simple to distinguish training fights from true ones.

It is enough to take into account the main differences:

  1. The size of the intervals. Training fights are duplicated at different intervals, while the real ones are repeated at a regular frequency. So, false contractions can “jump”: 20-30-40 minutes, etc. Real contractions are clearer and duplicated after approximately the same intervals.
  2. Dynamics. False contractions do not increase or extend, the gaps between them remain uneven. The interval between labor pains is gradually decreasing.

False contractions have 2 ending options. They cease by themselves or gradually pass into labor contractions.

Tip. A woman should go to the hospital when the gap between contractions was reduced to 10 minutes. Of course, this option is permissible only if the mother is well-being, if she hasn’t got water and has no bloody discharge.

What to do if contractions begin

What to do when labor begins in primogenous women?

If the woman in labor is sure that the contractions are not false, she needs to act according to the algorithm:

  1. Fees at the hospital. Time should be noted and the frequency of contractions recorded.When the interval reaches 7-10 minutes, you need to call a taxi / ambulance or call your husband, after preparing things and documents.
  2. Time for yourself. If a woman feels well, she can take a shower, remove hair in the intimate area, cut her nails and pay attention to herself and her appearance, while attuning herself to an easy delivery.
  3. Snack. Light food (yogurt, cottage cheese) will not hurt. The main thing is to eat easily digestible food, because nausea can occur during childbirth, which will not be beneficial for the woman in labor.

Attention! Under no circumstances should you take medications, or do an enema on your own before entering the hospital.

Many women will probably be interested in the question of how to properly count contractions. Time should be noted when the expectant mother felt the first reduction. After that, picking up paper, a pen and a stopwatch, it is necessary to mark the beginning of contractions and their end. If it is difficult for a woman to do this in the process of increasing contractions, her husband or another person nearby can record the testimony. In addition, various applications are installed that are installed on the phone. They can also count the duration and number of contractions after pressing the button at the start and at the end of the bout.

Features of the first birth

Many women are sure that the first birth is the most difficult. In some cases, this is the case, however, not always.

The first and second births are really somewhat different, and here's the thing:

  1. Psychological features. Even the most trained woman, who attended many courses and read tons of literature, does not suspect that she will be in her first birth. Due to lack of experience, women in childbirth often do not approach the process quite correctly (regarding the choice of posture during labor and behavior in attempts). Although, of course, courses for expectant mothers help a lot and provide the necessary information.
  2. Physiological features. The birth canal of a woman-primogenitum is narrower, because it stretches more slowly. As a result, the opening of the cervix is ​​delayed and can take up to 10-12 hours. The yield of the fetus is also longer, up to 1 hour. But the expulsion of the placenta in the primiparous occurs earlier - 10-15 minutes after birth (in the multiparous, this occurs a little later).

Note. The opinion that women giving birth for the first time are more at risk of complications is fundamentally wrong. Difficulties and problems may arise regardless of the number of previous births.

Useful Tips for Birthright

So, childbirth is a process that remains a mystery for a future mother giving birth for the first time.

What should be remembered for women gathered in the hospital:

  1. Relaxation greatly facilitates the course of childbirth. The calmer the mother, the faster and easier the baby will be born.
  2. You need to breathe during the fight often and deeply - this will supply the fetus with the oxygen it needs. When pain comes up during contractions, you need to try to keep the depth of inspiration the same. After the fight, you should take a full breath in your stomach and chest, and exhale slowly. Between contractions, breathing should be familiar.
  3. Rubbing the lower back in a downward direction can reduce discomfort and tension (you can attract a husband to this process).

Contractions during the first birth is a rather mysterious process, and sometimes elusive, because not every woman can track the contractions in the initial phase. Many pregnant women confuse the onset of labor with training. To verify the “truth” of contractions, you should carefully monitor the intervals - the same amount of time passes between real fights.

Related:More from the author: