3/31/2023 0 Comments Timing contractionsIf you’re wondering whether or not you’re in false labor or real labor, there are a couple of way you can tell. When you’re timing and wondering if your contractions are following a pattern, it won’t be exact. The thing about childbirth is it’s not mathematical. Real labor contractions will also get stronger, last longer and increase in frequency as labor progresses.Īs you labor progresses, and you start timing your labor contractions, you’ll notice a regular pattern emerge. Real labor contractions also won’t stop or lessen if you get up and walk around or change positions like they do in false labor. True labor contractions are the exact opposite. They also won’t have a regular pattern, increase in frequency or consistency – all of which you’ll know when you start timing labor contractions! The contractions are weak and will typically go away with movement. No matter what you call it, false labor is just like it sounds. You’ll hear it called Braxton-Hicks, practice contractions, or prodromal labor. The first benefit to timing labor contractions is to know whether you’re in labor or having false labor contraction.įalse labor has many names. Related: The Truth About Natural Birth Pain False Labor So why does timing labor contractions matter? The intensity of the contraction will vary depending on your birth education, ability to relax and the stage of labor you’re in. You’ll know they’re happening because you will feel them. Benefits of Timing Labor ContractionsĬontractions are the real MVP of labor. This will go on until your cervix is complete and you’re ready to push. It will descend until you get a rest and break.Īfter a rest, a contraction will start again. Since a contraction contracts, it also need to retract. It will reach full strength and peak long enough to further dilate and efface the cervix. The contraction will continue tightening as it works it’s way all the way down to the cervix. When a contraction begins, you’ll feel the pulling and tightening start at the top of your uterus. A minute to two minutes of contractions can be expected as the stages of labor progress and you get closer to pushing. In early labor, a contraction may last only a few seconds. Contractions will continue until your cervix is complete – 10cm dilated and 100% effaced. ![]() Every contraction effaces (thins) and dilates (opens) the cervix a little more. The uterine tightening that happens during a contraction is what pulls your cervix open and thin. But did you also know that your uterus is also a big bag of muscles?Ī labor contraction is your uterine muscles flexing and contracting. You know your uterus plays a part in your menstrual cycle and now carries and houses your baby during pregnancy. That’s all contractions are during labor. Any muscle flexing and shortening is a contraction. But what exactly is a contraction? Take a moment to flex your arm muscle. So know you know what a contraction does. From now on, we’ll refer to contractions as contractions, and you should too. Truth be told, you’re the one who will determine the pain of your contractions. Pain is a heavy word with a negative association. You may have heard of contractions being called pains or labor pains. It’s just like pulling a turtleneck sweater down over your own head. Contractions pull the cervix open and back over baby’s head. In the uterus, baby’s head rests down on top of the cervix. The long work of labor is just for contractions to pull back and open the cervix. Labor contractions are what makes the opening and vagina big enough for baby to pass through. So many people don’t understand how a baby’s head can fit through the vagina. Contractions do the real work during labor, creating the opening of the cervix wide enough and thin enough for baby to come through. The cervix remains closed and thick during most of pregnancy. ![]() Think of it looking like a turtleneck sweater. The cervix is the opening that connects the uterus to the birth canal. What are Contractions? What do contractions do?īefore you know what a contraction is, you need to know what it does.
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