Pregnant women, especially those who are pregnant with their first child, may still be confused about what contractions feel like. Moreover, there is more than one type of contraction with different characteristics. Come on, recognize oneperone type of contraction.
Like what the hell those contractions? In general, pregnant women who experience contractions will feel the stomach tighten and hard. The purpose of contractions, especially those leading up to labor, is to prepare the birth canal for the delivery of the baby. However, it turns out that not all contractions are a sign that the baby will be born.
Three Types of Contractions
Not only contractions before labor, there are also false contractions and premature or premature contractions. Pregnant women need to recognize the following differences:
1. False contractions/contact Braxton-Hicks
Around the 4th month of pregnancy, you may feel the uterine muscles contracting irregularly. But these contractions are not actually a sign of labor, how come. These contractions tend to subside if the pregnant woman changes body position, for example from lying down to standing up and walking for a while.
Generally, these contractions, called Braxton-Hicks, are characterized by symptoms of a tight but not painful stomach, concentrated contractions in the abdomen, and begin to feel if pregnant women are tired or not drinking enough.
These false contractions generally won't get stronger and don't cause any changes or openings in the cervix. But pregnant women need to be checked immediately if these contractions are accompanied by bleeding or the contractions are felt to be getting stronger.
2. Premature contractions
In contrast to false contractions, premature contractions cannot be relieved by rest. This type of contraction occurs if pregnant women feel regular contractions before 37 weeks of gestation. Usually these contractions have a certain pattern, for example every 10 minutes to an hour.
In addition to a tight stomach, usually early contractions are accompanied by symptoms:
- Back pain
- stomach cramps
- Feeling pressure in the abdomen, pelvis, and genitals
- Constipation
- Frequent urination
There is an assumption that contractions in early pregnancy are a form of adaptation of the body by stretching the ligaments around the uterus. However, considering that this type of contraction carries the risk of causing premature labor, it is better for pregnant women to see a doctor if they experience them, especially if they are accompanied by bleeding or leaking amniotic fluid.
3. Contractions before labor
The original contractions that are a sign of imminent labor usually feel stronger and stronger. This is a sign that the cervix is getting open 4-10 cm as the baby's birth canal. The characteristics of contractions before labor are:
- Lower abdominal pain that is getting worse. Sometimes it looks like menstrual cramps.
- Contractions can be felt all over the body, starting from the back and abdomen and then spreading to the thighs and legs.
- Can be felt for 45 seconds to 1 minute, with a break of 3-5 minutes.
- When the cervix dilates 7-10 cm, the intensity of the contractions becomes 1-1.5 minutes, with pauses of half to 2 minutes.
- Discharge of mucus mixed with blood or pink.
When experiencing these contractions before delivery, pregnant women may also feel other symptoms, such as ruptured membranes, nausea, and dizziness.
To differentiate Contraction
For those who are experiencing their first pregnancy, they may still be confused about the type of contractions they feel. The way to check whether the contractions experienced are genuine contractions or just the movement of the baby is to lie down and place the pregnant woman's hand on her stomach.
If one part of your stomach feels firm while the other feels soft, then it's probably not a contraction. But if the whole stomach feels cramped and hard, then it could be that pregnant women are experiencing genuine contractions.
Cramps or contractions that are not a sign of labor can be relieved in several ways, such as:
- Drink enough water.
- Changing body position, for example from a sitting position to a standing position.
- Rest by lying on your left side.
- Take a warm shower.
- Set a regular breathing pattern, how to inhale deeply and then exhale slowly.
By recognizing the types and characteristics of contractions, pregnant women can now anticipate the signs of imminent labor and danger signs that can threaten pregnancy. However, if pregnant women are not sure what type of contractions are being experienced, immediately consult a doctor. Especially if you experience ruptured membranes with or without labor symptoms, the contractions are tight but you are not yet 37 weeks pregnant, or if you feel very strong and unbearable contractions or cramps.