Overexerting yourself can cause a strain on your body and the baby. While it’s good to stay active when pregnant, always consult with your doctor about what levels of activity are healthiest for you. These may be triggered if you’re fatigued or dehydrated. They may cause discomfort but won’t intensify the way real contractions do. How Will Contractions Feel?įalse labor contractions are usually painless and make the belly feel tight. Exact timing will vary from person to person, but an increase in frequency, intensity, and consistency all mark the signs that you’re about ready to deliver. They intensify as the cervix dilates and may quickly turn into 90-second contractions with only 30 seconds in between. They typically start at three to five minutes of rest between contractions that can last up to a minute. Active Labor ContractionsĬontractions during active labor have less time in between and last longer. During this phase of labor, your water may break as your cervix begins to open. At first, several minutes may pass before the next one, but the frequency is consistent. When your labor starts, early contractions can last anywhere from 30 to 90 seconds and will come in regular intervals. You may still experience Braxton Hicks contractions as symptoms of preterm labor, before they turn into the real deal. Early Labor ContractionsĪs you draw near your baby’s due date, you’ll be hyper-aware of changes in the body. Walking around or switching positions helps to alleviate these practice uterine contractions. For most women, they are painless, although they may cause discomfort around the abdomen. They’re characterized by a tightening in the uterus. It’s not as necessary to know how to time contractions that are “false alarms,” since they happen infrequently and only last a few seconds. Many women also experience Braxton Hicks symptoms, which often occur during mid-term pregnancy and can continue off and on until the baby is born. However, labor contractions aren’t the only kind you’ll experience during pregnancy. Braxton Hicks “Practice” Contractionsīirthing contractions vary in frequency and intensity depending on what type of contraction it is. Your focus will be on breathing regularly and relaxing as much as possible. If you’re experiencing intense ones or in a great deal of pain, it’ll be difficult to concentrate on how much time is going by. It’s important for your partner or support system to learn how to time contractions as they occur. Different Types and Timing of Contractions Once contractions start to become less irregular, it may be time to head to the hospital. When contractions are five to seven minutes apart consistently, call your doctor and see if it’s time for your to come in. It’s common to want to estimate the time or think you’ll remember by keeping an eye on the clock, but when it comes to timing contractions, every second counts during the birthing process. Next, note how much time lapses between contractions. It’s important to keep track because the labor pains and sensations you’re feeling may make you think the contraction is lasting longer than it really is. Mark down when a contraction starts and when it ends. Learning how to count contractions is simple. Counting the duration also gives you something to focus on as you go through the pain and discomfort that often comes with the early stages of childbirth. Timing the frequency of contractions is essential to determining what type of contractions you’re experiencing and how close you are to having your baby. They say timing is everything, which has never been more the case than during labor when the real contractions hit. How to Count Contractions & Understand Them
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