Why contractions during pregnancy

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What are Braxton Hicks contractions? What do they feel like? When do you get them? How are Braxton Hicks contractions different from labour pain? What is labor? What are the signs of labor? A contraction is when the muscles of your uterus tighten up like a fist and then relax. Contractions help push your baby out. They get stronger and closer together over time. You feel pain in your belly and lower back. This pain doesn't go away when you move or change positions. You have a bloody brownish or reddish mucus discharge.

This is called bloody show. Your water breaks. Your baby has been growing in amniotic fluid the bag of waters in your uterus. When the bag of waters breaks, you may feel a big rush of water. Or you may feel just a trickle. What are signs that you may be close to starting labor?

You may be close to starting labor if: Your baby drops or moves lower into your pelvis. This is called lightening. It means that your baby is getting ready to move into position for birth. It can happen a few weeks or even just a few hours before your labor begins. This is called show or bloody show. It can happen a few days before labor starts or at the beginning of labor. At a prenatal checkup, your health care provider tells you that your cervix has begun to efface thin and dilate open. Before labor, your cervix is about 3.

Once labor starts, contractions help open your cervix. You have the nesting instinct. This is when you want to get things organized in your home to get ready for your baby. You need your energy for labor and birth. What are false labor and Braxton-Hicks contractions? What is preterm labor? What are stages of labor? Last reviewed: December, You may go to the hospital and be sent home again until you begin active labour or your water breaks rupture of the membranes.

The first stage of active labour starts when the cervix is about 3 cm 1. This stage is complete when the cervix is fully dilated and the baby is ready to be pushed out.

During the last part of this stage transition , labour becomes really intense. Compared to early labour, the contractions during the first stage of labour:. You may feel restless or excited during active labour.

Now is the time to be at or go to the hospital or birthing centre. If your bag of waters amniotic sac has not broken before this, it may now. If you have taken a labour class and learned how to do special breathing during contractions, you will want to begin the special breathing now. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H.

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