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How are contractions in pregnant women? When to call an ambulance. Symptoms of false contractions

The pregnant woman is waiting for the appearance of contractions and at the same time experiences an animal fear in front of them. Popular rumor attributes the strongest pain sensations to this stage of childbirth. If experienced mothers go for a second or third birth and already have a good idea of ​​what awaits them, then women who are impatiently awaiting the appearance of their first child are at a loss. We will talk about the features and sensations, the timing and duration of contractions in women giving birth for the first time in this article.

How does it all start?

Childbirth is the natural process of completing childbirth. Nature allotted him exactly 10 lunar months, so that from one crushing cell to become a real man, just still very small. Labor can begin both on time and earlier or later. According to statistics, the onset of labor in primiparous women usually occurs either at 39-40 weeks, or at 40-42 weeks of pregnancy. The date indicated in the exchange card is only a guideline for the doctor and the pregnant woman; only 5% of pregnant women give birth strictly in the PDR.


Labor can begin in different ways. From the discharge of water, from the exit of the mucous plug, from the beginning of the rhythmic contractions of the uterus - contractions. The latter option is considered the most preferable, since premature outpouring of water always complicates childbirth, even if it happens right on time. It is from contractions that the process of childbirth manifests itself in the vast majority of expectant mothers. Only 10% of women begin to give birth from the discharge of water.

Contractions are called contractions of the muscles of the uterus. Labor pains occur simultaneously with the opening of the cervix. This muscle dense ring was tightly closed throughout pregnancy, and the cervical canal inside it was closed with a mucous plug. The beginning of the opening of the neck is accompanied by contractions, which grow and become stronger as it expands.


Contractions begin suddenly, but develop gradually. True labor pains can be preceded by false, training ones. They can be observed from the 20th week of pregnancy, or appear later, or do not appear at all. But before giving birth - in a couple of weeks or a little less - almost all women can from time to time feel a short-term tension of the uterus. This is the preparatory work of the female body before childbirth.

The purpose of labor contractions in childbirth is obvious - at the first stage, they are needed so that the cervix opens and clears the passage for the child who is to pass through the birth canal and be born. They compress the space inside the uterus, leading to rupture of the membranes; in the stage of active contractions, the waters recede and this is considered quite timely. Rhythmic contractions of the uterus slightly "push" the baby out. His time has come, there is no need to remain in the mother's womb any longer.


How to understand that childbirth has begun?

The first birth is always a lot of questions, the main one of which is how to recognize whether labor has begun and whether it is time to go to the hospital. On this topic, experienced obstetricians have an old joke that says that if a woman has doubts about whether she is giving birth, then she does not give birth, since it is impossible to confuse childbirth and training contractions of the uterus. But mostly women who are pregnant for the second or third time are in solidarity with obstetricians in this, they know for sure that the doctors are not lying.


And the primiparous woman thinks that at any moment she can miss something important and be late in the hospital. As already stated, a few days before giving birth, the female body begins to prepare for the upcoming event. In the cells of the uterus, the amount of a special protein, actomyosin, begins to increase. It is responsible for the ability of cells to contract. At the same time, the woman's placenta and pituitary gland begin to produce oxytocin and relaxin. The first hormone increases the contractility of the female reproductive organ, and the second is responsible for softening the ligamentous apparatus, because during childbirth the uterus will change shape.


With these changes, the final preparatory stage starts, during which women are anxiously trying to find some "harbingers" about which she read on women's forums, and which can make it clear that childbirth is not far off. Harbingers include anxiety, mild depression, mood swings, sleep disturbances, insomnia, and more active training bouts. They appear like this: the stomach turns to stone, slightly "sips" in the sides and lower abdomen (due to the tension of the ligaments), and then they pass and can be repeated in half an hour, and in 5 hours, and in a day.


Precursor contractions are not regular, they come on their own and disappear in the same way. A woman can easily relieve discomfort simply by taking a shower, drinking a glass of milk or a No-Shpy pill, or even changing her body position. With a training bout, a pregnant woman can go to bed and doze off quite successfully.

Is it possible to miss the moment of the onset of real contractions? Obviously not. After all, true contractions are rhythmic from the very beginning, they are repeated at regular intervals, the pain is no longer pulling, but a slight encircling character, the region of the back, lower back is drawn into it, the pain increases with each contraction. You will not be able to fall asleep, the No-Shpy pill or shower will have no effect. If labor pains have begun, it is unlikely that it will be possible to stop or weaken them. The duration of the bout will be the same each time. And this is the main difference between "harbingers" from real fights.


Latent stage - sensations

As soon as a woman notices that the tensions of the uterus become regular and obey a certain rhythm, we can say that the first stage of labor is already underway. It is called latent (hidden).

If there is no bloody discharge, the water has not left, there is no need to rush to call an ambulance and rush to the hospital with special signals. The latency period during the first birth is usually the longest. It lasts up to 10-12 hours, on average, about 7-8 hours, and therefore there is a lot of time to put your nerves and feelings in order, psychologically tune in to a positive outcome of events and check things and documents collected in the hospital in advance.


During this period, the pain is moderate, increasing gradually. At the very beginning, they feel like the usual pain during menstruation, then they intensify, but the character remains the same. During pregnancy, women are taught correct breathing during childbirth. The latency period is the time to start applying theoretical knowledge in practice - to breathe correctly, taking deep breaths and exhales in order to relax as much as possible. You can walk, sing, communicate. It is not worth lying in one position horizontally.

The sensations are wavy and growing. The contraction usually "originates" in the back, covers the lower back and goes first to the bottom, and then up the abdomen. Then the tension subsides, the woman gets the opportunity to rest a little before the next contraction.


During the latent phase, contractions become longer. The earliest signs of labor pains can be determined by measuring the duration of the spasm and the interval between episodes of spasms. In this first period, the average duration of one contraction from the moment of tension to the moment of relaxation is 20-25 seconds. Spasms are repeated, first every half hour, then every 20 minutes.

By the end of the latent stage of labor, contractions last 25 seconds and are repeated every 10-15 minutes. It is on this optimistic note that you should arrive at the hospital. By this time, the cervix reaches a dilatation of 3 centimeters. The next phase of contractions is active, it should take place in the conditions of the parental home. It will be safer for everyone.


Active phase

After opening the cervix by 3 centimeters, contractions become quite painful, and over time they begin to occur more often. The duration of the contraction is 25-60 seconds, between contractions it lasts within 3 minutes.

If you breathe correctly, remain calm, massage the sacral zone, the second stage of contractions can be experienced easier.



Contractions at this stage look like a prolonged spasm, the peak of the contraction becomes prolonged. Usually at this stage, during a normal delivery, water flows.

The duration of this period is 3-5 hours. At this time, it is advisable for a woman to be under the supervision of a doctor. Usually, at this stage, they begin to monitor the condition of the fetus using CTG, the woman is already in the prenatal ward.

During the active period of contractions, the uterus opens on average up to 7 centimeters. This is already quite a lot, but not yet enough for the baby's head to pass through.


Transition period

This period is final. After it, attempts begin - the shortest period of childbirth. Transient contractions are also called the slowdown phase. The spasms themselves reach their maximum value for the entire period of childbirth. Each contraction lasts at least a minute and spasms are repeated every 2-3 minutes.

In general, the transition period lasts from half an hour to one and a half hours. During this time, the cervix opens up to 10-12 centimeters (depending on the size of the pelvis). This expansion is considered complete because it allows the baby's head to pass through.

In the transition period, a woman begins to feel a pronounced pressure on the bottom, as it usually feels if you really want to empty the intestines.

But you can't push for now. The obstetrician will give the corresponding command already in the second phase of labor - in attempts.

If a woman in labor is not under the constant supervision of a doctor, then a feeling of pressure and a great desire to go to the toilet in a big way is a signal to call the medical staff and go to the delivery room.


What will happen next?

Further attempts begin. A woman needs to remain calm, breathe correctly, do not make sudden exhalations until the end of the attempt, push only at the command of the obstetrician. During attempts, the baby will turn, bend the head, he also tries very hard to be born as soon as possible. The wrong behavior of a woman in this situation can lead to the child receiving a birth trauma, the occurrence of acute hypoxia, which is extremely dangerous for him.

If you push on command, do not shout, do not bring your legs, do not pinch the perineum, breathe deeply, holding your breath at the moment of pushing and making a long, smooth exhalation at the end of the push, then the child can be born in the very near future.

The period of attempts under a favorable set of circumstances and the impeccable behavior of the woman in labor can last 20-30 minutes. Less often primiparous push for an hour and a half, and it is very rare to extend the period of pushing to 2 hours.


Once the baby is born, the woman can relax. Ahead is still the birth of the placenta, but it will no longer be so painful and unpleasant, especially since the baby is applied to the breast and the mother can already see the crumbs, hug, therefore, for many, the birth of the placenta proceeds relatively easily. This period takes 20 to 40 minutes.

This completes the birth. The woman is sent to the postpartum ward for rest, the baby is sent to the children's department in order to be treated, washed, examined by neonatologists. They will meet in a few hours, if there are no contraindications from either obstetricians or pediatricians.


Features of the first birth

Very often you can hear the opinion that the first birth is always harder and more painful than the subsequent ones. To some extent, it is true, but not in terms of pain, but rather, because of the fear that a woman in labor experiences during the first birth. Lack of generic experience makes it difficult for a woman to choose a comfortable position during labor, from time to time she forgets what she was taught in the preparatory courses in the antenatal clinic. At such moments, some begin to panic. From the point of view of psychological readiness, women who gave birth earlier behave more disciplined in subsequent births.

The birth canal of a primiparous woman is narrower and less elastic. They are more difficult to stretch, and therefore even attempts are felt differently and last longer. The cervix also opens longer, and nothing can be done about this physiological aspect.


The first birth is more often accompanied by complications. This is not to say that during the second birth, unforeseen difficulties will not appear, there are always chances, but it is the primiparous who most often encounter such a phenomenon as primary or secondary weakness of the birth forces, when contractions do not lead to the opening of the cervix, and attempts do not move the baby forward ... In primiparas, tears or tears of the perineum and cervix are more common.

Complications are less dependent on the physiology of the firstborn, to a greater extent - this is a consequence of erroneous actions of the woman in labor, disobedience to the commands of the midwife or doctor leading the delivery.


Women who are preparing to become mothers for the first time need to prepare for childbirth in advance. Preparation must be consistent and constructive. It is a clear understanding of the upcoming process without unnecessary fear and emotions, as well as an understanding of the order of one's own actions at different stages of childbirth that will become the key to a successful delivery.

You need to start preparing from the middle of pregnancy. Already at the 20th week, it makes sense to enroll in a school for expectant mothers who work in any antenatal clinic. Practicing gynecologists, pediatricians, psychologists will help prepare for the most important event in a woman's life as best as possible. The preparation includes the following information.

    Expansion of the theoretical knowledge base on physiological processes and biomechanism of childbirth.


  • Learning the technique of correct breathing during contractions and attempts. It is necessary to practice breathing exercises during pregnancy carefully, half-heartedly, but it is recommended to devote at least 10-15 minutes a day to this. Then correct breathing will be natural and when labor begins, the woman will not have to remember how and when to breathe in and out in order to relieve pain and help herself and the baby. Breathing techniques help to feel less painful during the period of contractions, because due to the saturation of the body with oxygen, there is an increased production of endorphins, which have an analgesic effect.


  • Training in massage and self-massage techniques. From the latency period to the very attempts to relieve tension and pain, massage of the sacral zone, acupressure of the hand and face will help. Experienced obstetricians will show and tell all the techniques during the training.
  • Psychological consultations. They will help shape the correct attitude towards childbirth and labor pain. It has long been noted that the stronger a woman's fear of contractions, the more painful and longer they last. The psychologist will tell you about some of the techniques that allow a woman to be more confident in her strengths and abilities.
  • Learning postures to make it easier to cope with contractions. In real childbirth, before the period of attempts, a woman will be able to change her body position, adjusting to her own feelings.


  • Legal and household assistance. During the course, the expectant mother will be told about what benefits and payments she can count on after the birth of the baby, how to arrange maternity leave, and also tell what things need to be collected in the maternity hospital, when to do this, what documents will need to be provided upon hospitalization to the obstetric institution.

If there are no prejudices against partner childbirth, and you want to give birth in the presence of your husband or a close relative, you need to take care of this in advance. The spouse or other accompanying person needs to pass all the necessary tests.

False contractions during pregnancy can appear just before the very term. They are characterized by the appearance of unpleasant symptoms in the lower abdomen. There is nothing terrible in this process, this is preparation, so to speak, before real contractions and childbirth. It is important to understand that this is a false alarm and to be able to distinguish this condition from the present generic process.

ICD-10 code

O47 False contractions

Causes of false contractions

False contractions can affect strong blood flow to the placenta. They play a role in stimulating the muscles of the uterus to keep it in good shape. In addition, they are actually responsible for the process of cervical dilatation. One thing is clear for sure - they are preparing the body of the expectant mother for the upcoming birth.

False contractions are also called Braxon Hicks contractions. They are able to appear regardless of external factors. True, some points can be noted that can provoke their development.

There are several common reasons for this phenomenon. So, most often, their development is provoked by an unhealthy lifestyle, especially craving for bad habits. Excessive consumption of coffee, also products containing caffeine, contributes to its negative contribution.

Dehydration of the body, as well as a full bladder, can provoke this condition. Lack of nutrients in the body, as well as stress, lack of sleep - all this leads to premature contractions. Increased fetal activity and sex (orgasm) can affect the condition. But first of all, it is the physical activity of the pregnant woman and the activity of the fetus in the uterus. Thus, after exercising or walking, a woman may feel contractions.

Pathogenesis

The development and manifestation of Braxon-Hicks contractions occurs at the beginning of the conception of the child. Formation in the body occurs in almost all women. They mainly occur in the genital area. When favorable conditions are created for the child and his development, the placenta develops, gas exchange and metabolism between the child and the mother take place through it.

The purpose of the restructuring is to prepare the cervix for future childbirth. During the period of changes in the body, a woman will feel a contraction of the uterine muscles. At the time of such contractions, the uterus matures and softens. Also, with the contractions of the uterine muscles, the plug comes off, which manifests itself in the form of blood discharge.

The tissues of the cervix and vagina - must become elastic and stretchable, but strong and resistant to tearing. The cervix is ​​placed in the center of the vagina and becomes half the length. The cervical canal opens slightly, which connects the uterine cavity and vagina. The lumen of the neck should be slightly open and easily passable, with a diameter of 2-2.5 cm. The child's head is lowered as low as possible and pressed tightly against the entrance to the small pelvis. Not one week is spent on such a significant restructuring of the body!

Symptoms of false contractions during pregnancy

By about the twentieth week of pregnancy, false contractions may appear. False contractions are mostly similar to real ones. The difference between these contractions is intensity and regularity. With false contractions, a contraction of the uterus is felt lasting from a few seconds to two minutes.

A woman experiences a feeling of compression in the abdomen - in the upper part, below, sometimes - in the groin area. Such fights do not occur regularly, you can time the time between them. This will allow you to navigate the general condition of a woman, and see how many contractions occur in one hour. Feelings can only extend to one area. If real contractions are recorded, then they have characteristic unpleasant sensations in the lower back, and soreness is also present. Gradually, the strength of false contractions decreases, and they disappear. The unpleasant symptoms begin to pester the expectant mother. There is discomfort in the uterus and in the lower abdomen. Contractions are irregular.

First signs

There are the first signs by which it immediately becomes clear that false contractions have begun. Compression begins to be felt in the lower abdomen or groin, as well as in the upper part of the uterus. Discomfort is felt in only one part of the abdomen. Contractions can be irregular and occur several times a day or a couple of times an hour. In some cases, the number is 6 contractions for 60 minutes. Discomfort is felt, but contractions may be painless. There is no clear rhythm of what is happening. The intensity of contractions can decrease dramatically.

Distinguishing real contractions from false contractions is quite simple. At the present beginning of the process, severe pain is felt. Contractions occur throughout the abdomen and pain spreads to the lower back. Repetition of contractions occurs every 15, 10, and then 5 minutes. There is an increasing intensity - 5 times per minute. An increase in the duration of the contraction and the presence of other signs of incipient labor (rupture of amniotic fluid, discharge of the mucous plug, diarrhea, pulling pains in the lower spine).

Effects

In this condition, certain risk factors are observed.

  • Polyhydramnios - an excess of amniotic fluid in the expectant mother over 1500 ml. This condition is characterized by the presence of a large tummy, and its size does not at all correspond to the real time. Acute - develops quickly and early in pregnancy. There is an overdevelopment of the abdomen, shortness of breath appears, tension occurs on the walls of the uterus, and severe pain sets in.
  • Chronic - develops already in the late stages of pregnancy, the development of symptoms is slower and less pronounced.
  • Habitual miscarriage. Common reasons leading to such a diagnosis are: genetic disposition, anatomical features, hormones, the state of immunity of the expectant mother, as well as infections. Many diseases like gonorrhea, rubella, syphilis, herpes and even the flu.
  • Isthmico-cervical insufficiency. As a result of injuries to the cervix, muscle tissue is replaced by scar tissue, which is less elastic and harder and more rigid. In this regard, the cervix loses its ability to contract and stretch, respectively, it will not be able to hold the contents of the uterus.

And also there are other consequences such as: the presence of chronic foci of infection, edema, hormonal disorders, immune disorders, multiple pregnancy, the presence of a scar on the uterus.

Complications

The most severe complication is the termination of pregnancy at different periods, in some cases, the termination can begin with the outflow of amniotic fluid, as well as without them. In many cases, isthmic-cervical insufficiency is accompanied by infection of the fetus due to the absence of a barrier from microorganisms in the form of a closed cervix and cervical mucus, which protects the uterine cavity and its contents from bacteria. Also, a complication of pregnancy can cause an excess of amniotic fluid.

It can be gestosis, which is a lesion of the placenta and blood vessels. There is a Rh-conflict - with it, agglutination occurs. During fetal maturation, the baby's red blood cells carry the D antigen, which meet with the red blood cells of the Rh-negative pregnant woman and stick together. Low hemoglobin - a lack of iron in the blood leads to disruption of the liver, decreases in protein production, and water metabolism is impaired. Headaches appear, preeclampsia and eclampsia occur, which is an indicator of abortion. Pathology of the placenta is not excluded.

Diagnosis of false contractions during pregnancy

Diagnostic methods are carried out exclusively by a doctor. It is enough just to examine the patient and interview her. It is desirable that there is data on the course of pregnancy, about the period in which the woman is. You need to know in what position the baby is, and when the birth is planned.

The period of onset of contractions is noted. It is important to know all the intervals between contractions and their regularity. The time interval between contractions is counted and special attention is paid to the outpouring of amniotic fluid. Determination of the degree of maturity and dilatation of the cervix is ​​made.

It is important to record data on the recording of the fetal cardiac activity, they are necessary to monitor the condition of the child. In addition, the estimated gestational age is determined. All of this taken together is a diagnostic measure to identify contractions and their reliability.

Analyzes

Throughout pregnancy, the expectant mother should carefully monitor her health and especially monitor her diet and lifestyle. She will have to repeatedly visit the doctor and take various tests.

  • The first visit to the obstetrician-gynecologist must be done no later than 11 weeks. On this first trip, you need to get registered and take mandatory tests. Analyzes for expectant mothers: general urine analysis; general blood analysis; Rh factor; donate blood for HIV, syphilis; test for viral hepatitis B; smear on flora.
  • The second visit to the doctor usually takes place at 12-13 weeks. When is the time for the first ultrasound. Temperature, body weight, blood pressure, pulse are also measured and an external obstetric examination is performed.
  • At the third visit to the doctor at 19-21 weeks, a second ultrasound scan is done and indicators are taken, as well as tests. Urinalysis, protein test, blood test for HIV and double biochemical test.

At 24-25 weeks, a general blood test and a glucose tolerance test are taken. In the next visits to the obstetrician-gynecologist, they do the same examinations and tests as before.

Instrumental diagnostics

As mentioned above, the expectant mother will have to undergo an ultrasound examination. This is the only safe and informative method that makes it possible to monitor the state of the fetus in the womb.

In the early stages of pregnancy, an ultrasound scan is done only for a number of reasons. Such as: pain in the lower abdomen with delay and suspected pregnancy; vaginal bleeding; artificial insemination; exclusion of non-developing pregnancy.

Going to the doctor for an ultrasound scan. At 12-13 weeks - the gestation period for the baby himself is determined. The heartbeat is perfectly counted, the fetus is quite active. At this stage, diagnostics are carried out regarding the possible termination of pregnancy. At 19-21 weeks - the weight and growth of the fetus is determined; location, structure and thickness of the placenta; the amount of amniotic fluid; the presence of anomalies in the shape of the skull and other limbs. At 32 weeks - previously not detected problems in the development of the fetus are determined; location and maturity of the placenta; condition of the fetus and blood circulation; there is a condition of scars on the uterus.

By the third trip to the ultrasound, the fetal presentation (pelvic or cephalic presentation) is determined, since by this time the fetus takes its position in which it will be born.

Differential diagnosis

In some cases, uterine activity is taken for real contractions, this activity is called false contractions. When a pregnant woman complains of pulling, painful pain in the lower abdomen, it makes sense to differentiate the diagnosis of false contractions with true contractions.

False contractions occur unequally in strength and duration, pain, and are repeated at different intervals. With weakness of labor: the contractions are regular, weak, the same in strength and duration. During this period of time, an external examination is carried out, where the tone of the uterus is observed.

With such contractions, a pregnant woman may complain of painful and prolonged sensations in the lower abdomen. But the exclusion of the preliminary period in the expectant mother is made possible by the fact that the pains were relieved by the intramuscular administration of papaverine. In addition, within 6 hours (the normal duration of the preliminary period), and in the following hours, the onset of the first stage of labor did not occur, and this confirms false contractions.

Treatment of false contractions during pregnancy

If the pain lasts no more than 6 hours, then the treatment is not applied in this case. When the process has a pathological course, obstetric sleep is prescribed. Much depends directly on the symptoms and how the woman feels.

Most often, treatment includes a number of basic activities. To reduce pain, antispasmodics are widely used, most often it is No-shpa. Often they resort to vitamin therapy. A woman can take both special medicines for mothers and consume more fruits containing useful vitamins and minerals. These can be fruits, dairy products, and vegetables.

It is recommended to set the position in bed so that the legs are slightly raised. This will remove the mechanical effect of the fetus on the lower segment of the uterus, which irritates the receptors and increases the tone and contractility of the uterus.

Physiotherapy is also often used. With strong overexcitation of a woman, preference is given to sedatives. It is advisable to take herbal teas, valerian and motherwort, but only in tablets! Immunotherapy is widely used and the prevention of placental insufficiency is carried out.

Medications

Medication for pregnant women requires a special and thoughtful approach. Many medicines have a negative effect on the fetus and the course of pregnancy. In the weeks before giving birth, false contractions become more painful and more uncomfortable.

In case of painful sensations, many doctors prescribe No-shpa on an individual basis. It is a safe drug for the expectant mother and child; it acts quickly and effectively. Taking this drug reduces the tension of the uterus and relieves spasms, thereby relieving pain during false contractions. However, no-shpa is not accepted for the entire pregnancy cycle, since there is a possibility of cervical dilatation. Before taking, you need to consult a doctor.

  • No-shpa. This remedy will relieve spasms and thereby save a woman from false contractions. It is enough to take it 2 times a day, 2 tablets. The exact dosage can be prescribed by the attending physician. Contraindications: hypersensitivity, impaired liver and kidney function. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, allergic reactions.
  • If the expectant mother has an excess of male sex hormones and there is a possibility of interruption, Dexamethasone is prescribed. Taking the drug is required with caution and only on the recommendation of a doctor, taking into account all the side effects.
  • Dexamethasone. In the acute period, it is used in high doses. The dosage regimen is individual. Contraindications: hypersensitivity. Side effects: well tolerated, can only cause allergic reactions.

For hormonal development to accelerate lung development, betamethasone is prescribed. The doctor prescribes the dosage and regimen of the drug individually, taking into account the side effects.

Betamethasone. The tool is used in a small dose, it can be 0.25-0.5 mg. The duration of treatment is prescribed by a specialist. Contraindications: hypertension, syphilis, diabetes mellitus, systemic mycoses. Side effects: weight gain, insomnia, menstrual irregularities.

Traditional treatment

A woman during pregnancy experiences pain during false contractions. There are several methods to relieve these discomfort and discomfort.

You can just drink a glass of warm water or milk. This will significantly reduce discomfort and improve the condition. A warm shower will help to cope with unpleasant symptoms. In no case should you take a bath! It is recommended to visit the pool to strengthen muscles and improve health.

You should not resort to the help of any tinctures or decoctions. First you need to see a doctor, and then apply certain methods of improving the condition.

Sometimes it is enough to relax and lie down quietly for a few minutes.

During false contractions, the expectant mother has a good opportunity to practice proper breathing and choosing a comfortable position, which they will soon need at the onset of childbirth.

Herbal treatment

Many herbs are useful during pregnancy and have a number of beneficial and beneficial properties for the expectant mother and her baby. However, some will need to be abandoned, because there is a likelihood of provoking a miscarriage.

During pregnancy, a woman may experience false contractions. Herbs are advised to treat this condition. Harmless herbs for eliminating colds are: primrose, mother and stepmother, linden blossom, Altai root, wild rose, burdock and others.

Plants that have a laxative effect should not be taken during pregnancy due to miscarriage and premature birth. These are such plants as: cassia, aloe, buckthorn.

Other folk remedies to avoid: neem, hyssop, basil, turmeric, sumac.

Not all types of herbs to watch out for during pregnancy are listed here. Every time you use a folk remedy, be sure to consult your doctor.

Homeopathy

During pregnancy, a woman's health level decreases, so various disorders may occur. Such as false contractions, nausea and vomiting, muscle and back pain, nutritional and nervous disorders, etc. Homeopathy during pregnancy is much better than conventional medicine. One of the advantages of homeopathy is that it is harmless to the pregnant woman and her fetus, does not cause allergies and does not contain chemicals. The doctor must not only prescribe drugs for the expectant mother, but also explain to her everything that she feels, everything the child experiences. After all, the fetus in the womb feels all the effects on the mother's body from the time of conception. It is important that the pregnancy takes place in an atmosphere of calm and happiness.

Taking homeopathic medicines during pregnancy can be taken at any stage. This is especially true for the first 3 months of pregnancy, where the risk of miscarriage is very high, doctors prescribe such drugs: Arnica, Sabina, Chamomilla, etc. A homeopathic drug should be taken in small doses, acting on the body with a positive effect. However, if the drug is taken in large doses, it will worsen.

Prophylaxis

Expectant mothers before and during pregnancy are prescribed homeopathic medicines, depending on the state of the body. Taking homeopathic medicines during pregnancy plays a role in the prevention of various diseases in the newborn. Homeopathic treatment also helps in the health of expectant parents, thereby producing a healthier child. A man with oligospermia and spermatogenesis disorders can undergo prophylaxis with homeopathic medicines, improving the quality and quantity of sperm. The girl is allowed to undergo prophylaxis for different types of infertility. Also, a girl who has had abortions is prescribed a homeopathic remedy (Aconite, Secale, Sabina, etc.) and only as prescribed by a doctor. The drug is taken during pregnancy 3 times a day up to 16 weeks. Depending on the condition of the body, the doctor may prescribe a different treatment. In the homeopathy database, there are more than 100 drugs for the treatment of this problem.

For the prevention and treatment of false contractions, the drug should be taken once an hour until the pain disappears. To improve the condition in all cases, rest and bed rest are required. The most common drugs: Cimicifuga- for sharp pain in the abdomen; Caulophyllum - especially taken in the last weeks of pregnancy, prepares the cervix for childbirth.

Forecast

False contractions prepare the body of the expectant mother for the most important day of pregnancy. They can appear both at 20 weeks and before the end of pregnancy. To improve the condition and relieve discomfort, the methods of treatment were given above. With the effectiveness of treatment, there is a decrease in pain in the pregnant woman during contractions of the uterus.

Spontaneous intake of drugs and treatment with folk remedies is prohibited. Only on the advice and advice of a doctor, treatment and prevention are established. If complications or diseases appear during pregnancy, you should immediately consult a doctor.

From about 36 weeks, many begin to listen to their body. With the onset of 38 weeks, pregnancy is considered full-term, during this week a baby is usually born. If labor has not started before 41 weeks, you need to go to hospital.

ICD-10 code

The woman's body undergoes a complete restructuring during the period of bearing a child, it is false contractions that prepare and train the expectant mother for childbirth. False contractions are contractions of the muscles of the cervix. Such contractions are not accompanied by painful sensations, but after a while they become palpable and bring a little discomfort.

Even for this state, there was a designation. False contractions are also marked by the international classification of diseases. This makes it much easier to classify a woman's true condition.

International Classification of Disease Codes: False contractions are classified as: (O47.0) False contractions occurring before 37 completed weeks of gestation, (O47.1) false contractions after 37 completed weeks of gestation and O47.9 Unspecified false contractions. There are no exceptions to this. This state has been coded for convenience. Because in the mother's card, the fact of the presence of false contractions should be noted.

It is no secret that all women in a position are afraid of the upcoming birth, but most of all they are afraid to miss their beginning, that is, the appearance of contractions. This is especially true for pregnant women who are expecting the birth of their first child. After all, they know about the harbingers only from the stories of already held mothers. What do they usually tell? Firstly, contractions have appeared, which means that childbirth is not far off. This is a correct statement, but it should be borne in mind that contractions may turn out to be false. Secondly, most women who have already given birth mention the incredible painful sensations that arise during labor. Yes, indeed, pain is an integral part of childbirth, but fortunately, it is quickly forgotten.

If we are talking about the first childbirth, then in addition to fear, women are tormented by ignorance. When to expect cramping seizures? How not to miss them? What sensations accompany them? These questions often arise in women during their first pregnancy.

It should be noted right away that it is quite difficult to miss fights, but confusing them with false ones, or, as they are also called, training ones, is very possible. Therefore, it is not surprising that, waiting for the first child, a woman experiences fear.

What do women begin to feel before giving birth?

Usually 4-3 weeks before the most long-awaited and happy moment, the expectant mother begins to be bothered by painful sensations, somewhat reminiscent of menstruation, in the lumbar region and in the lower abdomen, as well as a feeling of pressure in the pubic area. All of the above symptoms are considered normal. After all, the female body is preparing for the upcoming birth of the baby, and besides, the baby himself in the mother's womb begins to press more and more on the lower abdomen of his mother.

Also, a pregnant woman, shortly before the "X" hour, can feel how her tummy periodically hardens and then becomes soft again. This phenomenon is explained by uterine contractions - hence the occurrence of cramping seizures. The uterus begins to contract, and its muscle fibers - to thicken and shorten, which allows the cervical pharynx to gradually open to the desired size. If the uterus has opened by 12 cm, it means that a new man will be born soon.

Contractions: how not to miss?

Each organism is individual, therefore, it is impossible to argue that all expectant mothers have contractions at the same period. In addition, the feelings that women experience before the onset of childbirth are also different for everyone. For some, contractions can begin four to two weeks before the planned date, for others, several hours. Some pregnant women can fully experience all the "charms" of birth precursors, while others will experience only slight "discomfort".

The appearance of contractions largely depends on the correctness of the set deadline and the well-being of the woman in labor herself. Therefore, the period of occurrence of birth precursors can vary from 4 to 2 weeks before delivery. But training contractions can disturb a woman already from the middle of the 2nd trimester, their main difference from the real ones is the chaotic frequency. From time to time, the tummy will tense, but there will be no regularity in the occurrence of attacks.

But if you systematically have cramping sensations, the interval between them gradually decreases, while the pain intensifies - then childbirth is not far off. After all, it is these characteristics that indicate the onset of generic activity, which in general can be divided into three stages:

  1. Initial (or secretive)- a woman may feel a slight cramping pain, while the attacks last no more than 45 seconds, and the frequency between them is on average up to 8 hours.
  2. Active- the duration of the attacks increases to a minute, and the intervals between them are reduced to 3-5 hours.
  3. Transition. The fastest phase of labor activity, on average its duration is from 30 to 90 minutes. The duration of uterine contractions reaches 90 seconds, and the interval between them is no longer reduced to hours, but to minutes.

Contractions began: call the doctor or go straight to the hospital?

Probably, many women will be surprised now, but the first thing they should do when they have cramping sensations is to calm down. Believe me, vanity and panic in this situation are not the best helpers.

First, relax and preferably sit down. Secondly, only by assuming a comfortable body position, you can accurately record the duration of the contractions and the intervals between them. By the way, it would be nice to write down all your observations. If you are not able to do this, then ask your relatives about it. With such data, you can accurately describe your feelings to the doctor, and he will already tell you when to go to the hospital.

As a rule, if contractions occur every half hour, there is no reason for panic. During the first pregnancy, doctors recommend going to the hospital when the attacks begin to recur every 5-7 minutes. Although some experts still insist to go to the maternity ward already when the first contractions appear, that is, at the initial phase of cramping attacks. And this makes some sense, because it is rather difficult to predict their development. And besides, the amniotic fluid can leave earlier, and if this happens, it is better at this time to be under the control of doctors.

No contractions: what to do?

When discussing contractions during the first pregnancy, one cannot fail to mention the "reverse side of the coin" - when the expectant mother is waiting for their appearance, but they still do not come. What then?

In this case, doctors have to stimulate uterine contractions and induce artificial labor. And if there is a threat to the fetus, then such activities are carried out immediately. Typically, doctors use the following methods to stimulate labor:

  • the introduction of a hormonal drug into the cervical canal;
  • intravenous administration of medication;
  • opening of the fetal bladder.

In conclusion

Of course, you shouldn't rule out all kinds of risks. But at the same time, there is no need to “try on” all the worst. When you realize that the contractions have begun (and, believe me, you will hardly miss this moment), you will experience a range of a wide variety of emotions - from joy to fear and excitement. The most important thing in this case is to remain calm and exactly follow the instructions of the doctor, because the whole process of childbirth and the birth of a healthy baby depends on this.

Contractions during pregnancy are periodic and often painful contractions of the uterus during labor. Most often they are accompanied by pulling pains in the abdomen, namely the lower part of it, passing into the lumbar region.

How does contraction start in pregnant women?

Most often, at the beginning of labor, contractions are rather weak and last only a couple of seconds, while the interval between them is about 10 minutes. In rare cases, the interval between uterine contractions lasts 6 minutes. Over time, they become more painful, prolonged and frequent. Many expectant mothers are tormented by the question: "How do contractions begin in pregnant women?" Most often, uterine contractions are pressure sensations in the abdominal region, the uterus seems tense and heavy. It so happens that the pressure spreads throughout the abdomen, and not in a specific area. The main thing in this process is its rhythm. It is especially important to be able to distinguish training contractions during pregnancy from true ones. False uterine contractions can be observed several weeks before the onset of childbirth. In true contractions, the interval between them gradually decreases until it becomes every couple of minutes. The first pains most often "cover", like a wave, starting in the middle of the abdomen and spreading to the hips and lumbar region. In firstborns, the duration of contractions is about 12 hours, while in repetitive births, it decreases to 8 hours.

How do contractions begin in pregnant women, and what is the frequency between them?

Most often, the interval between the first contractions is about half an hour. You should go to the maternity hospital when the gap between them is reduced to 10 minutes. In the event that a complete outpouring of water has occurred, it is urgent to go to the nearest maternity hospital, since waterlessness threatens with serious complications not only for the postpartum woman, but also for her unborn baby. It should be noted that the leakage of water can be gradual or complete emptying of the fetal bladder. It happens that this process takes place long before the first contractions appear. It must be remembered that the outpouring of amniotic fluid may also indicate that labor has begun.

What do you need to know and how to act in an emergency?

If you notice any spotting on your underwear, this is a cause for concern. In this case, you should immediately call emergency help and immediately go to the maternity hospital, as this may indicate a detachment of the placenta or the onset of premature birth. Any delay can threaten intrauterine fetal death. The onset and suddenly stopped contractions indicate a weak labor activity - this is a serious problem that requires the intervention of experienced obstetricians.

How do contractions begin in pregnant women during the normal course of pregnancy?

Rhythmic contractions promote active dilatation of the cervix. After their beginning, the outpouring of water most often occurs. It is after this contraction of the uterus that becomes painful, and the gap between the end of the previous contraction and the beginning of a new contraction decreases. The final stage of childbirth is pushing and giving birth to a baby.