Pregnancy is a wonderful, scary adventure.
True, there are many things that could go wrong, but most pregnancies end with a beautiful baby joining our households.
While it may be difficult in any pregnancy to know when true labor has started, it is most frequently a problem in first pregnancies.
After that, most of us know the real thing from the Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Here are a few pointers: Length of Time: Unless it's true labor, the sensation doesn't last very long and it can't be timed.
If you experience the pain for more than an hour, chances are good that it's the real thing.
Location: Braxton-Hicks contractions can happen anywhere around your abdomen.
It's your body preparing itself for childbirth.
They are also more curious than painful, at least to you.
The baby may not agree, as it rocks the little world.
If it's truly time, the pain is likely to be more pelvic and back in nature.
Mucus Plug: This is a major sign of true labor.
The mucus plug develops around the fifth week of pregnancy to keep foreign objects out of the womb.
As you start to dilate, it can no longer remain in place and will be expelled.
This can be somewhat disconcerting and may cause an itching sensation.
The plug may also be tinged red a bit, so don't be surprised at the color.
It's not an indication of something being wrong with you.
Timing: As with length of time, the precursor to true labor cannot be timed.
They happen when they happen and usually have no regulation to it at all.
If you notice them developing into a regular, timed pattern that gets shorter and shorter, you need to start doing the timing your OB told you about.
Waters Break: The amniotic fluid is expelled when the membrane is ruptured.
It can be highly embarrassing if it happens in public, as you have absolutely no control over it, and it can make a big mess.
Anywhere from two to nine cups of water could come rushing out.
If any of these symptoms occur, you may want to notify those who are going to take part in the birth of your child.
That includes your spouse, doctor and if it's someone other than a spouse, your labor coach.
I also recommend that if you have long hair, you braid it tightly in two braids.
I didn't do that with our first one and it took about an hour to get all the tangles out.
True, there are many things that could go wrong, but most pregnancies end with a beautiful baby joining our households.
While it may be difficult in any pregnancy to know when true labor has started, it is most frequently a problem in first pregnancies.
After that, most of us know the real thing from the Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Here are a few pointers: Length of Time: Unless it's true labor, the sensation doesn't last very long and it can't be timed.
If you experience the pain for more than an hour, chances are good that it's the real thing.
Location: Braxton-Hicks contractions can happen anywhere around your abdomen.
It's your body preparing itself for childbirth.
They are also more curious than painful, at least to you.
The baby may not agree, as it rocks the little world.
If it's truly time, the pain is likely to be more pelvic and back in nature.
Mucus Plug: This is a major sign of true labor.
The mucus plug develops around the fifth week of pregnancy to keep foreign objects out of the womb.
As you start to dilate, it can no longer remain in place and will be expelled.
This can be somewhat disconcerting and may cause an itching sensation.
The plug may also be tinged red a bit, so don't be surprised at the color.
It's not an indication of something being wrong with you.
Timing: As with length of time, the precursor to true labor cannot be timed.
They happen when they happen and usually have no regulation to it at all.
If you notice them developing into a regular, timed pattern that gets shorter and shorter, you need to start doing the timing your OB told you about.
Waters Break: The amniotic fluid is expelled when the membrane is ruptured.
It can be highly embarrassing if it happens in public, as you have absolutely no control over it, and it can make a big mess.
Anywhere from two to nine cups of water could come rushing out.
If any of these symptoms occur, you may want to notify those who are going to take part in the birth of your child.
That includes your spouse, doctor and if it's someone other than a spouse, your labor coach.
I also recommend that if you have long hair, you braid it tightly in two braids.
I didn't do that with our first one and it took about an hour to get all the tangles out.
SHARE
