Wondering if you will be able to spot your labor contractions? Do labor contractions show characteristic symptoms? What shows that these are the contractions? The appearance of regular contractions that are not relieved by repositioning, warm breathing and a shower, signifies that labor has probably started.
The labor contractionsappear regularly, and with time the intervals between them gradually decrease, and the contractions themselves lengthen. First they occur every 10 minutes and you feel them for about 30 seconds, and at the end of this phase of labor, they appear every 3-4 minutes and you feel them for about 60 seconds ( although they actually last longer).
Types of labor contractions
- dilation contractions - these are the first labor contractions, they are responsible for the opening of the cervix to 10 centimeters needed for childbirth
- pressure contractions - they push the baby into the world
- placental contractions - are responsible for the expulsion of the placenta (delivery of the placenta)
- postpartum contractions - occur during the puerperium and support the body in contracting and rebuilding the uterus and stopping bleeding during breastfeeding.
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Labor contractions: symptoms
- If contractions of similar intensity last more than 30 seconds and occur at regular intervals, labor is slowly starting.
- With contractions in labor, the intervals between contractions will become shorter and shorter. They usually start to happen approximately every 20-30 minutes. If the interval between them is shorter than 10 minutes, it means that the cervix is dilated.
- Light bleeding may indicate a dilated cervix.
- A rushing pain in the lower abdomen and back pain accompanying the symptoms described above indicate labor pains.