Certain factors can increase a woman`s chances of preterm labor, such as . B carry twins. However, the specific cause(s) of preterm labour are not known. Sometimes a woman may have premature labor for no apparent reason. « The most common cause of preterm labor is dehydration or cystitis, so rest and hydration can help resolve itself, » Kubesh says. Pelvic rest — meaning you don`t put sex, vaginal exams, and nothing in your vagina — is often a must if you`re experiencing premature contractions. In some cases, your doctor may suggest suturing your cervix (cervical strapping) to avoid premature birth, or even resting with your head below your body level to further reduce the pressure on the cervix. Your provider will also consider your obstetric history. What baby number is this for you? Have you had a quick job in the past? Have you had a C-section and are you planning to have one during this pregnancy? Are you positive or negative group B streptococci? Not all contractions mean you`re in real labor. Learning the difference between real and fake work can help you know when it`s the real thing. Your baby grows in a protective fluid bag called an amniotic sac.
This bag will break when it`s time for your baby to be born. It can be a swarm of liquid in the legs or just a small slow net. Your instructions will depend on your individual situation – for example. B, if you have a high-risk pregnancy or other complications, if this is your first baby, if you are planning a caesarean section, and how far away you live from the hospital or birth center. Once you are completely dilated, the second phase begins when your baby descends into the vaginal canal and is born. (You will push during this phase.) The third phase begins with the birth of your baby and ends with the birth of the placenta. They can be quite powerful towards the end of your pregnancy and it`s easy to confuse them with labor. To try to stop your contractions, your doctor will ask you to rest on your left side (this position increases blood flow to the uterus), and if you seem dehydrated, she will give you intravenous fluids. These steps help stop contractions in about 50% of women. If your contractions stop and your cervix doesn`t expand for several hours of observation, you can probably go home.
The phases of labor include the entire labor process, from your first contractions (step 1) to pressure (step 2) to the birth of the placenta (step 3) after the birth of your baby. Learning the stages of labor can help you know what to expect during labor and delivery. You should start timing your contractions – how far they are and how long they last. (Temporal contractions that begin from the beginning of one to the beginning of the other.) Your doctor or midwife has probably given you instructions on when to come based on the timing of the contractions. If not, call them and ask. These videos explain in more detail how contractions feel and how to time contractions. When you reach your third trimester, the advice is to go and sleep on your side, as research has shown that sleeping on your back is associated with an increased risk of stillbirth. This advice includes a nap during the day and night.
Learn more about safe sleeping positions during pregnancy. When you call, your doctor or midwife will get clues about your condition from the sound of your voice. You`ll want to know: Since the onset of preterm labor is very subtle and often difficult to detect, it`s important to know how to feel your abdomen for uterine contractions. Towards the end of your pregnancy, your doctor or midwife will likely give you clear instructions on when to let them know you have contractions and when to take your hospital bag and go to the hospital or birth center. To stretch enough to make room for your baby, your cervix needs to thin and grow (open). When you hear your doctor talk about the extent to which your cervix is « erased » (thinned) and « dilated » (open), he means it. Your cervix must be at least 10 centimeters dilated before you can start pressing to give birth to your baby. Whenever you feel that something is happening at seemingly regular intervals, schedule them. « Contractions can be painless, but they will be predictable, » says Siobhan Kubesh, a certified midwife at OBGYN North in Austin. « If they seem to come every 10 minutes or [more frequently] and you can predict when they`re going to start and stop, you need to call your doctor. » It can be hard to tell when you`re really at work. .