Contractions: What They Mean & Their Types

What is a contraction in pregnancy?

A contraction can be defined as the tightening and contracting of the uterus during pregnancy. This is a natural process that is aimed at bringing the baby out into the world.

What contraction means in pregnancy - During a contraction, the uterus contracts and tightens, slowly pushing the baby out of the womb. Most women start to feel contractions toward the end of their pregnancy.

Types of contractions

Some women experience contractions at different stages of pregnancy. These early contractions are usually harmless and subside within a few minutes. Contractions in pregnant women are classified into the following types for better understanding.

1. Early or pre-term contractions - Contractions that are felt before the 37th week of pregnancy are called pre-term contractions. Here, the mother might feel contractions and discomfort for a few minutes. Dehydration, stress, constipation, and gas can bring on early contractions.

2. Braxton-Hicks contractions - Contractions experienced in the 2nd trimester are labeled as Braxton-Hicks contractions. They last a few minutes and are usually brought on by too much physical exertion.

3. Sex contractions - As the name implies, these contractions are triggered by orgasms. Doctor consultation is recommended in cases where the contractions persist even after an hour.

4. Labor contractions - These contractions are felt towards the end of the pregnancy. Mothers frequent contractions, and the pain also starts getting intense over time. Medical help is essential at this time to ensure safe delivery.

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What to do when labor contractions start

Labor contractions usually start at the end of the pregnancy. Moms should be vigilant and keep a note of their contractions. Labor contractions are more frequent and intense than false contractions. Midwives recommend moms check in to a hospital or birthing center when

• Contractions last for more than a minute

• The frequency of contractions increases and intensifies

• Contractions are less than 5 minutes apart

Getting proper medical help when labor contractions start is essential for a healthy delivery.

Stages of labor contractions

Labor contractions do not start as intense contractions. In fact, many women experience false contractions before they get actual labor contractions. These contractions experienced by pregnant women towards the end of their pregnancy can be divided into 2 categories.

1. False labor - These contractions are not frequent and usually go away if the mom relaxes or changes her position. False labor contractions often start as a precursor to active labor contractions. These contractions are a natural indication of the body's preparedness for delivery.
2. Active labor - When the contractions intensify and their frequency increases, it is called active labor. These contractions usually start at the end of the pregnancy and are a sure sign of childbirth. Moms experiencing intense contractions should seek medical help immediately at this stage.

What are the signs of labor?

Sometimes it is difficult for moms to understand what they are going through. Some moms cannot differentiate between false labor and active labor. As a result, they get stressed over every contraction they feel.

Moms need to have proper medical help during active labor. A few signs that moms should look out for that indicate active labor is:

1. An increasing intensity and duration of their contractions
2. Feeling constant lower back and abdominal pain
3. Brown or bloody vaginal discharge
4. Amniotic fluid discharge (water breaking)

How to stay relaxed throughout contractions

Contractions and the entire labor experience are different for each mom. Some women go through labor for more than 24 hours, while others breeze through the process. It is typical for first-time moms to have longer labor than experienced moms.

In any case, contractions are painful and cause a lot of distress for the mom. A few tips that can help moms stay relaxed to manage their contractions better are:

1. Have a massage
2. Listen to music
3. Use a distraction
4. Focus on breathing
5. Stay active
6. Request for painkillers

When to call your physician

Moms should call their physicians when they notice that they are in active labor. Most healthcare staff advise moms to check in to a hospital or a birthing center after they start their active labor. This will help moms reduce their overall hospital stay and relax in their homes.

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a joyful experience for most moms, but some dread the final stage. This is mainly due to the misconceptions they have about the labor process. New moms should be prepared for their delivery by learning all about contractions and labor. Check out the Mylo App to learn more about pregnancy and delivery.