When we are in the final stretch of pregnancy, there are certain signs that tell us that the big day is approaching and that we have mentioned on several occasions, such as when the belly drops due to the baby being embedded in the pelvis, or detachment mucous plug.
Knowing how to identify these signs is a concern for some women, as they fear not recognizing them. For this reason, we will talk in depth about two of the main signs that labor is approaching: labor contractions and bag rupture .
Labor contractions
As we know, there are different types of contractions that we can feel during pregnancy, but the best known are Braxton Hicks and labor contractions . Braxton Hicks’ contractions are also called “false contractions” because they are painless, irregular, and last approximately 30 seconds. They can occur from week 29 of pregnancy and we can identify them because they are felt under the abdomen and in the groin.
Unlike “false” contractions, labor contractions are painful and occur for regular periods of time . The pain begins in the back, from where it radiates to the sides and forward, to the lower abdomen.
These contractions occur with a frequency of 3 to 5 contractions approximately every 10 minutes, and are progressive, that is, their duration and intensity is increasing . For labor to be triggered, there must be at least 2 or 3 contractions every 10 minutes and the cervix must have reached a dilation of 2 to 3 centimeters. Once labor has started, contractions can come in groups of 2 or 3, lasting 40 to 60 seconds every 10 minutes.
Although this is the usual frequency, it may vary for each woman . There are those who spend a night with contractions every half hour, then every 20 or 15 minutes and then every 10 minutes, while there are other women who in a matter of 2 or 3 hours after starting the contractions have their baby. All this depends on each one and also on whether there have been previous deliveries or not.
In the case of a new pregnant woman, you should go to the hospital when you have had contractions every 15 minutes for two hours, while those who have had babies before, should do it before.
Techniques to relieve pain
Because these are usually painful, it is recommended that to better cope with them women begin to walk around the house or hospital , to help the baby continue to fit and descend through the birth canal. Having freedom of movement helps you adopt positions that help you better cope with contractions.
Something that is essential to help us during this stage of labor is breathing. Having controlled and conscious breathing will help oxygenate the baby and reassure the mother.
Another measure that is advised is to get into the bathtub with warm water if you have the possibility to do so. The water will help to relax the muscles and soften the perineum, making labor pains less intense and later facilitating the expulsion of the baby.
The most important thing is to try to stay relaxed , as this helps decrease the production of adrenaline, the hormone responsible for the tightening of the cervix, which will naturally help facilitate labor.
Bag break
Unlike contractions, which could increase slowly and progressively, a ruptured bag is an unequivocal sign that labor will occur in the next few hours . This is easy to identify because you will feel a jet of hot water wetting your legs, as if you had urinated on yourself.
However, it is important to clarify that not all pregnant women break their waters in the same phase of labor , since the rupture of the bag can occur before the start of labor contractions or occur until the moment of delivery.
It is also important to mention that the rupture of the bag is not always as dramatic as it is shown in the movies, since some pregnant women can expel small jets of water through a fissure. If it is thought that the water has broken, it is best to go to the hospital , because as time passes between the break and the delivery, the risk of infection in the baby increases.
If we break water, we must check the color of the liquid , since it is normal for it to have a transparent or whitish color, which will give us time to change and go to the hospital if we have not done so yet. On the other hand, if the liquid is stained yellowish, black or greenish, we must go immediately and inform our doctor.
On some occasions, when women do not break their waters spontaneously, a maneuver called an amniotomy is performed, in which the midwife breaks the pouch. However, it is not advisable if you want to have a natural birth, since it is a process that must be carried out without interventions or with the minimum, and breaking the bag does not guarantee that the delivery will be faster .
With this information about labor contractions and bag rupture , you can more easily identify these two signs that labor is approaching, and you will feel more confident and prepared to know what to do when the time comes. Be attentive to the signals your body sends you and when in doubt, always consult your doctor.
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