How do contractions work

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell, even for your healthcare provider. Here, we describe what contractions can feel like, and how Braxton Hicks practice contractions might feel compared to the real deal — those contractions that are a part of the early stages of labor. You might hear these terms used for different types of contractions. Here's a brief rundown of what they mean:. Braxton Hicks contractions.

Contractions that come and go, and don't result in you actually going into labor, are called Braxton Hicks contractions.

You might also hear them referred to as false contractions or practice contractions. True labor contractions. These are the kind that don't go away and end with the birth of your baby. They are also called real labor contractions. Preterm contractions. Call your midwife or maternity unit for guidance when your contractions are in a regular pattern and:.

Read more information on when to go to hospital. During pregnancy, there's a plug of mucus in your cervix. This mucus comes away just before labour starts, or when in early labour, and it may pass out of your vagina.

This sticky, jelly-like pink mucus is called a show. It may come away in 1 blob or in several pieces. It's pink because it contains a small amount of blood. If you're losing more blood, it may be a sign something is wrong, so phone your hospital or midwife straight away.

A show indicates that the cervix is starting to open. Labour may quickly follow or may take a few days. Sometimes there is no show. It's likely your waters will break during labour, but it can also happen before labour starts.

Your baby develops and grows inside a bag of fluid called the amniotic sac. When it's time for your baby to be born, the sac usually breaks and the amniotic fluid drains out through your vagina. When do contractions start? What are the symptoms of labor? How do you know your contractions are a sign of labor and not something else? How to time contractions. Time your contractions from when one starts until the next one begins.

To time contractions: When you feel the tightening in your abdomen, immediately note the time. Try to notice if the contraction reaches a peak. Wait to feel the next tightening before restarting your stopwatch.

The following is the usual timeline of contractions : Labor stage Duration between contractions Length of contraction early labor 5 to 30 minutes 30 to 45 seconds active labor 3 to 5 minutes 45 to 60 seconds transition final stage before pushing 30 seconds to 2 minutes 60 to 90 seconds. What are the different types of contractions. At any point in pregnancy, you may feel your uterus contracting. The following are some of the common types of contractions you may experience during pregnancy: Preterm contractions These contractions are real labor happening before your baby is ready to be born.

Back labor This is a more focused kind of pain that some women feel during contractions. Back labor can include irregular contractions and longer time pushing. What to do if you have early-term contractions? Contractions before 37 weeks are called preterm and run risks to the baby.

What real moms have to say. Next steps. Take a bath or sit down and read. Call your doctor or midwife, and care team doula, partner, or babysitter for older kids.

For example, the car ride to the hospital was not ok. But don't take just my word for it. Below, you'll find out how nine other people describe a contraction. When I was in labor for my first child, I remember finally deciding to get the epidural and when the medicine started to work, it only worked for half of my body. One side was bearable while the other side felt like it was being squeezed and twisted as far as it would go.

I couldn't believe the difference. I would have preferred to have all or nothing! Also, having had three kids now, I will say that the difference between contractions with and without Pitocin is night and day.

I know they say they start in your back, but I felt like mine started everywhere at the same time. With my first, they were the textbook example of a contraction.

The pain started at my sides and worked it's way to the middle of my stomach. They started out like pretty mild menstrual cramps and then became completely unbearable. With my second labor, I suffered from pubic symphysis dysfunction and all of my contractions started in my lower back and moved to the front of my lower abdomen and into my pubic bone. They were really severe very quickly after my water broke.

And with every single one I felt the urge to push. Of course, the doctors and nurses told me not to since I was only 4 cm dilated! I labored for 36 hours! I now wonder if I should have listened to my body and pushed a little it would have went faster. Who knows. Labor is a funny thing. I just learned that every labor and pregnancy will be different!

And with my first, it was back labor so it was also totally different. They were throbbing and long and it felt like my back was going to split open.