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Jul 23, 2024 · Learn about the common signs of labor, such as cervical changes, vaginal discharge, nesting, lightening and water breaking. Find out how to tell the difference between false labor and true labor contractions and when to seek medical attention.
- Before labor, the lower part of your uterus called the cervix is typically 3.5 cm to 4 cm long. As labor begins, your cervix softens, shortens and...
- Another sign of labor is your cervix beginning to open (dilate). Your health care provider will measure the dilation in centimeters from zero (no d...
- During pregnancy, a thick plug of mucus blocks the cervical opening to prevent bacteria from entering the uterus. During the late third trimester,...
- Lightening is the term used to describe when the baby's head settles deep into your pelvis. This might cause a change in the shape of your abdomen....
- The amniotic sac is a fluid-filled membrane that cushions your baby in the uterus. At the beginning of or during labor, your membranes will rupture...
- During the last few months of pregnancy, you might experience occasional, sometimes painful, contractions — a sensation that your uterus is tighten...
- What Is Labor?
- Early Signs of Labor
- Signs of Preterm Labor
- Braxton Hicks vs Contractions
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Labor is the process of delivering your baby – and your placenta – from your uterus through your vagina and into the world. Labor usually occurs sometime between 38 and 41 weeks of pregnancy. Your body will go through different stages of laborduring childbirth, and you'll experience a number of telltale signs of each stage. The first stage, cervica...
In the final days or weeks before your due date, you may notice one or more signs that labor is near. Not all women experience all of these signs – again, this is very individual – but if you do feel like your baby has dropped lower, for example, or you have some mucousy discharge or more Braxton Hicks contractions than usual, you may be close to l...
If you start having regular contractions that cause your cervix to begin to open before you reach 37 weeks of pregnancy, you're in preterm labor. (It's also known as premature labor.) It can be difficult to tell whether you're having preterm labor or not, because some of the symptoms (like Braxton Hicks and low back pain) may be things you've exper...
It can be hard to tell the difference between Braxton Hicks and "real" contractions at first. Use this chart to help figure out whether you're in true labor or false labor (in other words, just having Braxton Hicks contractions). No matter how well informed you are about the signs of labor, it's normal to have a false alarm. Don't be embarrassed ab...
Learn the typical signs of labor, such as lightening, losing your mucus plug, and having Braxton Hicks contractions. Find out how to prepare for labor and what to do if you have any of these symptoms.
- Karen Miles
- Your baby “drops” If you’re a first-time mom your baby will typically start to drop, or descend into your pelvis, a few weeks before labor begins (usually around two to four weeks before, but it can vary).
- Your cervix dilates. Your cervix, too, is starting to prepare for birth: It starts to dilate (open) and efface (thin out) in the days or weeks before you deliver.
- You feel more cramps and increased back pain. Especially if this is not your first pregnancy, you may feel some crampiness and pain in your lower back and groin as labor nears.
- Your joints feel looser. Throughout your pregnancy, the hormone relaxin has made your ligaments loosen up a little (it’s also responsible for your potential bouts of clumsiness this past trimester).
Jul 20, 2023 · Learn what labor pain feels like, how it changes throughout the stages of labor, and how to cope with it. Find out about pain management options, such as medications, natural methods, and support systems.
Mar 10, 2023 · Learn about the different types of pain relief options for childbirth, such as analgesics, local anesthesia and regional anesthesia. Find out the risks and benefits of each option and how to discuss them with your provider before labor.
Apr 23, 2024 · What do labor contractions feel like? Early labor contractions can feel like gastrointestinal discomfort, heavy menstrual cramps or lower abdominal pressure. What are the different types of contractions? There are two kinds of contractions you may experience during pregnancy, including:
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Apr 25, 2024 · Learn about the early signs of labor, such as contractions, cramps, pelvic pressure and mucus plug loss. Find out when to call your doctor and what to do if you're in active labor.