Lindsay Lohan
Thea Clayhill
Search results
Dec 16, 2021 · 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 and true labor contractions and when to call your health care provider.
- 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...
- Strong, Frequent Contractions
- Bloody Show
- Belly and Lower Back Pain
- Water Breaking
- Baby Drops
- Cervix Begins to Dilate
- Cramps and Increased Back Pain
- Loose-Feeling Joints
- Diarrhea
- Weight Gain Stops
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
You’ll know you’re experiencing actual labor contractions (rather than the practice Braxton Hicks contractions) by assessing the pain’s frequency, intensity and location. If you’re unsure, ask yourself these questions: 1. Are the contractions evenly spaced? True labor contractions are spaced at regular intervals and become more frequent as time goe...
You may notice the loss of your mucus plug— the cork sealing off your uterus from the outside world. It can come out in one large piece (it looks similar to the mucus in your nose) or lots of little ones, though you may not get a glimpse of it at all (and some women don't lose it before delivery). In the last days before labor, you'll likely see in...
You may feel like you’re having strong menstrual cramps, stomach upset or lower abdominal pressure. You could also have pain in your lower back that radiates down into the legs. This pain won’t go away if you change positions.
While movies would have you think you’ll learn you’re in labor only when your water breaks(in the middle of a romantic dinner date at a busy restaurant, of course), that’s a very unlikely scenario. For most women, membranes rupture and amniotic fluid leaks after other labor symptoms have already begun. And you won’t necessarily lose it all in one b...
If you’re a first-time mom, expect your baby to drop, or descend into your pelvis, a few weeks before labor begins (usually around two to four weeks before, but it can vary). In subsequent births, this “lightening” doesn't often happen until you’re truly in labor. Your baby is getting into position to make his exit, ideally with the head down and l...
Your cervix, too, is preparing for birth: It starts to dilate (open) and efface (thin out) in the days or weeks before you deliver. At your weekly check-ups in the home stretch of your pregnancy, your provider may measure and track dilation and effacementvia an internal exam. But everyone progresses differently, so don’t be discouraged if you’re di...
You may feel some cramping and pain in your lower back and groin as labor nears, especially if this isn't your first pregnancy. Your muscles and joints are stretching and shifting in preparation for birth.
Throughout your pregnancy, the pregnancy hormone relaxin has made your ligaments loosen up a little (it’s also responsible for your potential bouts of clumsinessthis past trimester). Before you go into labor, you may notice that the joints all over your body feel a bit less tight and more relaxed. It’s just nature’s way of opening up your pelvis fo...
Just as the muscles in your uterus are relaxing in preparation for birth, so too are other muscles in your body — including those in the rectum. And that can lead to prelabor diarrhea (as if the ongoing pregnancy diarrheayou may have experienced wasn’t bad enough!). Though annoying, it's completely normal. Just be sure to stay hydrated and remember...
Pregnancy weight gainoften levels off at the very end. Some moms-to-be even lose a couple of pounds. This is normal and won’t affect your baby’s birth weight. He’s still gaining, but you’re dropping due to lower levels of amniotic fluid, more bathroom breaks and maybe even increased activity.
Learn how to recognize the signs of labor, from early contractions and bloody show to water breaking and active labor. Find out what to do if you think you're in labor and when to call your doctor.
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.
- Karen Miles
- Lightening. If this is your first pregnancy, you may feel what's known as lightening a few weeks before labor starts. Lightening means your baby has "dropped" and now rests lower in your pelvis.
- Loss of the mucus plug. If your cervix begins to efface or dilate significantly as you get close to labor, you may pass your mucus plug – the small amount of thickened mucus that has collected within your cervical canal during your pregnancy.
- Bloody show. You may have noticed more vaginal discharge during pregnancy, thanks to your body's increased estrogen. Normal, healthy discharge is usually creamy white or clear, but it may also be tinged brown, pink, or red.
- Cervical dilation and effacement. In the days and weeks before delivery, changes in the connective tissue of your cervix make it soften and lead to dilation and effacement.
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.
Dec 28, 2023 · Learn about the physical and emotional signs of labor, such as contractions, water breaking, and nesting instinct. Find out how to tell the difference between true labor and false labor, and when to go to the hospital.
People also ask
What is the best way to manage labor pain?
What does the Bible say about labor pains?
How can you tell if you're in labor?
What are the early signs of labor?
Jan 13, 2022 · Learn about the three stages of labor and birth, from early labor to active labor to pushing and delivery. Find out what to expect, how to cope and when to seek medical attention.
