From childbirth know-how to answering all your questions, "I Sarang" guides you through every step of your journey
There are three main signs that appear before labor, and they do not necessarily appear in any particular order. Here are three signs to watch out for:
A sign of regular contractions that start in the lower back and move to the front of the abdomen. These pains occur because the uterus contracts to facilitate the passage of the fetus through the birth canal. Some women may only feel abdominal pain or only back pain. Contractions during labor occur regularly. It usually starts with contractions about 10 minutes apart and the cycles get shorter and shorter. In general, if you are a first-time mother, most doctors will tell you to come to the hospital if your contractions become more regular and shorter, usually less than five minutes apart. In the case of multiple births, it is advisable not to wait too long until contractions become frequent, but to visit a hospital if the contractions are strong even if they are only 10 minutes apart or if the pain is similar to that experienced during the birth of a previous child.
1. False Labor Pains
2. True Labor Pains: Discomfort in the back and abdomen
The small amount of bleeding that appears before labor is called the bloody show, which is a discharge of the mucus that lines the cervix. The bloody show is easy to distinguish from bleeding because it is sticky, like mucus mixed with blood. Although this is a sign that labor is imminent, there is no need to go to the hospital right away. Instead, you need to calmly prepare for your hospital visit and wait for labor pains to begin.
This is the rupture of the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus, releasing amniotic fluid. It usually occurs when the cervix opens during labor, but in some cases, the amniotic sac ruptures before labor begins. 2 to 3 out of 10 pregnant women experience preterm rupture of membranes, which is when the amniotic fluid breaks (your “water breaks”) before labor begins. If you feel or suspect that amniotic fluid is flowing, you need to visit the hospital immediately.
At 37 weeks pregnant, you are well into the stage where you can have a normal delivery at any time. You should be ready to go to the hospital anytime between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy.
When regular uterine contractions, called labor pains, occur, you should go to the hospital when the contractions occur at intervals of approximately 5 minutes for first-time mothers, or strong contractions for multiparous women even if they are more than 5 minutes apart. Do not wait a while!
In late pregnancy, the amniotic fluid may break (“water breaking”) first without regular contractions, but you should go to the hospital even if you are not experiencing contractions. You must go to the hospital with a clean pad.
If you experience vaginal bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain in late pregnancy, you should go to the hospital immediately because it may be placental abruption (a condition in which the placenta separates from the uterus before the fetus is delivered, causing bleeding). Even if there is no pain, if you have been diagnosed with placenta previa (a condition in which the placenta covers the cervix) or if you are experiencing heavy bleeding, go to the hospital immediately.