Throughout the pregnancy, one wonders about contractions. Is this a real one? We wouldn’t want the work to start prematurely. Will I differentiate the false from the real work? Will I know when the time is right to leave for the hospital?
The false contractions, also called Braxton Hicks contractions
First of all, it is essential to know that contractions can occur throughout the pregnancy. The uterus is a muscle and it begins to contract from the 2nd or 3rd trimester, sometimes even as early as the 9th week of pregnancy. The first contractions often go unnoticed. However, as the pregnancy progresses, you can feel them at varying degrees. They should not worry you, but don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. Premature births take place regularly and it takes as much as possible to postpone the deadline. However, in general, the contractions felt during pregnancy are false contractions, also called Braxton Hicks contractions.
They bear this name in honor of the Doctor who recognized this phenomenon. Indeed, women can indeed feel contractions and this well before the day of childbirth. Your body prepares quietly for the eventual release of baby, without there being a dilation of the cervix for the moment.
How do we recognize Braxton Hicks’s contractions?
Unlike the “real” contractions related to childbirth, false contractions are irregular in terms of intensity, frequency and duration.
They are much less painful or often painless. Several pregnant women compare them to premenstrual pain or describe them as a hardening of the belly, or even tightness.
They last an average of 20 to 40 seconds and usually do not show more than fifteen times a day. They eventually fade away and disappear completely.
Some women feel their face blush, as if their pressure was suddenly going up.
What are the causes?
False contractions can be triggered, among other things:
- As a result of physical exertion;
- During a quick position change;
- After a long time in standing position;
- After a sexual relationship and/or an orgasm;
An electric shock?
You can also feel small electrical shocks at the cervix or cramps of a few seconds that resemble that of menstruation. It is not a contraction. These sensations are more related to the baby’s movement and caused by the weight of his head on the cervix. This situation is not disturbing and quite normal. The more pregnancy advances, the more certain women will feel at any time.
Work stoppage
In rare cases, the expectant mother must be stopped from work if she feels a lot of contractions, because the latter could act on the cervix, cause her to open and risk causing a miscarriage or premature delivery.
What to do to calm the false contractions?
- If the false contractions are inconvenient, lie down for a few minutes or walk a little, depending on what seems to relieve you more.
- Taking a shower or a hot tub is another option. Heat and relaxation can help alleviate and space the contractions.
- You can take an analgesic prescribed by your doctor.
- Some specialists advise to drink a large glass of water, arguing that the contractions would sometimes be due to dehydration.
- Others suggest taking advantage of the false contractions to train you to do the breathing exercises learned during your childbirth preparation classes!
Training contractions
Training contractions appear a few weeks or a few days before childbirth. They look like false contractions, but can become more painful.
These are not yet real contractions, because they remain irregular and hardly dilate the cervix. They often occur in the evenings and nights, last from one to a few hours, fade away and then suddenly disappear. Your body is in preparatory work.
How to recognize real contractions?
One does not like to hear: “You will know when it will be real contractions!” It does not help to unravel what is happening in itself.
The real contractions slowly lead to the opening of the cervix hole to allow the baby to exit. They will lead to childbirth.
Unlike Braxton Hicks contractions, they occur at a steady pace and last for a minimum of 20 seconds.
They are also longer, more frequent and more painful.
You will have a feeling of hardening of the uterus accompanied by pain.
Women usually feel them in the upper abdomen, lower back and lower abdomen.
As the work progresses, the contractions become intense, long and close together. Each begins softly, becomes strong until it reaches its maximum, and then decreases slowly.
The first contractions occur every 10 minutes, then appear every 5 to 7 minutes, then every 2 to 3 minutes, and so on. As for the duration of each contraction, it will change from 30 seconds to 45 seconds, then to 60 seconds, and possibly to more than one minute.
What to do before 37 weeks?
If you feel that your uterus hardens regularly or feels pain, it can be real contractions. If they do not stop when you change positions, it is important to communicate quickly with a health care professional. In no case do you neglect the signs of premature work.
Signs of premature work
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada recommends that you contact your health care professional if you experience one or more of these symptoms. He will be able to assess your situation and intervene if necessary.
- Regular contractions that return at least 10 minutes;
- Contractions accompanied by loss of liquid or vaginal blood;
- Contractions accompanied by pain in the lower back;
- Cramps in the lower abdomen;
- Pressure on the pelvis or vagina.
Interventions are possible to prevent premature delivery, but they need to be done quickly so that they are as effective as possible. Do not stay home and tell yourself that it is too early to be real work.
What to do after 37 weeks?
After 37 weeks of pregnancy, your baby is considered term. The contractions are therefore excellent news, a sign that your childbirth is approaching. Now is the time to differentiate the false from the real work.
During the false work,
- Contractions are often irregular and do not increase in pain;
- Their frequency, intensity and duration generally do not increase;
- Walking decreases pain or has no effect;
- A shower, a bath or a rest helps to stop the contractions.
In the real work,
- Walking accentuates the intensity of pain
- The bath, shower or rest will have no effect on the contractions;
- The contractions are regular increase in frequency, duration and intensity, i.e. they are increasingly closer in time, longer and stronger;
- The pain increases regularly and often takes birth in the back and radiates in the abdomen.
It’s the time to go to the hospital!
If your contractions are regular for at least one hour (30 seconds or more, every five minutes), it’s time to go to the hospital! If you are pregnant with a second child, leave a little earlier because a second birth is usually faster.
Contractions generate many questions that are quite legitimate. Every woman lives them in a unique way. Don’t hesitate to discuss it with your entourage and your doctor. If you are in doubt, contact a health care professional.
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