True vs. False Labor
"How will I know when it is REAL labor?" is a question many first-time moms have as they approach the end of the pregnancy. The mothers-to-be worry that the contractions may stop when they arrive at the hospital and they will be sent home. Conversely, many also worry that they will deliver at home or in the car on the way to the hospital if they wait too long.
What are Braxton-Hicks Contractions?
During the third trimester, your uterus begins to contract. It normally feels like a tightening or a low menstrual-like cramp. It may feel as if the baby is "balling up". This, of course, is not the baby, but is your uterus generating that sensation. These early contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions, named after the obstetrician who first described them. Even Braxton-Hicks contractions can sometimes be painful. This can be the confusing part about when to pay attention to them. Contractions in false labor may even come at regular 5-minute intervals, lasting about 30 seconds. This may go on for hours. Even women who have had already had children go to the hospital thinking they are in real labor and find out is was a false alarm. Here are a few guidelines when distinguishing true from false labor:
Timing of Contractions
• False Labor: Often irregular; not usually becoming closer together
• True Labor: Come regularly, usually 4-6 minutes apart and can become closer together. Usually last 30-70 seconds.
Strength of Contractions
• False Labor: Frequently weak; not getting stronger with time, or alternately, a strong contraction followed by weaker ones.
• True Labor: Become stronger with time. You may also feel vaginal pressure
Pain with Contractions
• False Labor: Usually felt in the front only.
• True Labor: Can start in the back and move to the front.
Position Changes and Hydration
• False Labor: Contractions may stop or slow down when you walk, lie down, change position or increase your fluid intake.
• True Labor: Contractions continue no matter what position changes you make or how much you drink.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
If you are less than 35 weeks pregnant and you have regular contractions lasting more than thirty seconds and occurring more than 4-6 times an hour, try resting and drinking lots of fluids. If the contractions don't settle down with these changes in activity, call your practitioner. The signs of preterm labor can be subtle, and should be evaluated.
Once you are past 36 weeks, if this is a first pregnancy, you are much more likely to go in to your birth place too early rather than too late. Don't time contractions until they are very strong and regular. Plan to go to the hospital when they are so strong that you cannot hold a conversation during one, closer than 5 minutes apart, and continue in that pattern for over an hour. For women who have given birth before, we recommend using your previous labor as a guideline. On average, second babies come in half the time it took for the first. Subsequent pregnancies are usually similar to the second one.
If you just aren't sure whether it is false or real labor, don't feel bad going into labor and delivery to be examined. Your practitioner and the nurses there see many women each day in false labor. Sometimes it is even hard for the professionals to distinguish if it is the real thing.
dekat2 kol 4 pagik baru sakit tu kurang n mata pon ngantok amat..tadik pagik bangun lega sket sbb sakit tuh dah kurang sket..tak sesakit malam tadik..so sah la malam tadik tuh false alarm je! haih tu baru false alarm dah sakit amat!! lom gik true labor contraction..ya Allah ya tuhanku permudahkan laa segala urusanku..semoga semuanye berjalan lancar..amin!
"How will I know when it is REAL labor?" is a question many first-time moms have as they approach the end of the pregnancy. The mothers-to-be worry that the contractions may stop when they arrive at the hospital and they will be sent home. Conversely, many also worry that they will deliver at home or in the car on the way to the hospital if they wait too long.
What are Braxton-Hicks Contractions?
During the third trimester, your uterus begins to contract. It normally feels like a tightening or a low menstrual-like cramp. It may feel as if the baby is "balling up". This, of course, is not the baby, but is your uterus generating that sensation. These early contractions are called Braxton-Hicks contractions, named after the obstetrician who first described them. Even Braxton-Hicks contractions can sometimes be painful. This can be the confusing part about when to pay attention to them. Contractions in false labor may even come at regular 5-minute intervals, lasting about 30 seconds. This may go on for hours. Even women who have had already had children go to the hospital thinking they are in real labor and find out is was a false alarm. Here are a few guidelines when distinguishing true from false labor:
Timing of Contractions
• False Labor: Often irregular; not usually becoming closer together
• True Labor: Come regularly, usually 4-6 minutes apart and can become closer together. Usually last 30-70 seconds.
Strength of Contractions
• False Labor: Frequently weak; not getting stronger with time, or alternately, a strong contraction followed by weaker ones.
• True Labor: Become stronger with time. You may also feel vaginal pressure
Pain with Contractions
• False Labor: Usually felt in the front only.
• True Labor: Can start in the back and move to the front.
Position Changes and Hydration
• False Labor: Contractions may stop or slow down when you walk, lie down, change position or increase your fluid intake.
• True Labor: Contractions continue no matter what position changes you make or how much you drink.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
If you are less than 35 weeks pregnant and you have regular contractions lasting more than thirty seconds and occurring more than 4-6 times an hour, try resting and drinking lots of fluids. If the contractions don't settle down with these changes in activity, call your practitioner. The signs of preterm labor can be subtle, and should be evaluated.
Once you are past 36 weeks, if this is a first pregnancy, you are much more likely to go in to your birth place too early rather than too late. Don't time contractions until they are very strong and regular. Plan to go to the hospital when they are so strong that you cannot hold a conversation during one, closer than 5 minutes apart, and continue in that pattern for over an hour. For women who have given birth before, we recommend using your previous labor as a guideline. On average, second babies come in half the time it took for the first. Subsequent pregnancies are usually similar to the second one.
If you just aren't sure whether it is false or real labor, don't feel bad going into labor and delivery to be examined. Your practitioner and the nurses there see many women each day in false labor. Sometimes it is even hard for the professionals to distinguish if it is the real thing.
hahaha instinct ko kuat tu false alarm...aku dulu ye ye ingat nak beranak dah..pi spital cek2 takde pon sebenarnye hihi..buat malu diri sendiri sbb gelabah..
ReplyDeleteheee..sempat lg tu surf internet.
ReplyDeleteseb baek ko xterus g spital..
xpe,dpt info yg berguna utk aku nnt ;D
tu laa farah..selagik takde mucus plug or bloody show, aku rasa tak perlu glabah nak pi spital kot! kalo bebetul sampai pagik tadik tak gak kurang sakit, aku mmg nak ajak hubby pi spital je..
ReplyDeletezehan : tu mesti! first time maa..tatau camner true labor sebenar! tetengah pagik bute nak tanye saper? takkan nak kaco org tido..tanye en. google je laa..hehe
wahaha.....
ReplyDeletesempat gak aku belajar kejap...
=D
terima kasih kat en.google kan..
ReplyDeletecamne lah org dulu2 sbb en.google xwujud lagi time tu..hahahaa
ahaha..betul gak tuh yun..tp org dulu2, dok ngan mak/nenek..sure org2 tua derang dok jage baikk punye..kita je zaman skang dok berdikari jauh dari mak/nenek..tp kalo tanye mak aku, sure gerenti die pon kurang arif! dolu2 arwah nenek aku yg handle sumer..haih sian laa mak aku nak kene handle cucu die ni nanti..berjaye ke tak ek..kita tungu dan lihat saje laa..hihi
ReplyDelete