This could be a sign of preterm birth. Real contractions are a sign of labor. Braxton-Hicks contractions are not, and they do not lead to birth. Real contractions are generally more intense and follow a consistent pattern, while Braxton-Hicks contractions do not. A woman usually feels pain from real contractions around the abdomen, lower back, and sometimes in the legs.
Recognizing other signs of labor, such as the water breaking, can be helpful in understanding the difference between types of contraction. It is important to contact a doctor if signs of labor occur or if there is any uncertainty. However, this is not always the case, and…. There are a variety of reasons a woman may feel her stomach is tightening when she is pregnant, ranging from gas and constipation to round ligament….
Between the early stages of labor to the point of delivery, the cervix opens up from a tight, closed hole to an opening the size of a large bagel…. Most deliveries happen safely, but sometime a complication can occur. Common problems include failure to progress, excessive bleeding, and placenta….
Some pregnant people may experience lightning crotch, which is a shooting pain in the vagina, rectum, or pelvis. Doctors do not fully understand its…. Together, we offer women many choices for both general obstetric and gynecologic care and specialized women's health care services. If you need to speak with your physician, please contact that office directly. To be considered for employment opportunities with Capital Women's Care, please visit our Careers page on Indeed.
Braxton Hicks or Preterm Labor? Our Mission. This means how long they have been growing in the womb. It is calculated from the first day of your last period. The words used to describe prematurity based on gestational age are:. When babies are born prematurely they are less developed than full term babies. Their gestational age is an indicator of what stage of development they have reached.
This, in turn, relates to what sort of medical support they will need. The health professionals and equipment needed to look after premature babies are usually located in the neonatal intensive care unit NICU of a hospital, or the special care nursery for babies who are a little stronger than those needing intensive care. It is hard to predict whether you will go into early labour, particularly if you are healthy.
Most premature labours happen by themselves and are unexplained. The presence of certain germs in the urine even without signs of an infection seems to make premature labour more likely. Treating the infection seems to reduce the risk of premature labour. Some women will have labour deliberately started early by their doctor because it is safer for the baby to be born than to remain in the womb.
Some of the reasons are:. Remember, if any or all of these risks apply to you, you may still have a full term pregnancy. And, if you have none of the risks, you may still have a premature labour. After 20 weeks of pregnancy, you may have a tight feeling in your womb.
These contractions are called Braxton Hicks contractions also known as false contractions — they are your body preparing for giving birth, not the start of labour. If your pregnancy is your first, the feeling may be quite strong and even painful.
Late in pregnancy, it can be hard to tell Braxton Hicks contractions from the real start of labour. Look for these differences:. You may experience false labour before your real labour. It tends to happen in late pregnancy, and more often affects women who have had a baby before. False labour contractions can be painful, so they may seem to be the real thing. However, they are usually short less than 45 seconds and irregular, and they cause discomfort in different places — such as your groin, your lower abdomen or your back.
True labour contractions are usually regular and become longer and stronger. They cause pain that starts at the top of your womb and moves down to your pubic bone. You can feel the pain in your lower back and pelvis too. If your waters break, or you start contractions before 37 weeks of pregnancy, call your midwife, doctor or hospital immediately at any time of day or night.
A feeling of pressure in your pelvis or lower belly. A persistent, dull ache in your lower back, pelvic area, lower belly, or thighs. Changes in your vaginal discharge, which may increase in amount or become pink or reddish. Regular contractions. This means about 6 or more in 1 hour, even after you have had a glass of water and are resting. Not feeling well. This may include: Having a fever that you can't explain.
Feeling unusually tired. Feeling pain in your belly when you press on it. What Happens If preterm labor occurs close to your due date in the 35th or 36th week of pregnancy , you may be allowed to deliver without delay. Premature infant A baby born too early may have complications, such as bleeding in the brain or chronic lung disease. What Increases Your Risk A risk factor is anything that increases your chances of having a problem.
Risk factors related to your pregnancy Pregnancy with twins, triplets, or more. Infection in the urinary or reproductive tract, including the vagina. Shortened cervix or incompetent cervix. Risk factors related to your medical history A past preterm delivery. Previous surgery on your cervix , such as a cone biopsy.
Having a loop electrosurgical excision procedure LEEP also may increase preterm labor risk. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy. Use of cocaine or methamphetamine. When should you call your doctor? Anytime during your pregnancy Call your doctor or your nurse-midwife if: Your water breaks. You have bleeding or spotting from your vagina. You have painful or frequent urination or your urine is cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody. Between 20 and 37 weeks of your pregnancy Call your doctor, your nurse-midwife, or the labor and delivery unit of your local hospital if: You have had regular contractions for an hour.
You have unexplained low back pain or pelvic pressure. You have symptoms of infection. For example: Your belly hurts when you press on it. You have a fever that you can't explain.
You feel unusually tired. You have intestinal cramps. The baby has stopped moving or is moving much less than normal. Your doctor can tell you about kick counting, which you can use to check your baby's activity. Watchful waiting If you are having painless or mild contractions that are irregular or more than 15 minutes apart: Stop what you are doing. Empty your bladder.
Drink 2 or 3 glasses of water or juice. Having too little body fluid can cause contractions. Lie down on your left side for at least an hour, and keep track of how often you have contractions. Exams and Tests If you have symptoms of preterm labor, both you and your baby will be examined and monitored. For the mother You will be examined for tenderness in your uterus. Depending on your symptoms, you may have one or more exams or tests, including: Vaginal smear. This test looks for: Infection.
Having an infection in the vagina can cause infection in your uterus. And that can trigger preterm labor as well as serious infection in the newborn. Amniotic fluid. Finding this fluid in the vagina means that your water has broken. Fetal fibronectin. When the test is negative, it is unlikely that you are having preterm labor. This test isn't used in all labor and delivery units. Vaginal exam. You'll be checked to see if the contractions have begun to open dilate or thin efface your cervix.
Ultrasound to check the length of your cervix. Other tests for infection , such as a blood test , urine test , and urine culture. For the baby Tests include: Electronic fetal heart monitoring. Fetal ultrasound. Treatment Overview Preterm labor isn't always treated. When deciding whether—and how—to treat it, your doctor or nurse-midwife will think about: Your baby's weight and age. Ideally, preterm labor is delayed until a baby is mature enough to avoid problems after birth.
When a pregnancy is nearing term about 37 or more weeks , preterm labor is usually allowed to continue until delivery. Your health. Very high blood pressure, severe preeclampsia , HELLP syndrome , chronic disease, infection, or heavy bleeding can make it necessary to deliver right away.
Your baby's health.
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