As the weeks of pregnancy progress, false labor pains (Braxton Hicks contractions), which can sometimes be confused with real labor pains that 'deceive' expectant mothers, become more common, especially after the 8th month. Although these contractions actually start in the very early weeks of pregnancy, they are often unnoticed because they are very infrequent and painless at the beginning of pregnancy. As the weeks of pregnancy progress, these contractions may become more regular, more frequent and longer lasting; The expectant mother may even think that labor has begun. However, after the actual labor pains begin, their frequency, duration and intensity gradually increase and the cervix opens progressively, allowing the birth of the baby. My aim in this article is to reduce unnecessary anxiety and fears by drawing attention to when our patients should consult a gynecologist.
Of course, as an important note, not all pregnant women may experience false labor pain; Real labor pains may start suddenly and increase in frequency, severity and duration, creating normal birth.
What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
Braxton Hicks contractions are contractions that start from the 6th week of pregnancy but are often unnoticed in the early weeks. These contractions are named after him because they were first described by the British doctor John Braxton Hicks in 1872. Although these contractions become more noticeable as the pregnancy progresses, they remain infrequent, harmless, irregular and painless contractions until the last month of pregnancy. However, in some patients, it can sometimes be difficult even for us to distinguish these contractions from the threat of premature birth.
How can false labor pains be distinguished from real labor pains?
In the early stages of real labor, sometimes it is difficult for us gynecologists to distinguish it from false labor. It may be difficult at first glance. However, it is possible to tell whether labor has started or not by monitoring the pregnant woman and progressing in the dilation of the cervix.
If your pregnancy is older than the 37th week of pregnancy:
• False labor pains come suddenly, occur at irregular intervals, and contraction duration is longer. and its severity is variable. Even if real labor pains are irregular at first, they become regular over time and begin to increase in intensity, duration and frequency. • False labor pains are usually just While it occurs in the groin area, true labor pains are pains that start from the waist and hit the entire abdomen and groin area.
• False labor pains can stop spontaneously or by changing your position, resting, or stopping your activity. However, after the actual labor begins, no matter what you do, the pain continues to increase.
If your pregnancy is small, what should you do when contractions start?
If your pregnancy is less than 37 weeks, do not waste valuable time by trying to be your own doctor. If you have signs of labor starting and you are having contractions, be sure to call your doctor. Let your doctor determine whether you have premature labor.
What should you do if Braxton Hicks contractions bother you a lot?
• Change your position or what you are doing. Sometimes walking can relax you. Sometimes resting helps the contractions stop.
• A warm bath that relaxes your body can relax you.
When can you call your doctor?
If you have contractions that are regular, increase in frequency, intensity and cause pain before the 37th week of pregnancy, or if you have the following findings indicating that labor has started, be sure to call your doctor or apply to the hospital.
• Abdominal pain, menstrual period If there is pain similar to pain or 4 or more contractions in 1 hour (even if painless)
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• If there is a change in the amount or character of vaginal discharge (especially a bloody slimy discharge called engagement among the public). if there is discharge or if clear watery discharge has started)
• If there is a feeling of pressure towards the vagina (as if the baby is coming)
• If there is lower back pain
If you have a pregnancy longer than the 37th week of pregnancy In other words, if you are already waiting for birth, your doctor has not told you otherwise, and the baby's movements are good, you can apply to the hospital when your pain becomes more frequent. If your pain comes every 10-15 minutes and lasts at least 30 seconds, if your water has broken or if there is bleeding, you should definitely You need to go to hospital immediately.
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