Every birth is unique. While some births take place within 15-16 hours, some births can start and end in a very short time. Vaginal birth is popularly known as normal birth. Normal birth is the process of the baby completing its development in the mother's womb at 40 weeks, entering the birth canal and being born. Normal birth is a natural process that starts and ends spontaneously when the baby is about 40 weeks old in the womb.
What is Labor Pain?
Birth begins with the contraction of the uterine muscles of the mother through hormones. These contractions are popularly known as labor pains. Pain during pregnancy changes depending on the physiological structure of the mother, whether she has given birth before or not. Labor pain is a phenomenon that changes from birth to birth. The birth process consists of three main stages:
1. Stage: Uterine Contractions and Opening of the Cervix 2. Stage: Birth of the Baby3. Stage: Arrival of Placenta (Baby's Wife)
The first stage of labor can be thought to consist of two main phases. The first phase is the preterm birth phase, when the cervix begins to open and this opening reaches 4 cm. The phase in which the baby enters the birth canal through the opened cervix and the birth takes place is the active birth phase. The second stage of labor is the stage from the moment the baby is born until the delivery of the placenta. The arrival of the placenta usually occurs within half an hour. The placenta leaves the uterus and is expelled. In this process, contractions in the uterus continue, but these contractions are not as severe as labor pains. The third stage of labor begins with the arrival of the placenta and covers the following few hours. This period, called post-partum, also includes the recovery period. During this period, the uterus is in the recovery process and mild uterine contractions are seen.
Well, how does pregnancy pain start? How to distinguish between false pain and real labor pain? What are the symptoms of labor pain? How long does labor pain last?
Birth pains are uterine contractions that take place so that the baby enters the birth canal from the mother's womb and is born in a healthy way. In labor, the uterine muscles contract and relax for a certain period of time and allow the baby's head to enter the birth canal. duration of labor It varies according to the flour phase. Pregnancy pain usually occurs spontaneously during the 40th week of pregnancy, and this is how vaginal delivery begins. So, how does pregnancy pain start? The labor pains, which are rare and short in the early stage of labor, become more frequent and intensified as the birth progresses. While the duration of labor pains is long during the first birth in pregnant women who have never given birth before, this period is shortened in the second and subsequent births. different from pain. Labor pain is characterized by the contraction and relaxation of the uterus like a fist. Initially, these contractions are irregular and come at long intervals. These contractions, which take place in the early stages of labor, are necessary for the cervix to open and the baby's head to enter the birth canal. So when does the labor pain start?
Premature labor pain can last for a few hours as well as for a few days. This period may vary from birth to birth. Labor pains usually begin spontaneously between the 38th and 42nd weeks of pregnancy. In the early stage, labor comes every 15 to 20 minutes and lasts for about 30 to 45 seconds. The contractions become more frequent and can last up to 1 minute. Pains indicate regular uterine contractions and are an indication of the onset of labor. While the onset and duration of the contractions are longer in the first births, this period is relatively short in the second and subsequent births. These activities ensure that the birth process is comfortable. In this way, it helps to have a positive birth experience. Some of the activities that can be done to meet the labor pains are:
- Going for a light-paced walk
- Doing breathing exercises
- Taking a warm shower
- position
- Listen to relaxing music.
What Are the Symptoms of Labor Pain?
There are multiple indicators that indicate the onset of labor. Coming of engagement, coming of water, positioning the baby downwards from the mother's womb are some of them. birth contraction Engagement during pregnancy indicates that the birth is close to begin. Birth may begin shortly after the engagement, or it may take a few days. The discharge of the amniotic fluid containing the baby from the vagina is one of the indicators of the onset of labor.
The arrival of this liquid is defined as 'the arrival of water' among the people. It is predicted that the birth will start within 24 hours after the water comes and the doctor should be informed. However, contrary to popular belief, most normal births do not begin with the arrival of water. Labor usually begins between the 38th and 42nd weeks of pregnancy with the onset of labor pains. So how is the frequency of labor pain?
Birth pain occurs when the uterus contracts like a fist and then relaxes. Regular contractions are among the symptoms of pain. It is different from menstrual cramps. In the early stage of labor, contractions may come for a short time every 15-20 minutes. During this period, labor pains can be met at home and the contractions are expected to become more frequent. Gradually, the range of contractions becomes shorter and more frequent. In the active labor phase, labor pains come about every 5 minutes. It also increases in severity and duration. In this phase, the duration of the pain can be up to 1 minute. When the frequency of labor pains decreases to 5 minutes, you should go to the birth center. The frequency of contractions during labor is between 2 and 3 minutes, and the duration of contractions can reach 1.5 minutes.
Not every contraction in the uterus may be labor pain. False labor, called Braxton Hicks, can be confused with true labor. False labor pains occur depending on the position and the pain decreases when the pregnant woman changes her position. True labor pains are caused by the contraction of the uterine muscles, regardless of position.
It is possible to distinguish false labor from true labor in several ways. While false labor is usually felt in the lower abdomen, true labor pain creates pain in the back. The pseudo-pain is irregular, does not become more severe, and ends when the pregnant woman moves to a different position. True labor pains are contractions that occur at regular intervals, gradually increasing in intensity and duration. Even if the pregnant changes position, the real labor pains do not go away. It is possible to give birth only with real labor pains.
How Does Labor Happen?
Labor pains occur with the contraction and relaxation of the uterine muscles. The purpose of these contractions is to push the baby towards the cervix, allowing the baby to enter the birth canal. There are some pregnancy hormones that cause labor pains and birth to occur. One of these hormones is oxytocin. Oxytocin causes uterine contractions to initiate labor. Labor pains are quite different from other pains in the uterus and abdomen. Labor pains usually cause pain in the lower back. It starts infrequently and for a short time, becomes frequent at regular intervals, increases in duration and intensifies.
How to Understand Labor Pain?
Labor pain is different from menstruation or other back and hip pain. Birth pains are more than where the pain they create; The duration, frequency and severity of pain are important. At which stage of birth, these factors vary. Labor pains begin with the contractions of the uterus occurring for a short time every 15-20 minutes. It does not cause irregular pain like menstrual cramps.
Birth pains are expected to become more frequent and intensified over time. The duration of the contractions may vary from pregnancy to pregnancy, although they become more frequent and severe. Premature labor may begin a few days before birth. The important thing here is that the pains become more and more intense and frequent.
If your labor pains have started to come every 5 minutes in the last 1 hour, if the contractions last for at least 1 minute, this indicates that the birth is approaching. In such a case, the doctor should be informed and the patient should go to the birth center. Don't forget to get information from your doctor about what to do when your birth is approaching and ask your questions if you have.
You can ask the expert team of Grup Florence Nightingale Hospitals about the issues you are wondering about labor pains and ask for suggestions about your question. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.
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