Contractions: let's start counting! How long do contractions last and what should you do if they start? How long do contractions last?

The expectant mother has been waiting for nine months to meet her baby. What will it be like? Who does he look like? Will he be calm or moody?

Many questions begin to swirl in a pregnant woman's head as she approaches 38 weeks.

But, perhaps, the main ones are: How will the contractions go? Is it painful to give birth? And when is it time to go to the maternity hospital?

Norms and numbers for pregnant women

During an observation with an obstetrician-gynecologist, every pregnant woman hears from the doctor the expected date of birth.

As a rule, it is calculated based on the date of the first day of the last menstrual period, adding 38 weeks to it. This is the most common method, although there are others. That is, a woman must prepare to become a mother at a certain time.

But why exactly 38 weeks?

A pregnancy is considered full-term at 38 weeks. Starting from 41.5 weeks, pregnancy can already be called post-term.

Delivery should ideally occur between 38 and 41 weeks, but many women give birth to healthy babies at both 36 and 42 weeks.

Therefore, we need to talk not about a specific date of birth, but about expected interval.

The first swallows are the harbingers of childbirth

So, the woman calculated for herself the interval of dates on which childbirth should occur.

Confidence in an early delivery can be given by the personal feelings of the expectant mother.

They are called harbingers of childbirth. This:

Dropping of the abdomen;
Expansion of the pelvic bones;
Braxton Hicks contractions (more on that below);
Removal of the mucus plug;
Discharge of amniotic fluid;
Lower back pain;
Change in appetite.

Precursors may not necessarily all appear, and some of them may well occur even 2 weeks before the onset of labor.

Noting changes in well-being characteristic of precursors, a woman should understand that childbirth with contractions and other delights is just around the corner.

What are contractions?

Real labor begins with contractions. They are contractions of the muscles of the uterus, which are accompanied by aching pain in the lower abdomen or lower back. The pain can also be irritating.

A woman feels something similar during her period.

During contractions, the uterus becomes toned, that is, it becomes rigid and elastic. When the contraction ends, the stomach relaxes. Women with a high pain threshold may not even feel pain at the very beginning of labor. They can only be noticed by the periodically tense stomach.

Contractions do not cause constant discomfort to a pregnant woman; they are periodic.

At first, pauses between contractions range from 15-20 minutes. Then they become shorter and shorter (3-5 minutes), and contractions become more intense. During contractions, the cervix dilates. Obstetricians monitor the correctness and stability of the process of its opening.

How do you know when contractions are starting?

Typical story: a woman arrives at the maternity hospital, screams that she is having contractions, and after some time calmly goes home. It underlies more than one comedy about childbirth and the life of pregnant women.

What makes an expectant mother rush to the maternity hospital with insistent demands for an immediate birth?

These are false contractions or Braxton Hicks contractions.

To avoid unnecessary worries, not to frighten relatives and not to rouse doctors for no reason, you need to be able to distinguish false contractions from real ones:

False contractions are not periodic.
False contractions do not intensify over time.
The pain from false contractions goes away when you change body position, take a bath, etc.
With false contractions, the cervix does not dilate. Even if it is slightly dilated, false contractions do not provoke its further expansion.
To understand that real contractions are beginning, you need to time the intervals between them. At first they can be 15-20 minutes, then reduced to 5 minutes, later to 3 (at this time the woman should already be in the maternity hospital).
Also, real contractions may be accompanied by bloody discharge - this is the mucus plug coming off.

Pain during contractions

It so happens that women give birth to children in suffering. The most severe pain is during contractions that accompany the first stage of labor. Their result is the opening of the cervix, through which the child will subsequently emerge.

Pain during contractions increases gradually.

At first, the intervals between contractions are long, and the pain is practically not felt. Over time, the intensity of contractions intensifies and the intervals become shorter.

However, no matter how strong the pain is, nature organizes everything in such a way that a woman can easily rest in the short time when the contraction subsides.
If you look objectively at the nature of pain during contractions, it becomes noticeable that only 30% of painful sensations have a real basis.

When passing through the birth canal, the fetus puts pressure on the soft tissues, ligaments of the uterus, and perineum; when the uterus contracts, the nerve endings burst, which provokes severe pain.

The remaining 70% is caused by fear of childbirth. The expectant mother is afraid of suffering, fears for her life and the health of the baby. “Horror stories” told by more experienced friends also play a significant role.

So one of the most important things before giving birth is correct emotional state.

Help during contractions

Every woman dreams of painless childbirth. How nice it would be if a good doctor gave an injection at the beginning of labor, and the child was born without pain and suffering!

To be honest, there is this kind of pain therapy, but it should only be used in emergency cases as prescribed by a doctor.

And for women in labor whose physiological process of childbirth proceeds without problems, there are methods of self-anesthesia:

Breathing techniques.
Special positions practiced during active labor.
Massage.

Self-anesthesia techniques are quite simple to perform. Their implementation does not require special abilities, but you still need to practice before giving birth.

Pregnant women can become familiar with these techniques in classes at maternity schools, which are often held at antenatal clinics, or in specialized centers for effective parenting.

When to go to the maternity hospital

So, it’s time to answer one of the main questions: when is it time to go to the maternity hospital.

You can’t be late here, but going to the maternity hospital early is also undesirable.

Firstly, scary stories from roommates are not good for a pregnant woman about to give birth.

Secondly, constant anticipation of childbirth negatively affects the emotional state of a woman.

Third, it is quite possible that doctors will begin to stimulate labor with the help of medications.

You need to go to the maternity hospital in one of the following cases:

When regular contractions occur.
From this moment on, a pregnant woman can already be called a woman in labor. As soon as the intervals between contractions have reached 10-15 minutes, you can get ready for the maternity hospital.

We talked about contractions in detail above.

When bleeding occurs.

The appearance of bloody discharge may indicate the passage of the mucous plug, which accompanies the opening of the cervix. However, blood in the discharge may also indicate placental abruption, which is life-threatening for both mother and baby.

Therefore, in this case, contacting the maternity hospital should be immediate.

When amniotic fluid breaks.
In this case, you should not wait until contractions begin, as any delay can be dangerous for the child’s life.

The discharge of amniotic fluid should occur when the cervix is dilated by 4-5 cm. However, in 15% of pregnancies it occurs even before the onset of contractions.

You should remember the time when your water broke and immediately go to the maternity hospital. A long period without water is dangerous for the baby due to the development of infections.

In fact, it is very difficult to be “late” for the maternity hospital - rather, this is the lot of third-rate Hollywood comedies. Your body itself will give a clear signal to your mind!

Mommies, remember that childbirth is a normal physiological process. With proper theoretical, physical and emotional preparation, childbirth will take place without problems.

Childbirth is just the road leading to meeting your child - the most beloved person in the world!

Waiting for the birth of your first child is very exciting. On the one hand, a woman can’t wait to hug her precious baby, but on the other, she is very afraid of the unknown. Childbirth is a process shrouded in secrecy. Try asking more experienced women how long labor lasts for first-time mothers. In response, you will listen to a dozen different stories about 24 hours of heroically endured torment. In fact, it is better to refrain from such questions. Each person has his own subjective perception of the situation. Today we will look at how long labor lasts for first-time mothers.

Training contractions

Let's start with the fact that several weeks (or even months) before giving birth, some women occasionally experience short contractions lasting a few seconds. They are not too painful, and if you walk a little or take a bath, they go away quickly. As labor approaches, the intensity and duration increases, the uterus prepares for the important work of expelling the fetus. There is nothing wrong with this, so such symptoms should be taken calmly.

It's only scary the first time

Why are mothers of first-born children given special attention? There are psychological and physiological aspects, and the importance of each of them cannot be ignored. The expectant mother does not yet know what she will have to go through, and therefore she is very afraid. Stories from friends and acquaintances, directorial presentation of the birth process in films - all this contributes to increased fear. That is why a woman wants to know how long labor lasts for first-time mothers, in order to be able to prepare herself for something. But this process is difficult to describe, because each organism is individual. And in order to reduce fear, you must know step by step what awaits you in the complex and responsible adventure called “giving birth to a child.”

The physiological aspect is the unpreparedness of the birth canal. For the first time, cervical dilatation takes much longer, which gives childbirth an additional negative connotation.

Preparatory stage

It is this that is the longest and most painful. The best thing a woman can do during these long hours of waiting is to calm down and relax as much as possible. Now we need to conserve maximum strength to expel the fetus. Therefore, the time is completely inappropriate for hysterics. It is difficult to answer unequivocally how long labor lasts for first-time mothers; an obstetrician will tell you more precisely after checking the dilatation of the cervix upon admission to the maternity hospital. On average - from 8 to 20 hours.

Plug coming out

One day you will notice a mucous clot on your underwear, quite large and transparent. There are several hours left before the birth process begins. It's time to check one last time whether all things are packed for the maternity hospital. The next symptom may be the onset of contractions. The birth is still far away, so there is no need to rush to call an ambulance.

It's time to remember the breathing exercises. They will be very useful in the coming hours to provide the body with oxygen, avoid fetal hypoxia and reduce pain.

Breathing during contractions

We are gradually getting closer to the answer to the question of how long labor lasts for first-time women. In order for the baby's head to pass painlessly into the birth canal, the cervix must open 10 cm, or 5 fingers. Expansion occurs at approximately 1 finger per hour. That is, the first stage will be protracted. Gradually, the intensity and frequency of contractions will increase.

At the very beginning, a simple exercise will help you calm down and tune yourself into the right wave. Inhale through your nose for four counts and exhale through your mouth for six counts. This will provide the body with oxygen, relieve tension and distract attention from pain, because you need to constantly count. In this case, the inhalation should be shorter than the exhalation. And exhaling, purse your lips into a tube.

When contractions become particularly intense, you will have to change your technique. Breathing is now faster. Have you seen how dogs breathe during hot periods? Now you will have to repeat this style. We open our mouth slightly, stick out our tongue slightly and begin to breathe frequently and shallowly.

When the fight reaches its climax, it becomes especially difficult. To alleviate the condition, the “train” technique is used. The principle is very simple - when the contraction begins, start breathing quickly, like a dog. And as soon as the intensity of the contraction decreases, try to calm your breathing to rest before the next one.

Three phases of contractions

As you can see, it is impossible to say how many hours labor lasts for first-time mothers without taking into account the characteristics of each stage of the birth process. The initial phase of contractions lasts from seven to eight hours. At this time, the woman feels contractions increasing in strength and duration, but there remains a fairly large interval between them for rest. Each contraction lasts about 30 seconds, and up to 5 minutes can pass between them. Now the opening of the cervix is happening slowly, but gradually the process is gaining momentum.

The next phase is active. At this time, each contraction lasts up to 60 seconds, and the interval between them is 2-4 minutes. The cervix opens by about 3-7 cm. This is followed by a transitional stage, when the duration of the contraction is one and a half minutes, and there is only 30 seconds of rest. The last stage is the shortest, lasting about 30 minutes. If the doctor determines during the examination that the dilation is sufficient, then an obstetrician will be called to you who will deliver the baby. Of course, it is impossible to say unequivocally how long labor lasts for first-time mothers; everything is individual. But approximate numbers will allow you to better understand what is happening now and not panic.

Meditation

If the doctor leaves for a while, this does not mean that they forgot about you. It’s just that for now he has nothing to do around you. Knowing approximately how long labor lasts for first-time mothers and having a report from the doctor who delivered you, the obstetrician knows approximately how many hours you will need to prepare for childbirth.

In the meantime, while you are left alone, it is very useful to remember excellent meditation techniques. Close your eyes and imagine your baby inside you. It’s not only you who is scared and in pain, he’s even worse now, and only you, having relaxed, can help him. Think about the fact that you are on the threshold of a new life. You are like a blossoming flower that will reveal a beautiful fruit to the world.

Just a few minutes combined with proper breathing will allow you to feel your baby better and give him support as he feels his mother well.

Now let's move on to the last stage. By the way, when talking about how long labor lasts on average for first-time mothers, many people mean the process of expulsion of the fetus, forgetting about the longer and more painful period of contractions.

Birth of a child

When the cervix is maximally dilated and can allow the baby's head through, the work of delivering the baby begins. If before this the process went on by itself, now the woman will be required to be as active as possible. Now she must push and help the baby. However, there is good news. Every expectant mother is interested in how long labor lasts for first-time mothers. The last stage lasts from 5 to 40 minutes. It is very important to gather all your strength and help the baby to be born. Don't forget about proper breathing. You need to rest between attempts, and with the onset of a new contraction, take in more air and push the baby through the birth canal.

Instead of a conclusion

Each woman is completely special and unique, and the process of giving birth to a child will be the same. All three stages can take from 1 hour (with rapid labor) to 36 hours. After this, doctors usually suggest a caesarean section. At the same time, you already know how long labor itself lasts for first-time mothers. Usually this process does not take more than 15 minutes, but this largely depends on the level of physical fitness of the woman in labor.

In order for a woman to more easily endure childbirth and labor, she must understand well how this process occurs, how long each stage lasts, and also behave correctly during childbirth, following the instructions given to her by the midwife or doctor. Only if the woman in labor is absolutely calm and does not panic, can we guarantee that everything will end completely safely, and most importantly, quickly enough. Let's find out how to identify contractions and how long contractions last?

What are contractions and how do they start?

The onset of labor is marked by involuntary contractions of the muscles that make up the walls of the uterus. These contractions are called contractions, which the woman begins to feel. Contractions last until the cervix is fully dilated. This completes the first stage of labor.

If you go into labor, it is important that you accurately record the time the first contraction started, how long it lasted, and the time it ended. It is best to carefully record the beginning and end of each contraction on a separate sheet of paper. This is necessary so that the doctor can correctly determine whether your labor has slowed down or whether it has become weak - this is a condition when the intervals between contractions begin to increase, and they themselves become shorter. By the way, this will also help you pay less attention to pain.

Recording contractions will help you determine whether these are real labor contractions or whether they are just their harbingers - false contractions. In the latter case, contractions will be irregular, with different intervals, which will increase instead of shortening.

Quite often it happens that before contractions begin, amniotic fluid leaks out. If this happens, be sure to record the time when your water broke and quickly get ready for the maternity hospital. The same must be done if the waters have not completely receded, but have just begun to leak. The fact is that it is the amniotic fluid, coupled with the bladder, that protects the child from infection, and if more than 12 hours pass from the moment of its release, the baby may become infected.

What is preliminary pain

Preliminary pain is a painful nagging sensation that sometimes occurs before childbirth in the lower back or lower abdomen. These are not contractions yet, they are not wave-like in nature and do not have a clearly defined beginning and end. If you begin to experience preliminary pain, try taking a couple of No-Spa tablets and relax, perhaps fall asleep. If this does not help, then consult a doctor, since the development of preliminary pain can lead to a weakening in the future of contractions and labor in general.

How long do contractions last?

Previously, it was believed that normal labor could not last more than a day from the start of contractions. Today, this time has been significantly reduced, and modern women in labor manage this important matter in less than 18 hours. If a woman’s contractions continue longer, then the labor is considered protracted.

Strictly speaking, childbirth is divided into three periods and the contractions, which are the first period, last the longest. On average, during the first birth the duration of contractions is about 10 hours; in multiparous women this happens somewhat faster - 4-6 hours. During this time, the cervix fully opens and the baby begins to move through the birth canal, usually head first.

Listen carefully to what the midwife tells you, do not start pushing ahead of time, even if it seems to you that the contractions have been going on for quite a long time and it’s time. If your cervix is not fully open, you could not only rupture it, but also injure your unborn baby.

Most women await the birth of their first child with fear, apprehension and self-doubt. And when they are expecting a second child, the feeling of waiting is already different. Mothers know what will happen and how it will happen, and are mentally prepared for the difficulties ahead. But at the birth of a second baby, everything does not always happen the same as the first time. So, we will learn about the threshold of the second birth, the characteristics of contractions.

About the harbingers of repeated births

The main difference between them may be that everything happens faster. Precursors of a second birth may be more pronounced. After all, prenatal processes are already familiar to the female body. And if a woman forgets her previous experience a little, then the reproductive system will quickly remind her of this.

The main harbingers of an early birth are prolapse of the abdomen, passage of the mucous plug, training contractions, digestive disorders, an unprecedented surge of strength, and rupture of amniotic fluid.

The removal of the plug before the second birth does not always occur in advance. And while a first-time mother may not notice this or confuse it with vaginal discharge, an experienced woman in labor will immediately identify the mucus plug. Its departure is not evidence that active labor will begin on the same day. It starts after the amniotic fluid is released.

Contractions during the second pregnancy may be more intense and fleeting. Training or false contractions can now be confused with labor contractions, because they are also stronger. The signs of real contractions during a second pregnancy are no different from the first. They are characterized by regularity, increasing strength, and a reduction in the interval between them.

Future babies always give signals to their mother before they are born. But if an inexperienced woman may not hear or recognize them, then a woman with experience will understand that the child is ready to be born. So, a few days before birth, the baby calms down, as if he were in a state of suspended animation. But on the eve of childbirth, he becomes overly active. So the baby declares that it is time for him to be born.

As for stool disorders, firstborns often think that they were poisoned by eating something stale. Pregnant women with their second, third and subsequent children know that in this way the intestines are cleansed in preparation for the birth of the baby.

Sudden breaking of waters during the second birth occurs more often than during the first, when the integrity of the amniotic sac is violated by the doctor or it ruptures during contractions. With repeated pregnancy, rupture often occurs in the absence of other warning signs. And this is a sure sign that contractions will begin within an hour.

Features of the onset of contractions in multiparous women

Many mothers remember how, during their first birth, doctors and midwives fussed around them, trying to speed up the delivery. But during the second birth, the maternity hospital staff can act exactly the opposite, trying to delay the rapid labor process.

Obstetric statistics state that second births occur twice as fast as the first, which last on average 10 hours. This is why contractions during the second birth are more intense, and the interval between them shortens faster. Such a contraction is dangerous for the baby and his mother. It threatens her with rupture of the birth canal. And the baby can fall with the wide part of its head into the mother’s pelvis due to overstretching of the lower part of the uterus. Therefore, when noticing the first signs of labor during a second pregnancy, a woman should not massage her lower back or finish housework. You need to lie on your side, put a pillow between your legs, take the phone and immediately call an ambulance or tell your husband that she urgently needs to be taken to the maternity hospital.

The rapid onset and course of repeated labor is normal. But the second birth and contractions will not always be stronger. If about ten years passed between a woman’s first and second births, then her body could simply “forget” about how to behave and prepare for the birth of a baby. The uterus “does not remember” how to act, the cervix opens slowly. So, with a large gap between births, the second may be even more protracted than the first. Therefore, gynecologists advise having a second baby 5-6 years after the first.