The birth of a baby is always considered a joyful event in modern society. Announced the birth of a baby by the onset of labor. Labor pains occur repeatedly even during pregnancy.
What are the contractions?
Descending contractions push the baby into position before birth. Sometimes they are called “preterm” contractions. Click to enlarge. In modern medicine, contractions are the contraction of muscles around the uterus. Depending on the progress of the pregnancy, different forms of contractions are distinguished. Among the certainly best known contractions are the pregnancy contractions. They appear already during pregnancy. Nevertheless, they do not lead to the opening of the cervix. The preterm labor contractions appear just before the calculated date of birth. One of the ways in which labor is induced is through the descending contractions. During the descending contractions, the fetus approaches the entrance of the pelvis. During childbirth, we speak of pushing contractions. The pushing contractions transport the fetus out of the mother’s womb. After the birth, postpartum contractions occur. Postpartum contractions carry the afterbirth out of the mother’s body. The tasks of labor prove to be extremely diverse.
Medical and health functions and tasks
Already in the previous explanations it became clear to what extent the contractions are involved in the process of birth. Thus, labor is considered a driving force that moves the fetus through the birth canal. However, contractions do not only occur at the end of a pregnancy. Labor pains can occur even at the beginning of a pregnancy. These contractions are called gestational contractions. Pregnancy contractions are realized by very few women. As a rule, the contractions appear up to eight times a day during pregnancy. According to the statements of experienced physicians, contractions during pregnancy have a positive effect on blood circulation. As a result of the stimulated blood circulation, the growth of the uterus is stimulated. In addition to the contractions during pregnancy, the lowering contractions are also considered to be extremely important. This special form of contractions transports the fetus into the pelvis of the expectant mother. Following the descending contractions, preterm labor often makes its appearance. Preterm labor is considered an immediate preparation for childbirth. During preterm labor, among other things, the neck of the uterus is softened. Although labor provides valuable services to the female body, there is always the possibility of complications, sometimes serious.
Diseases with this symptom
- Cervical dystocia
- Placental insufficiency
- Preeclampsia
Complications
It is not uncommon for labor to deviate greatly from the norm. At the same time, other problems may occur. Premature rupture of the membranes is certainly one of the best-known problems. During premature rupture of the membranes, the amniotic fluid is drained from the amniotic sac. Normally, labor starts immediately after the rupture of the membranes. However, if the contractions do not occur, a sometimes life-threatening infection may result. In this case, the birth must be induced artificially. Often there is also a delayed birth. In most cases, a delayed birth is based on a disorder in the area of the cervix. For example, a narrowed cervix can lead to a noticeable delay. In these cases, the pressure exerted by labor must be increased by means of special infusions. These infusions are called contractions in modern medicine. Labor is part of the birthing process and places significant stress on both mother and baby. Labor abnormalities can sometimes lead to severe complications during childbirth. Often, for example, there is a primary weakness in labor, which makes a natural delivery difficult and delays the progress of the birth. Secondary complications of labor may occur during delivery. If secondary labor weakness is present, there is often delayed progress in labor as a result. In hyperactive labor, severe pain occurs, which can be accompanied by great stress for mother and child, and sometimes leads to hypoxia of the infant.Hypertonic contractions, contractions with an increased resting tone in the pauses between contractions, can lead to reduced blood flow and consequently also to a lack of oxygen supply to the child. Corresponding complications can be treated, for example, by administering labor inhibitors or delivery by cesarean section. If there is no labor anomaly, labor usually proceeds without major complications. However, certain risks always exist during childbirth, which is why it is advisable to clarify labor activity as early as possible and to overcome labor under medical supervision. The disorders already mentioned occur relatively rarely. Labor disturbances are considered to be a common complication. In the context of a labor disturbance, the frequency of contractions may deviate from the normal frequency. As a result, there may be very short contractions, for example. At the same time, the contractions are very weak. However, a labor disorder does not always manifest itself in the form of weak contractions. Thus, an excessive accumulation of contractions may occur under certain circumstances. An excessive accumulation of contractions can lead to a painful continuous contraction. In the context of a continuous contraction, the individual contractions may extend over a period of several minutes. Nevertheless, the contractions do not affect the birth.
Prospect and prognosis
Labor is generally unproblematic for both mother and baby. Although irregular contractions, heavy bleeding and pain or birth problems may occur, among other things, under medical supervision these complications can usually be overcome without serious consequences for mother and child. Statistically, about 95 percent of all births proceed normally. Labor is a natural phenomenon, but it can cause discomfort in the medium term. For example, unevenly progressing contractions can lead to symptoms of exhaustion in the mother and child and cause severe physical pain. Further complications can be reliably avoided by taking a childbirth preparation course before the birth. Regular checkups can detect and correct potential problems at an early stage. Assuming comprehensive preparation, the prospect of normal labor and a relatively symptom-free birth is good. However, this always depends on the constitution of the expectant mother, possible previous illnesses and also the place of birth. For example, problems with labor are more likely to occur during a birth at home or on the way to the hospital than during a supervised birth in the hospital.
When should you go to the doctor?
Contractions often present themselves during pregnancy – if they are mild and the expected delivery date is not yet imminent, they are exercise contractions. Practice contractions do not require a doctor’s visit. Contractions that occur at regular intervals of about 10 to 20 minutes, last about a minute, are mildly painful, and occur around the calculated date of delivery indicate the beginning of labor. At this early stage, going to the doctor or hospital is not yet necessary. If the contractions become more painful and occur about 5 to 8 minutes apart, the woman giving birth should go to a hospital or birth center. Contractions that occur at an early stage – approximately in the second trimester – of pregnancy and are clearly different in regularity and pain from purely exercise contractions require consultation with a doctor in any case. If the contractions are accompanied by bleeding, the woman should notify an ambulance and be taken to a hospital lying down. In any case, women who feel that birth may be imminent, regardless of general recommendations, should consult a physician or midwife.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Contractions are very painful and uncomfortable. But painkillers are not always necessary right away. Many natural and home remedies can relieve the pain. During contractions, warmth has a positive effect. A warm grain pillow is excellent for reducing the pain in the lower back triggered by labor. To manage pain during labor, proper breathing is also very important. If possible, pregnant women should try to focus their attention mainly on exhalation. Deep, calm and long breaths protect against hyperventilation and have a decongestant effect. During exhalation, the sounding of “O” and “A” and light moaning can provide relief.It is also important to adopt a suitable position. To relieve pain in the back, the dog position can be adopted. Sitting on an exercise ball and making circular pelvic movements can also help. Anxiety and tense states of mind can also have a negative effect on labor. Relaxation exercises such as yoga and meditation can be done in a calming environment and at home. It is also advisable to involve the partner. He or she can support the pregnant woman with light pressure massages on the abdomen or back. In addition, many midwives and doctors recommend the natural remedy Toko oil. It contains, among other things, lavender, almond and wheat germ oil. A thin layer of Toko oil is applied to the abdomen and has a relaxing and thus pain-relieving effect on the uterus. It is available to most pharmacies.
