How contractions begin in women giving birth for the first time? Signs and sensations during the first birth

When labor first begins, it can be both thrilling and overwhelming, especially for women who are not experienced with childbirth. Being aware of what to anticipate can reduce some of the anxiety associated with this momentous occasion.

One of the most prevalent signs that labor is beginning is the onset of contractions. Similar to menstrual pain, they often start out as mild cramps but progressively get stronger and more frequent. The body gets ready for the baby’s arrival with the help of these early contractions.

Women may experience pressure or discomfort in the lower back or pelvis in addition to contractions. This feeling indicates that labor is officially starting, along with other indicators like the water breaking or changes in the cervix.

How it all begins?

A child’s natural process of finishing its gestation is childbirth. Nature has given him precisely ten lunar months to grow from a single, crushing cell into a real, albeit still very tiny, person. It is possible for labor to start on schedule or sooner or later. Based on statistical data, labor typically begins in primiparous women between 39 and 40 weeks or between 40 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. Just 5% of pregnant women actually give birth on the exact due date; the date on the exchange card is merely meant to serve as a guide for the doctor and the expectant mother.

Work can start in a variety of ways. When the uterus starts to contract rhythmically, either through the release of mucous plug or water, contractions occur. The final option is thought to be the best since labor is always made more difficult by premature water rupture, even when it happens exactly on schedule. The vast majority of expectant mothers experience contractions as the first sign of labor. Ten percent of women experience vaginal discharge at the start of labor.

The term "contractions" refers to uterine muscle contractions. Cervical dilation and labor contractions happen at the same time. Throughout the pregnancy, this muscular, dense ring remained tightly closed, and a mucous plug sealed the cervical canal inside. Contractions accompany the dilation of the cervix, becoming stronger and more frequent as it progresses.

Though they start out abruptly, the contractions progress gradually. False, training contractions may precede real labor contractions. They could show up later, not at all, or as early as the 20th week of pregnancy. However, prior to labor—a few weeks or less—the majority of women experience occasional short-term uterine tension. This is the female body’s prenatal preparation for childbirth.

The obvious reason contractions occur during labor is that, in the initial stages, the cervix must open and allow the way for the baby, who is ready to emerge through the birth canal, to pass through. When the amniotic sac ruptures due to compression of the uterine space, the waters break, which is regarded as a perfectly normal stage of the contraction process. The uterus’s regular contractions "push" the baby out slightly. It is no longer necessary for him to remain in his mother’s womb; his time has come.

How to understand that labor has begun?

There are always a lot of questions following a first birth, chief among them being how to determine if labor has started and when to check into a maternity hospital. Expert obstetricians have a long-standing joke about this subject that states that if a woman is unsure if she is giving birth or not, it is because labor and uterine training contractions cannot be confused. Obstetricians, however, are largely supportive of women who are expecting their second or third child because they are certain that the medical community is telling the truth.

And a woman giving birth for the first time feels that she can miss something important at any moment and be late for the maternity hospital. As already mentioned, a few days before labor, the female body begins to prepare for the upcoming event. The amount of a special protein, actomyosin, begins to increase in the cells of the uterus. It is responsible for the ability of cells to contract. At the same time, the placenta and the pituitary gland of the woman begin to produce oxytocin and relaxin. The first hormone increases the contractility of the female reproductive organ, and the second is responsible for softening the ligamentous apparatus, because during labor the uterus will change shape.

With these adjustments comes the last phase of preparation, when women fearfully search for any "harbingers" in themselves—things they have read about on women’s forums—that indicate labor is imminent. Anxiety, mild depression, mood swings, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and more vigorous training contractions are all considered harbingers. They manifest as follows: the lower abdomen and sides experience a mild "pulling" as a result of the ligaments being taut. These symptoms then subside and may recur in a day, five hours, or thirty minutes.

The contractions-harbingers are indivisible; they appear on their own and vanish in the same manner. Simple actions like taking a shower, sipping a glass of milk or taking a No-Shpa tablet, or even shifting positions can help a woman feel better. A pregnant woman can successfully fall asleep in bed during a training contraction.

Is it possible to miss the moment when real contractions begin? Obviously, no. After all, real contractions are rhythmic from the very beginning, they are repeated at equal intervals, the pain is no longer pulling, but lightly encircling, the area of ​​the back and lower back is drawn into it, the pain increases with each contraction. You won’t be able to fall asleep, a No-Shpa tablet or a shower will have no effect. If labor contractions have begun, it is unlikely that you will be able to stop them or weaken them. The duration of the contraction will be the same each time. And this is the main difference between “harbingers” and real contractions.

Latent stage – sensations

We can declare that the first stage of labor has begun as soon as a woman feels that her uterus is becoming regularly tense and following a set rhythm. We refer to it as latent (hidden).

There’s no need to run to the maternity hospital with special signals to call for an ambulance if there’s no bloody discharge and the water hasn’t broken. Usually, the longest latent period occurs during the first birth. It lasts up to 10-12 hours, on average 7-8 hours, so you have plenty of time to calm your nerves and emotions, focus on a positive outcome, and make sure the items and paperwork you’ve gathered for the maternity hospital are ready.

The pain is moderate at this time and builds up gradually. They feel like the typical menstrual pains at first, then get stronger but keep their same overall characteristics. Women are taught how to breathe correctly during childbirth during pregnancy. The ideal time to begin applying theoretical knowledge is during the latent period. During this time, breathe correctly and deeply to help you relax as much as possible. You are able to talk, walk, and sing. It is not advisable for you to lie flat.

The feelings are rising, wave-like experiences. Usually starting in the back, the contraction covers the lower back before moving to the lower and then the upper abdomen. After the tension releases, the woman has time to relax before the next contraction.

The latent phase is characterized by longer contractions. It is possible to identify the earliest indications of labor contractions by timing the length of the spasm and the time between spasm episodes. An average contraction in this first period lasts 20–25 seconds, from the point of tension to the point of relaxation. Initially, the spasms occur every 30 minutes, and subsequently, every 20 minutes.

Ten to fifteen minutes apart, the contractions last 25 seconds by the time the latent stage of labor ends. You ought to show up at the maternity hospital on this upbeat note. The cervix has opened up to a three-centimeter opening by this point. When the contractions reach their active phase, they should occur in a maternity hospital. Everyone will feel safer there.

Active phase

Cervical openings of three centimeters cause contractions to intensify in pain and start happening more frequently. A contraction lasts between 25 and 60 seconds, with a 3-minute interval in between.

You can feel the second stage of contractions more easily if you breathe correctly, maintain your composure, and massage the sacral area.

At this point, contractions resemble prolonged spasms, with a prolonged peak to the contraction. This is usually the point in a typical labor where the water breaks.

This period lasts for three to five hours. It is best for the woman to have medical supervision during this period. At this point, the woman is usually in the prenatal ward and CTG is being used to monitor the fetus’s condition.

The uterus opens to a maximum of 7 centimeters during the active phase of contractions. Even though this is already a significant amount, the baby’s head cannot pass at this time.

Transitional period

This time frame is the last one. Pushing starts next, which is the quickest part of labor. Another name for transitional contractions is the slowing phase. Over the course of labor, the spasms themselves reach their peak value. Spasms repeat every two to three minutes, with each contraction lasting at least a minute.

The transitional phase typically lasts between thirty and sixty minutes. The cervix opens up to 10–12 centimeters during this period (depending on the size of the pelvis). This opening is thought to be complete because it permits the baby’s head to pass through.

A woman starts to experience a sharp pressure on her lower abdomen during this transitional phase, which is typically felt when she has a strong urge to urinate.

You can’t push yet, though. The corresponding order to push will already be given by the obstetrician during the second stage of labor.

Pressure and a strong need to use the restroom during a big one are indicators that the woman in labor needs to call the medical staff and go to the delivery room if she is not under the constant supervision of a doctor.

When a woman gives birth for the first time, she may experience a sensation of constriction in the lower abdomen or back, which is comparable to menstrual cramps but more severe and consistent. Known as "false" or Braxton Hicks, these early contractions can be mild and erratic, but as labor advances, they develop into stronger, more regular waves of pressure. It is easier to comprehend that true labor is beginning and the body is getting ready for delivery when signs such as a consistent increase in pain and the timing of contractions are recognized.

What happens next?

Then the pushing starts. The woman must maintain her composure, breathe correctly, hold her breath until the very end of the pushing process, and only push when instructed to do so by the midwife. The baby will turn and bend its head during pushing, and it will make every effort to be born as soon as possible. If the woman in this case behaves incorrectly, the child may suffer a birth injury or experience acute hypoxia, both of which are very dangerous for him.

The baby can be born very soon if you follow these instructions: breathe deeply, hold your breath while pushing, release it smoothly and long afterward. You should also avoid screaming, crossing your legs, clamping your perineum, and pushing on command.

If all goes according to plan and the laboring woman behaves perfectly, the pushing phase can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes. First-time mothers typically push for an hour and a half, and it is extremely uncommon for the pushing period to last two hours.

After the baby is born, the mother can unwind. Even though the placenta is still to be born, many people find that it is not as painful or unpleasant as they may have thought. This is because the baby is placed to the breast, allowing the mother to examine and cuddle her child. It takes 20 to 40 minutes during this time.

This is the end of the birth. The infant is taken to the children’s department to be seen, cleaned, and assessed by neonatologists, while the mother is sent to the postpartum ward to recuperate. If neither the pediatricians nor the obstetricians have any contraindications, they will meet in a few hours.

Features of the first birth

The belief that a child’s first birth is always more difficult and painful than a subsequent one is one that is frequently expressed. It’s true to some extent, but not in the sense that it causes pain; rather, it’s true because of the fear that a laboring woman feels during her first delivery. It is challenging for a woman without labor experience to select a comfortable position during contractions, and occasionally she forgets what she was taught in antenatal clinic preparation classes. There are times when people become panicked. When it comes to psychological preparedness, women who have previously given birth exhibit more self-control in their subsequent pregnancies.

A woman giving birth for the first time has a less elastic and narrower birth canal. Even pushing feels different and lasts longer because they stretch more difficultly. Additionally, the cervix opens longer, and this physiological aspect is unavoidable.

Complications frequently accompany first births. While it is impossible to guarantee that there won’t be any unanticipated problems during a second birth—unexpected things do happen occasionally—first-time mothers are more likely to experience primary or secondary weakness of labor forces, which is the condition in which contractions do not result in the cervix opening and pushing does not advance the baby. Cervical and perineal tears and ruptures are more common in first-time mothers.

Complications are more often the result of the laboring woman’s incorrect actions and her disobedience to the midwife’s or attending physician’s instructions than they are of the first-time mother’s physiology.

Useful tips for original

Those who are getting ready to become first-time mothers get ready for delivery ahead of time. Preparation ought to be constructive and constant. The key to a successful delivery will be having a clear understanding of what is ahead, free from needless anxiety and emotion, and knowing what steps to take in the correct order at different stages of childbirth.

Beginning in the midst of your pregnancy, you must begin preparing. Enrolling in the School of Future Mothers, which operates in any female consultation, already makes sense at 20 weeks. Gynecologists in practice, pediatricians, and psychologists will assist in making sure a woman is as ready as possible for the most significant occasion of her life. The following details are part of preparation.

• The expansion of the theoretical base of knowledge about physiological processes and biomechanism of childbirth.

• Training in the technique of proper breathing during contractions and in attempts. Breathing exercises should be practiced carefully during pregnancy, half-heartedly, but it is recommended to devote at least 10-15 minutes a day to this. Then proper breathing will be natural and when labor begins, the woman will not have to remember how and when to inhale and exhale to relieve pain and help herself and the baby. Breathing techniques help to feel the period of contractions less painfully, because due to the saturation of the body with oxygen, there is an increased production of endorphins, which have an analgesic effect.

• Training in massage and self-massage techniques. Starting from the latent period and until the very pushing, a massage of the sacral zone, acupressure of the hand and face will help relieve tension and pain. Experienced obstetricians will show and tell all the techniques during the preparation.
• Psychological consultations. They will help to form the correct attitude to childbirth and labor pain. It has long been noted that the stronger a woman"s fear of contractions, the more painful and longer they last. A psychologist will tell you about some techniques that allow a woman to be more confident in her strengths and abilities.
• Learning positions that make it easier to survive contractions. In real labor, before the pushing period, a woman will be able to change her body position, adjusting to her own feelings.

• Legal and everyday assistance. The courses will tell the expectant mother what benefits and payments she can count on after the birth of the baby, how to apply for maternity leave, and will also tell her what things she needs to pack for the maternity hospital, when to do this, what documents must be provided upon hospitalization in an obstetric facility.

You must arrange this ahead of time if you wish to give birth in front of your spouse or a close relative and there is no stigma associated with partner childbirth. The spouse or other accompanying individual must complete all required testing.

Signs	Sensations
Mild back pain or cramps	A dull ache in the lower back or abdomen, similar to menstrual cramps
Frequent urination	Pressure on the bladder causing a need to urinate more often
Regular contractions	Tightening in the belly that comes and goes in a regular pattern, becoming stronger over time
Watery discharge	A small trickle or gush of fluid, indicating the water has broken

Many women may experience a combination of excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty when labor starts for the first time. Usually the first observable symptom are contractions, which begin as a mild discomfort and progressively increase in frequency and intensity. It’s critical to keep in mind that every woman has a different experience, and that feelings might differ from person to person.

First-time mothers can feel less nervous and more prepared if they are aware of the symptoms and indicators of early labor. The body sends out signals that can signal the beginning of the birthing process, such as cramps in the back, tightness in the abdomen, and pain. By identifying these preliminary signs, women can take proactive measures, such as scheduling contractions and making contact with their healthcare provider.

Above all, it can really help to trust the body’s natural healing process and maintain your composure. Although giving birth for the first time can be frightening, knowing what to expect and having a support network can ease the transition into motherhood.

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