Many expectant mothers tend to become nervous after reaching the third trimester and do not know when they will start. Many pregnant mothers think that as long as the stomach is painful and tight in the third trimester, they think that the uterine contractions are about to give birth. But in fact, uterine contractions are divided into "true" and "false", and only the appearance of true contractions is a sign of labor.
Contractions are divided into true contractions and false contractions.
So what is pseudo-contractions?
Irregular contractions, generally known as "pseudo-contractions", are an occasional uterine contractions, generally appear after 28 weeks, the time of occurrence is not fixed, the seizures are irregular, and the force is small and short in duration, will not open the cervical opening, and has no effect on the fetus.
What are the characteristics of pseudo-contractions?
1. Short duration
Most of the painful areas of contractions appear in front and below the abdomen, and after a short rest, or a change of position, the contractions will stop and the abdominal pain will disappear
2. Weak strength
The degree of contractions is not as severe as in true childbirth, and is usually weaker, that is, slight abdominal pain. At first, the stomach hardens evenly, during which there may be a feeling of waist pain and falling lower abdomen, and then it slowly returns to a soft state, more like pressure than pain. If you change posture, walk around, lie down, take a hot shower, the reaction is less intense.
3. Irregularity
The interval between the appearance of false contractions is irregular, it may appear once every 5 minutes, and then appear again after 20 minutes, and the intensity, duration, and frequency have not increased.
When pseudo-contractions occur, pregnant mothers can change their posture at the time, or drink a few cups of warm boiled water, try to take slow deep breaths, which can effectively help relieve the tightness of the belly or the swelling of the condition, and then return to normal.
So what is true contractions?
Contractions in labor are regular intermittent and progressively exacerbated, that is, they may begin for 10 minutes, followed by 3 minutes, or even shorter, and the pain is obvious, accompanied by shortening of the cervical canal and dilation of the uterine orifice.
Specifically, what are the characteristics?
1. Regular
The time of contractions is basically 10 minutes at intervals, and then slowly develops the course once every 5-6 minutes, and then becomes 2-3 minutes.
2. There is progress
Contractions get stronger and stronger, and at first it is bearable, but it progresses to becoming more and more intense and unbearable in the back.
3. The contraction time gradually becomes longer, and the interval between the two contractions continues to shrink;
4. There is pain
Starting from the base of the uterus and transmitting throughout the uterus, it is manifested in a pull-like pain above the pubic symphysis, which must be painful, but there may be different degrees of pain.
5. Pain sensation
From uncomfortable pressure to tight, pulling pain and no action can stop the pain of contractions from continuing.
Pregnant mothers can distinguish between true and false contractions accordingly.
Therefore, if the pregnant mother has a tight stomach in the third trimester of pregnancy, do not rush to the hospital, and first pay attention to observe whether it is a false contraction.
False contractions are not a bad thing, just a normal physiological phenomenon in the third trimester and do not need to be too nervous. When there is a false contraction, the expectant mother only needs to stay flat, relax the mood, hold your breath a little after taking a deep breath, relax the abdomen, and then exhale long, so that you can wait for the fake contractions to end. However, if the gestational week is still small, and false contractions occur frequently before 37 weeks, it is recommended to go to the hospital in time to avoid the risk of premature birth.
If there is a regular contraction, 6-8 minutes at a time, the pregnant mother can go to the hospital.