Whether contractions without relief. How to distinguish false contractions from real ones? Symptoms and signs of false and real contractions during pregnancy. Labor begins - signs of labor
- Pain as during intestinal upset
- Lower back pain
- Pain in unexpected places
- Contractions without pain
KEANA: The beds in the pregnancy pathology department were so hard that every morning I thought that contractions had started (I definitely had back pain like during menstruation), but when real contractions started, I realized that they couldn’t be confused with anything, that’s for sure!
mama_Levika: About two weeks before giving birth, a slight tingling sensation begins in the lower abdomen, it seems like contractions, but, girls! You can’t confuse contractions with anything, don’t rush to call an ambulance...
What are contractions
So, there comes a time when your baby is ready to be born. Labor begins, which many expectant mothers recognize by painful contractions. But what is a “confrontation” and what happens at this moment?
” A contraction is an involuntary contraction of the smooth muscles of the uterus of a wave-like nature. They allow the cervix to open - the only “way out” for the child.
To imagine how the muscles of the uterus move, think of a crawling snail: a wave passes along its sole from the tail to the head, and tense muscles push it forward. The same thing happens with the uterus: not all of it tenses at the same time.
The upper part of the uterus is more “muscular”. It is she who compresses the amniotic sac. As you remember from your school physics course, a liquid easily changes shape, but practically does not change volume. So the fertilized egg begins to put all its might on the lower part of the uterus - there are fewer muscle fibers here, so it does not shrink, but, on the contrary, stretches. The main pressure falls on the cervix - the “weak link” of the muscle sac. The amniotic sac literally wedges there: the anterior fluid (amniotic fluid located in front of the baby) presses the amniotic sac into the birth canal and pushes it apart.
” It is believed that in the uterus there is a dominant focus of excitation, most often localized in the right corner of it (“pacemaker”), from here the wave of contractions spreads to the entire musculature and goes in a downward direction.
A woman cannot control contractions, unlike pushing, which involves the muscles of the perineum, the muscles of the abdominal wall, and the diaphragm. That is why, in the last stage of labor, the midwife asks the woman to push or, on the contrary, hold back for a few seconds. Indeed, we can all tense our abdominal muscles, but it is absolutely impossible to strain, for example, the muscles of the stomach through willpower.
When the uterus is tense and stretched, the blood flow to its muscles is blocked (if you clench your fist with all your might, you will see certain areas of the skin turn white), and the nerve endings leading to the uterus are also compressed. This is what determines the sensations that arise: the pain is dull, periodic (“it will grab you, then it will let go”), and most importantly, it is perceived differently by all women (depending on the location of the child, the uterus, and also on where the nerve endings are most compressed ). But the pain during pushing, which is caused by the movement of the child along the birth canal, is perceived by all mothers in the same way: the unpleasant sensations are concentrated in the vagina, rectum, perineum, and the pain is quite acute.
This is why the sensations during contractions raise so many questions - are these really contractions or, for example, osteochondrosis? Let's look at the most typical examples of pain!
Pain “like menstruation”
Unpleasant sensations are localized in the lower abdomen and resemble pain during the onset of menstruation.
Lyalechka: The pain is like menstruation, only worse.
SV1980: The contractions were similar to menstruation at the beginning.
As a rule, women in labor who perceive contractions as “pain during menstruation” also feel the occurrence of - “petrification” of the abdomen.
Pain as during intestinal upset
Abdominal pain during contractions reminds many expectant mothers of the discomfort of an intestinal disorder, cramping attacks that accompany diarrhea.
ANelli: at the beginning it didn’t hurt, it was just a feeling that you really needed to go to the toilet, but when you go to the toilet early in the morning with an interval of 20-30 minutes, but there is no result, you understand that the intestines have nothing to do with it!
Zuleyka: I thought I had been poisoned by something the day before, my stomach was churning...
By the way, immediately before childbirth, intestinal function actually becomes more active, and bowel movements may occur more than once.
Lower back pain
Quite often, the source of pain is the lumbar region: “pulls”, “grabs”.
vedetta: I had such pain - it seized my lower back and the pain rose from the bottom up my back and stomach. And then she also went down and passed through. To be honest, it doesn’t look much like menstruation...
Tanyusha_I'll be a mother: suddenly my lower back began to hurt every 15 minutes and then decrease a little bit... I didn’t wait right away and went to the maternity hospital.
The phenomenon of back pain has two explanations: the pain can radiate to the lower back, or it can be felt lower, in the tailbone area - most likely it is caused by the divergence of the pelvic bones.
Pain in unexpected places
Sometimes pain can radiate to the most unexpected places, so that a woman in labor complains that, for example, her hips or ribs hurt.
Alma: contractions started - it hurts in my side and radiates to my kidney and leg!
Most often, women identify radiating pain as “kidney pain,” especially if they have experienced it before. Pain in the hips, knees, numbness in the legs can be a result of compression of large blood vessels in the lower abdomen.
Contractions without pain
This also happens, especially at the very beginning of labor. The sensations, however, are quite unpleasant. Expectant mothers usually feel how the uterus becomes toned for a few seconds - the stomach “turns to stone”, then relaxes again. Similar sensations arise if during contractions you do .
Ksyusha_SD: I kept walking and thinking, how will I understand that this has begun? I felt good and there were no changes in my appetite either. I really understood only when the contractions started - the tone of the tummy just began periodically.
Of course, not everyone is so lucky, but it happens that a woman is not very susceptible to pain. So at the beginning of labor, while the pressure on the cervix is low (or, for example, she has a flat membrane in which ), the sensations may be unpleasant, but not painful.
As you can see, descriptions of contractions vary greatly. How to recognize them?
Periodicity. Contractions, no matter how they feel, occur at regular intervals. This is how labor contractions differ from “training” ones - .
Increasing frequency. During childbirth, contractions occur more and more often.
Gain. The intensity of pain increases.
Lack of response to your actions. The unpleasant sensations do not disappear if you change your body position, walk, lie down, or take a shower.
Displacement of painful sensations. Gradually, the pain shifts to the perineal area, on which the baby’s head begins to press.
Did everything coincide? It's definitely time for you to go to the maternity hospital!
Can contractions begin without the plug and water draining? This is a question that pregnant women ask, especially those who are expecting their first child. Usually, the precursors of labor begin to make themselves felt about two weeks or a month before the start of the labor process. This occurs due to pronounced hormonal changes in the female body.
The main precursors of childbirth include the fact that the pregnant woman’s belly begins to gradually drop within a month at most in primiparous women and within a day in multiparous women, while some discomfort is felt in the lower back. However, there are situations when it does not go down, which is quite rare.
Before giving birth, a pregnant woman’s weight may decrease slightly, by about two kilograms. On the eve of childbirth, nausea and loose stools may appear, this is explained by hormonal changes. The first contractions are felt as pain in the abdomen, and intestinal motility may increase.
In addition, changes in the movement of the fetus are observed; it may begin to actively move or, on the contrary, it will begin to subside a little. But to a greater extent, the activity of the fetus slows down, since it is simply difficult for him to move, because his weight is already more than three kilograms.
Can contractions begin without the mucus plug coming out? This formation is cervical mucus that is secreted from the vagina. The plug may be streaked with blood, or colorless or yellowish. Thanks to her, the channel remains closed. Its loss is a definite sign of the onset of labor.
The mucus plug, due to intrauterine pressure, can come out with a pop, and can also flow out in small portions, gradually. If it appears, this indicates the beginning of cervical dilatation. There are situations when the plug may not come out or comes out completely unnoticed by the woman, which is not a pathology.
The main harbinger of labor is contractions. They represent a contraction of the uterine muscles, they are accompanied by the opening of the cervix, respectively, and the mucous plug and water will drain.
Can contractions begin if the water and the plug have not yet broken? Yes, but these are false contractions; they often occur before the onset of real contractions, which lead to the onset of labor. If a pregnant woman has experienced several false contractions the day before, then it is quite difficult for her to determine the sensations and distinguish between real labor pains.
Contractions, again false, can begin without the release of amniotic fluid, but labor will always occur with their release. It is worth noting that the amniotic sac can rupture suddenly, with water literally gushing out like a torrent; the woman must be prepared for this. After which rhythmic contractions usually begin.
If your water breaks quickly and in large quantities, you should immediately call an ambulance and go to the maternity hospital. But if they leak slowly, then the expectant mother has several hours left. Normally, waters have no odor and are transparent. If they are greenish in color, this indicates an unfavorable condition on the part of the fetus.
When the pregnancy has come to an end, this is the time for the amniotic fluid to break; it can come out in a stream or stream. Both of these options are considered normal. It is important to pay attention to their color; if they are pink, this will indicate blood penetration and indicate that the baby has not received enough oxygen. Usually, after this, contractions will begin quite quickly and it is important to deliver the woman in labor to the maternity hospital in a timely manner. It may happen that in such a situation a caesarean section will be required.
An important point for women: if amniotic fluid begins to leak at home, then you should remember their quantity in detail, pay attention to the color, as well as possible impurities. Many women wonder how long it takes for their waters to break and whether they can miss it.
The amniotic sac sometimes bursts with a bang and quite intense effusion, or it can leak little by little for weeks, and you should urgently consult a doctor. The more time the fetus is left without amniotic fluid, the higher the chance of infection, which is fraught with complications.
Many women, on the eve of childbirth, begin to worry greatly about the breaking of their waters, and they begin to be afraid to take a bath or shower, because they think that they will provoke their breaking. But it is worth saying that quite often the bubble does not burst at all, so it has to be pierced directly during contractions already in a medical facility.
To be ready for the birth of a baby at any moment, you need to put aside prejudices and it is important to pack the bag in advance that you will have to go to the maternity hospital with. It is necessary to tell the whole family and husband, including all the necessary information, and warn that the water may break at home, but there is no need to panic.
In this case, the woman should be taken to the maternity hospital as quickly as possible; it is important for the husband and all family members to maintain prudence and moral calm, which will help the pregnant woman feel calmer.
Conclusion
So, if a woman’s water and mucus plug have not broken, but she feels pain in the abdomen, this may indicate false contractions, however, in this situation, you should definitely call a doctor, especially if the pain is severe.
This question is of more interest to those representatives of the fairer sex who are expecting their first child.
They are very worried about not missing out, so at the first signal they begin to rush to the maternity hospital. So can labor begin without contractions? What should a woman know about the potential start of labor?
Usually, all of which begin to intensify in waves. Then contractions begin to occur more often, the interval between them becomes shorter. But in some cases, the onset of labor may be non-standard.
Very often, the expectant mother initially experiences an outpouring of amniotic fluid. This is the liquid within which the fetus develops in the mother's womb. These waters are found in the membranes of the fetus, which, together with the placenta, act as a kind of barrier that protects the unborn baby.
During the entire gestation period, amniotic fluid allows the baby to develop in a sterile environment.
This fluid is normally poured out during the first stage of labor, that is, until the cervix dilates by 4 cm. This happens at the height of one of the contractions. If the waters pour out before the start of labor, then this outflow is called premature or prenatal.
Most often, premature rupture occurs in women who give birth to a baby again, that is, this is not the first child. It doesn’t hurt at all, there is no discomfort, there are no other unpleasant sensations.
If early rupture occurs, the amniotic sac may rupture above the cervix. In this case, water does not flow out quickly. But sometimes the bladder ruptures above the opening of the uterine cervix. In this case, water flows out very quickly and in large quantities.
When the amniotic sac ruptures high enough, it is not easy to identify what it is. It is not easy to differentiate such secretions, because they are quite similar to each other. For a woman giving birth for the first time, it is especially difficult to distinguish between these discharges.
So, it should be noted that the plug comes out approximately 2-5 days before the onset of labor. The color of the cork is single or beige. Sometimes it may contain blood impurities. The cork may come out not in one day, but in several.
When a woman coughs, sneezes, or squats, the discharge increases.
Symptoms of rupture of amniotic fluid
Amniotic fluid has a more watery structure, it is transparent, and sometimes may have a slight yellowish tint. They leak constantly, and when a woman sneezes or coughs, the discharge intensifies.
After this fluid has completely drained out, labor begins in about 2-3 hours.
It must be said that childbirth that begins with the release of water is more unsafe. After all, the baby in the womb remains without protection. Various bacteria from the vagina and cervix can penetrate it.
Delivery should occur within 12 hours of rupture. Under no circumstances later. Such a temporary restriction will help avoid various complications.
If labor begins with the breaking of the waters, then the mother in labor should look at the time so that, when questioned by the doctor, she can answer exactly when this happened. The first thing you should do is call an ambulance and also notify your husband. Don't wait for contractions.
When the water comes out, look if there is a greenish tint in it. If it is, then this directly indicates that it is present. In this situation, you urgently need to call an ambulance without delaying a second. If the waters are clear, then you can reach the maternity hospital on your own.
In order not to slow down labor in the car, a woman should not lie on her back. The optimal position is on your side. Lying on your side minimizes the risk of umbilical cord loops falling out.
This can happen if the water breaks early, it should also be said that it is in this position that the maximum amount of oxygen will flow to the baby.
What not to do when water breaks
- If the water breaks, then in any case you need to go to the maternity hospital. Under no circumstances should you stay at home, as it increases the risk of fetal hypoxia, as well as the risk of infection getting to it. In this case, the baby’s head moves into the uterine cavity and begins to compress the umbilical cord.
- Taking a bath is also prohibited. This increases the risk of infection.
- Enemas are prohibited.
- Shaving is also prohibited.
- You should refuse food, because in cases where the water breaks, the need for surgery under anesthesia greatly increases.
Why are hygiene procedures and eating food still prohibited? Because they will require precious time, and when the amniotic fluid breaks, you cannot hesitate.
You need to pull yourself together, don’t panic, try not to get nervous. You should prepare yourself for a difficult job and try to be in an optimistic mood!
Good afternoon and good mood to everyone reading my blog! One of the most significant events in a woman’s life is the birth of her child. Holiday, birthday! Cake, candles, gifts. But, unfortunately, many women remember their childbirth not as a holiday at all, but as “horror, a nightmare, endless torture.” Why does this depend, and how to survive childbirth and labor without receiving psychological trauma for life?
Knowledge is power!
Despite the fact that childbirth seems to be a natural and programmed process by nature, knowing how it happens makes these few hours much easier.
For example, my friend Alena was sincerely sure that the entire time of labor a woman was exclusively screaming and pushing. She didn’t have the slightest idea about contractions, how they grew, how long they lasted, and other “little things.” At the same time, she was terrified of giving birth (well, that’s right, given such ideas!) and did not want to learn anything about this topic. As a result, during childbirth I was confused, did not listen to the midwife, screamed, clenched and completely exhausted both myself and the child. With good introductory instructions, I had a very difficult birth.
My advice to you: Be sure to study the theoretical material already at the beginning of pregnancy, or better yet before it (while prolactin has not yet chewed out the painted cradle from your brain, and it is able to critically perceive and remember information). Take courses, watch videos, read books. From books I can recommend William and Martha Sears "Waiting for Baby" And Grently Dick-Read "Childbirth without fear".
Breathing and movement
Whatever source of information you choose, the main emphasis there will be on learning proper breathing and postures during childbirth. These are the two most effective ways to get through contractions easier.
The main task of a woman during labor is to relax as much as possible. The harder we squeeze, the worse, longer and more painful the cervix will open. Maximum relaxation, a relaxed mouth, free breathing - these are the main components of pain-free childbirth.
Special courses
If you have never practiced breathing before pregnancy, either separately or during yoga or stretching, be sure to take a class where you will be taught how to control your breathing. These could be specialized courses for pregnant women, or simply training, for example, in body-oriented therapy.
Home practice
In addition to special activities, conduct yourself daily breathing rituals. The easiest way to organize them is in bed in the morning and evening. Set yourself a task to practice a certain type of breathing and try to complete it. For example:
- Inhale for 3 counts through your nose, exhale for 4 counts through your mouth. After 20 cycles, lengthen your breathing - inhale through your nose for 5 counts, exhale through your mouth for 7 counts. After another 10 cycles, start breathing very often - inhale through your nose for 1 count, exhale through your mouth for 1 count.
- Changes in the depth and duration of breathing. We start with deep and frequent inhalations and exhalations; at this time, you can imagine the sea surf, how the waves powerfully and quickly roll onto the shore. After a minute, we switch to deep and slow inhalations and exhalations - this breathing is similar to ocean waves. Then we breathe “dog” for another minute - very frequent shallow breathing. After this, very slow shallow breathing almost naturally occurs - a feeling as if you are almost not breathing.
- During any comfortable breathing, consciously relax individual parts of the body. We lie down and dictate to ourselves “forehead... nasolabial folds... lips... tongue... lower jaw... neck... shoulders...” and so on down to the toes. We try to feel and relax exactly what we pay attention to.
- Let's learn to sing. We take a deep breath, and as we exhale we sing the sound “a-a-a” or “mm-mm.” At the same time, both lips and throat should be relaxed. This type of singing helps a lot during strong contractions. The main thing is not to break into a scream, but to sing relaxed and deeply.
- Surprisingly, laughter helps you relax. Although, if you understand the mechanics of the process, then laughter is a deep breath and several sharp exhalations. Learn to laugh and relax!
Learning to move
And again - if before pregnancy you were engaged in dancing, or any activity that teaches you to feel and control your body, then you already have an excellent bonus. Listen to your body and move as it tells you.
If there is no such practice, then it is worth finding out how you can and should move during childbirth.
"Kitty." Starting position – rest on your knees and palms. Controlling your breathing, swing your hips to the right and left, then bend your lower back up and down. During childbirth, many people want to lean not on their palms, but on their elbows or forehead, with their arms stretched out in front of them. Helps to relax the stomach, promotes better opening. Another option is to stand on the floor and lean your elbows on the windowsill/bedside table/headboard, while you can sway your hips.
Jumping on a fitball. If there is a large ball in the delivery room, it can significantly facilitate the flow of contractions. We sit down on it fully, our heels rest on the floor. During a contraction, we actively spring, or sway from side to side, monitoring our breathing, then rest. You can rest by leaning back or forward, resting your hands on the bed.
For some women giving birth, the pain is relieved squatting in a fight with knees wide apart. In this case, you need to hold on to the edge of the bed with your hands (that is, do not raise your hands high). Ideally, your husband or midwife should hold your back.
What other ways are there to relieve pain?
In fact, there are a lot of different options. Which one is right for you is unknown. But the more ways you know, the higher the likelihood that the right way will be found.
- If the fear of childbirth is strong, and thoughts about death, injury, and the unbearability of the process are stuck in your head, then it is best to go for a consultation with a psychologist. A good psychologist will help you identify the causes of your fears, work through them and set yourself in a positive mood.
- If you are very afraid of pain and have negative experience of inappropriate behavior during severe pain, perhaps the best solution would be to pay for epidural anesthesia in advance.
- If you believe in God, pray. I experienced this powerful prayer myself. I share with you, dear girls, and then in the comments I expect stories from you whether it helped you or not.
If it is unbearable to endure the long agony of childbirth, let the woman in labor turn in the direction where the sun is in the sky, and if it is night, then the moon. She needs to cross herself three times and say this:
Oh my God,
I, slave (name), stand in front of you.
There are two thrones before me,
On those thrones sit Jesus and the Mother of God,
They look at my tears.
Blessed Mother Theotokos
Holds golden keys
she opens meat caskets,
releases the baby from the womb:
from my flesh, from my hot blood.
Lord, take away the aches,
pinches, visceral pain!
How the Mother of God gave birth without torment, without pain,
open the bone gates.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- Massage (self-massage) of the lower back and sacrum helps most women.
- You can think about - husband, mother, sister, close friend.
Watch the video, they describe in detail about breathing, and about poses, and about massage:
I wish all pregnant women an easy birth, healthy babies and good nights!
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Each pregnancy proceeds and resolves individually. The gynecologist will not answer for sure whether contractions or water break first, but during labor both processes should begin naturally. If the uterus contracts poorly or the amniotic sac has not burst, medical techniques intervene.
Contractions without water breaking
The uterus prepares for childbirth from 20-21 weeks of pregnancy, the concentration of the hormone progesterone decreases, and the cervical tissue softens. From this time, the woman begins to have contractions that train the uterus - Braxtons, painless, irregular. At the same time, the amniotic sac is intact, the fluid does not leave, protects the baby from infections, supplies oxygen, and removes waste products. Training cramps are a normal physiological phenomenon.
Can contractions occur without the water breaking? Yes, these are either Braxtons, or cervical dilatation, before an imminent delivery. You need to monitor the timing and frequency of contractions.
In half of the cases, contractions begin before birth, without the water breaking. Contractions occur regularly, the interval between them is shortened to 15-20 minutes, the duration increases. Late rupture of the bladder threatens the health and life of the baby.
If contractions are going on, but the water has not broken, you need to calculate the contractions, duration, and frequency in a special way. An Internet calculator or a manual method is used. Take a notebook and pen and draw up a table.
Abbreviations calculator:
- the start and end times are recorded;
- the period of stress and rest is calculated;
- the intensity is recorded (stronger, unchanged, weaker).
The contraction begins when the stomach becomes rigid, tenses, and at the same time the pulse and breathing quicken. Blood circulation increases, so a blush appears on the face. The end of the contraction is recorded at the moment of complete relaxation of the muscles, the heart rhythm is gradually restored, and breathing becomes easier. In the table, the main thing to pay attention to is the duration; if it decreases, then the spasm is false. But there are other important signs.
Table - Differences between true and false contractions
Symptoms | Braxtons | True contractions |
| Repetitions per day | 3-5 r. per day, randomly | From 7 times in two hours |
| Duration | Short, even, maximum 1.5 minutes | Each next one is longer |
| Intensity | Does not change, the strength gradually fades away | Every time it gets stronger |
| Soreness | Absent | Eat |
| Frequency | Irregular | Increases |
| Breaks | Up to 30 minutes per attack | Reduced from 20 to 2 minutes |
| Reaction to an antispasmodic drug | Spasms go away | Do not change the nature of the flow |
True contractions at 37 weeks threaten miscarriage, so it is important to control the sensations. If doctors determine that labor has begun without water, an artificial opening of the bladder is required. The procedure is called amniotomy, and is painless and quick. Prescribed only according to indications.
- strong walls of the amniotic sac;
- weak cervical dilatation;
- flat amniotic sac;
- malposition;
- polyhydramnios.
Releasing the amniotic sac will result in fetal pressure on the birth canal. The procedure performed after the onset of uterine contractions will speed up labor and reduce the risk of complications for the baby.
Contractions and water at the same time
After the woman has analyzed that there are true contractions, it is important to evaluate the interval between them. When the break is 15-20 minutes, you need to go to the maternity hospital, the bubble will burst soon.
What comes first, water or contractions? With the normal development of labor, uterine contractions begin first, followed by the release of water. The more intensely the cervical canal opens, the faster the fluid flows out.
Subsequence:
- the cervix is smoothed;
- the muscle fibers of the organ contract with each spasm and shorten in length;
- the fibers shorten and expand in density;
- the thickness of the uterine walls increases;
- due to the tension of the body membranes, the lower segment is stretched, the neck expands;
- the external pharynx opens under the pressure of the head;
- each contraction puts pressure on the amniotic fluid inside the bladder;
- it rushes to the cervical canal;
- is tightly embedded and presses on the circumference of the passage;
- first, the external pharynx opens during contractions;
- the fetal sac bursts.
In the intervals, the tension of the shell does not go away, so a rupture occurs in the next few minutes. By the time the water breaks, contractions are repeated every 5 minutes, they are painful and intense.
Normally, water is released when the external cervical os is fully opened; this is called timely effusion. The lower part of the liquid comes forward, about 300 ml, and the remaining part comes out with the fetus. The rupture of the bubble is also facilitated by a change in the structure of the shells - density and elasticity decrease. Therefore, intrauterine pressure is sufficient for tissue divergence.
Feel:
- dull pain in the sacral region, spreading around the circumference of the pelvis;
- heaviness in the lower abdomen, similar to menstruation, but stronger;
- wavy sensations - embrace, smoothly release;
- become regular;
- a stream of liquid pours out;
- attempts begin.
If a woman is at home, when regular contractions begin, it’s time to get ready. To avoid any difficulties in the maternity hospital, you need to pack your bag in advance.
Actions:
- collect documents - passport, insurance policy, SNILS, exchange card, birth certificate;
- take a shower, shave your crotch;
- wear clean underwear;
- cut your nails so as not to scratch yourself and the midwife when pushing;
- Call an ambulance before your water breaks.
You can sit on a fitball, sway, stroke your lower abdomen, stand on all fours, massage your ankles. If you move and walk when contractions begin, the bubble will burst earlier and labor will begin faster. Therefore, when the road to the maternity hospital is long, it is better to take a bath, lie down and wait for the ambulance to arrive.
If the water breaks during contractions, fetal movement will begin in the next 3-4 hours. The better the cervix is prepared, up to 5 cm, the sooner the baby will be born. If the woman has no signs of complications, obstetricians wait until the woman starts to rupture spontaneously before pushing, and only then perform an amniotomy.
Water broke without contractions
If a woman is constantly on the move, she may not notice the onset of uterine contractions until the amniotic sac bursts. At this moment, a volumetric flow of water is felt pouring out of the vagina. During the normal course of labor, at the same time or with a difference of 20-30 minutes, the spasms become bright and painful.
Can my water break without contractions? Yes, but premature release of amniotic fluid threatens the successful course of labor. Water breaking without contractions before 37 weeks foretells that the baby will be born premature.
The interval between contractions and the release of amniotic fluid should not exceed 12 hours. This is the maximum amount of time a baby has to do without protection from external infections and bacteria.
Why does your water break before contractions?
- infectious and bacterial diseases during pregnancy;
- isthmic-cervical insufficiency;
- polyhydramnios;
- multiple pregnancy;
- physical overexertion - injury, fall;
- physiology – thin membranes.
Infections of the genital tract penetrate deeply and injure the walls of the bladder. Damage will cause corrosion, thinning of the shell, and a rupture will occur at this point. In particular, with ICI, when the amniotic sac flows into the cervical canal, the risk of infection increases.
A harbinger of fluid discharge before the onset of contractions is the release of a mucus plug. Overflow will occur within 8-10 hours, the amount of water will be from 200 ml. up to 1 liter. Sometimes a pop is heard during the rupture.
Premature rupture of amniotic fluid, without contractions, is dangerous because the fetus in the womb may not be ready to be released, especially before 37 weeks. For him, birth will be the first strong stress, this will affect the nervous system and respiratory tract.
Complications:
- premature birth;
- prolonged labor;
- injuries during the fetal movement “dry”;
- painful contractions;
- child infection;
- hypoxia;
- endometritis, maternal sepsis.
Infection of the mother or fetus is not associated with uncleanliness of the mother. The internal genital organs contain a special lactic acid environment and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms to which the fetal membranes are not adapted. The sterile environment of the amniotic sac protects the baby from such foreign particles, but when the integrity of the walls is compromised, the bacteria will quickly move upward and penetrate inside. There is more danger if a woman has vaginosis or vaginitis.
According to statistics, 10% of expectant mothers’ water broke before contractions, while only 0.3% experienced complications associated with this. Therefore, attentiveness to sensations, readiness for transportation to the hospital, and the correct behavior of doctors contribute to the positive development of events during childbirth.
