Uterine contractions are a normal part of pregnancy and come in different types. Braxton-Hicks contractions occur in the sixth month and are painless, while active labor contractions are triggered at regular intervals and get more intense over time. It is important to know the normal pattern of contractions to know if medical attention is needed.
Uterine contractions are a normal progression of a woman’s pregnancy and are not only associated with childbirth. There are several types of contractions that occur with a healthy uterus. Some become quite common by 37 weeks of development and can be identified by the type of pain and sensation experienced. If a woman learns the characteristics of each of her, she will know if she is indeed in labor or if it is just her uterus preparing to deliver a newborn.
The first type of contractions a woman will experience are Braxton-Hicks contractions. These can start to occur in the sixth month of pregnancy. They are sometimes called false labor contractions and serve to condition the uterus for birth by allowing the cervix to dilate so the baby can pass through it during delivery.
Braxton-Hicks contractions are usually painless and some are barely noticeable. They often disappear when changing body position or drinking water. This won’t be the case with your first labor contractions, which will also get more intense after you drink water or move around. A rhythm to the muscle movements may be noticed with these uterine contractions, which tend to start in the lower back.
The discomfort becomes more noticeable with active labor contractions, which are triggered at regular intervals of three to six minutes. These uterine contractions get longer and more intense over time and occur closer together. Blood or mucus may also appear, so it is important to be in the place where the delivery is expected, both in the hospital and at home.
Labor contractions consist of transitional contractions, which can last up to 90 seconds with very short breaks. These are the hardest to deal with, but last just before the pushing contractions start. Pushing contractions stimulate the sensation of pushing the baby out. Birth is followed by smaller contractions that signal delivery of the placenta. Without an epidural, these are similar in feel to the first contractions of labor.
Signs of actual labor or cause for concern include if uterine contractions get worse during any type of activity. Pain radiating to the lower abdomen, more frequent and painful contractions, bloody mucus, or water breaking mean that medical attention is needed. If the normal pattern of uterine contractions is known, this can relieve a woman’s stress as childbirth approaches.
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