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Prelabour and Onset of Labour My baby hardly moves any more. What is happening In your 5th month, the foetus was
much smaller and so had enough space to start throwing its little tantrums.
As it has grown bigger, it has begun to feel cramped by the lack of space
and can barely turn and wiggle a bit. And once the head is engaged in the
pelvis, the movement will further decrease. So as long as you are aware
of a little activity, all is well. Too little or too much activity signifies
foetal distress and you would need to report this to your doctor immediately.
What if my membranes rupture in public This is highly unlikely as in 75%
cases, membranes are known to rupture only after labour progresses. And
once the water breaks, the flow is only heavy if you are in a sleeping
position. So even if it does occur, you are hardly likely to be lying down
in public. When you are standing or walking, a little amniotic fluid
might trickle out at the worst, because the foetal head blocks the opening
of the uterus. And since contractions haven't yet started, there is no
force trying to push the fluid out. If you are still worried about
rupturing your membranes in public, wear a panty-liner for the last couple
of weeks.
How do I know when I'm going in for labour At first, you may feel Braxton-Hicks
contractions. When real labour begins, these contractions get considerably
more intense. As their frequency increases, they become more painful and
can not be relieved by a change in position. The pain first begins in the
lower back and then spreads to the lower abdomen and legs. This may be
accompanied by diarrhoea. Contractions are now taking place at regular
intervals, and should be timed. You may also have a pinkish or blood streaked
discharge from the vagina. In 15% of cases, it has been seen that the water
bag breaks (also known as rupturing of membranes) before labour begins.
When this happens, water (actually amniotic fluid) may either gush out
or just trickle. If you begin experiencing these symptoms, call your doctor
and rush to the hospital.
What are Braxton-Hicks contractions This is a method by which the pregnant
uterus does a practice run prior to actual labour. The uterus is warming
up in preparation for the grand finale - the arrival of your baby. They
begin around the 20th week of pregnancy. You will feel a tightening of
your uterus that is usually painless, but can be uncomfortable. The contraction
begins at the top and slowly spreads downwards. They can last from 30 seconds
to over 2 minutes. As you come closer to the time of delivery, these contractions
may become more frequent and intense, bordering on painful. You may even
mistake them for actual labour contractions. Braxton-Hicks contractions
can trigger early effacement (thining of the cervix) and dilatation.
What should I do when I get Braxton-Hicks contractions Lying down and relaxing or walking around can help relieve the discomfort of these contractions. Changing your position may stop the contractions completely. To add your views on this article or read others comments Click Here
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