Labor contractions – what you should know about them

Labor contractions are a symptom that every expectant mother waits for. They mean that she will be holding her baby in just a few hours. However, it’s important to know that not every uterine contraction signals the start of labor. Learn how to recognize true labor contractions.

Labor contractions are a sign that the first stage of labor has begun. They usually occur between the 38th and 42nd week of pregnancy. Sometimes, they may begin earlier – in that case, it is referred to as a premature birth. Labor contractions are often accompanied by other bodily signs: the loss of the mucus plug, back pain, rupture of the amniotic sac, and leakage of amniotic fluid.

What do labor contractions feel like?

Uterine contractions are necessary for the baby to pass through the birth canal. During contractions, the muscles of the uterus tighten and shorten, causing the organ to shrink. At the same time, the cervix begins to open. Once it reaches a diameter of 10 centimeters, the second stage of labor begins.

Labor contractions start at the top of the uterus and move downward. They have several distinctive features:

• they occur regularly
• their duration increases
• they become more frequent over time

At first, contractions occur every 10–30 minutes and last about 40 seconds. After a few hours, the pregnant woman will feel them every 5–7 minutes, and each contraction may last up to 90 seconds. By the end of the first stage of labor, contractions come every 2 minutes. A characteristic feature of labor contractions is pain. It begins in the upper abdomen and moves downward. The pain often radiates to the back (lumbar-sacral area), but also to the groin and thighs. At the beginning, the pain is still bearable but becomes significantly more intense over time.

How to recognize labor contractions

Labor contractions can be recognized mainly by their regularity. They do not go away with time – on the contrary: they get stronger, occur more frequently, and last longer. The pregnant woman should start timing the contractions and go to the hospital at the right moment.

How to time labor contractions

Timing contractions is not complicated. Every pregnant woman should know how it works, as it helps determine the right time to go to the hospital. It also helps identify any irregularities. To time contractions, a stopwatch is needed. The woman should measure the duration of a contraction – from the beginning of the pain in the upper abdomen to its end. The pause between contractions is also important. Special smartphone apps for pregnant women can be helpful here.

When should you go to the hospital?

It is very important to know when the right time is to go to the hospital. You should not go immediately after feeling the first contraction. At that point, it is usually still too early (exceptions include alarming symptoms such as vaginal bleeding or greenish amniotic fluid). Instead, your midwife should be informed, and her instructions followed. You should head to the hospital when contractions occur every 7–10 minutes.

Ways to relieve labor contractions

Labor contractions can be very stressful for expectant mothers. However, there are many ways to relieve them. Each woman should find out what method works best for her. Relaxation exercises can be helpful, for example with a birthing ball. Proper breathing is also important – exhaling should take twice as long as inhaling. A warm bath can help, as warm water relaxes the muscles. Many women also benefit from a lower back massage performed by their partner. It’s important to stay calm, as stress can intensify the pain.