symptoms of labor ?????

Question

i am a first time mom and 36 weeks pregnant. my doc told me that i can start expecting the baby in another 10 or 15 days.
she has recommended " Red Raspberry Leaf Tea " 3 times a days to tone my cervix. after i started taking that tea i feel like the baby is kicking more... or may be its just my imagination... but it is definitely more active these days...
also my doc told me that when the labor starts the area around my belly button ll harden and i will feel pain there in the ratio
5:1:1 ( contraction every 5 minutes, lasts for 1 minute, and this continues for 1 hour )
but other people are saying that it ll hurt in the pubic area, in the lower back, thighs etc...
i want to know where exactly i will feel the pain ?

Answer 1

First-stage Childbirth: Labor and Transition
The first stage of childbirth begins with labor, the rhythmic contractions that open the cervix and press the baby through the birth canal. This stage of childbirth, from the onset of progressing labor contractions until the cervix is completely dilated, is almost always the longest. It usually starts slowly and then speeds up when the dilation of the cervix reaches about 4 to 5 centimeters (full dilation is 10 centimeters).

But what signs indicate when labor has begun? That's what every expectant mother wants to know!

Labor does not begin suddenly, it evolves gradually. It can take hours, even days, to figure out whether the sensations you're feeling are labor or prelabor (also called false labor). Some subtle signs and symptoms that you are beginning first stage childbirth include a vague backache that may cause restlessness, several soft bowel movements accompanied by flulike feelings, and a nesting urge--an unusual burst of energy, particularly related to cleaning and getting your home ready for the baby.

As childbirth nears, there are some more specific symptoms that may occur. You may pass some blood-tinged mucus, called the bloody show, from the vagina. This is associated with thinning of the cervix, and it can occur days before other signs of labor or not until after labor contractions are progressing. You may notice a leakage of fluid from the vagina, which indicates that there is a small break in the amniotic sac (also called bag of waters) surrounding the baby. This occurs in 10 to 12 percent of childbirths, but it may not be associated with spontaneous labor. Leaking can continue on and off for hours before childbirth begins, and you will not have any contractions.

There are two absolutely clear signs that you are in labor: contractions that become longer, stronger, and closer together with the passage of time and the breaking of the bag of waters.

When you're in true labor, you'll feel the contractions in the abdomen, the back, or both, and they will be painful and strong. The best way to be sure whether your contractions are progressing is to time them. On a sheet of paper, list the times contractions begin and how long they last. Keep track for an hour or two. If they are not progressing, stop for a while and then time them again to see if there's been any change. Contractions are dilating the cervix by the time they average one minute long and five minutes apart.

If your bag of waters breaks, you may hear a popping sound, and you'll experience a gush or leak followed by contractions. Labor usually speeds up after the bag of waters breaks.

Each woman's labor is different. And even in the same woman, each labor will be different. Some labors start slowly and then speed up unexpectedly, while others start rapidly and then slow down. Some labors are very fast, lasting only a few hours. Some are very long, lasting a day or two. The average length is about 15 to 16 hours for first-time mothers and 7 or 8 hours for women with previous childbirths. How painful the labor is, and how tired you become, also vary greatly. It's best, then, not to have any specific expectations but to prepare yourself for a wide range of possibilities.

The final phase of first-stage childbirth is called transition, and it is particularly intense. This is the time during which your cervix will dilate from 7 to 10 centimeters. You may feel the urge to push during this phase, but you'll be advised to resist. Pushing before your cervix is fully dilated can injure it and the perineal tissues, and it may lead to heavy bleeding.

Second-stage Childbirth: Pushing and Birth
The second stage of childbirth, the pushing stage, culminates in the birth. This stage lasts from 15 minutes to 3 hours or more. The nature of your contractions may change during this stage. They will likely be spaced farther apart, and they'll be accompanied by a reflex need to strain or grunt, which comes and goes three to five times per contraction. The combination of the uterine contraction and your bearing-down effort pushes the baby closer to the outside. It is hard work and it hurts, but it is also an exciting time. And this childbirth stage comes with a reward: the birth of your baby!

Third-stage Childbirth: Expelling the Placenta
Your work isn't over, though, when the baby is born. There's one more stage of childbirth, one more job you have to do--and that's expelling the placenta. This stage usually lasts from 5 to 30 minutes. A nurse or other caregiver will keep a hand on your abdomen to determine when the placenta separates from the uterine wall. Then you will be asked to push it out. You may feel some cramps, but the discomfort is usually minimal. Once the placenta is passed, childbirth is over.

Factors Influencing Childbirth
Labor is primarily a phenomenon that is out of your control. But there are some things you can do to have a positive impact on your labor and childbirth experience. Here's what you can and can't control:

Childbirth factors you can control, to some extent:
o Your emotional state and attitude toward childbirth (optimism, confidence, relaxation versus anxiety, fear, and tension)
o Presence of a helpful caring partner or partners
o Knowledge of what to expect
o A soothing childbirth environment and a professional staff that help you feel secure and well cared for
o Good care of yourself (including good nourishment and good health habits)


Childbirth factors you cannot control:
o Size and shape of your pelvis
o Size and shape of baby's head and shoulders
o Baby's station (how low it is in the pelvis), presentation (which part of the baby's body emerges first), and position (the baby's location and orientation)
o The condition of your cervix when contractions begin
o The power of your contractions
o The amount of rest you have between contractions
o Some aspects of your general health and your baby's well-being before and after childbirth

Answer 2

It's actually different for everyone. Some women do go through what they call back labor and hopefully that won't happen to you. It didn't happen with me. You will know --- and the truth is, the baby usually STOPS moving more right before labor. Don't let that scare you. Labor is actually hard on the baby too --- it's nature's way of making the baby rest prior to birth. You feel labor ALL OVER the belly area AND the cervix. No matter WHAT pain you feel, go with the timing part -- and don't worry if you go in and get sent home. That happens to a LOT of women too. GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATS -- it will end up being the best day of your life...after the baby is in your arms.

Answer 3

You may not feel much pain at first alhtough most women do. If your belly tightens and this happens coser together and for longer periods than when it first starts, it is probably labor. Some feel it in their backs, some their bellys only, som ein their thighs, it is different for everyone. With my last, the nurses we re laughign at me as I wasn;t feeling contractions as pain, but every time I had one I had a tremendous need to pee!! It is REALLY different for each of us. Wish I could be more help. Just lay your hand on your belly and if it tightens in all 4 quadrants they are contractiosn regardless of where you feel any pain or discomfort. If they get closer and get down to the 5:1:1 your doctor said then go on in. All three of mine were different!

Answer 4

OKay i wish i could just post this for everyone to see...EVERYONE always says that you can time the contractions and that is how you will know but let me tell you this is not always true..i just had my first about 5 months ago and i didnt feel it in my belly i had really bad lower back pains and i couldnt time it to save my life they were all irregular..everyone is different ..i tried taking a warm bath and that didnt help they kept coming and not regular so i went to the doc to get checked out and i was dilated to a 6 and had my baby about 4 hours later it is differnt for everyone

Answer 5

I take it this is your first baby? believe me, you will know when you are in labour, pains usually start as like a period pain and build up and up, once they are unbearable or coming every few minutes then I suggest you ring thehospital.However sometimes your waters can go and you may not start contracting straight away, if this happens you should contact your midwife/hospital as leaving the baby with no waters can cause infection after 36/48 hours. With my first daughter 5 years ago I felt very weird the day before, not quite sure how to describe it, like very very tired and I could feel she had moved down, at 8pm 2/12/2003 I suddenly got a cramp and I just knew this was it, she was born 10 hours later whereas my 2nd daughter came alot quicker in just 45minutes! I was at my mums and had been having a few pains but nothing unbearably, suddenly felt very sick,went to loo where I had a bloody show and suddenly that was it,pain kicked in tremandously! My mum drove me straight to hospital and I climbed on the bed, midwife examined me,broke my waters and my baby was right there! just 3 pushes and she was out!! Any other questions?lol!! claire xx

Answer 6

For me it felt like someone had wrapped a belt around my lower back across my belly and they were tightening it and loosening it. I know that it is supposed to be different for everyone though. The Red Raspberry Leaf Tea may be causing Braxton Hicks and that is what you are feeling...not necessarily the baby kicking. This is not a bad thing.

FYI water doesn't always break!

Answer 7

Every person is different. My contractions started out as being similar to really bad cramps and just stayed in my low abdomen area for a while and then I had back labor that spread to my low back like someone was stabbing me in the back every 5 minutes. You'll know when you have contractions.

Answer 8

Everyone is different and you may experience pain in a different area. The baby usually stops moving when it is time for labor...you will definitely know when you are in real labor. Just relax and let nature take its course. Good luck!

Answer 9

Though common symptoms prior to labor are universal, no one can tell you exactly where you will feel which symptom. It depends on your body's response. The baby will stop kicking when dropping into position for birth. Far as 5:1:1, I think it's ridiculous for any doctor to give any formula for "typical" onset of labor. Time it yourself. There'll be no mistaking whether it's labor.

Answer 10

The pain will feel like your period cramps at first, then the intensity will increase. You will feel pressure in your lower back and eventually it will feel like your tailbone is going to come out of your skin. I didn't have any pain in my thighs or my pubic area.