How can be the true signs of labor identified

What is Labor?

  Pregnancy brings a lot of changes in a woman’s life – both are identified in the psychological and physical aspect. People are often curious about learning these changes because they often signify the progress of a woman’s pregnancy. A pregnant woman should be well-informed about the changes that will happen, including what she should expect during labor and birth.

 

Generally, labor is defined as a chain of events in which uterine contractions and abdominal pressure expel a fetus, followed by the placenta, from a woman’s body. Regular contractions occur during this period and continue to cause dilatation of the cervix, along with adequate amount of muscular force to allow the baby to be pushed to the outside. Labor is a momentous event – both an ending and a beginning for a woman, her family, and the baby. 

 

 

 

Initial Signs of Labor

 

Prior to the actual labor process, a lot of women often experience elusive signs that indicate the onset of labor.

 

First, there is what we call lightening, or descent of the fetal presenting part into the woman’s pelvis. In first-time mothers, this occurs for up to 10 days, sometimes even 2 weeks before labor actually begins. In mothers who have had multiple pregnancies, this occurs faster and could take place on the day of labor or even after labor has begun. Lightening may be accompanied by shooting leg pains, increased amount of vaginal discharge and urinary frequency from bladder pressure.

 

Increased level of activity may also occur. A woman may awaken on the morning of labor full of energy. This usually occurs in relation to an increased secretion of the hormone epinephrine which works to prepare the woman’s body for the upcoming labor.

 

In the last few days before labor, a woman might notice extremely strong Braxton Hicks contraction, which is often mistaken as true labor contractions; prompting them to go to the hospital earlier than expected. Generally, these contractions remain irregular and often disappear with ambulation and sleep. These do not increase in frequency, duration or intensity as compared to true labor, and do not cause dilatation of the cervix.

 

Ripening of the cervix is a sign of impending labor that is seen only through pelvic examination. Throughout the pregnancy, a woman’s cervix feels softer than normal, like the consistency of an earlobe. At term, however, the cervix becomes even softer, and starts to tip forward.

 

Signs of True Labor

 

The most accurate sign that labor has begun is productive uterine contractions. Contractions occur involuntarily and come without warning. Eventually, these contractions will become regular and predictable. True contractions are different compared to Braxton Hicks contractions in that it continues regardless of the woman’s level of activity. It increases in duration, frequency and intensity and can cause cervical dilatation.

 

Oftentimes, labor begins with rupture of the membranes. It is usually felt as either a sudden gush or a scanty, slow leaking of clear fluid from the vagina. Early rupture of the membranes can be beneficial because it can cause the fetus’ head to settle into the pelvis, which can actually shorten the labor process.

 

Another sign of true labor is the “bloody show”. The mucus plug that once filled the cervical canal during pregnancy is expelled. Cervical capillaries will be exposed and blood starts to leak out due to the pressure exerted by the fetus. The blood, which is mixed with mucus, appears pinkish, hence the term “bloody show”.

 

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