11/08/2019
Will I know if I’m having contractions?
I like to explain contractions like a volume k**b, not a light switch. Labor is definitely not like on TV when a woman exclaims suddenly, “I’m gonna have the baby! It’s time” and everyone panics.
Typically at some point in the third trimester a woman may start to have occasional, isolated, mild and painless contractions. These are commonly referred to as Braxton Hicks contractions. These are quite normal, and very common.
Labor in contrast is defined as regular (close and rhythmic) uterine contractions AND changing cervical dilation. These are typically painful- okay, active labor is virtually always painful. But like a said it’s a scale of grey between the two, not black and white.
Regular or painful contractions in a PRETERM pregnancy are NOT normal. Contractions earlier in pregnancy may also mimic low back pain, sharp pelvic pain, menstrual like cramps, vaginal pain, or re**al pain. When in doubt, CALL US. Preterm labor can be halted, but earlier intervention is best.
Once at term, you can wait till contractions are very close and strong- unless you also have decreased fetal movement (See next post!), vaginal bleeding, leakage of fluid, GBS, a prior C-section, or other complication.
If you just don’t know what’s going, let’s err on the side of evaluation! One routine way to do this is external fetal monitoring. With two monitors on your tummy, we can trace fetal heart rate and any contractions, over time. See the humps in the lower half of the paper I’m holding? Those are contractions! And guess what- that patient couldn’t feel them!
Long story short, if you can’t tell they’re there, they’re not doing anything! If they are there and you’re unsure what you should do, call your OB!
Ok ladies- did you feel contractions?? Braxton Hicks?? Labor??
