How will I know that I am in labor?
The onset of labor is usually marked by the onset of painful uterine contractions or labor pains. They usually start from the back radiating to the lower abdomen and thighs.
These may be preceded or associated with passage of blood mixed mucous discharge (show), which occurs as the mucous plug gets dislodged with the opening of the cervix (mouth of the uterus).
Initially, the uterine contractions may be erratic, coming at long and variable intervals. This is the latent or preparatory phase of labor which can last anywhere between a few hours to few days.
As the labor progresses from the latent phase to the active phase, the pains become more regular with increasing intensity and decreasing intervals. The active phase starts when the cervix is 3-4 cm dilated, lasting from 6-12 hours. It comprises of three distinct stages of labor.
First stage: During this stage, the cervix dilates from 3 cm to 10 cm and merges completely with the vagina to form a birth canal.
Second stage: Birth of the baby
Third stage: Delivery of the placenta
Coping with labor pains
Labor pains are usually perceived as a form of severe intensity pain. However, the duration of severe pains last only for a few hours and can be helped by a number of physical, psychological and pharmacological methods. These include:
Hot shower or bath
Walking
Breathing with other labor exercises
Massage
Pain killer injections
Epidural analgesia
What do you mean by rupture of membranes?
During pregnancy your baby is surrounded and cushioned by a fluid-filled bag called amniotic sac. This sac usually ruptures and the amniotic fluid leaks out at some stage of labor. You will experience this as a watery fluid discharge from the vagina. In 5% pregnancies (1 in 10 women), this may occur before labor pains starts (pre-labor rupture of membranes). If this happens, labor pains usually start within a few hours. If they do not start on their own, labor is induced using medication.
What are the symptoms for which I should report to the labour room?
Regular pains about 3-4 in 10-15 minutes
If fetal movements are reduced
Watery discharge (rupture of membranes)
Bleeding
If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, report if there is severe headache, blurring of vision, decreased urine output or pain in upper abdomen.
