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Before the approach of childbirth, any woman is overcome by various fears and worries. She thinks about how long childbirth lasts and how painful this process is, and worries about the baby’s health. To dispel all doubts and anxieties, you need to prepare in advance for the upcoming event and tune in only to the positive.

The duration of labor usually depends on the number of births. The more children you have, the faster, as a rule, the baby is born. There are also such concepts as rapid and protracted labor, for which you also need to be prepared in order to, if necessary, agree to stimulation or cesarean section.

Remember that childbirth is an absolutely natural process and during pregnancy your body has time to fully prepare for it. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid of anything, it is better to get ready to meet your baby soon and follow all the doctor’s recommendations. Any birth takes place in several stages, the duration of which is individual for each, but still there are certain time frames for them. Let's find out how long they last.

Stages of labor

Stage No. 1 - contractions

At this stage, the cervix should fully dilate to 10-12 cm. This period is also divided in time into several intervals. The first woman may not even feel it, it is called latent (early, hidden). Contractions at this time can be confused with training contractions and they can be practically unnoticeable. But if they grow and the intervals between them gradually decrease, then even at 37-38 weeks this is already a reason to go to the maternity hospital.

The duration of this period depends on several factors:

• a woman's ability to relax;
• hormonal levels of a pregnant woman;
• cervical readiness.

The latent period usually lasts from 4 to 6 hours, but can sometimes reach 12 hours. This period of time is best spent on the move. The woman can stand or walk slowly. But if she is very tired, then you can try to get as much sleep as possible.

Contractions are usually not painful and occur over a significant period of time, which gradually decreases. In order for the cervix to open faster, it is necessary to empty the bladder regularly. And if suddenly at this stage you are not yet in the maternity hospital, you should urgently go there.

During the active period of contractions, pain gradually increases, and the interval between them is less than 5 minutes. The fetus descends, the baby is almost ready to be born. This stage usually lasts from 4 to 8 hours and ends when the cervix is ​​10 cm dilated.

You need to know that when using epidural anesthesia, this period takes longer, and stimulants, on the contrary, speed up the process. The main thing is that during the stage of active contractions the woman tries to relax and does not panic. The most painful is the dilation from 8 to 10 cm, when the cervix is ​​not yet fully ready, but pushing has already begun. It is better to spend this time lying down, and under no circumstances push. It can range from several minutes to several hours. Depending on how many children you have.

Stage No. 2 - pushing

So, the uterus has dilated by 10 cm and the most crucial moment begins - pushing. It will require a lot of strength and endurance from you. At this moment, you must concentrate completely, listen to the doctors and follow all their instructions as much as possible. The intervals between contractions will become a little longer, which will provide an opportunity for rest. During the first birth, the baby will be born gradually and it is very important to listen to the advice of the midwife so as not to harm him.

Don't panic! The sooner you calm down, the sooner the baby will be born. Pushing usually lasts from a few minutes to 1 hour, depending on the presence of stimulation and the order of labor. And finally you can meet your baby.

Stage No. 3 - birth of the placenta

This period can last from 10 to 30 minutes. Some time after the birth of the child, attempts begin again, which require much less effort, as a result of which the afterbirth is born. After which the baby is put to the breast for the first time and all painful sensations are instantly forgotten.

Duration of first birth

The first birth is always a very exciting event. The woman is very worried because she does not know exactly what she will have to endure. She asks herself a whole series of questions. How long does the first birth last? How to behave correctly? How painful is it? There's really nothing to worry about.

Previously, it was believed that the first birth should last no more than 24 hours. However, now these periods have been slightly reduced. Normal time For the birth of the first child, doctors consider a period of up to 18 hours. But on average they occur within 11-12 hours.

The total time is calculated from the moment contractions begin until the birth of the placenta. Contractions usually last about 10 hours and at the initial stage can pass unnoticed by the expectant mother. The second stage takes no more than an hour and at the end of it the baby is born. Then comes the third, which lasts no more than 30 minutes and does not require special efforts from the woman in labor.

If the first birth occurs within 4-6 hours, then it is called rapid. If the period is even shorter, then rapid. But if their duration is more than 18 hours, then labor is protracted. In this case, doctors usually resort to stimulation or decide on caesarean section.

How long does the second, third or subsequent birth last?

It would seem that having given birth to a child once, a woman no longer needs to worry about how the second birth will go. She knows how to behave, remembers all the sensations and emotions. But she still worries about her baby. There is no need to worry. The body is completely ready and is already familiar with the process of labor; all you have to do is relax as much as possible and get ready to meet your baby soon.

The second, third and subsequent births, as a rule, go much faster than the first. The second birth occurs 2-3 hours faster. The norm for them is considered to be from 7 to 8 hours. In this case, contractions usually last 6-7 hours, pushing lasts no more than 30 minutes, and the placenta is born 15 minutes after the baby is born.

The third lasts even faster, like all the subsequent ones. This is due to the fact that the cervix, once it has experienced labor, dilates faster. Normally, third labor lasts 6-7 hours, and sometimes less. At the same time, contractions continue for 5-6 hours. Attempts may end within a few minutes, depending on the behavior of the woman in labor. The fact is that a child, as a rule, is born not gradually, but immediately. And what more woman If she listens to doctors and pushes correctly, the faster the newborn will be born. The afterbirth is born within about 10 minutes.

If you are planning a second, third or subsequent birth, it is better to go to the maternity hospital in advance. Because there is a risk that after the contractions start, you may simply not have time to get to him.

What are the dangers of protracted labor?

Firstly, if contractions last long enough, the woman becomes very tired. She loses strength and panics. Because of this, the chances of giving birth on your own become less and less every hour.

Secondly, if the water breaks in the first hours of contractions, and pushing does not begin for a long time, there is a risk of the baby getting an infection. In this situation, the doctor is forced to prescribe antibiotics to keep the baby healthy. Thirdly, if the baby becomes entangled in the umbilical cord, he experiences oxygen starvation and if a woman is unable to give birth naturally, doctors decide to end the birth as soon as possible and perform a caesarean section.

What are the dangers of rapid or rapid labor?

Such childbirth threatens to injure the child and the mother’s birth canal. Very strong contractions of the uterus seem to press the baby’s head into the birth canal, which can lead to damage to the fetus’s cervical spine. In addition, the soft and mobile bones of the baby’s skull may shift incorrectly during rapid labor, which will lead to the development of various abnormalities in the child.

As a result of a very rapid birth, a mother can suffer ruptures of the cervix and perineum varying degrees, which doctors will sew up immediately after childbirth. Which will bring quite a lot of inconvenience in the first month after childbirth. In addition, serious ruptures risk significant blood loss, which can negatively affect the mother's health.

In what cases is stimulation used during childbirth?

If the mother runs out of strength or labor is not strong enough to avoid complications, doctors have to resort to inducing labor with drugs. This decision largely depends on the woman’s condition, the conditions of the maternity hospital, as well as the qualifications of the doctor leading the birth.

With the introduction of stimulants, contractions become stronger and more painful, which leads to the need to use painkillers during childbirth. But there are cases when it is impossible to do without stimulation. For example, if after the water breaks there is no labor activity.

You should not be afraid of any of these situations. These are exceptions rather than the rule. In most cases, both the first and subsequent births proceed normally for everyone. But you need to know these nuances in order to be prepared for the fact that at some point you may need medical intervention to help keep you and your baby healthy. And it doesn’t matter how long your labor will take, the main thing is that it goes without complications and you finally see the baby you want.

Useful video

In order for a woman to more easily endure childbirth and labor, she must understand well how this process occurs, how long each stage lasts, and also behave correctly during childbirth, following the instructions given to her by the midwife or doctor. Only if the woman in labor is absolutely calm and does not panic, can we guarantee that everything will end completely safely, and most importantly, quickly enough. Let's find out how to identify contractions and how long contractions last?

What are contractions and how do they start?

The onset of labor is marked by involuntary contractions of the muscles that make up the walls of the uterus. These contractions are called contractions, which the woman begins to feel. Contractions last until the cervix is ​​fully dilated. This completes the first stage of labor.

If you go into labor, it is important that you accurately record the time the first contraction started, how long it lasted, and the time it ended. It is best to carefully record the beginning and end of each contraction on a separate sheet of paper. This is necessary so that the doctor can correctly determine whether your labor has slowed down or whether it has become weak - this is a condition when the intervals between contractions begin to increase, and they themselves become shorter. By the way, this will also help you pay less attention to pain.

Recording contractions will help you determine whether these are real labor contractions or whether they are just their harbingers - false contractions. In the latter case, contractions will be irregular, with different intervals, which will increase instead of shortening.

Quite often it happens that before contractions begin, amniotic fluid leaks out. If this happens, be sure to record the time when your water broke and quickly get ready for the maternity hospital. The same must be done if the waters have not completely receded, but have just begun to leak. The fact is that it is the amniotic fluid, coupled with the bladder, that protects the child from infection, and if more than 12 hours pass from the moment of its release, the baby may become infected.

What is preliminary pain

Preliminary pain is a painful nagging sensation that sometimes occurs before childbirth in the lower back or lower abdomen. These are not contractions yet, they are not wave-like in nature and do not have a clearly defined beginning and end. If you begin to experience preliminary pain, try taking a couple of No-Spa tablets and relax, perhaps fall asleep. If this does not help, then consult a doctor, since the development of preliminary pain can lead to a weakening in the future of contractions and labor in general.

How long do contractions last?

Previously it was believed that normal labor could not last more than a day from the start of contractions. Today, this time has been significantly reduced, and modern women in labor manage this important matter in less than 18 hours. If a woman’s contractions continue longer, the labor is considered protracted.

Strictly speaking, childbirth is divided into three periods and the contractions, which are the first period, last the longest. On average, during the first birth the duration of contractions is about 10 hours; in multiparous women this happens somewhat faster - 4-6 hours. During this time, the cervix fully opens and the baby begins to move through the birth canal, usually head first.

Listen carefully to what the midwife tells you, do not start pushing ahead of time, even if it seems to you that the contractions have been going on for quite a long time and it’s time. If your cervix is ​​not fully open, you could not only rupture it, but also injure your unborn baby.

It is believed that the second birth is less painful and faster in time compared to the first. But the birth of a second child is accompanied by psychological problems for each family member. The mother experiences more fear for the baby’s health than during her first pregnancy. Let us consider in more detail the features of the course of the second pregnancy and childbirth.

Second pregnancy and childbirth: women's fears

Subsequent pregnancy is not easy for all women. Firstly, the mother has already heard about many diseases and complications during pregnancy, possible pathologies development of the fetus, therefore there is more fear for the baby’s health. A pregnant woman monitors her every sensation, constantly asks for ultrasound diagnostics, and meticulously interrogates the gynecologist about the condition of the fetus. And closer to the due date, he will find out about the second birth: how it’s going, whether there will be complications, which doctor to see.

If the first pregnancy of many young mothers is based on trust in the doctor (the doctor said it must be done), then the second time the woman will meticulously read the instructions of the medications, consult with other gynecologists, and look for reviews with similar cases.

Such meticulousness may be due to the fact that the woman does not feel very well. For example, there are health problems, less than two years passed between the first and second births, there were abortions or miscarriages after the first birth. Consequently, the woman’s body is not ready to give birth to a healthy baby. A lack of certain minerals will lead to serious illnesses (for example, a lack of iron - to anemia, vitamin deficiency) during pregnancy and weak labor.

Secondly, fear of childbirth arises if the first one went through complications and ruptures. A woman initially prepares herself that others will be the same. There will be fear if the first child was born by caesarean section, and the second time a natural birth is scheduled. Also, if the time period before the first and second births is more than five years, then the pregnant woman experiences her situation as a first-time mother, despite the fact that she already has children.

Thirdly, the woman does not know how the life of her family will change with the birth of her second child. She is more concerned about the psychological microclimate of the relationship, possible problems (children's jealousy, marital misunderstanding).

If the mother is over forty years old, then thoughts about the baby’s future and his health involuntarily come. This is especially true for families where the pregnancy was unplanned. For a woman, the global question remains about how she will raise a child when there are material, financial, and housing problems.

That is why the second pregnancy and second birth require preliminary preparation. Go through a full examination to find out about your health, cure all chronic “sores”, tighten your muscles physical exercise, go to proper nutrition, replenish the vitamin and mineral balance of the body.

Discuss the issue with all family members about having a second child. By the third trimester, sign up for courses for pregnant women to find out how other mothers feel, find like-minded friends. And also constantly tune yourself to positive thoughts.

How will your second pregnancy go?

Whatever the order of pregnancy, each woman experiences her own ailments, sensations, and emotions. However, based on reviews from multiparous women, let’s try to consider how the second pregnancy and second birth went.

The woman already knows what pregnancy ailments she may encounter, so she takes it calmly. In this case, toxicosis can bypass it, since the hormonal background will be different than before the first birth. Breast tenderness may not be felt, but milk may be released from the first trimester.

Culinary preferences will not be the same as during the first pregnancy. They may be more strange or, conversely, adequate. In any case, the woman treats them more rationally, tries to come to an agreement with the baby, and does not send her husband on a winter night to buy peaches.

With a second pregnancy, almost every second woman may encounter varicose veins and hemorrhoids. If you have health problems, your health may worsen. For example, a woman with diabetes mellitus, heart disease or endocrinological problems will be more often observed by a gynecologist and specialists than a healthy pregnant woman.

Despite the fact that most often the second pregnancy is easier, the woman will also feel tired, weak, and irritated. Since her situation is supplemented by worries around the house, an older child, and a spouse. How younger child, the more things mom has to do.

But the second pregnancy may be more difficult than the first if there are the following parameters:

• the woman’s age is more than forty years;
• the interval between the first and second births is more than ten years;
• chronic age-related diseases;
• the presence of abortions, miscarriages after the first birth;
• negative Rh factor;
• serious gynecological diseases;
• lack of physical fitness.

Alas, in this case, the doctor must not only help carry a healthy baby to term and give birth to him, but also maintain the health of the mother. If at least one of the above factors occurs, then the woman will have to undergo tests and examinations an order of magnitude higher than during the first pregnancy in order to eliminate the risks of abnormalities in the fetus and pregnancy defects. By the way, these indicators aggravate the second birth (reviews from women in labor confirm that labor time increases and requires the intervention of qualified specialists).

Why are varicose veins dangerous during a second pregnancy?

More often, a woman thinks that varicose veins are determined by a mesh venous pattern and bruises. However, these signs already indicate the presence varicose veins veins At the onset of this complication, there will be other symptoms:

• swelling, heaviness, pain in the legs;
• nocturnal calf cramps;
• skin without a pattern of venous vessels.

You should not wait for the appearance of varicose veins, which can lead a woman to thrombophlebitis or an ulcer on the skin above the venous node, and the fetus to premature birth, since the delivery of oxygen with nutrients is difficult. By the way, with varicose veins, the second birth will not be easier than the first, since the pressure also applies to the vessels.

When the first signs of varicose veins appear, or better yet at the beginning of pregnancy, visit a phlebologist who will explain how to avoid varicose veins and make you feel better. If there is a disease, he will select knitwear compression underwear, will prescribe medications and refer you to physical therapy.

Varicose veins can also be detected using ultrasound diagnostics based on the state of blood flow. The presence of stars on the skin is often the result of hormonal changes. Such telangiectasias disappear after childbirth without causing varicose veins in the woman.

What are the dangers of hemorrhoids during a second pregnancy?

Pregnancy, childbirth, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition become the causes of primary hemorrhoids. Signs of the disease mild degree is slight bleeding, tolerable pain when going to the toilet, discomfort in the rectum. Upon examination, the doctor sees hemorrhoids and inflammation of the rectum.

If you ignore the first signs of hemorrhoids, then unpleasant sensations are added to them: discharge, itching, prolapse of nodes, nagging pain in the rectal area. The pain can be so severe that it affects the lumbar region and sacrum. If you ignore these ailments, severe hemorrhoids will develop, which will require surgical intervention.

Hemorrhoids bring severe pain to a pregnant woman, which distracts her from the fetus. She simply misses the first harbingers of the second birth, as she suffers from severe pain. Women who have gone through childbirth with untreated hemorrhoids are recommended to treat the disease at the initial stage, since the duration of labor increases significantly, the intervention of a proctologist is required, and even after the birth of the child the disease does not disappear.

Thus, it is important for a pregnant woman to start treatment at the initial stage. Firstly, therapy will take place at home with the help of suppositories, ointments, creams that relieve pain, relieve inflammation, constrict blood vessels, weaken stools and do not harm the fetus. Secondly, avoid surgery. Thirdly, cure this disease before childbirth, since hemorrhoids complicate the process of labor.

What to take to the maternity hospital?

With their second pregnancy, many women are in no hurry to go to the maternity hospital. Some say that they themselves know when the second birth will begin (reviews from most mothers confirm this fact), while others do not know what to do with their older child for several days. Therefore, such women in labor are often brought in by ambulance hastily dressed. To prevent this from happening, you need to prepare for the maternity hospital from the beginning.

• If contractions occur, call ambulance and find out which maternity hospital on duty accepts women in labor.
• If this is not the maternity hospital where you were assigned from the antenatal clinic, then call and find out what things to take with you. Since some hospitals require clothes for a newborn, while other departments only require diapers and necessary things for a woman in labor.
• Take the necessary things: personal hygiene products, nightgown, robe, slippers, dishes.
• Collect documents: passport, policy, birth certificate, exchange card.
• It is allowed to drink water without gases. The list of other products is clarified with the doctor, since in case of a complication or caesarean section, a five-day diet is followed.

All other necessary things can be brought by the spouse or relatives after the birth during the reception hours. If the birth was difficult, then a nurse or nurse can hand over the items. More practical mothers carefully select a maternity hospital and obstetrician in advance. At the first contractions, tell your doctor to see him. Next, the doctor informs the pregnant woman when to come and give birth.

How will natural childbirth go the second time?

The second birth is easier than the first in terms of the fact that it goes faster. So, the firstborn is born in about twelve hours, and the second baby will be born on average after eight hours. The stages of labor are the same as those of the first. The only difference is in the preparedness of the female body for labor.

Let us remember that childbirth consists of three stages:

1. Cervical dilatation takes twelve to sixteen hours.
2. The expulsion of the fetus lasts for an hour.
3. The postpartum period lasts approximately half an hour.

However, there are exceptions when labor can drag on for two days, or it can pass in two hours. Quick and painless childbirth often occurs in athletes whose muscles are elastic from training, and whose cervix is ​​more elastic from the first birth. During the second labor, the birth of the baby can take just a few minutes if the woman does everything correctly.

The mistake of many multiparous women is their self-confidence. They wait until the last minute (the interval between contractions is a couple of minutes, the amniotic fluid is pouring out) and call an ambulance. At the same time, childbirth often takes place on the threshold of a maternity hospital without observing the necessary sanitary standards.

Second birth: how does it begin?

Labor begins with contractions. As soon as they become regular, you need to consult a doctor. Even if a woman was admitted to the maternity hospital in advance, the doctor will see her as soon as the interval of contractions is five to ten minutes. This time will be enough for the pregnant woman to prepare for labor.

Contractions help dilate the cervix. The muscles put pressure on the amniotic sac, causing amniotic fluid to leak. The first contractions during the second birth are tolerable, similar to muscle spasms that appear in the third trimester of pregnancy. During this time, the cervix shortens and smoothes. Amniotic fluid may pour out prematurely, at the beginning of labor or after full dilation of the birth canal.

Then the cervix begins to actively dilate. Within a few hours, contractions become rhythmic, painful, and the cervix should dilate ten centimeters. In multiparous women, active labor (when the cervix reaches ten centimeters in size) is more intense. Many multiparous mothers note that the second birth is easier than the first.

During contractions, you should not clamp down, as this will only increase the duration of labor. Multiparous women, in comparison with primiparous women, endure painful contractions steadfastly. They walk, stand on all fours, lie down, change positions, try to relax during contractions, remembering that this state lasts only a few seconds.

Characteristics of the second period

The second stage of labor begins from the moment the cervix is ​​fully dilated. The interval between contractions is three minutes, and they are accompanied by pushing. This is due to the fact that the fetus puts pressure on the anus, which causes the urge to have a bowel movement. However, at this moment you cannot push yet, since the child has not yet taken the correct position.

Multiparous women always listen carefully to the midwife and follow her recommendations so that the second birth takes place without ruptures and injuries to the child. Childbirth takes place on a special bed, where the woman rests her feet on supports and bends her arms at the elbows, holding special handles.

You only need to push during contractions. To do this, inhale more air, hold your breath and push. Only after this do you exhale smoothly. During one contraction you need to push three times. The harder you push, the faster the baby will be born without birth injuries. In this case, you need to listen to the midwife so that your actions do not lead to ruptures or harm the baby.

Characteristics of the third period

At the third stage, the mother gives birth to a second child, and labor comes to an end. The newborn is placed on the mother's stomach and the umbilical cord is cut. Next, the pediatrician examines the baby, and the pregnant woman’s baby’s place comes out. In this case, there is a nagging pain in the groin area and a feeling of straining. Usually the baby's place comes out the first time you try to push. But sometimes a woman becomes very weak, then a doctor helps her.

A few hours later, the doctor examines the woman in labor. If there are ruptures, they are sutured under local or internal anesthesia. While the woman in labor is in the maternity hospital, she will undergo a daily examination in a gynecological chair and injections that help the muscles of the uterus return to their original position. Some mothers with an athletic build advise working out their abs, then by the time they are discharged their stomach becomes flat. However, these tips are not suitable for everyone, since you need to look at how the second birth went, what physical training women, do you have any health problems?

After childbirth, a woman in labor may be bothered by bleeding, pain in the lower abdomen or perineum, problems with stool, hemorrhoids, and engorgement of the mammary glands. But these are common ailments that a woman feels after childbirth. Feeding a newborn helps reduce pain and accelerates contraction of the uterine muscles.

How is a caesarean section performed?

So, we looked at how the natural second birth went. How does labor begin via caesarean section? If a woman has already undergone surgery, she experiences less fear than the first time. Firstly, she already knows what she will face. Secondly, he knows what type of anesthesia to choose. Third, he experiences less anxiety about the operation.

Caesarean section is performed only on the recommendation of a gynecologist or specialized specialists (ophthalmologist, endocrinologist, phlebologist, cardiologist). Such a pregnant woman is placed in the maternity hospital in advance, observing her and the fetus. The woman gives everything away necessary tests, undergoes ultrasound, examinations by a gynecologist-obstetrician.

The doctor monitors the condition of the woman and the fetus for a couple of days and sets a day for surgery. It often happens that a pregnant woman is sent home after receiving good tests, and at night she is already taken to give birth urgently. The reason lies in stress and overload: with joy, the mother’s fear of childbirth disappears, she grabs onto all the household chores, gets overtired and does not notice the onset of contractions.

Caesarean section is not prescribed prematurely, even if this is the second birth. How do they go in this case? The doctor waits for the first signs of labor (contractions, pushing). As soon as a pregnant woman begins to frequently run to the toilet, she is sent to the shower, the intestines are cleansed, then before the operating room she is sent to the shower again.

In the operating room, a catheter is administered, anesthesia is administered, and after a few minutes (on average half an hour), the mother is pumped out of the anesthesia and allowed to look at the child. Next, the woman is under the supervision of a nurse and doctor for several hours. If necessary, the doctor “squeezes” blood out of the uterus with strong pushes. These painful actions are necessary to avoid inflammation.

After the second birth by cesarean section, two to three hours later the baby can be brought in for the first feeding. It is better to ask a nurse for help, since the woman in labor may not have the strength to get up. After eight to twelve hours, the woman will be forced to pace, and after a day she will be transferred to a regular ward. If the maternity hospital is overcrowded, the baby can be delivered to the mother immediately, and not three days after the operation.

After giving birth, a woman will be given a special diet of broth and dried apricot decoction to get her intestines working, since you can’t push after a suture. Her medical examination is completely different; her stitch is examined by the operating nurse in the ward.

Thus, the second pregnancy is just as exciting as the first. The second birth, if it proceeds normally, lasts less than the first time. But the older a woman is, the more health problems she has, and therefore, complications during childbirth are more likely to occur.

Women who carry a child repeatedly are already more prepared for the upcoming process. But it is not always possible to recognize contractions during the second birth, perceiving true moments as false.

Training

The muscles of the uterus contract throughout pregnancy, but some women begin to feel this closer to the 9th month. Such contractions are called prenatal contractions and are the body’s training for the upcoming birth. The purpose of false contractions is to prepare the uterus and cervix for the birth of the baby; the baby’s position in the mother’s womb is adjusted.

The intensity and absence of pain symptoms indicates that training contractions have begun before the second birth. Spasms last no more than 60 seconds, are irregular, and only cause inconvenience. At these moments, the pregnant woman can practice breathing techniques and master pain-relieving poses.

Signs of real contractions are also observed during training contractions, if the mucus plug comes off prematurely. This is triggered either by vaginal examination or sexual intercourse. With false spasms, the plug has a brown tint without signs of blood.

At the culmination of preparatory muscle contractions, the pain is concentrated only in the lower abdomen. When it begins to spread to the back, this is the beginning of true contractions. Spasms occur at any time of the day, but more often labor activity begins closer to the night, when the body produces oxytocin.

If the duration of contractions does not increase and the interval between contractions does not decrease, these are false signs. At this stage, irregular spasms are characteristic. When a woman begins to move, the training tension will ease or stop altogether.

True

How to understand that contractions have begun during the second birth? The main indicator of labor contractions is their frequency. The spasms are more frequent, quite painful and last for several hours.
An experienced woman can easily understand the sensations of a second pregnancy. This is already a sign that to the expectant mother it became easier to breathe, indicating a drooping of the abdomen, which was previously pressing on the diaphragm. This is the baby's head dropping into the upper pelvis.

How do contractions go during the second birth?

1. the baby begins to move more actively;
2. the frequency of spasms and relaxations lasts more than 40 minutes;
3. the woman feels painful contractions in the abdomen and back;
4. The contractions begin gently, reach a climax and gradually subside.

Each subsequent contraction of the uterine muscles is more intense than the previous one, which is a sign of dilation of the cervix. Muscle tension pushes the child forward. But initially a mucus plug will come out, resembling pinkish jelly.

You can determine that contractions have begun by the fluid flowing down your legs - this is a ruptured amniotic sac. At the same time, the body begins to cleanse itself, so the pregnant woman experiences gastrointestinal disorders, accompanied not only by diarrhea, but also by vomiting.

Other accompanying sensations appear before the 2nd birth. Some pregnant women feel tired, lose their appetite, and feel chills. Others, on the contrary, experience a surge of energy and high spirits. A woman manifests nesting syndrome on a subconscious level; she tries to restore order in the house.

Deadlines

Is it possible to miss contractions during the second birth? Yes, this is possible if the water has not completely broken due to a bubble that has not burst. Women before their second birth wait for all the signs to be present, so muscle tension without water breaking is perceived as false.

Contractions in a second-bearing mother do not manifest themselves in the same way as when the child first appears. The muscles of the uterus are already more elastic, the organ becomes soft and pliable in a short period, so everything happens quickly.

If the waters have broken completely and there are no signs, the first uterine contractions may appear when labor is already progressing. In order not to miss the main point, they call an ambulance if there are contractions or their absence at the stage when the fluid begins to ooze. This will avoid subsequent infections and fetal suffocation.

But if everything goes according to the standard scheme, then the pregnant woman still has time to prepare for delivery. The birth of a baby is accompanied by periods of contractions. At the first stage, the spasms are not so strong and do not last long - everything is dynamic, increasing. The phase lasts several hours.

How long do contractions last during the second birth? Once labor spasms have been recognized, the woman should control their frequency. If contractions occur every hour and the relaxation period lasts no more than 20 minutes, it is too early to worry; at this stage, delivery is slow.

If the duration of contractions has been reduced to 10 minutes, and the spasms continue for 40-50 seconds, the period of cervical dilatation is noted. But if contractions are observed after 2 minutes, and each takes 90 seconds, the baby is already able to leave the uterus, since the cervix is ​​fully dilated.

When to go to the maternity hospital if contractions begin during the second birth? Too frequent spasms, with a period of less than 10 minutes, are already a reason to call an ambulance or go to the maternity hospital in your own transport. If for primiparas the expulsion phase takes about an hour, then for women giving birth again, everything happens in a shorter period.

While waiting for transport, it is possible to feel better by doing breathing exercises during contractions. In the interval between spasms, it is advisable to relax, rest, waiting for the next wave. Massage is practiced, which is natural remedy pain relief.

Anomalies

Sometimes the first phase of labor drags on for several hours, or even days. If a woman is already ready for the process, you can speed up the birth of a child with stimulation - a shower, nipple massage, exercises. But in case of pathologies of labor, any independent manipulations are prohibited.

Swift. Typically, in second-bearing women, the stages occur quite quickly, immediately moving from one phase to another. When the process takes less than 4 hours, the birth is said to have been rapid and is considered abnormal. This is due to disturbances in the contractile functions of the uterine muscles. Rapid delivery occurs if the pregnancy was accompanied by pathologies (severe toxicosis, pyelonephritis, inflammation), or there is a genetic predisposition to myocytosis.

During early labor, premature placental abruption occurs, which threatens the baby's life due to lack of oxygen. Complications arise for the mother - the rapid advancement of the fetus leads to tissue ruptures in the birth canal. Heavy bleeding is possible, which cannot always be stopped in time.

Breaks. Even a woman giving birth repeatedly can have ruptures not only of the perineum, but also of the muscles inside the vagina. This happens not only during rapid labor, but also when a large fetus appears. Deep tears are not always diagnosed, they are very difficult to stitch up, and this leads to infection of the woman. Sloppy seams make the muscles less elastic, which will affect subsequent births, and also cause discomfort during sexual intercourse.

To avoid ruptures, the obstetrician cuts the perineum, clearing the way for the baby. This is done at the stage when the baby’s head is at the exit of the vagina and there is a risk of rupture.

C-section. After waiting for the first stage of contractions to begin, the pregnant woman is prepared for the procedure. Sometimes surgery is not planned and becomes the final stage of a complex natural birth.

After the birth of a newborn, a woman will be weakened; discomfort from the stitches causes severe pain, which can be relieved with medication. To avoid the development of infections after a cesarean section, the mother is prescribed strong antibiotics. Because of this, the baby is not immediately transferred to breastfeeding.

Birth of twins. Multiple births entail many problems during childbirth. The uterus is overstretched and will not contract as it should. In such a situation, a woman cannot always find out the true contractions, because the birth of babies occurs before the appointed time. The duration of the process depends on the presentation and the number of amniotic sacs.

At the birth of the first twin, the traditional stages of delivery are observed, but the second child will appear much faster, since the path has already been prepared. But if there are problems with the exit of the first baby, then the second will develop hypoxia.

Postpartum period

The final stage of labor is the appearance of the newborn, the release of the placenta and membranes. But until this moment, the woman will still have to spend energy on pushing, helping the child move out.

Birth process for 2 births:

• emergence of the crown of the baby from the vagina;
• after a couple of contractions, the whole head is already outside;
• First one shoulder comes out, then the other;
• a few attempts - and the baby is finally born.

A woman still feels contractions for some time after her second birth. The uterus continues to contract strongly to push the placenta away from the inner wall. Mom will have to push to complete the process, which usually lasts no more than 5 minutes.

If rejection persists, the woman in labor is given an injection of oxytocin to stimulate active contractions. Mechanical force is also used. As soon as the placenta slips out of the vagina, it is inspected to ensure its integrity. If at least one slice is missing, a control cleaning of the uterus is done to avoid infection.

Incomplete separation of the placenta leads to blood loss, as the pieces remaining inside prevent the blood vessels from closing. This is especially important during the birth of twins, when the uterus is overstretched and muscle tone weak An improperly attached placenta changes the position of the uterus, which leads to further problems for the woman. Therefore, the midwife will have to immediately return the uterus to its place by manually adjusting it.

For a multiparous woman, the description of contractions is already familiar, but each subsequent pregnancy is still perceived as the first. Some processes are completely different from others, and can confuse even an experienced woman. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to find out and remember everything about the second birth and contractions in advance.

What sensations indicate that labor is approaching?

From the grip before childbirth - periodic spasms of the muscles of the uterus, characterized by increasing dynamics and intensity. Understanding the mechanism of this process and its purpose will help you overcome fear and act consciously during childbirth.

In modern obstetric practice, labor begins precisely with the appearance of rhythmic uterine contractions of increasing intensity. It is important to know the difference between true contractions in order to be in the maternity hospital on time.

As obstetricians note, the behavior and mood of the woman in labor has a noticeable influence on the course of labor. The right attitude gives a woman an understanding of the processes occurring in her body. Contractions are indeed one of the most difficult periods in childbirth, but they are the force that contributes to the birth of a child. Therefore, they should be perceived as a natural state.

Training, warning or prenatal contractions

From the fifth month of pregnancy, expectant mothers may feel occasional tension in the abdomen. The uterus contracts for 1-2 minutes and relaxes. If you put your hand on your stomach at this moment, you can feel that it has become hard. Often pregnant women describe this condition as “petrification” of the uterus (stony belly). These are training contractions or Braxton Hicks contractions: they can occur continuously until the end of pregnancy. Their characteristic features are irregularity, short duration, and painlessness.

The nature of their appearance is associated with the process of gradual preparation of the body for childbirth, but the exact reasons for their occurrence have not yet been clarified. In addition, there is an opinion that “training” is provoked by increased physical and emotional activity, stress, fatigue, and they can also be a response of the uterine muscles to fetal movements or sexual intercourse. The frequency is individual - from once every few days to several times an hour. Some women don't feel them at all.

Inconveniences caused by false contractions can be easily eliminated. You need to lie down or change your position. Braxton Hicks contractions do not dilate the cervix and do not cause any harm to the fetus, so they should be perceived only as one of the natural moments of pregnancy.

Approximately from the 38th week of pregnancy, the period of precursors begins. Along with prolapse of the uterine fundus, weight loss, an increase in the amount of discharge and other processes noticeable to the pregnant woman, it is distinguished by the appearance of precursor or false contractions.

Just like training ones, they do not open the cervix of the uterus and do not threaten pregnancy, although the intensity of the sensations is more vivid and may well instill anxiety in first-time women. Premonitory contractions have intervals that do not decrease over time, and the strength of the spasms that compress the uterus does not increase. A warm bath, sleep, or snack can help ease these contractions.

It is impossible to stop real or labor contractions by resting or changing positions. Contractions occur involuntarily, under the influence of complex hormonal processes in the body, and are not subject to any control on the part of the woman in labor. Their frequency and intensity are increasing. In the initial phase of labor, contractions are short, lasting about 20 seconds and repeating every 15-20 minutes. By the time the cervix is ​​completely opened, the interval is reduced to 2-3 minutes, and the duration of contractions increases to 60 seconds.

In order to make sure that real contractions begin, it is worth correctly calculating the interval between them. As a rule, false contractions are chaotic, the interval between the first and second can be 40 minutes, between the second and third – 30 minutes, etc. While during real contractions the interval becomes stable, and the length of contractions increases.

Description and functions of contractions

A contraction is a wave-like movement of the muscles of the uterus in the direction from the fundus to the pharynx. With each spasm, the cervix softens, stretches, becomes less convex, and, thinning, gradually opens. Having reached a dilation of 10-12 cm, it is completely smoothed out, forming a single birth canal with the walls of the vagina.

Visualizing the process of labor pains can help cope with pain and uncontrollable emotions.

In each stage of labor, spastic movements of the organ are aimed at achieving a certain physiological result.

1. In the first period, contractions provide opening.
2. In the second, along with pushing, the function of contractive contractions is to expel the fetus from the uterine cavity and move it along the birth canal.
3. In the early postpartum period, pulsation of the uterine muscles promotes the separation of the placenta and prevents bleeding.
4. In the late postpartum period, spasms of the uterine muscles return the organ to its previous size.

Afterwards, pushing occurs - active contraction of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm (duration 10-15 sec.). Occurring reflexively, pushing helps move the baby along the birth canal.

Phases and duration of contractions before childbirth

There are several types: latent, active and deceleration phase. Each of them differs in the duration of the period, intervals and the contractions themselves.

The given parameters can be considered averaged and applicable to the normal course of labor. The actual time of contractions greatly depends on whether the woman is giving birth for the first time or this is a repeat birth, her physical and psychological readiness, anatomical features of the body and other factors.

Contractions before the first and subsequent births

However, a common factor that influences the duration of contractions is the experience of previous births. This refers to a kind of “memory” of the body that determines differences during certain processes. During the second and subsequent births, the birth canal opens on average 4 hours faster than during the first. This occurs because in women giving birth to their second or third child, the internal and external os open at the same time. During the first birth, dilation occurs sequentially - from the inside to the outside, which increases the time of contractions.

The nature of contractions before repeated birth may also differ: women in labor note their intensity and more active dynamics.

The factor that smoothes out the differences between the first and subsequent births is the time period separating them. The likelihood of prolonged dilatation is higher if more than 8-10 years have passed since the birth of the first child.

In articles devoted to the topics of motherhood and pregnancy, there is information that contractions before the second birth often occur not before, but after the waters have broken, and this happens not at 40, but at 38 weeks. Such options are not excluded, but there is no scientifically confirmed data indicating a direct connection between the serial number of births and the nature of their onset.

It is necessary to understand that the described scenarios are only options, and in no case an axiom. Each birth is very individual, and its course is a multifactorial process.

Feelings during contractions

In order to determine the onset of contractions, it is worth paying attention to the nature of the pain: before childbirth they are similar to menstrual pain. Pulls the lower abdomen and lower back. You may feel pressure, a feeling of fullness, heaviness. Here it is more appropriate to talk about discomfort rather than pain. Pain occurs later, as contractions intensify. It is caused by tension in the uterine ligaments and dilatation of the cervix.

The localization of sensations is quite subjective: in some women in labor the spasm has a girdling nature, its spread can be clearly associated with a wave that rolls from the bottom of the uterus or from one of the sides and covers the entire abdomen, in others the pain originates in the lumbar region, in others - directly in the uterus .

However, in the vast majority of cases, women experience the peak of spasm as a contraction, a strong contraction, or “grasping,” as follows from the very name of the contraction.

Is it possible to miss contractions?

Not all women in labor experience tension in the uterine muscles that causes unbearable pain. How a woman tolerates it depends on the threshold of sensitivity, emotional maturity and special preparation for childbirth. Some people endure the contractions, but for others they are too painful to hold back a scream. But it’s impossible not to feel contractions. If they are not there, then there is no labor activity, which is an essential condition for physiological childbirth.

Some uncertainty in the expectations of expectant mothers can be introduced by the stories of women who have already given birth, in whom labor began not with contractions, but with the breaking of water. You need to understand that this scenario in obstetrics is considered a deviation. Normally, at the peak of one of the contractions, intrauterine pressure stretches and ruptures the membrane of the amniotic sac, and amniotic fluid is poured out.

Spontaneous release of water is called premature. This situation requires immediate medical intervention; waiting for contractions at home is unacceptable.

Mechanism of action at the onset of contractions

It is important to understand what to do at home if contractions begin and labor is approaching. A few recommendations:

• The first thing is not to panic. Lack of composure and unconstructive emotions interfere with concentration and lead to unreasonable actions.
• Having felt the onset of contractions, you need to determine their type: are they really contractions before childbirth or harbingers. To do this, you need to use a stopwatch or special applications in mobile phone note the time and calculate the duration of intervals and contractions. If the frequency and duration do not increase, then there is nothing to worry about. The warning signs usually subside completely within two hours.
• If the spasms have become regular, the pause time between them is clearly defined, you can start getting ready for the maternity hospital. You should plan your departure so that you can be examined by a doctor by the time the frequency of contractions reaches once every 10 minutes. At normal course labor will occur approximately no earlier than 7 hours later. Therefore, if contractions begin at night, you should try to get at least a little rest.
• You can take a shower and do hygiene procedures.
• At repeated births You should go to the hospital immediately after contractions become regular, without waiting for their interval to shorten.