The initial period of birth is perhaps the longest, especially if the birth is first. It can last up to 12 hours and even drag out up to one and a half days. In such situations, doctors are forced to use labor stimulation. The purpose of the first stage is to open the cervix up to ten centimeters.
Most often, the onset of labor is characterized by regular contractions. Already in the first hours from the onset of labor, they become more and more intense, and the pauses between them are shortened.
Sensations before contractions
The uterus is made up of muscles, therefore, referring to the contraction of the uterus, I mean the contraction of them. During the fight, the uterus strains (for about one minute) and becomes denser. The sensation of contractions comes in the form of heaviness in the sacrum and lower abdomen, in the form of aches in the back. As if menstruation had come, only the pain is much stronger. It grows, reaching its climax, then gradually subsides until the next muscle contraction.
Each fight performs two tasks. The first is the restriction of space for the baby inside the uterus to make the fetus move to the zone of muscle resistance - the internal pharynx. Another task is to stretch the muscle fibers inside the cervix and dilute them up and to the sides. Each new fight lowers the baby lower and lower, which makes the uterus open. The first stage of labor ends, when the uterus is completely smoothed and opens. She is ready for childbirth.
The waters have gone
The second option of the initial stage is the discharge of amniotic fluid or its outflow in small portions. This suggests that it is time to gather in the hospital. Long anhydrous intervals can cause complications during childbirth, penetration of infections to the fetus or into the uterus. Ideally, the water flows in the middle or near the end of the first period. The bubble may leak slightly or burst suddenly. At the same time, pain is not felt, but a pregnant woman can be frightened by a strongly gushing fluid stream. After the waters leave, the sensation of contractions as such can begin in 1-2 hours.
It is necessary to pay attention to the color of the waste water and inform the doctor about it. Normally, they are transparent, odorless, have a slightly yellowish tint and may contain particles of blood. Coloring the water in green can cause the original feces of the fetus, which indicates oxygen starvation of the child.
When the first contractions begin, their sensations can be so minimal that they are not even felt by a woman as contractions. After a couple of hours, a feeling of rhythmic compaction of the uterus comes, similar to muscle tension. The duration of the first contractions can be from 15 to 30 seconds at intervals of 10-20 minutes.
Initial uterine contractions in the first stage of labor can be characterized by secretions of thick, viscous mucus mixed with blood. You should not worry - this is a mucous plug that performs the function of protecting the fetus from infection.
Gradually the feeling of contractions intensifies. They begin to repeat every seven minutes and last up to 50 seconds. During the first pregnancy, this phase can last up to 9 hours, and in women giving birth, up to 5 hours.
The uterus begins to open up to 1 cm per hour. If initially the sensation of contractions was barely visible, now the woman in labor feels growing pain. A woman gets tired during the bout, which can last up to one minute with breaks of 3-5 minutes. In this phase, the doctor may suggest pain medication.
After the uterus opens by 8 cm, contractions intensify to the limit and last up to 90 seconds at intervals of two minutes. A woman at this time cannot understand where the fight is, where is the break. She gets tired both physically and emotionally. This period lasts up to 20 minutes, but sometimes drags on for up to an hour. The final stage is the birth of the baby, then the afterbirth.