Ostocal G (SK+F) নিবেদিত স্বাস্থ্য বিষয়ক সিরিজ "নারী স্বাস্থ্য" এর এই পর্বে বক্তব্য রেখেছেন
অধ্যাপক ডা. নিয়াজ টি. পারভীন
অধ্যাপক ও বিভাগীয় প্রধান (গাইনী)
মার্কস মেডিক্যাল কলেজ ও হাসপাতাল, ঢাকা
চেম্বারঃ পপুলার ডায়াগনস্টিক সেন্টার লিঃ
মিরপুর (সেকশন ১০), ঢাকা
এপয়েন্টমেন্টঃ 09613787807, 01308341127
মিডিয়া পার্টনার - Meditalk Digital
What is labor?
Labor is the process of childbirth, starting with contractions of the uterus and cervical dilation, and ending with the delivery of the baby.
As you get closer to your due date, you may begin to notice some subtle physical signs that labor is coming soon. Then you may see signs of early labor anywhere from hours to days before you transition into active labor and baby arrives.
How to Tell if You're in Labor
Signs of labor
You have likely gone into true labor if you’ve noticed the following signs, but always check with your practitioner to be sure:
Strong, frequent contractions
You’ll know you’re experiencing actual labor contractions (rather than the practice Braxton Hicks contractions) by assessing the pain’s frequency, intensity and location. If you’re unsure, ask yourself these questions:
Are the contractions evenly spaced? True labor contractions are spaced at regular intervals and become more frequent as time goes on.
How long do the contractions last? Real labor contractions last for 30 to 70 seconds each.
Are the contractions strong? Actual labor contractions get stronger over time and don’t ease up, even when you change positions. You may not be able to walk or talk through labor contractions once they’ve progressed.
Bloody show
You may notice the loss of your mucus plug - the cork sealing off your uterus from the outside world. It can come out in one large piece (it looks similar to the mucus in your nose) or lots of little ones, though you may not get a glimpse of it at all (and some women don't lose it before delivery).
In the last days before labor, you'll likely see increased and/or thickened vaginal discharge. This thickened, pinkish discharge is called bloody show and is a good indication that labor is imminent.
Belly and lower back pain
You may feel like you’re having strong menstrual cramps, stomach upset or lower abdominal pressure. You could also have pain in your lower back that radiates down into the legs. This pain won’t go away if you change positions.
Water breaking
While movies would have you think you’ll learn you’re in labor only when your water breaks (in the middle of a romantic dinner date at a busy restaurant, of course), that’s a very unlikely scenario.
For most women, membranes rupture and amniotic fluid leaks after other labor symptoms have already begun. And you won’t necessarily lose it all in one big gush, either - for some women, water breaking feels more like a trickle.
Your water breaking is actually one of the final signs of labor most women experience - and it happens naturally in only around 15 percent of births or fewer. So don’t count on it as a definite sign of labor.
Early signs labor is near (but hasn't started yet)
Look out for these very early signs of labor (also known as pre-labor symptoms), which can happen anywhere from a full month or more to a mere hour or so before active labor starts.
Baby drops
If you’re a first-time mom, expect your baby to drop, or descend into your pelvis, a few weeks before labor begins (usually around two to four weeks before, but it can vary).
In subsequent births, this “lightening” doesn't often happen until you’re truly in labor. Your baby is getting into position to make his exit, ideally with the head down and low (and not in the breech position).
You might feel like you’re waddling even more than you have been up until this point - and you may still be experiencing frequent urination like you probably have been in the third trimester because baby’s head is now pushing down on your bladder.
The good news is that you have a bit more breathing room, since your little one is moving away from your lungs.
Cervix begins to dilate
Your cervix, too, is preparing for birth: It starts to dilate (open) and efface (thin out) in the days or weeks before you deliver. At your weekly check-ups in the home stretch of your pregnancy, your provider may measure and track dilation and effacement via an internal exam.
But everyone progresses differently, so don’t be discouraged if you’re dilating slowly or not at all yet.
Cramps and increased back pain
You may feel some cramping and pain in your lower back and groin as labor nears, especially if this isn't your first pregnancy. Your muscles and joints are stretching and shifting in preparation for birth.