Having caesarean sections is becoming a much more common method for giving birth in many countries around the world – and Singapore isn’t an exception to the rule. C-sections account for around 40-45% of all births in Singapore (a combined total from public and private hospitals), and this trend has been on the rise with every passing year.
Here are some reasons where a C-section is considered necessary by doctors:
There are other issues that could arise during labour that’ll require a C-section, so openly communicate with your doctor on the best course of action that you should take for both you and baby.
4 Ways To Lessen The Chance Of Emergency C-Secs
1. Regular Exercise During Pregnancy
A review of research published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica concluded that regular low-to-moderate levels of physical activity during pregnancy does increase the likelihood of a vaginal delivery.
Do try to exercise during pregnancy, but always discuss things with your doctor beforehand. You should avoid exercise if you suffer from these conditions:
General guidelines for exercise during pregnancy suggest at least 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity – cardiovascular (aerobic) and strength/resistance exercises are encouraged.
2. Avoid Induction of Labour
There are some cases in which an induction of labour is needed, for example, if mum has been diagnosed with preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).
However, inducing labour increases the likelihood of an emergency c-sec, especially for first time mums.
3. Hire a Doula
A Doula is a trained birth companion who supports the woman and her partner before, during, and after birth. She’s a certified source of information that provides emotional and physical support for the mum and her partner.
She does not perform any clinical procedures, leaving that up to the ob-gyns and nurses. What she provides is continuity of care that hospitals are rarely able to give you and your partner. She’ll support you and your partner throughout your journey – she’s part of your birth team and she’ll have your back.
Most importantly, the Doula works for you, and isn’t affiliated with a hospital or insurance company, so you don’t have to worry about them having any vested interest in pushing you towards a c-sec.
Searching for a Doula in Singapore may be a bit difficult, but there are resources that you can search for online – a more prominent one is Doulas of Singapore. Find out more about what they do there, and see if they’ll be able to provide you with what you need.
4. Ask Your Doctor Questions
If your doctor recommends a C-sec during labour, make sure you ask them these simple questions:
Pregnancy To Parenthood Seminar Series
If you wish to know more about your journey through pregnancy, as well as detailed explanations of what to expect during labour and delivery, this seminar is for you!
Date: Saturday, 14th April, 2018
Registration: 1:30 pm
Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00pm
Venue: Singapore Expo Max Atria
Room: Peridot 201-203
Find out more about this helpful seminar for mums- and dads-to-be right here! https://www.mummysmarket.com.sg/deal/pregnancy-parenthood-seminar-series-know-it-all-pregnancy-delivery-breastfeeding
Epidural anaesthesia is quite possibly the most popular pain relief method during labour! If you wish to be as comfortable as possible during your labour and delivery process, an epidural will definitely be brought up in discussion between you and your doctor.
It’s common for mummies-to-be to change their minds about an unmedicated birth and switch to pain relief options during their labour. There’s nothing wrong with changing your mind, as it’s YOUR labour and YOUR child. What you can do is to read up more on epidurals and other methods of pain relief – it’ll help you make a better decision when the time comes to make a choice.
Before we jump into the 5 signs that you should get an epidural, let’s have a short rundown on what an epidural actually is.
Epidurals
It’s a regional anaesthesia that blocks pain in a specific area of the body – take note that it blocks pain instead of completely removing all feeling during labour. It numbs the nerves in your lower spinal segment, resulting in decreased sensation in the lower half of your body.
What happens during an epidural?
Placing the catheter takes around 15 minutes to complete, and it’ll take another 20 minutes for you to feel the full effect of the epidural.
Aside from providing pain relief, an epidural can also help prevent blood pressure from reaching high levels during labour – a worrying condition in women who have pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Side-effects of an epidural
Some women can get shivers, itchiness, nausea, feeling feverish, muscle weakness, and headaches – these side-effects will usually pass after a while. Very rarely will there be any serious complications from an epidural.
Your legs will feel like they’re made of rubber, but you’ll still be able to feel your lower body to a certain extent as you’ll need to push when it’s time for baby to come out!
The 5 Signs
With that said, here are the 5 signs that you’ll be needing an epidural:
1. Going Beyond Your Pain Threshold
If you’ve hit and gone beyond your tolerance for pain, get an epidural. Don’t feel guilty or bad about getting one – everyone has different limits for their pain, and no one should be able to judge your pain as the only person who experiences and knows your pain is you yourself.
The pain definitely doesn’t go away the longer labour goes on, so there isn’t really any advantage in waiting it out. So if you want to be rid of that pain ASAP, get an epidural.
2. To Help You Relax Before Childbirth
The epidural itself won’t make you sleepy, but its numbing properties could help you out with relaxing. Your mental stress could be alleviated, and you might even be able to get a nap before childbirth happens!
3. Natural Methods Of Pain Relief Aren’t Cutting It
Breathing exercises to help you hit that zone of zen not working? Meditation proving a bust as well? Yes these techniques could possibly help clear your mind and loosen up your muscles during labour, but getting there is definitely easier said than done when your contractions feel like you’re getting repeatedly kicked by a horse.
You’re not weak for choosing an epidural. You’re a strong mummy who’s in charge of her own decisions, and if those decisions lead you towards an epidural, you’re not any less of an awesome mummy for choosing so!
4. Caesarean Delivery
Sometimes a C-section birth is the safest method of delivery for both mum and baby. If you’ve planned to have a C-section, you should already be on pain relief (spinal block), but if it’s an emergency C-section, you might have opted to do an epidural beforehand and have everything set up already. Don’t worry, as the doctors will inject stronger medicine through the catheter to help you fully numb your lower body in preparation for a C-section.
5. You Want To Make Your Delivery As Pleasant As Possible
As I’ve said before, this is your delivery and it’s completely up to you on how you want to do it (barring an emergency C-section, touch wood). This will be your own unique experience to go through.
Whether you want to feel everything that goes through labour and delivery, or if you wish to avoid feeling everything, it’s your choice and you shouldn’t feel judged for whatever decision you make.
Pregnancy To Parenthood Seminar Series
If you wish to know more about your journey through pregnancy, as well as detailed explanations of what to expect during labour and delivery, this seminar is for you!
Date: Saturday, 7 July, 2018
Registration: 1:30 pm
Time: 2:00 pm - 6:00pm
Venue: Singapore Expo Max Atria
Room: Peridot 201-203
Find out more about this helpful seminar for mums- and dads-to-be right here:
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Having a baby is hard work, and part of that work is getting through the pain. But don't panic. There are more ways than ever to manage that pain, and you don't have to choose just one. The trick is to know as many ways to deal with it as you don’t know what’s going to work until you’re actually in the delivery room! And what helps you at one point can change 5 minutes later.
So take a deep breath (good practice for later) and prepare to enter the wide world of pain management!
Relax
The most important thing you need to relax during labour is your mind. The idea is simple -- when you fear pain, you tense up, which makes the pain worse, which makes you tense up more. Try to stay in the moment and not spend the precious pain-free minutes stressing about the pain you just had and what is to come.
Breathe
To stay relaxed, it's crucial to pay attention to your breathing, the same way you do when you're lifting weights. Whether you're hee-ing or haa-ing, panting or deep inhaling, as long as you're focusing on your breath and releasing it, you'll find some relief. And don't feel inhibited about making strange loud noises! Try strong low-pitched moans rather than high-pitched horror-movie screams, which tend to make the throat tight and tense.
Move around
Walking, swaying, changing positions, and rolling on a birthing ball can not only ease the pain but can help your labour progress by using the force of gravity to your advantage and encouraging the movement and rotation of the baby down through the pelvic canal. In a hospital setting, being hooked up to fetal monitors, IVs, and pain medicine can limit your walking, but you can still try positions like hands and knees in the bed or standing, squatting, or sitting by the side of the bed.
Massage
Massage may be a bit of an understatement when it comes to the kind of pressure most women need for relief during labour. Even if you don't find that counterpressure reduces the pain, having your partner rub your feet or massage your hands or temples can distract you, relax you, and generally make you feel cared for, which is a major morale boost.
Article was adapted from Parents.com
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Many mums shun the idea of getting a caesarean because of the misinformation circulating about the procedure. Truth is, it is not as scary and harmful as you think it is! Here’s what you need to know before and after you undergo a c-section.
Myth: If you have a c-section, you won’t be enjoy skin-to-skin contact with your baby
While certain parts of your body may be more sensitive to the touch after a c-section, there’s no reason that the procedure should get in the way of skin-to-skin contact between your baby and you. The area where the scar is might be a little tender, but there is still plenty of other skin available for contact – it might just take awhile to find a comfortable position.
Myth: It’s too difficult to breastfeed babies delivered via c-section
If you choose to breastfeed, the method of delivery will not have a major effect on your ability to do so. It’s true that it does take a little longer for c-section mothers to initiate breastfeeding than those who deliver vaginally. Breastfeeding won’t be impossible, but it will require a little patience. You may still be in pain right after, so try different ways of holding your baby. The “football hold” might be a better option for you.
Myth: If you’ve already had a c-section, you won’t be able to have a vaginal birth
Having a C-section won't prevent you from having attempting a vaginal birth after C-section, also known as VBAC. If you do wish to deliver vaginally after a C-section, you will undergo what is called a trial or labour after caesarean, or TOLAC. This trial will determine whether it's safe to move forward with the VBAC. Fortunately, the outcomes are positive for most women. In general, a previous c-section will have little impact on future vaginal delivery.
Myth: An elective c-section is less hassle than a vaginal birth
There are a number of reasons why women undergo c-section instead of vaginal delivery, especially in the event of high-risk deliveries. While the reasons for having a c-section are generally due to complications, medical experts would prefer women to have a vaginal birth whenever possible. which is why elective c-sections should be approached with caution. Sure, it’s nice to schedule exactly when you’ll delivery, but remember that a C-section is still a major surgery with that comes with risks, like any invasive procedure.
Myth: There’s a limit to the number of c-sections you can have
There's no definitive number of C-sections that are safe to have. You may you undergo multiple C-sections over your lifetime, or you could end up having only one — it depends on each individual pregnancy. However, medical risks do go up with each procedure.
Myth: You won’t feel anything during a c-section
With anesthesia, pain isn't a normal sensation to experience during a C-section, but you may still feel some tugging or pressure. There is a baby coming out of you, after all. Nausea and vomiting either before or after a C-section are also fairly normal.
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So you’ve probably heard or read about how perineal massage will help a natural birth. But what exactly is it? And how can you do it on your own?
What is a perineal massage?
The perineum is the area right between your anus and vagina. Many doctors will recommend during a perineal massage during the last weeks of pregnancy to help the area be more flexible during delivery and avoid vaginal tearing.
Benefits of a perineal massage
That said, during the perineal massage religiously does not guarantee a tear-free birth! Tearing is almost inevitable for most women, but this exercise and reduce the extent of the tear.
How to do it?
When and how often should I do it?
Start perineal massage when you are 34 weeks pregnant and aim to do it at least once a week or twice a week. Doing it more than this may not decrease your risk of episiotomy or tear any further. But it could lessen the pain you have in your perineum in the months after your baby's born.
The important thing is to find a routine that works for you and stick to it! Perineal massage shouldn't hurt, though it may feel a bit uncomfortable, particularly at first, or if you have a lot of pressure in your groin.
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Do you recall the first time you heard the term “episiotomy”? And what was your reaction to it? If your feelings included shock, fright, anxiety and even outrage, don’t worry as you’re not alone. Having less uncertainty over the procedure is the first step about overcoming any fears.
First of all, however, what is an episiotomy? The root word, “episio”, stands for vulva, while “tomy” means an incision or sectioning. In other words, this procedure describes a surgical incision to the area of skin between the vagina and anus (also called the perineum), and it is done during vaginal delivery in order to help enlarge the birth canal and facilitate the exit of the baby’s head as it crowns.
No matter which way you look at it, an episiotomy—commonly referred to as “the cut”—seems hardly routine, though in some countries like Taiwan, the rate is close to 100 percent of all live births. It remains a controversial topic: advocates of drug-free labour and delivery have even referred to this as a savage practice, while those in the field of modern medicine might consider it a necessity.
The benefits of an episiotomy are said to:
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Despite these claims, an episiotomy can certainly sound scary, unnatural and downright painful to the uninitiated. The thought of a pair of surgical scissors making a snip into the delicate skin folds of your privates is almost too much to bear. In Singapore, the procedure is actually more common than exceptional, and the reason for this is mainly ethnic: it is thought that the perineal area of Asian women has less allowance to be stretched, which elevates the risk of making a tear that extends into the anus as the baby is being pushed out. This could in turn heighten the risk of infection, or affect bowel movements if the rectal tissues and anal sphincter muscle are torn.
Experiencing the cut
You may have heard that if you’ve had an episiotomy before, especially for your first birth, you may not need to have the cut for subsequent deliveries. This however, is subjective, and can also depend on the hospital you are in, as well as your obstetrician who will assess the conditions of your labour before making the decision.
Take myself, for example. I’ve delivered two children naturally, and both times, I’ve have an episiotomy. I had an epidural (anaesthetic administered via the spinal cord) during my first delivery, which lasted 16 hours, and during the final stage of pushing, I was so mentally and physically spent that nothing really mattered to me then, other than just getting my baby out. The epidural had greatly numbed the lower half of my body, which on hindsight was both good and bad. The bad: I was simply pushing blindly; bearing downwards whenever the midwife instructed me to, but the problem was that I had little to no physical sensation at that point (which is one of the side-effects of an epidural).
As to the upside, you would’ve guessed by now: the cut, when it happened, was an anti-climax as I didn’t feel a thing. I certainly didn’t do myself any favours when I actually saw the doctor take up the pair of scissors—for a moment, I briefly panicked and felt a sense of helpless desperation and horror. And then, it was over. The next thing I knew, my baby had been delivered, and a doctor was stitching me up. I learned that he had injected the perineal area with some local anaesthetic to numb it further, but there was no pain even then, just a weird sensation of a slender thread running in and out of the skin.
I recovered nicely too. In less than two weeks in fact. Thankfully there was minimal pain, just some discomfort of feeling sore and bruised down below; but there was no infection or complications, and my stitches naturally dissolved into my body as the wound healed.
As to why I endured the cut again for my second delivery, I wouldn’t be able to tell you for sure. In fact, I could swear I was having it easier: within four hours, I had pushed her out, and the labour was so hard and fast that there wasn’t any time for any pain-relief drugs to be given apart from gas (which I soon declined as it made me feel woozy). Again, I didn’t feel the cut as it happened (luckily I was spared the sight of anything sharp near my nether region), but I remember that being stitched back together was unpleasant this time round. I know I kept whining for more LA to be injected as I was feeling “it”. For that reason, I wasn’t keeping still either, but squirming more than necessary. I’m no medical expert, but that could be the likely cause why my recovery also took longer than I expected. I was extremely tender down there, and when the sutures broke down, I discovered that the skin had healed in a lumpy manner.
I eventually healed of course, as all wounds get better. As far as experiences go, this would definitely not make a bucket list of must-dos! I’m neither for nor against having an episiotomy, but since it’s such a common procedure here in Singapore, it’s always better to go in prepared. Getting extreme views will also tend to swing you in one direction or the other.
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Pressing concerns
Upon going home with your newborn baby, it can seem a pretty miserable affair. You will no doubt still be feeling pain or discomfort from having had the cut (if you’ve endured one) and going to the bathroom will be an initial drag. Don’t worry, as this does get better. Believe me, our spouses have no idea what we go through: we are still bleeding after-birth discharge and have to gingerly peel the surface of the pad off the wound, while rinsing it and patting it dry to keep it clean. I was also given a bottle of iodine to apply several times a day on the wound, while helps without the sting of rubbing alcohol. You can try using witch hazel too, soaked in a cotton pad (get yours from a pharmacy and make sure it is pure witch hazel without any other ingredients, which are commonly added when it is sold as a facial astringent).
I’ve heard of some women being so afraid of passing motion for fear they would end up tearing themselves or rupturing their stitches. However, a normal dump presents no risk as long as you are not straining very hard or over an extended period. For that reason, some doctors will provide you with stool softeners as well, to accommodate bowel movements. My advice: if you feel the urge, just go ahead... fight the fear! The stitches are certainly strong enough to withstand this form of pressure, and adding constipation to your list of woes is not ideal during what will be an initially challenging few days for some new mothers especially.
How about sexual relations?
A natural question too, although that might be the last thing on some moms’ minds, especially with a newborn to fuss over! Most women would choose to wait until their bleeding stops, which is between four to six weeks postpartum; by then your incision wound would have healed as well, although you may still feel a little tender. My advice is to take things slow—intimacy can be expressed in other ways other than penetrative sex. If things progress to that stage however, it always helps to have lots of foreplay to ensure you’re sufficiently aroused; a tube of lube will aid things too. Also, try not to overly fret about being too “loose” down below or over your post-delivery physique. Our spouses are usually more forgiving and more ready to please than we give them credit for. Sex can be just as good, even before baby: a strategically-placed cushion here, or even a vibrator there, can put both of you in an explorative mood again, just like in courtship days. Remember too, that your vagina is like a muscle… the more you use it, the stronger it gets! As the saying goes, use it—or lo[o]se it! (In this case, both identically-sounding words fit the bill!)
Taking care of the wound
“During the first postnatal days, the perineum will be bruised, swollen and sore. Sometimes when you pass urine, you may feel a stinging pain on the wound. To reduce this effect, pour cool water on the area as you pass urine so that the water will dilute the stinging effects of the urine,” advises Cecilia Koh, a registered nurse and midwife with more than 30 years’ on-the-job experience.
Cecilia suggests reducing swelling by soaking the perineum in cool salt water for about five to 10 minutes daily, or until the wound has healed. For this, you may purchase a sitz bath at your hospital pharmacy. “Hot water will increase blood flow to the area which may make it more painful later,” she says. “Keep the area as clean and dry as possible by changing your sanitary pad regularly. Some women may prefer using sanitary towels with loops as these can provide some counter pressure on the wound therefore making it less painful.”
Contrary to popular advice, midwife Cecilia does not advise using feminine sprays or powder as these products may interfere with healing. Also, she is not keen on inflatable air rings either. “It does give relief when you sit but it may restrict blood flow to the area if used too long, which may delay healing of the episiotomy,” she points out. “It is better to sit on a soft pillow instead.”
Here are other methods which will definitely help ease your discomfort and promote faster recovery:
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Cord blood banking that is, from which precious and potentially life-improving stem cells is derived from. Every parent now has the option of deciding what to do with their newborn’s umbilical cord blood, and making an informed choice could make a difference, not just for your family, but the well-being of others.
Cord blood banking is the practice of collecting, storing and transplanting umbilical cord blood. It was discovered during the 1970s that human stem cells may be harvested and used for a number of therapeutic purposes, specifically in the treatment of disorders involving the blood and immune system. Research has gone on to show that umbilical cord blood is a rich source of stem cells which are genetically distinctive to your baby.
Characteristically, stem cells are a number of omnipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) which are the forerunners to blood cells. As such, they are considered “master” cells that can be coaxed into regenerating most of the 220 cells found in the human body, from the brain, liver and blood to the skin and more. It is this ability to self-renew, mature and differentiate into a variety of tissues that researchers have found most promising about stem cells.
What’s more, stem cells also have abilities that can be very beneficial for healing as they can stimulate the production of many types of healthy biological cells; for example, white blood cell types, which protect the body from infection. Stem cells are thus very important as they are responsible for the development of all the organs and tissues in the body.
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The potency and promise of cord blood stem cells
Currently, there are over 80 diseases that can be treated via cord blood stem cell transplants, which include life-threatening ones such as leukaemia, myeloma, lymphoma, sickle cell anaemia and various body tumours or immune system disorders. Some of these illnesses require chemotherapy or radiation to eliminate destructive or cancerous cells, and in the process, healthy cells are destroyed too.
Previously, a bone marrow transplant was the usual and conventional line of treatment for those above-listed conditions. This is because, like cord blood, premature blood forming stem cells are found in the bone marrow that makes blood platelets, red cells and white cells.
In a bone marrow transplant, a large amount of stem cells from a donor is first infused into the bone marrow. However, it requires time for these cells to repopulate the bone marrow and regenerate the combative white blood cells necessary to ward off infection. There is also risk that the recipient’s immune system may also potentially reject the transplant even after the operation. This can lead to Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (GVHD), where around 40 percent of cases are fatal.
In light of this, the uptake of cord blood stem cell banking has thus been rising among a growing number of parents as the risk of GVHD is greatly reduced if an individual’s own stem cells are used. Already, stem cell therapy is gaining reputation as a more viable means of treatment versus bone marrow transplants. With cord blood now determined as an alternative source for stem cells, parents are also aware that they have only one shot at the time of their baby’s birth to collect and store this precious biological resource. In fact, there are many advantages to this procedure, which include:
It is important to note that despite these plusses, every stem cell transplant case is unique and therefore approached on an individual basis. Occasionally, the patient may suffer from a specific and severe disease that cannot be treated with even his own cord blood. This is because the blood already likely contains the genetic defects that resulted in the illness, so a search for a matching donor with compatible stem cells would have to be conducted instead.
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A limited—and precious—commodity
Healthy cord blood stem cells have also been found to effectively treat diabetes in young children, proving to be an even better option than insulin injections in helping slow down insulin loss in their bodies over time.
Among the 80 diseases that can be treated via cord blood stem cell transplants, some of them can also be cardiovascular and neurological (involving the brain and nerves) in nature. These disorders are usually also rare and genetic, and their low incidence also makes finding suitable donors especially difficult. Tay-Sachs Disease; Krabbe Disease; Hurler Syndrome; Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD); Metachromatic Leukodystrophy; and Sandhoff Disease, to name but a few: while all of these illnesses are seldom heard of, it doesn’t mean that they don’t occur, with potentially devastating effects on the patients and their families as they are typically life-threatening and even fatal. Sometimes, these progressive and degenerative diseases are best treated before the symptoms actively manifest. Thus, being able to infuse the stem cells in a timely manner makes it more imperative for them to be readily available when this urgent need arises. Tragically, some families may be unaware that they are carriers of defective genes and by the time they realise this fact, it is too late.
In fact, the life-saving value of a baby’s umbilical cord blood and the precise timeframe in which it is available is so precious that more mothers are now being encouraged to opt in to donate, instead of disposing the umbilical cord and placenta as medical waste. The Singapore Cord Blood Bank (SCBB), which was set up in 2005, is the first public cord blood bank in the country and Southeast Asia. According to a December 2015 report in The Straits Times, SCBB has over 11,000 cord blood units (CBUs) in its inventory, which it hopes to raise to 15,000 CBUs within the next five years. In 2014, the SCBB received 3,927 cord blood donations, and as of end November 2015, more than 3,000 donations were received.
Power lies not just in the enormous potential of stem cells, but in pledging it as well. More mothers are choosing to privately bank their babies’ cord blood, with some of them even making the decision at the early onset of their pregnancy. The best time to decide what to do with your baby’s cord blood is between 32 weeks after gestation and before admission to the hospital for the birth. Should you decide not to keep your baby’s cord blood for personal reasons, you can discuss the possibility of donation with your Ob-Gyn (obstetrician-gynaecologist). Every potential cord blood donor must complete the SCBB’s Cord Blood Donation Process which involves a pre-screening evaluation as well as a meeting with an SCBB Donor Coordinator who will help the mother complete the Informed Consent Process.
If you are pregnant, understanding the virtues of cord blood donation is not enough—unfortunately, some women only make their intentions known only at the point of delivery, when it is already too late. So remember to not only make an informed choice, but to settle on your decision before you go into labour!
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Banking for the future
Now that you are aware of the numerous benefits of stem cells, the kinds of illnesses that such therapy can treat, when the optimal time is to decide what to do with your infant’s cord blood, and how to donate to the SCBB, you might be wondering how the collection and storage of the cord blood is like, and if such a procedure might pose any remote risk to you and your baby.
Overall, cord blood banking involves the collection, processing and storage of your newborn’s umbilical cord blood. The entire procedure can be outlined thus:
As parents, we all want the best for our children—and our best efforts to prepare and provide for them can sometimes begin even before their births. When it comes to saving and storing your baby’s cord blood stem cells, the ultimate decision is yours to make. Whether you choose to privately bank your baby’s umbilical cord blood, there is no right or wrong choice. In fact, the unspoken hope is that your loved ones will actually never need the stem cells! However, in the interests of the wider community, should you decide not to engage the services of a private cord blood bank, do consider making a donation to the SCBB. There’re no costs involved, it is painless and your baby’s stem cells could save someone’s life (instead of simply being discarded).
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Going Private!
Did you know?
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As you approach your delivery date, your contractions will become more rhythmic and painful, and there are chances you will experience a false labor. Braxton Hicks contractions help the body prepare for true labor. It helps to soften and thin the cervix. So how can you tell whether it is a true labor or a false one? Read on to know the signs of false labor and how to differentiate between false and true labor.
Here are a few signs that can help you identify false labor:
| Signs | True Labour | False Labour |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency of Contractions | False labour contractions are unpredictable and irregular. It can interfere with sleep and can make you cranky and lethargic. | False labour contractions are unpredictable and irregular. It can interfere with sleep and can make you cranky and lethargic. |
| Intensity of Contractions | The frequency and intensity of contractions increase with time no matter what you do to ease it | False labour contraction subsides when you start or stop an activity or change your position. |
| Length of Contractions | True labour contractions last for more than 30 seconds and get progressively longer. | False labour contractions vary in length. |
| Center of Contractions | In true labour, the contractions starts in the lower back and radiates through the abdomen. | In a false labour, the contraction centers in your lower abdomen and groin. |
| Strength of Contractions | The contractions in true labour get stronger as time progresses. | Contractions in false labour do not increase in strength over time. On the contrary, these contractions are strong at first but become weaker gradually. |
| Change in Cervix | In true labour, the cervix becomes thinner, softer and dilated. | False labour does not cause progressive dilation of the cervix |
When To Seek Medical Help?
It is important to contact the doctor if you have:
Before 37 weeks, if you notice any sign of labor, contact your midwife or doctor right away to rule out the possibility of preterm labor. After the 37th week, you can sit out the contractions at home unless your doctor advises otherwise. If you are not sure about labor, then call your doctor or midwife. They should be available anytime to discuss your concerns and find out whether your contractions are true or not.
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If you start having regular contractions that cause your cervix to begin to open before you reach 37 weeks of pregnancy, you're in preterm labour and your baby is considered premature.
It's nothing to be worried about though! About a quarter of preterm births are planned. If you or your baby has a complication and is not doing well, your doctor might decide to induce labour early or perform a cesarean section before 37 weeks. (This might happen if you have a serious medical condition.
The rest are known as spontaneous preterm births. You may end up having a spontaneous preterm birth if you go into labour prematurely, if your water breaks early, or if your cervix opens prematurely with no contractions.
You should see your health care provider immediately after you notice the following preterm labour symptoms:
If you are showing all the above symptoms of preterm labour, you should check with your doctor. It is natural to be anxious, but by taking the below steps, you can prevent preterm birth.
If symptoms do not disappear even after an hour, you should check with your doctor. Make sure you tell your doctor about all the symptoms.
The only way to know if you are in preterm labour is by examining your cervix. If cervix opens up, preterm labour can be the cause.
Continue on page 2 to read on the preventions..
Though there are high end treatments to treat premature babies, there are medical interventions to prevent preterm labour. There are ways to hold the labour until your baby is completely ready.
The risk of preterm labour reduces if you wait for 18 months from the previous pregnancy. The period is between the last birth and the next conception.
Getting regular and early prenatal care can help your healthcare provider treat any risk factors and makes sure you will have a healthy pregnancy.
Avoid smoking, boozing and taking drugs as they can cause preterm labour.
Gaining excess weight will increase the chances of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, both of which can cause preterm labour. Too little weight is also risky. The correct weight will improve the likelihood of a full-term.
Taking a prenatal supplement will enhance your overall health. Research states that folic acid supplements will reduce the risk of placental abruption that is responsible for early labour.
Having a healthy balanced diet will not only give you a healthy baby but also helps you deliver at the right time. Intake of foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids (walnuts, flax seeds, salmon, DHA eggs) is known to reduce the risk of preterm labour. Vitamin C foods (berries, citrus, bell peppers) and calcium-rich foods also help.
Pregnant women who eat at least five meals a day (five smaller, or three meals and two snacks) are at a lower risk of premature labour.
Drink as much water as you can to keep yourself hydrated.
Holding your urine, can cause bladder inflammation, and irritates the uterus leading to contractions. It can also lead to urinary infections, which are also the causes of preterm contractions.
Get rid of stress, depression and anxiety since psychological factors can affect your baby’s growth. If you remain anxious for a long period, your health gets affected and as a result, your baby may be born with low weight. Balance your life with exercise, diet, work and rest for physical and mental health.
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Article written by Saara Fatema
