The membrane sack is commonly referred to as the water bag. It tends to break once you enter your labor and the fluid flows down your cervix and through your vagina.
Many movies have shown pregnant women undergoing water break in public places with a deluge of fluid gushing out from between their legs. The actual event, however, is usually a little less dramatic!
In all probability, your water would not break till you have reached the 37th week of your pregnancy. After that, you run the chances of your amniotic sack breaking, signaling that your child is ready to be born.
There are three different stages when your water may break:
1. The most natural timing is when your pregnancy term is fully over and you are already in labor. This is referred to as Spontaneous Rupture of Membrane.
2. In many cases, the water breaks before the labor starts. This stage is called the Pre-labor Rupture of Membrane.
3.There is also the case where the water bag breaks even before you reach 37 weeks of pregnancy. This is referred to as Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membrane.
Once your water has broken, it signals that you are either already in labor or are about to enter into labor. In some cases the labor may not start before 12 to 24 hours.
Once your water breaks, your child is no longer protected by the amniotic sack. Though your body continues producing the required amount of amniotic fluid till you have delivered your baby, you need to consult your doctor immediately after your water breaks.
When your water breaks, you might feel a popping sensation, along with a slow trickle or a gush of fluid. Every woman experiences differently though.
Keep a track of your water break once it happens, as your doctor would want to hear the symptoms. You need to:
1. Make sure that your water has broken and it is amniotic fluid that is leaking.
2. Keep calm and call your doctor to seek advice regarding the water break. You should immediately pay a visit to the doctor.
3. Ascertain the color of the discharge. This is very important.
4. Ideally the fluid should be odorless and pale yellow.
5. There may be some amount of blood when the water breaks initially. It is normal and you need not worry about it.
6. If the fluid discharged is brownish or greenish in color, it may mean that the baby has had its first bowel movement while in the womb. Seek medical help immediately.
7. Check for signs of fever accompanying your water break. Your doctor needs to know these details.
Do not go into a panic mode once your water breaks. It is quite a normal thing to happen. However, you do need to be careful about what you do next:
1. Remember that once your water breaks, your baby is exposed to the possibility of infections of any kind.
2. Infections from your vagina may travel upwards. Be careful to avoid them at all costs till you deliver your child.
3. Use sanitary napkins to keep your clothes clean. However, it is best to avoid a shower after the water breaks. Instead head for the hospital immediately for medical aid.
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The first time the baby kicks is a thrilling and exciting moment for most mothers, one that they would like to experience again and again. Feeling your baby move around in your tummy can be an oddly calming and reassuring feeling that everything is just fine.
Fetal movement generally begins in the second trimester, and if you want to keep experiencing the ecstasy of it, you’ll be happy to know that you can anytime you want!
Your little monster can be woken up by a cool glass of water running down your throat and into your belly. The cold temperature of the water can make your baby squirm in search of warmth. You can even try placing an ice pack on your belly and feel your baby move inside to a warm spot. Just be gentle while pressing the ice pack.
But be super gentle while doing that! You don’t want to hurt yourself or your baby. This technique is the same one your technician uses when you go in for your ultrasound so you can be 100% sure it works. While he prods you with a stick, we suggest you use something much safer such as your own fingers so you can put just the right amount of pressure. Just wriggle your belly or poke the bump ever so slightly with your fingers to feel the little toy move inside you.
Any natural fruit juice or something sweet like milo or hot chocolate would do. Just drink a glassful and you will feel your baby fidgeting due to the sudden spur in your blood sugar levels. You can also try other healthy alternatives such as nuts, fruits, yogurt etc. We recommend you not to try this with packaged fruit juice as they contain artificial sweeteners which can be harmful for you baby.
An instant way to wake your baby up from its sweet slumber party in your belly? Go to dreamland yourself. When you’re up and about and carrying out your daily chores, your baby goes into snooze fest mode as the gentle cradling of your movements put its right to bed. But as soon as you lie down, you little tyke wakes up like a nocturnal being. So if you want to feel your baby move around as often as you can, try taking breaks in between your chores. You can either lie down or sit and feel your baby get into action mode.
Yes, a sweet sounding lullaby even before birth can rouse a strong reaction from your baby! When you’re having your round of mommy and baby conversations with your belly, be sure to slip in a little bit of music and you’ll feel your baby gently rolling in your womb. Word of caution: do not play loud music as your little one’s tiny ears are still in the stage of development and can get hurt.
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Are you expecting your first baby soon? Are you worried about how you will identify the labor pains? If you relate to any of these situations, then you must give this post a read.
The unpredictability of labor makes all pregnant women anxious, particularly the first-time mommies. Are those cramps, contractions or just an upset tummy? If you are clueless about the signs of labor, worry not! Check out this article to know all about labor!
Several hormonal and physical changes herald labor. Some of the most common signs of labor are:
Lightening is the process of the baby settling into the pelvis just before the onset of labor. It may occur a few weeks or hours before the labor. It may cause an increase in the frequency of urination. Some women may not experience lightening at all and yet may go into labor.
During pregnancy, the mucus plug accumulates at the cervix. It is a natural way of protecting the baby from infection. As you progress towards labor, the cervix begins to open and leads to the discharge of mucus. This is an early sign of labor.Labor may begin soon after it or even one or two weeks later. You may also see a little bloody mucus. Fret not, as it is perfectly normal.
Contractions are a telltale sign of labor. Labor contractions cause discomfort or dull ache in the lower abdomen and back, along with an increase in the pressure in the pelvis. It starts from the back and radiates across the abdomen and vice versa. If the contraction is mild then ignore it and relax, but if you feel it is progressing then start packing your hospital bags. As the labor gets going, the contraction will become longer and more frequent.
Spontaneous rupture of the membranes or “breaking of the waters” is a strong indicator of labor. It happens when the amniotic sac ruptures and results in the gushing of the amniotic fluid from the vagina. Almost 80% women go into labor within 12 hours of the “breaking of the waters”. However, according to a study, just 8% women reported the rupturing of their amniotic sac before having contractions.
Diarrhea is another sign of labor. During the early part of labor, the body begins to release prostaglandins, which cause the uterus to contract. Prostaglandins also stimulate the bowel movement. The body naturally empties the bowel to make way for the baby.
Back pain is normal throughout pregnancy. If the back pain becomes extremely harsh, then it may be a sign of “back labor”. Normally, a baby faces the mother’s spine while descending from the birth canal. However, in some cases the baby’s skull may hit the mother’s spine while descending and cause excruciating back pain.
Rush to a doctor if you experience any of the following
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Article was originally posted on Momjunction
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.
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
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.
The benefits of an episiotomy are said to:
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.
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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