Braxton-Hicks: Meriv çawa girêbestên rast ji derewîn nas dike?

« Min nizanibû ku min heye ber, until monitoring a few days before childbirth. I actually had them every three or four minutes, but they didn’t hurt », Says Anna, mother-to-be.

Contraction is a hardening of the uterine muscle, the most powerful muscle in the human body, lasting a few seconds at the start of labor and up to about 90 seconds just before expulsion. Lê hene jî contractions dites de Braxton-Hicks, which do not signal an immediate delivery and can be interpreted as a repeat of our uterus before the big day. How to recognize them?

4 months pregnant: the first Braxton-Hicks contractions

From the 4th month, it is usual to feel contractions. ” We can have between 10 to 15 per day, it is a kind of warming up of the muscle of the uterus », Explains Nicolas Dutriaux, midwife. These contractions, formerly called “false contractions”, are said to be Braxton-Hicks, named after the English physician who first identified them. They have no effect on the neck: it remains long and is not modified.

Painful but not regular

Usually, Braxton-Hicks contractions go away with a little rest, a change in position, a short walk, or a bath. They can be numerous, especially at the end of the day or after an effort. They have the characteristic ofbe irregular and not increase over time, unlike labor contractions.

The pain experienced is very variable, but Braxton-Hicks contractions are often compared by pregnant women who have them to period pain or cramps in the front of the stomach.

Childbirth: how to recognize labor contractions?

Unlike Braxton-Hicks contractions, “real contractions” or labor contractions are regular (eg every 8 minutes) and intensify. They are becoming more and more frequent and more and more painful. Each contraction begins in the lower back then spreads across the front of the body and into the lower abdomen. Changing position or activity has no influence on how we feel.

Above all, labor contractions are associated with changes in the cervix (it shortens or opens). In this case, they are a sign of a near delivery, considered premature if it takes place before 37 weeks of amenorrhea.

Risks associated with infections

The causes of a premature birth can be infectious: a urinary or vaginal infection that will have gone unnoticed. By going to your midwife or doctor, or to the maternity ward, you will have a cervical exam and a vaginal swab, to determine whether or not there is an infection.

The origin of the contractions can also be linked to a dental problem. An oral check-up is offered by Health Insurance from 5 months of pregnancy. All dental care is possible while pregnant.

At the slightest doubt or worry, do not hesitate to consult.

Contractions, or our moving baby?

Some people who are pregnant, especially if it is their first baby, sometimes have trouble distinguishing a contraction – real or false – from internal movements of the baby. The feeling is generally very different. The baby’s inner movements are lighter (except when he kicks).

In addition, the contraction is sometimes visible to the naked eye, even if there is not necessarily pain that accompanies it: the belly hardens and forms a ball, which comes out more or less.

What is a contractile uterus?

The uterus is said to be “contractile” if these contractions are more numerous and are present throughout the day. It is more common for a first baby or for rather petite women, in those who have an anxious profile, or if there are difficulties in the family.

The early prenatal interview (EPP) of the 4th month is also a prevention tool: by detecting precisely these difficulties, it helps women get through them.

Latency period: false labor or false contractions

At the end of pregnancy, contractions are more and more frequent. Labor may seem to start, wrongly: after a few hours during which the contractions have followed one another regularly, labor stops completely. ” We call this moment the lag phase, formerly called “false work”. It’s kind of a body dress rehearsal », Explains Nicolas Dutriaux.

« There is no rule: the cervix opens slowly, but it can also stagnate for hours, even days during, syears that it is considered a danger. A good way to find out if these are real contractions or fake ones may be to take a hot bath. If the contractions subside until they stop, it was “false labor”: we can go back to bed to grab some time! », Reassures the midwife.

Pregnant woman: when to go to the maternity ward?

Nicolas Dutriaux explains that it depends on the women: “ If a woman is able to hold a conversation on the phone and does not stop during the contraction, it is often because she is not yet in full labor. On the other hand, when she no longer asks herself the question whether it’s time to go or not, it’s the right time for her! »

There is no universal rule applicable to all in practice: ” For some, it will be time to go to the maternity ward after one or two hours of contractions every 5 minutes, for others, it will be after 4 hours, especially if it is a first baby. I encourage women to stay as long as possible at home, where they feel more free on average: they will get better oxygen during the contractions, which will in fact be less intense. », Indicates the midwife.

Painful contractions during labor

During labor, contractions are intense and long, the duration of a contraction being 90 seconds approximately. The labor of childbirth is really started only froma collar open to 5-6 cm. " In some women there is no pain, it is just very intense muscle tension. », Emphasizes Nicolas Dutriaux.

A lot also depends on the conditions of the birth, if the person giving birth is calm or not, if she can stay in her bubble or not, the sensation will be more or less strong. On the other hand, all future mothers can experience a real relaxation between two contractions, due to melatonin, a sleep hormone produced in large quantities during childbirth. Some go so far as to fall asleep between each contraction, which is a very good thing when the childbirth is particularly long!

« I always suggest that patients rather see the glass half full: a past contraction is always one less that brings you closer to the end, and therefore to meeting your baby! », Concludes the midwife, optimistic.

Pain: how to relieve contractions?

Since the end of the 90s, bed rest is no longer recommended for expectant mothers to avoid premature childbirth. You can try to walk slowly, stretch, take a bath, lie on your side, ask for a massage… or why not sing!

How to breathe during contractions?

It is lactic acid, produced by lack of oxygen, which makes the pain of the muscle contraction stronger. Hence the idea of ​​breathing calmly during the contraction, neither by blocking the breath, nor by hyperventilating (the breathing of the “little dog” is no longer recommended at all).

We can ask people around us who support us to say out loud “breathe in” and “breathe out” to help us to settle on this calm rhythm!