What to do if contractions begin, and when to call an ambulance?

Childbirth can begin suddenly: from the outpouring of waters, the start of regular contractions. In any situation, a woman needs to clearly understand how to act in this situation. In this article we will describe how to recognize the real labor pains, and what should be the algorithm of actions of the woman in labor, if the birth has nevertheless begun.

In the last weeks before childbirth, a wide variety of sensations can torment a woman — slackening in the lower back, an ache in the lower abdomen. The so-called mucus plug may come off, the vaginal secretions change color, diarrhea begins, appetite disappears or appears. All this is not childbirth, but only their forerunners.

The fact that the real labor pains began, says the appearance of special sensations that resemble pain during menstruation. But their main distinguishing feature, which will recognize the fight - certain frequency. Usually the first contractions are repeated with a frequency of 25-30 minutes, and even more. The fight itself does not last long - about 10-15 seconds. But each subsequent fight is getting stronger. The time spans between them are reduced.

Even if the cork had not moved away the day before, and the cervix, according to the results of a recent examination by a gynecologist, is not ready, one should not ignore the periodic cramping sensations. Their appearance does not mean that you need to immediately grab the bag and rush to the hospital at all pairs.

The woman in labor has a few hours to stay at home, tune in to childbirth, calm down, check whether everything necessary has been collected.

The first contractions in obstetrics are called latent, and this period of labor lasts the longest. In primiparous - up to 8-10 hours, for those who have already given birth earlier - up to 6-8 hours. During this time, the neck will open about three centimeters. The pain is not intense, but because time suffers.

To call an ambulance for labor is necessary then when uterine spasms recur every 5-7 minutes, if the first birth is coming. If a woman has already given birth, then she needs to go to the maternity hospital a little earlier, since she has all the steps going faster. Call the "emergency room" is recommended when the frequency of contractions every 10 minutes.

However, there are situations when you need to call emergency services without waiting and counting time. So, women who have lost their water before the onset of contractions need fast hospitalization. Wait until the uterus begins to open, not worth it. An ambulance is also called without prior waiting for the appearance of blood from the genital tract - it is possible that a placental abruption occurred, and the woman needs to perform a cesarean section as soon as possible to save the baby.

If regular contractions lasted for several hours, and then suddenly stopped, you also need to go to the maternity hospital as soon as possible, because primary maternal weakness is not excluded, which needs medical stimulation.

Calling the emergency team, do not forget to say what time do you have contractions, how often do they go now, if there are general symptoms of deterioration - dizziness, vomiting, loss of consciousness, severe abdominal pain, unusual discharge from the genitals.

It is proved that the absence of fuss and calm mothers - the key to quick and easy childbirth. Therefore, let's make up the correct algorithm of actions, performing which a woman can calm down and tune in correctly.

Typically, women long before the 39-40 weeks put the bag with things and documents in the hospital. Starting regular bouts is a great time to check if everything is ready. Of the documents for hospitalization, a passport, a medical insurance policy, an exchange card and a birth certificate are required.

All the rest, if things are not collected, later according to the list prepared by you, relatives or friends will bring. It is not necessary to take a nightgown and a dressing gown with you immediately, since the delivery will take place in a state shirt that is not as beautiful as yours, but sterile, and this is its main advantage.

Time completely allows you to put yourself in order - you can wash and dry your hair, take a warm shower. It is not necessary to lie in the bath - at any time the water can depart, and then this important event may go unnoticed. If there are assistants, you can use their help and shave pubis - it will still have to be done, but in the conditions of the emergency department of the hospital.

The nurse on duty is not always neat and delicate in her movements, for her to shave your pubis is a routine job. If there are no helpers, take a new disposable machine with you.

Bath does not need to take and for security reasons for the baby. If the stopper has moved away, then the infection along the ascending pathways can get inside the uterus from tap water. Be sure to remove the varnish from the nails, cut them. Long manicure is not the best solution for childbirth, besides dirt and microbes can accumulate under the nails.

With the onset of contractions eat tightly is not recommended. But you can drink, however, moderately.

You can drink tea, if you are overwhelmed by the feeling of hunger, it is permissible to eat something, only light, not burdensome for the stomach, something that is quickly digested, for example, fruit or low-fat yogurt. Dense food cannot be taken for safety reasons - it is possible that during delivery a narcosis may be necessary. If there is an emergency cesarean section, general anesthesia is done strictly on an empty stomach.

Take one chocolate with you to the maternity hospital, better milk one, without nuts and raisins. With it, you can have a snack an hour after giving birth, when the feeling of hunger is, perhaps, the main and acute of all human feelings.

To make it easier to endure contractions, no need to lie down and expect their gain. You can walk, take those poses in which the woman is most comfortable to wait for the moment of uterine spasm. To walk, to sit, to stand, to squat - all this is completely permissible up to attempts.

Try to breathe properly. During the fight do deep breath and slow long breath. In between contractions try to relax, use for this imagination. Imagine that you are on the seashore right in the line of the surf, this will help you more easily endure contractions at all stages of labor.

In the end, this moment you waited a long nine months, and you probably started to dream about a child even earlier. Take each fight as a countdown that brings you closer to meeting your baby.

If the exchange card is signed by the head or the head doctor of a particular hospital, the ambulance will deliver the patient there, night and day. If the exchange card is not signed, the woman in labor with contractions will be taken to the hospital on duty. Therefore, be sure to measure the distance to the obstetric institution from your home, choosing the time of the call to the "emergency room". In the emergency department, tell us the time of the onset of contractions, if the waters have diverted, tell us what color they were, this will help the doctor correctly and quickly choose the tactics of obstetrics.

How and on what is best to go to the hospital, you will learn from the following video.