Pregnancy Labor - Multiple Births

Signs Of Labor- Signs That Tell You A Miracle Is Going To Happen

2008-01-10T01:29:00.000-08:00

The signs of labor tell you that a miracle is about to happen. Labor may be the most painful time during pregnancy, but it is also the most rewarding. There is no comparison to the feeling of holding your baby in your arms for the first time.

Every Pregnancy Is Unique

For some lucky women, labor may last just a few hours, while for others, it may last for more than a day. How do you know that you are going into labor? Especially in your first pregnancy, you may feel the early signs of labor, even weeks before the due date. By the time you have your second or third child, labor symptoms will get nearer to your due date. However, every pregnancy is unique.

The Signs And Symptoms Of Labor

As pregnancy labor nears, the head of the baby starts to descend into the lower abdomen, and your uterus begins to soften. When this happens, it helps you breathe more easily and your heartburn reduces. The other symptoms you may feel are, swellings in the feet and an urge to urinate more frequently. The urge to urinate occurs because of the pressure that the baby puts on the urinary bladder. Another sign of labor is increased vaginal secretion of a whitish pinkish color. This is perfectly normal, but if the discharge is yellow in color, there could be an infection. You must inform the doctor immediately.

Some Further Signs Of Labor

The Braxton Hicks contractions are yet another early sign of labor. They actually get you ready for the real thing. Another sign is shivering without any cold. A change in the levels of progesterone causes this to happen. If you suddenly feel like emptying out drawers and cleaning closets, that is because you are going through the nesting instinct. However, you must not spend your energy and over do it or you will get tired very soon.

Thus, signs of labor are an indication of the baby’s arrival into this world. Moreover, a mother and father’s joys are boundless when this happens. We wish you a happy and safe pregnancy.

What You Should Do To Prepare For Labor

2008-01-10T01:25:00.000-08:00

Here are a few tips on preparing for labor.

Finding Yourself A Good Birth Consultant

Prepare for labor by finding a good labor consultant, some one you can talk to, ask and clear your doubts and who listens to you. Follow his advice because a good labor consultant can be a great help.

Increase Your Awareness About Labor

This is the time to prepare yourself so that you are not shocked or anguished when labor happens. You should talk to other moms; read on labor, about the pain and about the medicines, and most important enroll yourself in childbirth classes.

Have Someone Along With You In The Labor Room

Have some one beside you. You will probably have your spouse along with you for support but it also helps to have a woman who has undergone childbirth before around you so that she can advise you on how to take care of yourself during childbirth.

A Warm Bath Will Help A Lot

Many hospitals offer a Jacuzzi with jet sprays on your lower back to relax you, and of course you can have a nice warm bath while preparing for labor which also helps in relaxation.

Ensure That Your Surroundings Are Soothing and Positive

You should also create a positive and soothing environment for yourself in the labor room. Usually hospitals offer services where labor rooms are tastefully decorated, soothing and appealing to the eye. You may also want to take along your favorite baby picture or your favorite music that you might want to listen to in labor.

Stay Active

It is important to keep yourself active during this period. It helps you stay away form depression. A walk or some yoga will energize and rejuvenate you and make you feel much better.

Be Willing To Experiment

Finally when you prepare for labor be willing to experiment because each woman’s labor is unique and what worked for some one else may not necessarily work for you. We hope those tips on preparing for labor prove useful for you. For more information visit pregnancy period .

Pregnancy Labor- Having Your Baby

2008-01-10T00:37:00.000-08:00

The Three Stages Of Pregnancy labor

The process of childbirth is called pregnancy labor. There are three stages of pregnancy labor. The first stage is when the uterus which was closed till now dilates and opens to four inches. The second stage is when the baby comes out from the vagina after being pushed out of the uterus and the pelvis. And finally in the third stage of labor, the placenta is delivered.

Indication That You Are In Labor

How do you recognize pregnancy labor symptoms? Usually labor begins with contractions in the small of the back reaching into the stomach near the pubic bone. If you have contractions at regular intervals of every 20 to 30 minutes, it is time to visit your gynecologist or the hospital. The other way you know you are in labor is by the breaking of waters or release of a clear fluid from your vagina. This is an indication to go to the hospital.

Having The Baby

At the hospital, as the contractions of pregnancy labor increase, you must try to do some relaxation exercises. Take deep breaths between each contraction. The baby is now being pushed down the birth canal. As the contractions increase by the minute, you push several times until you start feeling an uncomfortable feeling in the vagina as it stretches to accommodate the baby’s head. The baby’s head is delivered and then the rest of the body. Soon you will have your baby to hold in your arms.

Finally the umbilical chord is cut off and then the doctor or the midwife ensures that the placenta and the membranes are removed.

Have Some One Dear To You In The Pregnancy Room With You

It is recommended that you have some one close to you in the pregnancy room. A spouse, your sister or a friend, some one who has been pregnant before and can support you through the pregnancy delivery and help you out during it. A spouse can help a lot by talking to you during your contractions; breathing with you and ensuring you feel loved and cared for through this difficult yet rewarding time of pregnancy labor.

Pregnancy Labor Stage

2008-01-10T00:33:00.000-08:00

We all know that the process of childbirth is called labor. But do we also know that labor is divided into three stages? Pregnancy labor stage one is when the neck of the mother’s uterus dilates from being closed to opening about four inches. Pregnancy labor stage two is when, with the mother’s help, the infant is pushed out of the uterus through the pelvis and the vagina, and the baby and is born. Stage three is when the placenta is delivered.

The First Stage Of Labor

The first stage of labor begins when the mother experiences early labor pains. These false labor pains or contractions are not as painful as the ones that are there when the actual contractions of labor begin. Real labor pains or contractions occur at regular intervals. You will know that you are going into the first stage of labor if you get pain in the small of your back. The pain is also felt around the stomach and pubic region. Your contractions occur at a regular frequency of 20 to 30 minutes. This is the time when you should go to the hospital. The other indication that you may be going into labor is if your ‘water breaks’ and a clear fluid is released. The painful contractions will increase in frequency as labor progresses.

The Second Stage Of Labor

In the second stage, you actively participate in pushing and delivering the baby. By now the frequency of the contractions is one minute. You push to ensure that the baby comes out safe. It is a good time for the father to be around to talk and provide support while you are giving birth. Soon the baby is delivered and you can hold the baby in your arms for the first time. This is a moment of sheer joy.

The Third Stage Of Labor

At this stage, the placenta is delivered. This is the third and last pregnancy labor stage.

Isn’t it beautiful to see how your little one comes into this world and learns to take its first breath outside your womb? For more information visit pregnancy period.

Pregnancy Labor - Know About Multiple Births

2007-12-04T04:13:00.000-08:00

All You Wanted To Know About Multiple Births

There has been a surge in multiple births during the last twenty years. Let’s just say that there’s been a multiple birth boom. Why is this so? Why is this remarkable increase in multiple pregnancies all over the world there? What are the factors that play an important part in the making of twins and multiples?

The Factors That Play A Role In Multiples Pregnancies

Heredity is one of the major factors. Some one, who belongs to a family which has already had twins, has greater chances of having twins. Race is also a major contributor; African women have more multiple pregnancies. If you are a first time mother, chances are you will not be pregnant with twins. However the older you get, greater are the chances of a multiple pregnancy. Another factor is the treatment of infertility in women. This may cause the release of more than one egg and therefore twins will be born. Assisted reproductive technology and in vitro fertilization are other infertility techniques which cause twins to happen.

How Twins Occur

There are two types of twin births, non identical twins and identical twins. Non identical or fraternal twins are formed when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperms. The twins will be non identical and not necessarily of the same sex. Identical twins are formed when a single egg fertilized by a single sperm splits into two after conception. In this case, the twins will have the same physical characteristics.

How Are Twins Diagnosed

Twins can usually be diagnosed as the abdomen expands and becomes much larger than the abdomen of a pregnant mother with a single child. Though, an ultra sound examination can tell if you are going to have twins much earlier.

Some Problems That Occur With Multiple Pregnancies

Having twins may cause the mother to have varicose veins, piles or urinary problems, pre-eclampsia and go into early labor.

If you are having multiple births, we wish you a safe, happy and healthy pregnancy.