contractions

  • The Onset of Labor

    The birth of your child is nothing less than an extraordinary feat of nature that involves an intricate sequence of events. Every pregnancy is different, and every childbirth is different. Yet most follow the same prescribed path of what physically unfolds in the body.

  • Birthing Begins In The Brain

    There are three important hormone groups for birthing: endorphins (the pleasure hormones), oxytocin (the love hormone), and prolactin (the mothering hormone). The trick to having a more comfortable birth is, first, understanding what triggers their release and, second, being able to control when they are released and in what quantities.

  • Consistent Contractions at 37 Weeks

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I am 37 weeks and have been having consistent contractions for the past 4 days. They typically are 15-20 minutes apart, but some have been as close as 5-7. They do not go away or slow down no matter what I am doing.

    I'm wondering if I should call my doctor and how long I can expect this part to go on. I am even waking up every 45-60 minutes at night with them. Can I do anything to get things going quicker? My nerves are shot! HELP!!

  • How Long Can Labor Be With a 2nd Pregnancy?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    Hello, I am only 7 weeks pregnant as of now but this is my second child. I was wondering if the labor time will be less than with my first pregnancy.

  • What Is a Mucus Plug?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I am 38 weeks pregnant. People have been asking me if my mucus plug broke, but I don't know what that is. Could you please explain?

    I want to know what it feels like when your water breaks and you start getting contractions. At 37 weeks my doctor told me that I am 1 cm dilated and she asked if I felt any contractions. I feel lots of different things and I dont know what contractions are like since this my 1st pregnancy. I really appreciate all your time and help.

    Thank you.
    T. Patel

  • Starting Dilation, How Far Away Is Labor?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I have tried to ask my doctor some questions but it always seem as if they are too busy to answer them and I was hoping you could help me.

    I am 35 week pregnant and was told at my last appointment that I am 1 cm dilated and my cervix is soft. What does this mean and does this mean I could go into labor anytime? They told me to rest and at 36 week I can stop bed rest.

    Also I am carrying very low and seem to be contracting all the time but they do not hurt. My stomach just gets super hard all the time.

  • Single Severe Contraction-like Pain

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    This is my second pregnancy. Last night around 5:30 I had this wicked pain. It was such a bad pain that I was over my chair swaying back and forth waiting for husband to walk in the door and bring me to the hospital. It felt like a contraction but it lasted way to long for it to be a contraction. I thought contractions only last 1-7 minutes, but I guess I can be wrong.

  • Is It Okay to Use Blue Cohosh? Follow up

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    Oh, I am at 37 weeks now. I haven't gone against advice and have been on terbutaline for 10 weeks, now not taking it any longer. I have been having contractions 10-15 minutes apart for a week now and no one will do anything to help me out, so I was thinking of trying blue cohosh now that I'm at this point. Would it still be a bad idea?

  • Do Certain Foods Cause Contractions?

    After I eat any kind of carbohydrate I get really strong contractions and stomach pains. Is this okay?

  • Cramping and Cervical Changes At 28 Weeks?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I am 28 weeks pregnant and have been having some pains in the abdomen and some tightening. I went to see my OB but he was on vacation so the midwife checked me. She told me that I had been having contractions. She also said that my cervix was soft and the baby's head was low. This is my first pregnancy and I've asked some other people who have been pregnant and they told me that their cervix didn't get soft until right before they delivered. Is this something that I need to be overly concerned about?

  • How Long Can Labor Be With a 2nd Pregnancy?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    Hello, I am only 7 weeks pregnant as of now but this is my second child. I was wondering if the labor time will be less than with my first pregnancy.

  • A Natural, Unmedicated, Midwife-Assisted Birth

    This is the story of the day in my life of which I am most proud -- July 22nd, the day my daughter Fionna Rylee was born. Fionna is my first child. It was two days before my due date and I was not expecting to go into labor.

  • Six Signs that Labor is Within a Few Weeks or Days

    Probably every woman who tells you about her labor experience, tells you a different story. Your delivery will be just as unique. However, the following information will prepare you for when "Labor Day" is just around the corner.

  • Starting Dilation, How Far Away Is Labor?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I have tried to ask my doctor some questions but it always seem as if they are too busy to answer them and I was hoping you could help me.

    I am 35 week pregnant and was told at my last appointment that I am 1 cm dilated and my cervix is soft. What does this mean and does this mean I could go into labor anytime? They told me to rest and at 36 week I can stop bed rest.

    Also I am carrying very low and seem to be contracting all the time but they do not hurt. My stomach just gets super hard all the time.

  • Robinna's Home Birth Story

    We had had a couple of false alarms; the most recent on the Sunday before with 6 hours of contractions 5 minutes apart that ultimately just stopped.

  • What Is a Mucus Plug?

    QUESTION

    Dear Midwife,
    I am 38 weeks pregnant. People have been asking me if my mucus plug broke, but I don't know what that is. Could you please explain?

    I want to know what it feels like when your water breaks and you start getting contractions. At 37 weeks my doctor told me that I am 1 cm dilated and she asked if I felt any contractions. I feel lots of different things and I dont know what contractions are like since this my 1st pregnancy. I really appreciate all your time and help.

    Thank you.
    T. Patel

  • Braxton Hicks

    Braxton Hicks contractions -- you may have heard this funny phrase before you were pregnant, but now you really want to know what it means.

  • The Marie Chronicles -- Entry 14

    Update: Marie had her twins! As we wait for the birth story, here is the happy news! Heather was born at 4:18 p.m., weighing 3 pounds, 12 ounces, and is 16 1/2 inches long, with apgars of 8 and 9. Hannah was born at 4:19 pm, weighing in at 4 pounds even, and is 16 1/4 inches long with apgars of 8 and 9.

  • Stages of Childbirth

    Going through the birth of your child is a wonderful and unique experience. No two deliveries are alike and there is no way to tell how your delivery is going to be. What we can tell you is the stages you will go through during the birthing process and what you can generally expect.

  • Tristine's Triumph -- Entry 34

    Since I had those early contractions, I have been taking it easy. My whole belly has been sore to touch but the discomfort has eased up a bit.

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