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Are These Contractions Real?

Looking back on my labor experience,I have to laugh. I laugh because I went through a period of latent labor which I grossly misinterpreted as the real thing. As I poured through message boards and repeatedly encountered bits of advice like, “don’t worry, you’ll be able to tell the difference between braxton hicks contractions and the real thing,” I had no idea how true those statements were. The difference between braxton hicks contractions and true active labor contractions is so significant, it is like describing the difference between a jet and a compact car. Yes, they are both modes of … Continue reading →

Braxton Hicks vs. Real Contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are also known as “false” labor. These contractions can often be confused with early labor. This is especially true for first time mothers, but even seasoned veterans wonder at least once or twice before the real thing. As the third trimester progresses, these contractions can get stronger, making it more difficult to tell the difference. There are three things to consider when determining if your contractions are real or not. The first thing to consider is the timing of the contractions. Initially, this can seem difficult to determine, particularly if the contractions are coming frequently. In general, … Continue reading →

More Fun Pregnancy Symptoms: Leg Cramps

In the middle of the night a few weeks ago I woke up with a terrible pain in my leg.  I cried out about it, and immediately began trying to rub and move my leg.  My more-than-half-asleep husband drowsily watched me do this.  He watched me try to bend my leg, to rub it, to put weight and hobble around the room on it.  When I made it to the bathroom he followed me, and asked me if I thought I was just having Braxton-Hicks.  In my leg.  Now we know that if I go into labor in the middle … Continue reading →

The First Stage of Labor

Your doctor or your childbirth instructor may mention the stages of labor. There are three stages of labor. The division between these three stages is clearer cut on paper than it is in real labor; they exist to help describe where a woman is in the labor process and nothing else. They may seem to blend together during the actual experience. The three stages of labor are dilation (and effacement), pushing, and birthing the placenta. The first stage of labor is often the longest, especially for first time mothers. The cervix must completely open and stretch back into the upper … Continue reading →

How To Calm Those Delivery Fears

If you are nearing the end of your pregnancy and you find that each Braxton Hicks contraction is making you cringe at the thought of a real one, it may be time to unwind and relax. Labor hurts, it’s true, but it’s not something to be afraid of. Getting stressed about your impending delivery will have no impact on the pain. Worrying about the pain won’t make it go away. That said, you might as well make the most of your final weeks, by enjoying the quiet nights and free time that you will undoubtedly miss once your bundle of … Continue reading →

Labor Pains (The Movie)

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I just got done watching the ABC Family Sunday night movie starring Lindsay Lohan. “Labor Pains” tells the story of an irresponsible secretary named Thea who works at a publishing firm and blurts out she is expecting when her boss tries to fire her, thinking it will save her job. It does, but the lie forces Thea to fake a pregnancy for the next two months! The lie grows bigger and bigger and so does her belly, thanks to the foam pregnant bellies she has been stealing from the maternity store. Throughout the movie, Thea and her boss are putting … Continue reading →

FDA Approves At Home Kit for Amniotic Fluid

Despite what we see in movies and on television, when a woman’s water breaks, there isn’t always a huge gush of fluid. In fact, this scenario isn’t all that common. Often the baby’s head is blocking the opening to the cervix and the amniotic fluid trickles, rather than gushing. This sometimes leaves women unsure if they are, in fact, leaking fluid. It is often mistaken for discharge or a bit of stress incontinence, which is common during pregnancy. The FDA has recently approved a home test to help determine if the leakage is amniotic fluid or something else. In a … Continue reading →