Facts for Early Labor During Pregnancy

Early labor during pregnancy is an early phase of labor which not many women realize until it ends. Ignoring contractions is a common mistake made by many women which results in early labor. Contractions are generally less than 10 minutes apart and last for 45-60 seconds. Some women might experience more frequent contractions, though they are mild and last for few seconds. With time, these contractions get stronger, longer, and closer together. With contractions you might feel pressure in the pelvis, backache or menstrual cramping. And all this can result in early labor during pregnancy.

Mild contractions might start when you are sleeping. Knowing this fact makes the women too excited or too nervous to sleep. And lack of sound sleep results in beginning their labor. Tiredness and fatigue is another reason for early labor in pregnancy which increases the discomfort among women. So if you do not want to face such situations then take sufficient rest.

Eating is restricted during labor. Although it has no relation with the normal process of labor and delivery still many women think that they should not eat once the labor begins. The body feels hungry when the blood sugar level goes down and is required to be raised. It is a fact that the mother’s appetite decreases as labor progresses. And if the mother avoids eating during labor then it reduces the energy which increases fatigue and decreases the ability to deal with the labor stress. Therefore, a pregnant woman should eat something even in the early labor stage in pregnancy.

Another important thing to be considered between the labor and delivery stage is that the mother should not stop performing their regular activities. Many pregnant women are advised by their elders to stop doing daily activities and just lie down for the whole day. This sometimes becomes boring for the women and results in mental and emotional weakness. So women should keep on performing their daily routine activities as long as their body allows them to do so.

As far as sign of early stage of labor during pregnancy is concerned, you should keep an eye on your body reactions. In case you notice mucous vaginal discharge which might be tinged with blood then it means that it is the time to call the labor and delivery nurse. In case it is not tinged with blood then its normal and calling the labor and delivery nurse is not required. With this you may find red streak and thick mucus ‘blob’. This mucus thick plug is formed in your cervix during pregnancy. As soon as cervix softens and starts to open this mucus plug comes out from vagina. This happens approximately three days before the labor begins and is a sign of early labor during pregnancy.

The labor period is dependent on how ripe the cervix is at the first stage of labor and how strong and frequent contractions are there. When the women cervix is about 4 cm dilated and the progress speeds up it indicates the end of the early labor during pregnancy.

Find More Stages Of Pregnancy Articles

18 Weeks Pregnant

You’re just about 50% through your pregnancy at 18 weeks pregnant. If you were experiencing morning sickness, it should be just about gone and you’ll be feeling better. At this particular point of your pregnancy you’ll probably be feeling quite energetic.

At this time of pregnancy, most women feel quite good in fact. They are still feeling quite comfortable and are rejoicing in showing off the pregnancy. Your belly should be showing to some extent now and you may need to switch to maternity clothes if you haven’t done so yet.

By 18 weeks pregnant you’ll be experiencing the baby’s movements as small kicks and fluttering movements. As your pregnancy progresses these will be getting stronger. You can use this as experience in making an assessment of your baby’s general wellbeing by the amount of movements you experience.

Eat healthy and don’t stress too much about gaining weight. About ten pounds is what most women will gain by this stage of the pregnancy. The better your food intake selections are, the lower the weight that you gain will be.

Make every calorie count because you are building a person! Take it easy on high sugar content desserts and be sure to eat fruit, vegetables and protein. Be sure to drink enough water to stay well-hydrated, dehydration will cause contractions.

Instead of eating three large meals per day you will find it better to eat several smaller meals each day. You’ll maintain a good blood sugar level without overeating. As the baby grows bigger, this approach works well and also because as your uterus grows, your stomach gets squeezed.

Exercise is important in staying healthy. Simply taking a walking around the neighborhood or local park a few times each week will result in an easier labor and general better feeling than if you don’t do any exercise at all.

You may also become aware that at about 18 weeks pregnant it is harder to be comfortable when sleeping. Experimenting with different positions may be necessary. It may be helpful to use extra pillows or a body pillow made for pregnant women.

Enjoy your pregnancy and your changing body. Pregnancy is only for a short time, so relish it if you can.