Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : November 2, 2015 6:55 PM IST
It is natural to be apprehensive about labour as you approach your due date. Many first timers have a far-fetched idea about the real thing, conditioned on a diet of bollywood masala movies that do not miss to show a bump ready woman reaching the hospital in sheer pain, shouting and howling. Have heart, even though you can't escape the pain, your labour can be less dramatic than your acquired knowledge from movies.
(Read: Have scary thoughts about labour?)
Learn to catch on the tell tale signs of labour so you reach the hospital on time, without much fuss. You would know you are in labour when:
You have unremitting lower abdominal pain: If you have been feeling the pain for more than three or four hours it's time to pull up your socks. 'Regular unremitting lower abdominal pain indicates the start of your labour,' says Dr Pooja Mehta, gynecologist and obstetrician attached to Paras hospital, Gurgaon. This indicates that your cervix has started to dilate which would make way for your baby's head to descend when you reach the active or end stage of labour. Even though there is still time for the new ones arrival rush to hospital and get settled before the active phase starts.
Your contractions are well timed: You can't miss on this. If your pain has set into a rhythmic pattern waxing and waning at regular intervals, call your hospital impromptu. Get organized to leave. Monitor the contractions closely. If you feel that it peaks every ten or fifteen minutes, congrats you are there. Get going. But an irregular return of the pain like at intervals of say ten minutes, then eight minutes, then twenty minutes can indicate false labour, but it's still wise to get yourself checked.
Your water breaks: You need no explanation here. 'Breaking of the water bag indicates rupture of amniotic membranes and the fluid gushes out. This can lead to spontaneous active labour in most cases. While water comes out chances of bacteria getting inside the womb increases which can cause harm to both baby's and mother's health,' says Dr Mehta. There is no reason why you should stay back once you are leaking. Any vaginal discharge should also put you on alert.
You are bleeding: You have not touched your sanitary pads for months and for good because pregnancy is no time for it. 'Bleeding through your vagina needs you to be in the hospital soon as it can indicate imminent labour. While the cervix dilates for the baby to come, it can disrupt tiny blood vessel within. Even otherwise bleeding is not a healthy symptom during pregnancy, so reach your doctor soon to check if there is any medical emergency,' cautions Dr Mehta.
You have headache or you are throwing up: 'Feeling nauseated and uneasy with a splitting headache would urge you to look for help. Look no further and reach for the hospital, chances are your labour chose to kick start differently,' says Dr Mehta.
You don't feel your baby move: 'This is an emergency. Absence in baby's movement for two to three hours near your due date needs you to consult your doctor immediately,' says Dr Mehta.
But remember labour is tricky. Even after knowing all the signs one may have to face the unexpected. Like a high risk pregnancy may have you opting to induce rather than exercising the wait and watch approach or any other medical condition might also call for a C-section. So face labour with all your might.
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