Uterine contractions have been described as “cramping” , “ tightness in the abdomen” , “discomfort”, and a varying degree of pain, from mild to extreme. Uterine contractions in labor are measured by CTG (cardiotocography), with a device placed over the abdomen. This measures both uterine contractions and the fetal heart rate.
It is common for women to experience “false” contractions in the advanced pregnancy period, however these contractions can suddenly turn into labor contractions during the second pregnancy. [1] X Research source Haram K, Bakke OM, Johannessen KH, Lund T. Transplacental passage of diazepam during labor: influence of uterine contractions. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1978 Nov;24(5):590-9. Therefore, when you are becoming a mom for the second time, do not take your Braxton-Hicks contractions lightly. It could be a sign of the actual labor.
There will be small blood stains when you lose the mucus plug. During a second pregnancy, women tend to lose their mucus plug much earlier compared to the first pregnancy. [2] X Research source Hein M, Helmig RB, Schønheyder HC, Ganz T, Uldbjerg N. An in vitro study of antibacterial properties of the cervical mucus plug in pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Sep;185(3):586-92. The reason for this is that after the first pregnancy the muscles comprising the cervix are naturally looser than before and with all the rapid and frequent contractions, the cervix starts eroding at a faster rate than it did previously.
Also, you might feel the urgency to use the bathroom every 10-15 minutes. This is a clear indication that your baby is moving into the correct position to find her way out into the world.
In addition to this subjective feeling, urination may become much more frequent, due to the increased pressure on the bladder by the fetus.
In the beginning, the cervix is usually only dilated by a few centimeters. When it reaches 10 centimeters (3. 9 in), this usually means that you are ready to give birth.
Cervical insufficiency is one of the most common causes of miscarriage and preterm birth during the second trimester. Hence, diagnosing cervical insufficiency early is very important. It can be diagnosed during routine check-ups by the physician who is monitoring the pregnancy, upon inspection and physical examination. Patients with cervical insufficiency complain of mild cramping in the lower abdomen or vagina, and together with patient history can point to this diagnosis. Risk factors for developing cervical insufficiency include infection, history of cervical surgery and trauma and cervical injury during previous births.
This test won’t be able to tell you if you are currently in labor, but it will definitely confirm if you are not. This test is useful because when you are in your initial stages of preterm labor, telling labor can be very difficult using symptoms or pelvic examinations alone. A negative FFN Report will relax you and reassure you that you won’t deliver your baby for at least another week or two.
When she feels that your cervix has opened up to an extent ranging between 4 to 7 centimeters (1. 6 to 2. 8 in), she will probably tell you that you have entered your active or second labor stage. When she feels that your cervix dilation is ranging to between 8 to 10 centimeters (3. 1 to 3. 9 in), she will definitely tell you that it’s time for the baby to come out!
The midwife may get down on her knees and feel your lower belly, above your bladder or insert her fingers around your groins to feel the baby’s head and assess what percentage has been engaged. These examinations will help to confirm the fact that you are in labor and even tell you what stage of labor you’re at.
At the time of your first pregnancy, your baby’s head becomes engaged in your pelvis more quickly when compared to your second pregnancy. In the case of second pregnancies, the head might not become engaged until your labor starts.
This is because the cervix muscles are thicker and take more time to dilate when you are in your first labor, but in the subsequent delivery the cervix dilates faster. In a second labor, the vaginal muscles and the muscles of the pelvic floor are already stretched by the previous birth and have become laxer. This helps to make your second baby arrive more quickly and to make the advanced labor stages less difficult for you.
When you take an upright posture, you are actually using Newton’s simple scientific theory of gravity, the force which pulls your baby out into this world without any cuts or tears on your body! However, this is not a fool-proof way of avoiding episiotomy. Some women still needs an episiotomy despite taking these measures.
