How long do contractions usually last?

When a pregnant woman is in the late stage of pregnancy, there is a possibility of bleeding and giving birth to a baby at any time. At this time, the pregnant woman should carefully feel some changes in her belly. When uterine contractions occur, the pregnant woman should pay attention to whether the contractions are regular and what the symptoms of abdominal pain are. When the contractions are very regular, it means that the baby is about to be born, because everyone's sensitivity is different.

How long do contractions usually last?

2-3 weeks before delivery, pregnant women will feel slight back pain and have more frequent irregular uterine contractions. Uterine contraction duration refers to the length of time that the uterus undergoes regular contractions. Pregnant women will feel that each contraction becomes stronger and stronger, and after a certain period of time, it gradually weakens and disappears. After that, the interval between two contractions gradually shortens, and the duration of contractions gradually increases.

Uterine contractions initially occur every 20-30 minutes, gradually shortening to every 15 minutes, 10 minutes or even every 5 minutes, and the duration of contractions increases from the initial 20 seconds to 40 seconds or even 1 minute. When experiencing uterine contractions, mothers must not be overly nervous. They should relieve the pain by diverting their attention and maintain a good attitude at all times for the arrival of the baby.

It should be noted that pregnant women themselves should also pay special attention to recording the regularity, duration, interval time and intensity of uterine contractions, and actively cooperate with doctors. The most convenient way to check uterine contractions is to place your palms on the abdominal wall. During contractions, the uterine body will bulge and harden, and will relax and soften during the intervals. In addition, the contraction curve recorded with a Tianer monitor can also show the contraction intensity, frequency and duration of each contraction. If the pregnant woman feels more pain, she should gently rub her lower abdomen with both hands to relieve it. If there is bloating and pain in the lumbar region, she can press the lumbar region with both fists. She should listen carefully to the doctor's instructions.

How to calculate the time of uterine contractions

The most convenient way to check uterine contractions is to place your palms on the abdominal wall. During contractions, the uterine body will bulge and harden, and will relax and soften during the intervals. In addition, the contraction curve recorded with a Tianer monitor can also show the contraction intensity, frequency and duration of each contraction. There are also some contraction timers available for download on the website, through which expectant mothers can understand their physical condition in a timely manner. Generally, the time of uterine contractions is calculated. If the number of contractions is around 10 per hour, it is considered to be relatively frequent and you should go to the hospital for a comprehensive check-up in time. If the contractions are not very frequent and there is no abdominal pain, they may be false contractions and you just need to rest.

At the beginning of labor, the intervals between contractions are long, about 10 minutes, and the duration is short, about 30 seconds. As labor progresses, the interval time gradually becomes shorter, to only 3 to 5 minutes, and the duration gradually increases to 50 to 60 seconds. The intensity of contractions continues to increase, and when the cervix is ​​about to dilate, the interval time between full-time contractions is shortened to 1 to 2 minutes, and the duration can reach more than 1 minute. The continuous strengthening of uterine contractions forms an effective downward impact force, and the cervical opening expands from a diameter of less than 1 cm to a full diameter of 10 cm. At this time, the birth canal becomes a curved cylindrical wide tube. The fetal membrane usually ruptures at this time, and 300 to 500 ml of amniotic fluid flows out.