In this post, we are going to learn about Childbirth Preparation, when you should visit the hospital? signs and movements.

When to go to the hospital?

Especially if this is your first child. The first part of birth meaning starting of the contractions can take a long time. So the assumption is that you want to be as comfortable as possible during that time and stay at home for as long as possible while still getting to the hospital in time to play it safe and have some time to spare.

Birth contractions

Birth contractions are regular meaning that they come at the same interval of time and there are three things that you should pay attention to. The first is that they are increasing in frequency. The second that they are increasing in the time or the length of the contraction itself and the third is that they are increasing in the strength getting stronger with each contraction.

If your birth contractions have started wait for them to be four minutes apart and last for one minute each. They might start slower than that and you can time this. There are a number of apps that you can download to time your contractions. So remember four minutes between contractions and then one-minute contractions. If this is going on for two hours. After two hours you should go to the hospital. If this is your first birth, if it is not your first birth then you should only have those type of contractions for one hour before going to the hospital because subsequent births tend to progress a little bit faster. So you want to wait a little bit less time.

Water Breaking

Almost every movie that I’ve seen, the woman is that some sort of place unexpected place and all of a sudden the water comes spilling out all over the floor. This actually happens in a minority of births but it can definitely happen.

There are two ways in which water can break one of them is coming out almost all at once and it will feel like you went to the bathroom but were unable to control it.

The second one is it can also break but slowly there can be a gradual and continual dripping of the fluids. So it may be so gradual that you’re not sure if your water broke.

What do you do in this situation?

If this happens and you’re not sure if your water broke or if it’s dripping go to the bathroom change so that there’s a clean pad and then cough a few times. You can also walk around with this pad for about 15 minutes and then when you come back see if there is fluid gathered on the pad or if it’s still dry. If it’s dry and there’s nothing to worry about the water hasn’t broken yet. But if it’s continually wet then your water is probably breaking and you should go to the hospital.

When you go to the hospital if your water breaks?

You can wait a little bit especially if your contractions haven’t started yet which is definitely possible. But how long should you wait for well you can wait for a couple of hours. Taking time to shower pack a bag make sure all of your things are in order to get home and then going.

This is only on the condition that you look out for three things:

• The first thing is the meconium fluid. Now, this is fluid which has a little bit of the feces of the baby in it and it can be a worrying sign that can increase the risk of infection. If the fluid is a little bit green or has particles floating around in it. Then you probably shouldn’t waste too much time before going to the hospital if the water breaks.
• The second thing is infection. If you are not feeling well yourself, if you have a fever or any other signs of infection then you should also not wait after your water breaks before going to the hospital.
• The third and last complication that I want to mention a water breaking before the contractions start is that the umbilical cord might get trapped. Now, this is a very rare complication. Sometimes you’ll be able to feel it and sometimes even see part of it though that probably won’t be the case. It’s tough to know if this is happening. Just be aware of the fact that there is a possibility.

Signs to be concerned about – and to get checked out

Fresh blood

If you see fresh blood at any time during the pregnancy you need to get this checked. The placenta is something that forms and attaches itself to the wall of the uterus and the uterus in your body create blood vessels between the uterus and the placenta. This is how it feeds the baby.

If there is any type of tear or break or detachment between the placenta and the uterus it can show itself with that gentle bleeding. And so if you see any signs of fresh blood you should go get this checked them.

Trauma or any type of accident that happens during pregnancy

You should be aware that pregnant women are more prone to accidents especially as the pregnancy progresses. The third trimester of pregnancy account for more than 50 percent of the accidents that happen with pregnant women. So this is something that you should be extra careful about especially when you’re driving.

However, if you have any type of fall car accident even a light one you should go to the hospital and make sure you get everything checked out.

High blood pressure

Some women have high blood pressure during pregnancy. This can portray itself if it gets a little bit more dangerous with severe headaches blurred vision dizziness. So if you have some of these signs that’s something that’s also the reason for concern because it can be a risk for preeclampsia.

Movements – What happens if you stop feeling them

You can start feeling the movements of the baby during pregnancy around week 24 or 25. You may feel it quite a bit earlier. But this is generally when it starts. This is a very exciting time during pregnancy because it’s something that you can share with loved ones around you by putting a hand on your stomach and having them enjoy the feeling of someone kicking them or moving your stomach a little bit.

Once you start feeling the movements you should be aware of them. Sometimes they may be a little bit uncomfortable but be aware that they’re happening constantly daily after meals after sleep. There will be some kind of routine that you can pick up when your baby is moving.

You have to start paying attention. If there’s any sudden drop or loss of movements now don’t be concerned right away because it may be that the baby’s sleeping or that you are preoccupied with something else and didn’t feel the movements.

What you do if you feel a sudden drop in movements?

So at this time, you should lay down on your left side. Eat something sweet or drink cold water and the water has to be very cold. Lay down for about half an hour and concentrate on your stomach. Concentrate on the baby inside and see if you can feel the movements while thinking about it. If you’re preoccupied with something else you may not pay attention and you may not feel the movements. If after half an hour you didn’t feel any movements still “OK” and do it again.

Eat something sweet again or drink another glass of very cold water and lay down for another half an hour on your left side. Once again pay attention to movements concentrating. Don’t be preoccupied doing something else. If you’ve done this twice for two periods of half an hour after eating something sweet, drinking cold water, and you still haven’t felt movements. Then you need to go check it out at the doctor’s office. They’ll give you a baby monitor and maybe an ultrasound to make sure that the heart is still beating normally and that everything is “OK”.