Abdominal Cramps During Early Pregnancy

Abdominal Cramps During Early Pregnancy
by: Kitty Barker

It is not uncommon to have abdominal cramps during early pregnancy. Many women become frightened and fear that they may be having a miscarriage. This is normally not the reason for abdominal cramps during early pregnancy. The embryo is embedding itself in the lining of the uterus. This is what makes you feel cramps similar to those felt when you’re having your period. The cramps may last for several days and you may suffer the way you did when having a period on a normal basis. Please do not be afraid of those cramps as they are a normal part of the pregnancy.

Abdominal cramps during early pregnancy are a normal happening that all women experience. A more serious problem is when you are suffering lower abdominal pain. Then it is best that you consult your physician. It is not uncommon for many women to suffer the lower cramps which are referred to as sporadic abdominal discomfort. These sporadic abdominal cramps are similar to those pain felt during a normal period. It is a sign that your uterus is preparing to carry your baby through the next nine months. If you are suffering the pains with other symptoms then you will need to immediately contact your physician.

Women, who suffer from chills, fever, spotting along with abdominal cramps during early pregnancy maybe suffering from other more harmful conditions, when a fertilized egg attaches outside of a woman’s uterus then this condition is referred to as Ectopic Pregnancy. The egg usually will attach itself to the fallopian tube. Normally this condition is caught in the first few weeks and treated right away. If for some reason it does not get noticed and treated it could be very dangerous as the fallopian tube may result in rupture. The signs and symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include spotting, abdominal pain and tenderness. These signs are accompanied with lower back pain, shoulder pain, dizziness or faintness. If you suspect an ectopic pregnancy please contact your physician right away.

Abdominal cramps during early pregnancy unfortunately can occasionally mean that you are about to have a miscarriage. Typically, the symptoms for a miscarriage are bleeding that might be light or heavy, menstrual cramps that gradually increase in intensity. Some women suffer from back pain.

If any of these symptoms arise please contact your physician immediately.

Remain calm because it does not necessarily mean that you are in the process of having a miscarriage as other things maybe going on that are lesser by nature. Some ladies suffer from lower back pain due to kidney stones, gallbladder disease or even pancreatitis. When you suffer from one of these diseases it is debilitating and in some cases warrants surgery. An abdominal cramp during early pregnancy usually happens to just about all women who are pregnant therefore please do not panic. It is always for the best to contact your physicians.

There is good news, however, women who have abdominal cramps during early pregnancy find it occurs from uterus stretching, from gas or even constipation. It is true that you might be suffering from round ligament pain which may result in short stabbing and sharp aches in one or both sides of the abdomen. This pain can be relieved very quickly simply by changing your position or simply just relaxing.

When you do feel abdominal cramps during your early pregnancy the best thing for you to do is set down, put your feet up, and relax. Normal abdominal pain may be caused by the simplest of things.

* Gas pains and bloating caused by hormones that slow your digestion process down.

* The pressure of your growing uterus.

* Constipation *note contact a doctor before taking any type of laxative.

* Heartburn caused by something that you ate that did not agree with you or the baby.

A lot of women do have abdominal cramps during early pregnancy which is normal as the embryo is embedding itself in the lining of the uterus. Cramping in the last weeks of the pregnancy is a sign that labor is almost ready to start. At the start of your labor you will have very strong cramps that are severe in nature and about five to ten minutes apart. This is time to contact your physician and go immediately to the hospital for the delivery. The early part of your pregnancy these cramps can be mild to severe so it is up to you to check with your physician and make sure that it is just the natural part of your pregnancy and not anything to worry about.

About The Author

Kitty Barker who often writes for and with Pregnancy Information where there is far more information, news and resources. She also writes for Pregnancy Weight Gain http://pregnancy-and-baby-tips.com/.

Avoid a Cesarean – How to Induce Labor Naturally

Author: Lena Leino

 

According to statistics provided by childbirth.org, cesarean rates in the United States have nearly quintupled from where they were 20 years ago. The increase of cesarean rates can be attributed to the increase in chemically stimulated inductions. Women are simply not allowed to induce labor in a natural way. They are frequently given the message that it’s quite easy to “schedule” a birth. This is not what nature intended, nor is it feasible in the long term.

Often the reason indicated for a cesarean is that the woman is having a “non-progressive labor”. Studies have shown that if a woman is relaxed, nourished and feels strong labor can progress quite naturally and safely. If a woman is put under conditions where there is pressure to “perform”, to have the cervix dilate, to strengthen contractions, the labor will halt and the result is a cesarean.

Women need to feel empowered. Women need to know that they are capable of having a baby. If the power to induce labor or to allow labor to begin naturally is taken away from the mother, the mother loses confidence and is more susceptible to a cesarean.

There are natural and holistic ways to induce labor and allow labor to progress in a healthy and efficient way. Pregnant women should eat healthy foods. If their bodies are nourished, they will feel strong. If they will feel strong, they will be confident. If they are confident, they will feel capable of handling labor on their own.

Pregnant women can exercise. There are modifications, of course, depending on where the woman is in her pregnancy. Studies have shown that women, who exercise before and during their pregnancy, have much shorter labors and recovery times.

Pregnant women can also find natural ways to induce labor and cope with pain during labor. One excellent method is called maternity acupressure. Most people are familiar with acupuncture. Acupressure is based on the same philosophy. It is an ancient method of treating many ailments. Instead of needles, trigger points are pressed firmly with fingers or thumbs to promote circulation of blood and energy. It is highly effective in relieving pain during labor. Pregnant women can learn the techniques to manage the discomforts during pregnancy and can then teach the techniques to a husband or partner which whom she will share the labor experience.

Acupressure is simple to learn. It can be used to treat insomnia during the last stages of pregnancy. It can relieve pain before and during labor. It is a tool to help you partner feel engage and involved during the labor process. It will bond the woman and partner together as they work in tandem to bring this new life into the world.

 

 

About the Author:

Lena Leino is a mother and an active acupressure user. She has recently devoted time to the efforts of Maternity Acupressure in their goal to provide valuable tips and resources on how to start labor naturally and get effective labor pain relief safely without drugs.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pregnancy-articles/avoid-a-cesarean-how-to-induce-labor-naturally-542668.html

All About Labor and Delivery

by: Morgan Hamilton

Every labor and delivery is a magically unique experience. Giving birth is a phenomenon that the majority of women experience at least once in their life, and labor and delivery is the culmination of the pregnancy and the introduction of a beautiful new soul.

Even if a woman should happen to give birth to many children, each and every labor and delivery experience has its own unique concerns. For instance, the expectant mom plans on giving birth at the local hospital, and she has chosen an epidural catheter for pain control during labor and delivery. Her water breaks a few weeks early while at their remote cabin, but suddenly the baby arrives before you can get to the hospital.

This happens more than you might think, fortunately everything usually turns out to be just fine. People have been giving birth long before there have been hospitals. Just imagine how many babies have been born and fields and huts with nothing more than the aid and comfort of a family member or close friend.

OK, getting back to modern times, there are a great deal of decisions that need to be made before labor and delivery ever begin. You should feel comfortable with your doctor and his staff, and have a solid support system in place, be it family or friends, or better yet, both.
If you want have as much control as possible over the birth of your baby, you should consider having a birth plan in place. You will have a great deal of control over your labor and delivery with regards to the issues such as if you want an IV, pain medication, or an epidural.

You may just choose to go the natural route and forgo any pain killers and as few medical interventions as possible. These at the types of things that are laid out in a birth plan. You can even specify who you would like to be with you as you are going into labor, and what type of comforts you would prefer. You should also discuss with your doctor what would be done under certain emergency scenarios. We don't like to talk about it, but problems can and do happen.
The actual labor and delivery itself can be scary because of all the unknowns. Anything you can be scary, especially childbirth. Your health care provider is there to educate you and your partner, and support you throughout the pregnancy and labor and delivery. This can be extremely helpful in reducing anxiety and alleviating some fears.

In general, the mortality rate of mothers and babies is very low, and labor and delivery ends successfully in most cases with the birth of a healthy infant. It should also come as related in the all the planning and fussing has finally ended. Now the time has come. The labor and delivery experience should be celebrated. It's a beautiful thing.

About The Author
Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding the world women. You can get interesting and informative information here at http://www.thewomenshealthjournal.com/womens-health/womens-health/labor-and-delivery.html

What Do Labor Contraction And Labor Pains Feel Like?

by: Lena Leino

Labor pains are part of giving birth to a baby. Mostly these are bearable and there are a lot that can be done to prevent suffering. By understanding where the pains in labor come from and what can be done about it, you are most likely to have a satisfying childbirth experience and wonderful birth memories.

Labor and birth of the baby is the effect of dilatation of the cervix, and contractions of the uterus and abdominal muscles. Dilation is the first stage of labor. In the second stage, strong expulsive efforts cause the advance and birth of the baby.

During your pregnancy, changes happen in your body to prepare for these events. The ligaments of your pelvis loosen to permit your pelvis to relax and allow your baby to come out. Other changes occur to adapt your body to accommodate childbirth. Despite these changes and modern medicine, it is unrealistic to aim for a childbirth without any discomforts.

Labor is said to begin when your uterus starts to contract regularly. In the days before the onset of labor, you may experience minor contractions that feel like tightening, and cause discomfort rather than pain. These contractions are important in aligning and positioning the baby for birth.

The first labor pains are grinding, scattered and irregular. Many women describe it as bad menstrual pains. The first labor pains are usually felt in the front site of the pelvis and groin. Pain is mainly caused by pressure on the abdominal and pelvic area due to powerful uterine contractions and stretching of the cervix, vagina and perineum. During labor, contractions increase in frequency and intensity and can become painful.

As labor proceeds, the pains start to appear in the abdomen. The cervix has to stretch to allow your baby to eventually pass through your birth canal. When the opening to the cervix is fully dilated, the second stage of labor – during which your baby is born – starts. As the baby’s head advances further, pains are commonly felt at the back, hip and groin area. When the baby’s birth is near, stretching of the perineum causes burning sensations. At this stage many women feel like they are going to burst. Majority of them, however, suffer only minor tears, if any, especially if good laboring positions and movement have been used to help the baby to rotate and find the easiest way out.

The baby passes through your birth canal and is born by a combination of the continuing contractions of your uterus, and your conscious effort to push your baby out by using the abdominal muscles. The physical and mental relief after vigorous laboring, and the ecstasy of getting your baby in your arms, are such a victory and pleasure that the last stage of labor - which is the birth of the placenta - is often unnoticed by the mother. As the placenta is much smaller than the baby is, and the birth canal is open, the uterine contractions push the placenta out easily.

We are so conditioned to expect pains in labor that its significance as part of the birth process is discounted. There is no need to automatically opt for epidural or -- on the other hand -- to give birth in severe pains without any labor pain relief. Unmanageable pain during labor and delivery is not normal or needed. Labor pains, when they are correctly managed, have an important part in assisting and guiding your body to give birth to a baby.

About The Author
Lena Leino, author of Easier, Shorter and Safer Birth, created an At-Home Labor Contraction Follow-up Chart so that you could easily document and see the progress of your labor. Now you can get this useful tool at http://www.MaternityAcupressure.com/labor-contraction-chart.html