signs of labor

I have sort of tried to memorize this when I was a student and even when I graduated and prepared for my exams.

Also, during that time when I practiced my profession and eventually when to teaching student nurses.

But then again, I need to review.

They say, that its harder to remember this things when you're the one who's experiencing them. Much like that the talk is easier than the walk.

Anyway, I find these facts from babycenter.com easy to understand and so, I'd be posting them here.

SIGNS OF LABOR

Is there any way to predict when I'm going to go into labor?

Not really. Experts don't fully understand what triggers the onset of labor, and there's no way to predict exactly when it will start.


Your body actually starts preparing for labor up to a month before you give birth. You may be blissfully unaware of what's going on — or you may begin to notice new symptoms as your due date draws near. Here are some things that may happen in the weeks or days before labor starts:


Your baby "drops."
If this is your first pregnancy, you may feel what's known as "lightening" a few weeks before labor starts. You might detect a heaviness in your pelvis as this happens and notice less pressure just below your ribcage, making it easier to catch your breath.


You note more Braxton Hicks contractions.
More frequent and intense Braxton Hicks contractions can signal pre-labor, during which your cervix ripens (see below) and the stage is set for true labor. Some women experience a crampy, menstrual-like feeling during this time.

Inside pregnancy: Labor and birth

A 3D animated look at the stages of labor from contractions to birth.

Sometimes, as true labor draws near, Braxton Hicks contractions become relatively painful and strike as often as every ten to 20 minutes, making you wonder whether true labor has started. But if the contractions don't get longer, stronger, and closer together and cause your cervix to dilate progressively, then what you're feeling is probably so-called false labor.


Your cervix starts to ripen.
In the days and weeks before delivery, Braxton Hicks contractions may do the preliminary work of softening, thinning, and perhaps opening your cervix a bit. (If you've given birth before, your cervix is more likely to dilate a centimeter or two before labor starts, but keep in mind that even being 40 weeks pregnant with your first baby and 1 centimeter dilated is no guarantee that labor is imminent.)


When you're at or near your due date, your practitioner may do a vaginal exam during your prenatal visit to see whether your cervix has started to change.


You pass your mucus plug or notice "bloody show."
You may pass your mucus plug — the small amount of thickened mucus that has sealed your cervical canal during the last nine months — if your cervix begins to dilate as you get close to labor.


The plug may come out in a lump or as increased vaginal discharge over the course of several days. The mucus may be tinged with brown, pink, or red blood, which is why it's referred to as "bloody show." Having sex or a vaginal exam can also disturb your mucus plug and cause you to see some blood-tinged discharge, even when labor isn't going to start in the next few days.


Your water breaks.
When the fluid-filled amniotic sac surrounding your baby ruptures, fluid leaks from your vagina. And whether it comes out in a large gush or a small trickle, you should call your doctor or midwife.


Most women start having regular contractions before their water breaks, but in some cases, the water breaks first. When this happens, labor usually follows soon. If you don't start having contractions on your own within a certain amount of time, you'll need to beinduced, since your baby's more likely to get an infection without the amniotic sac's protection against germs.

How can I tell whether my labor has actually started?

It's often not possible to pinpoint exactly when "true" labor begins because early labor contractions might start out feeling like the Braxton Hicks contractions you may have been noticing for weeks.


It's likely that labor is under way, however, when your contractions become increasingly longer, stronger, and closer together. They may be as far apart as every ten minutes or so in the beginning, but they won't stop or ease up no matter what you do. And in time, they'll become more painful and closer together.


In some cases, though, the onset of strong, regular contractions comes with little or no warning. It's different for every woman and with every pregnancy.

When should I call my doctor or midwife?

Toward the end of your pregnancy, your practitioner should give you a clear set of guidelines for when to let her know that you're having contractions and at what point she'll want you to go to the hospital or birth center.


These instructions will depend on your individual situation — whether you have pregnancy complications or are otherwise considered high-risk, whether this is your first baby, and practical matters like how far you live from the hospital or birth center — as well as on your caregiver's personal preference (some prefer an early heads-up).


If your pregnancy is uncomplicated, she'll probably have you wait to come in until you've been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for about an hour. (You time a contraction from the beginning of one to the beginning of the next one.) As a rule, if you're high-risk, she'll want to hear from you earlier in labor.


Don't be afraid to call if the signs aren't clear but you think the time may have come. Doctors and midwives are used to getting calls from women who aren't sure whether they're in labor and need guidance. It's part of their job.


And the truth is, your caregiver can tell a lot by the sound of your voice, so verbal communication helps. She'll want to know how close together your contractions are, how long each one lasts, how strong they are (she'll note whether you can talk through a contraction), and any other symptoms you may have.


Finally, whether or not your pregnancy has been problem-free up to now, and whether or not you think you might be in labor, be sure to call your caregiver right away (and if you can't reach her, head for the hospital) in the following situations:

• Your water breaks or you suspect that you're leaking amniotic fluid. Tell your practitioner if it's yellow, brown, or greenish, because this signals the presence of meconium, your baby's first stool, which is sometimes a sign of fetal stress. It's also important to let her know if the fluid looks bloody.
• You notice that your baby is less active.
• You have vaginal bleeding (unless it's just bloody show — mucus with a spot or streak of blood), constant severe abdominal pain, or fever.
• You start having contractions before 37 weeks or any other signs of preterm labor.
• You have severe or persistent headaches, vision changes, intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen, abnormal swelling, or any other symptoms of preeclampsia.

Some women assume that various symptoms are just part and parcel of being pregnant, while others worry that every new symptom spells trouble. Knowing which pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore can help you decide when to call your caregiver.


That said, every pregnancy is different and no list can cover all situations, so if you're not sure whether a symptom is serious, or if you just don't feel like yourself or are uneasy, trust your instincts and call your healthcare provider. If there's a problem, you'll get help. If nothing's wrong, you'll be reassured.

Pagsanjan: Magdapio Falls

That photo is my husband's. He just used his Samsung camera phone. Anyway, the falls is breathtaking even in the pictures! Had he used a much sophisticated camera, it would have been better. But then again, we don't own one although I hope I could give him that someday as a gift. As I've ranted in my previous post, I was left to enjoy at least two orders of Aling Taleng's Halohalo while they conquered the Pagsanjan River to see the the infamous Pagsanjan Falls which is actually the Magdapio Falls located at Cavinti which is another town bordering Pagsansan at the east. They were charged with 1250 Php each wherein two of them share in a boat navigated through the Pagsanjan "rapids" by two boatmen. This included the balsa ride to the cave behind the falls. (balsa is a bamboo raft) Also, a group could stay as long as they want at the falls since the boatmen are there to wait on you for the rest of the day since they could only afford a single trip to the falls due to their (boatmen) number in queue for tourist. They (husband, sis-in-law, brother & future sis-in-law) were four together which meant they hired 2 boats to get them there. It was Aling Taleng's son who helped us get to trustworthy boatmen. If you were to take the rapids alone, then, you ought to pay them for two still. Had we came on off-peak season, the rate would have been only 1000 Php. By the way, Aling Taleng's is a stone's throw away from the Pagsanjan Church which is a sight of its own as well while the entry point to conquering the rapids is but less than 5 minute walk from the halohalo place.

Pagsanjan: Aling Taleng's Halohalo

Last weekend, my brother & his girlfriend went to visit us here in Laguna. We went for a road trip last Saturday to see Paete and Pagsanjan along with my ever loving husband and my sis-in-law who drove our party of five around (or six if you'd count our baby Joram in my tummy). As I am in my 7th month of pregnancy, I did not join them in shooting the rapids and conquering the Magdapio Falls, better known as the Pagsanjan Falls. Instead, I just stayed at Aling Taleng's quaint place where I enjoyed their famed halohalo. I need to borrow someone else's photograph which I found at Google since none of us remembered to take a picture of it before we went ahead and mix it. The truth is, I was excited to taste it! And indeed, it did not disappoint. It is the first ever halohalo that I had eaten to the last drop. And it is the first time that I didn't have to add sugar nor milk/creamer to it. It is the best I've had, no doubt!

more on leg cramps

Apparently, it is true that pointing your toes while in bed does summon leg cramps. Unfortunately, pointing my toes the moment I wake up is one of my habits. The research on the net yesterday about the probable causes of the painful cramps and how to prevent it really helped. As early this morning, as I was to point my toes yet again in bed, I noticed the beginning of a leg cramp in my calf... and reversing to dorsiflexion helped a lot! In fact, I was able to stop the leg cramp from ever occurring that time! Hurray! Indeed, knowledge is power!

oh my CRAMPS! (leg & foot cramps during pregnancy)

A lot have of mothers have asked me on whether I get leg cramps.  LEG CRAMPS! A sharp, shooting pain in the middle of the night that jolts you out of the bed is unnerving not to mention painful.  Yes, I did! It was not often though... or so, I thought. But it had been more frequent during my last trimester. Many pregnant women wake up to painful leg cramps in the middle of the night or just before the break of day... which explains as to why they have been asking me if I got it too. I got the tip when leg cramps attack from one of my bff back in high school since she was a swimmer and tennis player, and cramping was something not so uncommon for them. The thing is to dorsiflex (see attached picture) one's foot. It seems more painful to do this at first and one would be tempted not to move the cramping foot instead (like my husband). But believe me, it works! Ask my hubby, he'll testify too!  While the reason for this is not definite, some experts think cramps are caused by the weight increase brought on by pregnancy which puts on more stress on your legs and compromises your circulation, while others believe they are due to an excess of phosphorus or a shortage of calcium, magnesium or potassium. As the pregnancy progresses, so does the pain and the frequency. Here are some tips to help us avoid them altogether if not minimize its occurrence: 1. Stretch your legs a few times a day, especially before bedtime. 2. Do some simple exercises like rotating your ankles and wiggle your toes to increase circulation especially when sitting. 3. Resist pointing your toes as you crawl into bed. 4. Avoid crossing your legs or standing for long periods of time. 5. Eat potassium-rich foods such as bananas. 6. Eat calcium-rich foods such as dairy products, fish with bones (salmon or sardines), green leafy vegetables, almonds and tofu. 7. Reduce your intake of phosphorus-rich foods such as soft drinks, processed meats and snack foods. (Phosphorus has a negative effect on the absorption of calcium.) 8. Studies show that multivitamin with minerals and magnesium is helpful, take one that is recommended by your doctor. 9. Have warm baths before bedtime to relax calf muscles. 10. Stay well hydrated. Tips & Warnings If the pain in your leg is accompanied by swelling or tenderness or will not go away, call your doctor. You could have a rare condition that requires immediate medical attention.