02/22/2020
T̳h̳e̳ ̳u̳t̳e̳r̳u̳s̳ ̳h̳a̳s̳ ̳6̳ ̳t̳y̳p̳e̳s̳ ̳o̳f̳ ̳c̳o̳n̳t̳r̳a̳c̳t̳i̳o̳n̳s̳ ̳d̳u̳r̳i̳n̳g̳ ̳p̳r̳e̳g̳n̳a̳n̳c̳y̳:
1️⃣𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐗𝐓𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: This is the body’s way of preparing for labor. These contractions can soften the cervix but generally do not lead to real labor. It’s basically like a workout before the big day.
2️⃣𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐘 𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: Your cervix will efface(thin out) and dilate to 3. These contractions are mild and can be actually be sporadic.
3️⃣𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: Your cervix will dilate from 4-7cm. The contractions will feel longer and stronger at this time.
4️⃣𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: Your cervix will dilate from 8-10cm. Long, strong and intense contractions that may actually overlap.
5️⃣ 𝐏𝐔𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: Cervix is fully dilated. These contractions are strong and forceful. They may come with the intense urge to push. This continues until the baby is born.
6️⃣𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓-𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: These contractions work to expel the placenta and may continue even after the placenta is born to return the uterus to pre-pregnancy size.
CRED: Badass mother birther
