symptoms of labor pain

           The audio visual media has greatly dramatised labor pain.The woman in labor shouts with all her might  and perspire and the baby appears in no time with a vigorous cry. but reality is far from reel-lity.If you are experiencing labor for the first time your pain may drag over a period of 8 to 12 hours.In case of experienced moms the period tends to be shorter.Once you start to come closure to your THE date of expected delivery , every time you can not help but think of the slightest wince you have, to be labor pain.But till now unfortunately WE Doctors have not been able to predict with 100% accuracy on which date you will start to have labor pain.
How to calculate EDD(Expected date of delivery)
                 We calculate your EDD from the 1st day of your last menstrual period , add 9 months and 7 days to it and you get your EDD. Still confused ? say your 1st day of last menstrual period is 2nd Jan , then your EDD will be Oct the 9th. 40 weeks or 280 days if you want to know in terms of weeks and days.You should be cautious ahead of the date by 2 weeks as its an approximate not an absolute date
Symptoms of labor pain

Once you approach your EDD you might feel 

•  Dropping /lightening : you can breath properly and sleep properly.It is because your baby descends into your pelvis near EDD so the height of your tummy decreases and the pressure on your lungs somewhat lightens.
• The Minor ailments which you have faced in the early part of your pregnancy returns . such as increase frequency of micturition and constipation. The reason behind that is as the baby descends it again presses upon your bladder and rectum thereby causing those symptoms
• Braxton Hicks contraction : Uterus usually contracts infrequently throughout your pregnancy.These contractions are usually painless.As you approach labor these contractions intensifies although infrequently and might lead to discomfort.It can lead you to believe as if you are having labor pain.The differentiation points are that these are irregular and infrequent. Its intensity neither gradually increases nor leads to changes in your cervix
• back pain: Before your labor pain starts some of you might get backache. There might also be pain in your hips radiating down from your back
• Vaginal discharge/shaw : You might also notice blood mixed mucus vaginal discharge.As there are progressive taking up of cervix  once labor initialised, the os gradually starts to open up.the mucus plug which has been blocking the mouth of your cervix  gets dislodged and comes out as mucoid vaginal discharge It might also contain blood as there might be rupture of superficial vessels on the cervix with the dilatation process. Then it is often termed as the BLOODY SHAW. It is usually harmless and nothing to be alarmed of.
• Rupture of membrane: The baby is housed inside within a bag of membranes containing a fluid called amniontic fluid.Its job is to protect and cushion your baby.Sometimes you might rupture your membranes before the onset of labor pain. it is called pre mature rupture pf membrane.or PROM.This is also highly dramatised in movies and daily soaps.As the lady cheerfully announces that she had ruptured her membrane she is rushed off to a hospital where she gave birth. But actually rupture of membrane is not a sign of onset of labor pain.But if you do not get labor pain soon labor has to initiated by your doc as with time you and your baby"s chances of getting infection increases as you have lost the protective armour. Rupture of membrane should ideally take place in active labor.you should suspect to have ruptured your membranes if you suddenly leak a gush of watery fluid vaginally.you might also notice a constant dribble after the first episode. if you are not sure whether you are leaking urine or have rupture membrane contact your doctor immediately.
• nesting :You might wake up one morning feeling energetic, raring to attack dust bunnies under the couch,set up the crib and arrange your Baby"s outfit according to color. The urge to clean and organise is commonly known as nesting.It is vaguely developed in humans and mostly seen in other life forms.No one knows for sure why it happens.may be a primal instinct which dates back to a time when physical preparation are necessary for a safe childbirth.Nesting might begin months before your actual labor but usually is strongest just before birth. 
• Uterine Contraction. Once your actual labour  starts You start getting pain as your uterus starts contracting to push your baby out.These contractions are regular .these initially stays for about 30 second and as you advance it might stay as long as 90 minutes.The contractions grows stronger and closure as you progress ,so also your pain. If you have not ruptured your membranes early you might rupture it now as contractions as well as pain intensifies.During the terminal stage you actually feel the urge to push your baby out as the baby"s head presses upon your rectum.

Labor pain varies from one individual to other. In some its just an annoying back ache. In some its lots of pain.One thing keep in mind not to loose your patience and exhaust yourself by unnecessary screams. Always remember shouting will not lead you anywhere only good pushing effort will help you in delivering your baby and that too at the right time .The appropriate time will be told to you by your care giver who will do an internal examination from time to time to check and assess your progress and the well being of your baby.Labor pain is the most natural thing that can happen to a woman.Only knowledge and patience will bear you your fruit.So feel free to ask your doc anything you want to know before hand.