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![]() Birth planningAs your due date nears, you may be thinking about labor and the birth of your baby. This is a special time, and you will want to make the experience memorable. One of the ways to help communicate your desires and expectations about your birth experience is through a birth plan. This is not an order sheet to be checked off, but a tool to let your health care providers know the things that are important to you during labor and birth. By sharing these in advance, you will also have the opportunity to ask questions about various options. Just as every labor and birth is different, no one birth plan fits all. As you think about the choices and discuss what is best for your own pregnancy, remember to be flexible. Things can change quickly and plans may need to be revised. Points to consider as you plan for labor and birth include the following:
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What are Braxton-Hicks contractions? |
Many women have periods of relatively brief, painless uterine contractions called Braxton-Hicks contractions. These contractions are sometimes thought of as practice contractions, helping the cervix become ready for labor. You may have them irregularly and they may vary in length and intensity in the last part of your pregnancy. As you near your due date, these "false labor" contractions can become painful. While Braxton-Hicks contractions are a normal part of pregnancy for many women, it's important to know the difference between this type of contraction and the real thing. Here are some clues:
Always contact your health care provider if your contractions continue more than one hour, and especially if you are less than 37 weeks pregnant. |
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