12_BT_December2019

Bump to Birth
Giving Birth
either by performing mild exercises
or by eating something. If the
contractions die down or the labor pain
symptoms completely disappear then it
is a part of prodromal labor.
Prodromal labour is a term is used
to describe the period before labor
in which certain physical and bodily
changes that resemble actual labor,
take place in a woman’s body. Even
though these changes indicate labor,
it doesn’t necessarily mean that labour
will begin soon for the mom-to-be, and
for some women, this period might
involve a lot of waiting. Why does this
labor take place before childbirth and
what are some of the changes that it
brings with it?
Prodromal labour is a more accurate
term to use instead of false labour, for
it happens for a reason, and that is,
to prepare the mom for actual labour.
Labour, can prove to be demanding on
the body and mind, and this period of
prodromal labour can help prepare the
mom for it, by helping her body get
accustomed to certain changes.
The experience of prodromal labour is
hardly ever the same for each woman.
The symptoms and the time that it
lasts will differ from one pregnant
woman to another. For some, it might
be a few hours, while for others, it
could last for days. The time period of
prodormal labour will depend on when
the symptoms first appear. If a woman
experiences them early, then prodromal
labor will last longer and if they occur
very late or towards the end of her
pregnancy, then the experience will be
for a shorter time period.
The signs and symptoms can be
confused with actual labour signs,
for they are often similar. Hence, the
popular term ‘false labour’. Here are
the symptoms to look out for:
Swellings
Swelling on different parts of the
body, such as the feet, hands, arms,
face, etc is a sign of prodromal labour.
This happens as the body prepares for
labour by increasing its blood content.
The tissues around the body carry
more blood during this time, thus
contributing the generally swollen look.
Non-labour contractions
Contractions that are experienced
during this labor are irregular and
start and stop unlike real contractions
which make way at regular intervals.
Along with that, they do not increase
in strength and intensity like regular
contractions do, but remain mild. The
contractions are usually experienced in
the abdominal region unlike the real
ones that make way from the back to
the front.
A good way of distinguishing between
the real contractions and those that
are produced by this form of labor is
to formulate a change in the routine
Secretion of colostrums
The body also prepares the motherto-be
for nursing by secreting a
white liquid from the breasts. This
liquid is called colustrums, and it’s a
highly nutritious food for your baby.
Colustrums will provide your newborn
with the kind of nutrition needed for
building a strong immunity for warding
off diseases during the first few days
after being born.
Frequent passing of motion or
mild diarrhea
As the time draws nearer, the body will
start preparing and clearing itself of
all unwanted wastes, by purging them
out of the body. During this time, you’ll
feed a bigger urge to pass motion, and
more frequently too. Some women
may also experience mild bouts of
diarrhea for this purpose.
BabyTalk | December 2019 23