What are labor contractions and why do they happen?


Labor contractions serve as an indicator that you are in labor, and in some pregnancies they can be the only sign of labor. In early labor the contractions come simultaneously in 3 ways - period-like pains, pain at the lower back combined with some aching pressure behind the pubic bone. The uterus comprises of layers of muscles and at the lower end of it lies the cervix or the opening through which your baby makes its way out. During a labor contraction the uterus tightens or contracts in the bid to help your baby out of the canal. Labor contractions start out slow and are far apart (at around 30 minute intervals) and during the active phase contractions will become closely spaced and faster, and with this repetitive squeezing the cervix shortens and widens. Next is the very intense transition stage where the contractions peak followed by the 2nd stage during which your baby is born. Contractions are useful (though painful) in helping your body deliver your baby.