Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Cause of cramping during second trimester

Starting from week 21, I had a cramping on my stomach, sometimes followed by diarrhoea and sometimes didn't, and for a few days, it only happens in the morning for about 20-30 seconds. I went to the GP, she gave me some sachet powder to drink and said it'll settle in a few days.

I also suspected that it's the Braxton Hicks Contractions, from What to Expect When You're Expecting, it describe as a 'practice' contraction, and it's a tightening of the uterus, beginning at the top and gradually spreading downwards and usuallly last about 15-30 seconds. It usually starts after the 20th week and may felt earlier and more intense in women who have had a previous pregnancy.

It's a good chance to use it as a practice of the breath & relaxation techniques, also to relieve the discomfort, try changing our position - lying down or getting up and walking around..etc. Hopefully it's not an indication of premature labour, the book also have a section on prelabour, false labour & real labour.

Birth Stories

For me, I'd like to read more of other people's experiences on labour so to know what to expect, I found the following birth stories online:


ohbaby birth stories

Home birth, NZ

With some ads, but some collection on birth stories

A blog on NZ birth stories

US Childbirth org

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