During pregnancy, false or practice labor can be an annoyance.They are common and will usually leave on their own in less than an hour.Try to make the contractions stop more quickly with some quick fixes.Call your healthcare provider or go to the hospital if the contractions continue.Once the contractions have stopped, take steps to prevent them from happening again.
Step 1: Drink 2 glasses of water as quickly as you can.
If you're thirsty, try this first.Just pour yourself a glass of water, drink it quickly, and then drink another glass right after.Wait to see if the contractions go away.After they started, they should ease up within an hour.After drinking the water, make yourself a cup of tea or warm milk and sip it slowly.You will be able to relax and get more fluid into your system.
Step 2: If you have been in the same position for a while, you should change positions.
Staying in one position for too long can cause some women to have contractions.Sit or lie down if you have been standing for a while.Stand up or walk around if you have been sitting.Since you are unlikely to be able to walk through real labor, walking around may help you determine if the contractions are real.
Step 3: Take a warm bath or shower.
It is possible to relax in the bathtub or shower while waiting for the contractions to stop.Don't stay in the water for more than 30 minutes.If you can't take a shower or bath at the moment, try applying a heating pad to your back.
Step 4: If you are sleepy, try to take a nap.
While you wait for the contractions to stop, lay down on your side and see if you can fall asleep.The rest will help you relax and stop the contractions.You won't be able to sleep if you're in labor.
Step 5: If the contractions last for more than an hour, you should call your healthcare provider.
If your contractions last more than an hour, call your healthcare provider.Let them know what your symptoms are and how you are doing.
Step 6: If you have contractions before your third trimester, tell your doctor.
In the third trimester, your body is getting ready to give birth.The second or first trimesters are less common and may indicate a problem that requires treatment.If you're having contractions before the third trimester that occur more than 4 times per hour, you need to tell your doctor immediately.When you are 27 weeks pregnant, the third trimester begins and you should be watching for contractions.
Step 7: You may need to go to the hospital.
In some cases, your contractions may indicate that you are in labor or that there is an issue that requires prompt treatment.Blood or fluid leaking from your vagina Less than 10 fetal movements in a 2 hour period Contractions so strong you can't walk through them
Step 8: Dehydration can cause contractions.
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of contractions, so keep hydrated.Carry a water bottle with you all the time and refill it during the day.If you want to stay hydrated, aim for about 80 to 64 ounces of water per day.Drink more if you are thirsty.
Step 9: If contractions coincide with physical activity, you should rest more.
If you tend to have contractions after you have been physically active or if your baby is especially active, you should consider it.Tone down your physical activity if you feel like it.You can rest when your baby is more active.It may help to ease the contractions.
Step 10: If this happens, ask people not to touch your belly.
If you notice that you tend to have contractions after someone touches your belly, tell people not to touch it.Explain that it makes you feel uncomfortable.
Step 11: If you have a full bladder, use the bathroom more frequently.
During the third trimester, you may need to use the bathroom more frequently.If you tend to wait to use the bathroom for as long as you can stand, this may cause you to give birth.You can keep your bladder empty by going to the bathroom once every hour.
Step 12: It's a good idea to note if the contractions start after sex.
If your doctor has told you not to have sex, it's usually safe.Some women may experience a contraction after sex.If they bother you, you may want to consider limiting or avoiding sex.