Women who are experiencing their first labor and delivery may have contractions for a day or so that start out an hour or more apart, then finally reach the recommended eight to five minutes apart before leaving for the hospital. Some very lucky women have only a few signs of labor contractions before the birth of their child. Breathing exercises and focusing methods can help decrease the pain felt during contractions.
Labor contractions usually cause discomfort or a dull ache in your back and lower abdomen, along with pressure in the pelvis. Contractions move in a wave-like motion from the top of the uterus to the bottom.
