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what are the premonitory signs of labor?
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- cervical changes
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- lightening
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- increased energy level
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- bloody show
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- braxton hicks contractions
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- spontaneous rupture of membranes
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premonitory sign of labor: what cervical changes occur?
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- cervical softening and ripening
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- cervical dilation with descent of presenting part into the pelvis
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- can occur 1 month to 1 hr before labor begins
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- goes from elongated to shortened and thinned
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- changes occur secondary to prostaglandin effects and Braxton
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Hick contractions
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,what is lightening
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when the fetal presenting part begins to descent into true pelvis
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what are some manifestations/other things that occur with
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lightening
- uterus lower and moves more anterior
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- increased pelvic pressure, leg cramping, dependent edema in
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the lower legs, and low back discomfort
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- increase in vaginal discharge and more frequent urination
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- can occur 2 weeks or more before labor
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- easier breathing from decreased gastric reflux
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- primipara: occur 2 weeks or more before labor
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- multipara: may not occur until labor starts
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premonitory signs of labor: increased energy level |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
- may also be called "nesting"
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- woman will focus energy toward childbirth preparation by
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cleaning, cooking, preparing the nursery, and spending extra
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time with other children in the household
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- occurs 24-48 hours before onset of labor
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- due to increase in epinephrine caused by decreased
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progesterone
, premonitory signs of labor: bloody show |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
mucus plus is expelled from cervical softening. Ruptured cervical
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capillaries release a small amt of blood that mixes with mucus,
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resulting in pink tinged secretions known as bloody show.
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premonitory signs of labor: braxton hicks contractions |\ |\ |\ |\ |\ |\
- may become stronger and more frequent
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- felt as tightening or pulling sensation of the top of uterus
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- occur primarily in abdomen and groin and spread downward
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- contractions move cervix anterior
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- can be decreased by walking, voiding, eating, increasing fluid
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intake, or changing position
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- last about 30 seconds - 2 mins
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- notify provider if longer than 30 seconds and occur more than
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4-6 times in an hour (can be preterm)
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difference between braxton hick contractions and true labor
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contractions
true labor contractions are more commonly felt in the lower back
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