When timing a contraction, you are looking
for two things:
-
The length of the contraction: that is
the amount of time between when the contraction starts and when it ends.
-
The frequency of the contractions: the
time between the beginning of one contraction and the beginning of the
next contraction.
To time contractions:
-
Use a watch with a second hand or count off
the seconds aloud.
-
Note the time when a contraction begins. Usually
you can feel the top of your abdomen tighten.
-
Note the time when the contraction ends- the
abdomen softens.
-
This is the length of the contraction.
-
Note the time the next contraction begins. The
time between the beginning of one contraction and the beginning of the
next is the frequency, or how far apart the contractions are.
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Delivery
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