
You are in the final phase of your pregnancy and looking forward to the arrival of the new family member. The last weeks of pregnancy are full of expectation, and any sign, however small it may seem, makes us think that the moment of delivery may have arrived, however it is important to be attentive to our body in order to avoid rushed trips to the hospital that end In nothing. At OneHowTo.com we explain in detail how to know if you are dilating and when is convenient transfer you to the hospital for childbirth.
Steps to follow:
1
Once the approximate delivery date has been calculated we must be attentive to any signs that indicate that the time has come. And no doubt the moment it starts dilation and contractions We know that the delivery is near, however it is advisable to pay close attention and not rush to avoid unnecessary scares.
2
The dilatation occurs when our body begins to prepare for childbirth, at this time frequent contractions begin, the mucous plug is expelled, a process known as break waters, and the expansion of the cervix begins progressively until it reaches 10 centimeters of dilation, at which time labor can begin.
3
For know if you are delaying you should be able to detect frequent and rhythmic contractions that occur in a certain period of time. A random contraction is not dilation, but if you notice moderately painful contractions that occur on a regular basis, for example every 15 minutes, then you have started the dilation process.
When you start to feel the first contractions You must count the time that elapses between one and the other, by determining that the discomfort is constant, you will be able to affirm that your body is preparing for childbirth. It is important to write down on a paper the minutes that pass between contraction and contraction to detect when it begins to decrease.

4
The dilation process it can vary from woman to woman, being faster in those who have given birth before than in new mothers. It usually takes around 8 hours to dilate between 3 or 4 centimeters, from this moment and only if the woman wishes, the epidural can be applied.
From the moment you feel the first discomfort until delivery several hours will pass, so there is no reason to be alarmed except in certain conditions that we indicate later. If you are in a lot of pain, we invite you to read our article with tips to speed up labor.
5
Once you detect that the contractions are frequent and regular Do not rush!, Before rushing to the hospital, it is advisable to wait for some signs that the delivery is closer. Obstetricians recommend that in the presence of the first contractions the woman try breathing and relaxation exercises and stay resting and comfortable at home. Taking a hot bath can lessen discomfort.
Rushing to the hospital in a rush can lead to you being sent home for not being ready for delivery or spending many hours in an uncomfortable room and may be at home.

6
Dilation and contractions begin, then When to go to the hospital:
- If the contractions occur approximately every 5 minutes and they are painful and long-lasting, it is time to go to the hospital as you will have begun to achieve optimal dilation.
- When your water breaks, keep in mind that this can happen suddenly and with the total expulsion of the liquid, or little by little in a slight drip. The amniotic fluid it is clear and when detecting it it is important to go to the hospital. Be very careful because it is usually slippery.
- If you observe bleeding or the amniotic fluid is accompanied by blood, it is essential that you go to the hospital as soon as possible and notify your doctor, it could be a medical emergency that is important to attend to quickly.

This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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