When the pregnancy is approaching its full term, labor cramps are very natural way of knowing that your body is getting ready to deliver. Cramping can happen any time during the pregnancy, at the time of implantation, when the uterus stretches itself, when a miscarriage happens, when there is ectopic pregnancy or when body starts preparing for labor. If you are experiencing it towards end of the fourth semester, it is surely the labor cramp.

Stages Of Delivering The Child:

Body undergoes various stages of such cramping, depending on the changes in uterus and cervix. Let's have a look at the following stages of natural childbirth:

• The first stage starts at the onset of labor and ends when the cervix has dilated to 10 centimeters. The average length of labor reduces with the number of pregnancies, for first time mothers, it is around 10 to 12 hours.
• The second stage starts when the cervix is completely dilated and finishes with the delivery of the baby. This may take 1 or 2 hours of time.
• The third stage, which start after the child is born, ends after the placenta is delivered.
• The final stage of childbirth is the time when placenta is delivered and ends after 2-3 hours of delivery.

Reduced Intensity Of Cramps:

The pregnancy cramps begin with slight pain in the back. Then they spread to the whole lower abdomen. With passing hours, the pain and frequency of cramps increases, then you are sure that you are going to deliver soon. You must go to your doctor once the labor cramp is less than 5 minutes apart and the pain become unbearable.

A very fast labor increases the risk of tearing and requires much more healing time for you. To reduce the frequency of cramps and make them bearable, you can do some exercises. However, vigorous exercising is to be avoided. Low impact exercises help. They should be done in small sessions. Walking and yoga are the two most effective and safe forms of exercise during pregnancy. These help reduce intensity of the labor cramp. If you are one of those sports-oriented people, you can go for swimming. Swimming reduces burden on the lower back and increases suppleness. When, your body is fit and toned, the process of labor will be less exhausting for you.

You may take hot or cold packs to reduce the labor cramps you are experiencing prior to delivery. You must keep on sipping water or nibbling ice-cubes, as keeping your body hydrated during the process is very important. If you can get someone to massage your lower back gently, this will also help in reducing the pain due to cramps. Just remember, labor cramp is a necessary and vital part of childbirth. It can't be avoided, but can be managed for a more comfortable experience of childbirth.

In the last stages of pregnancy, labor cramps foretells the onset of labor. The pain of labor can be reduced with regular exercises during pregnancy.