8 Signs That Labor Is 24 to 48 Hours Away
1) You are not feeling well.
If you have been sick recently or feel unwell, then it means your body needs rest time. Your body will need some time off from all the activities it is currently engaged in.
A good way to get yourself back into shape is by exercising regularly. Exercise helps keep your immune system strong and healthy, which makes you less likely to contract a disease later on.
2) You are having difficulty falling asleep.
Sleep deprivation can cause a number of health problems later on. If you have trouble sleeping, try taking naps during the day when you feel rested enough to do so.
3) You are experiencing headaches or other physical pains.
These could be due to stress, anxiety, or even pregnancy hormones (hormones affect how your body functions). Try relaxing your muscles and breathing deeply to relieve these pain points.
4) You are tired most of the time.
Most women experience fatigue at some point during their pregnancies. While this might seem like a bad thing, it actually allows your body to recover from any physical demands you may have had while pregnant.
5) You are getting hungry frequently.
Not only does hunger make you want to eat something, but it also signals that your body is ready for sleep again and is preparing itself for the next day’s activity. Sleep is a big healing catalyst.
6) You are having sudden mood swings.
Pregnancy hormones can also cause these mood swings. Sometimes all you need to make you feel better is a good cry.
7) You have been expelling a lot of fluids from your body (pink, watery discharge).
This could be a sign that your body is purging waste material that it otherwise could not release normally. When you are pregnant, your body goes into a lockdown mode to protect the baby.
As a result, your organs are not able to release excrement and other toxins as quickly as usual.
8) You are experiencing changes in your vaginal discharge.
This can be a sign of an infection (you should call your doctor if this is the case). It can also be a sign that your body is expelling waste.
It is important to keep your body clean when you are expecting.
Thanks for reading!
How to Reduce Swelling After Being on Your Feet a Long Time
We wrote this article in the perspective of a medical professional.
Swelling is a condition that can be relieved through the use of a pail of ice and a roller. This process should be repeated multiple times daily.
Swelling is a very common condition as it affects millions of people every single day. If you have swelling, you may be experiencing some discomfort, as it makes it difficult for blood to travel to different parts of your body.
Try taking an anti-inflammatory, such as Ibuprofen.
You can reduce swelling through the use of a cold compress. Place this on the swollen area for a few minutes at a time to see some relief.
It may be best to keep the compress in the freezer so that it is always handy when the swelling starts to come back.
Swelling is not a condition that should be taken lightly. If you are experiencing swelling in your legs, you may want to elevate them above your heart, such as when you are lying down.
If you are experiencing swelling in your arms or hands, you may want to keep them elevated as well. Try placing them at your side and then slowly moving them up above your head.
Hold this position for at least a few minutes.
If you are experiencing swelling in your face, you can use an ice pack on the area, as long as you do not have recently had any Botox or other cosmetic injections within the past two weeks.
If you have recently had cosmetic injections, it may be a good idea to consult your dermatologist for some additional advice on how to reduce swelling in that area.
Swelling in Your Hands and Feet:
1) Wear Loose Clothing.
The more space you create between your skin and clothing, the more air can reach your skin to help fight bacteria and promote healing.
2) Elevate Your Feet.
If you’re experiencing swelling in your hands and feet, raising your hands and feet above the heart can help to reduce some of the swelling.
3) Ice Packs.
Applying ice packs can help to reduce swelling by reducing blood flow to the area and numbing the nerves. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, as this could cause damage or burns.
4) Elevate Your Arms.
Similar to elevating your feet, elevating your arms can reduce swelling in that area. For added comfort and to avoid stiffening, place a pillow or two under your arm.
5) Wear Compression Sleeves or Stockings.
Wearing support can help to improve blood flow and expedite the healing process.
6) Eat a Healthy Diet.
Foods that are high in protein and calcium help to promote bone and cellular health.
7) Rest and Relax.
Stress can have a negative impact on the body, as your body experiences additional stress, it has a tendency to hold onto fluid in an attempt to protect vital organs.
Swelling in Your Face:
1) Try Washing Your Face with Cold Water.
Rinsing your face with cold water can help to reduce swelling due to the constricting capabilities of the skin.
2) Slow and Steady Wins the Race.
When reaching your hand toward something, it is rarely a good idea to rush and make sudden movements. Doing this can increase the amount of swelling in your hand.
Be patient and move at a slower pace to avoid over-exerting yourself or moving too quickly.
3) Apply an Ice Pack to Your Face.
Placing an ice pack on your face for ten to fifteen minutes can help to reduce swelling.
4) Take an Over-the-Counter Anti-Inflammatory.
Swelling is your body’s natural response to injuries in order to prevent any further damage and promote healing. Ibuprofen can help to reduce inflammation and swelling for this very reason.
5) Drink Plenty of Water.
Dehydration can contribute to the swelling process. In order to maintain your body’s natural ability to reduce swelling, you need to drink plenty of water.
6) Look into Chilis and Spicy Foods.
Many people claim that chilis and spicy foods can help to reduce swelling due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Though this is not a proven scientific fact, it may be worth a try.
7) Use an Ice Pack to Reduce Swelling.
Placing an ice pack on the area can help to reduce swelling and numb pain.
8) Manage Your Stress.
Just as stress has a negative impact on your body’s natural ability to reduce swelling, it can also increase swelling. Fortunately, stress can be managed.
Learn how to better cope with stress in your daily life in order to prevent or reduce some of the swelling in your hand or face.
9) Be Careful During Your Recovery.
In order to ensure the best recovery possible, it’s important to take things slow. While you may be eager to rush through your healing process in order to get back to your normal routine, it’s important not to rush things.
Over exerting yourself can lead to increased swelling as your body works harder and has a tendency to hold onto fluid in an attempt to protect itself.
10) Eat a Balanced Diet. Many people do not realize how important a balanced diet is to their overall health.
Eating foods that are high in protein can help your body to maintain muscle mass. Foods like lean meats, eggs, and nuts can all help to improve your diet. Carbohydrates are also important as they provide your body with the necessary energy it needs to heal. Foods like breads, oats, and pastas are all good sources of carbohydrates. Finally, it is important to stay hydrated. Your body needs water in order to flush out toxins and waste. Without it, your body cannot function properly.
11) Use Your Non-Injured Hand. The best way to ensure the quickest recovery is to continue using the hand that was not injured as much as possible.
Engage in activities such as writing, drawing, or typing on a computer to improve your fine-motor skills and hand eye coordination.
12) Stay Positive. It is important to stay positive during your recovery.
Doing so can help improve your overall mood and prevent you from feeling depressed or anxious. Both of these emotions can actually worsen the swelling process.
12) Get Some Rest. As with many injuries, rest is an important part of the healing process.
Once the bleeding has stopped, it’s best to give the body time to rest and heal itself without any unnecessary exertion. Allowing your body to undergo complete bed rest is not always necessary. As long as you are not moving the limb and experience swelling, gentle movement can actually help to reduce the symptoms of swelling. Swelling generally peaks within the first 24-48 hours after an injury and can take several weeks to subside, even after an injury has healed. While it may feel good to move the area in the first few days following an injury, doing so can cause further damage and slow down the healing process.
13) Take an Over the Counter Anti-Inflammatory. Ibuprofen and other anti inflammatory drugs can help to reduce swelling and pain.
Be sure to follow all dosing instructions and side effect warnings before taking any medication.
14) See a Doctor. If you experience severe swelling, extreme bruising, or any loss of feeling in the injured area, it is best to see a doctor right away.
Severe swelling can lead to skin breakdown and infection. Any infection within a wound can lead to further complications and delays in healing. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.
15) Keep the Wound Clean. One of the most important parts of wound care is proper cleaning.
It is important to clean a wound both before and after applying a bandage in order to prevent bacteria from building up within the wound. Ideally, you should wash your hands before and after tending to a wound.
16) Get a Tetnis Shot. Even if you’ve had a tetnis shot within the last five years, it is still recommended that you have another one if you sustain an injury that may cause even minor bleeding.
Vaccinating against tetnis can prevent the potentially life threatening bacterial infection from developing. Most health care professionals carry tetnis vaccines and will gladly give you a quick injection if you are unsure of when you last received a vaccine.
Sources & references used in this article:
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Do tocolytic agents stop preterm labor? A critical and comprehensive review of efficacy and safety by K Higby, EMJ Xenakis, CJ Pauerstein – American journal of obstetrics and …, 1993 – Elsevier
Low superior vena cava flow and intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm infants by M Kluckow, N Evans – Archives of Disease in Childhood-Fetal and …, 2000 – fn.bmj.com
INJURIES TO THE CHILD’S HEAD DURING LABOR. by B Sachs – Journal of the American Medical Association, 1906 – jamanetwork.com
Effectiveness of nifedipine versus atosiban for tocolysis in preterm labour: a meta-analysis with an indirect comparison of randomised trials by A Coomarasamy, EM Knox, H Gee, F Song… – BJOG: an international …, 2003 – Elsevier
Signaling via the type I IL-1 and TNF receptors is necessary for bacterially induced preterm labor in a murine model by E Hirsch, Y Filipovich, M Mahendroo – American journal of obstetrics and …, 2006 – Elsevier
The management of preterm labor by RL Goldenberg – Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2002 – Elsevier
The induction of labour by amnioscopy amniotomy by KA Barham – Medical Journal of Australia, 1969 – Wiley Online Library
Runaway shops and female employment: the search for cheap labor by HI Safa – Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 1981 – journals.uchicago.edu
