14 weeks pregnant hard belly

At 14 weeks of pregnancy, the pregnant woman has just entered the second trimester. During this period, if the pregnant woman experiences any physical discomfort, she needs to go to the hospital and communicate with the doctor in time. Generally speaking, a hard belly at 14 weeks of pregnancy may be caused by the enlarged uterus pressing against the belly, or it may be a disease. The specific cause and what kind of treatment is needed can only be confirmed after the pregnant mothers see a doctor.

1. Why does a pregnant woman have a hard belly?

The reason why pregnant women in the late stage feel their stomachs hard from time to time is often due to frequent and irregular uterine contractions, also known as false labor pains. Starting from the 28th week of pregnancy, false labor will often occur in the abdomen. If the pregnant woman stands or sits in the same posture for a long time, she will feel her abdomen hardening from time to time. These are false labors.

Its characteristics are that the time of occurrence is irregular and the degree varies from time to time. Before delivery, the lower part of the uterus is stimulated by the traction caused by the descending fetal head. False labor will become more and more frequent. Uterine contraction is the contraction force of the uterus, which refers to the contraction of the smooth muscle of the uterine body. It is paroxysmal, with contractions and pauses alternating repeatedly, and is not controlled by the will of the mother. It plays a vital role in childbirth. Only through effective uterine contractions can the fetus continue to descend along the birth canal to complete delivery.

2. Is it normal to have a hard stomach?

By the time you're just a few weeks away from your due date, these contractions may become stronger, more frequent, and cause some discomfort. Those painless, occasional false labor contractions in the early stages will not cause obvious changes in the cervix. The contractions at this time may help your cervix become "mature": the cervix gradually becomes softer and thinner. It may even cause your cervix to start opening slightly. Sometimes this period is also called the pre-labor period. These are all rehearsals for the expectant mother's future delivery, and preparation is also a normal physiological process. As long as the pregnancy test is normal; there are not four to six consecutive contractions within an hour; and there is no severe abdominal pain, hard stomach and abdominal distension. As long as you pay attention to fetal movements, expectant mothers don't need to panic too much.

3. Precautions for 14 weeks of pregnancy

1. Constipation during pregnancy:

Maybe you are troubled by constipation during this period. How to solve it? The best time to defecate is within one hour after breakfast every day. Develop the habit of going to the toilet for defecation after breakfast; do not eat spicy food, eat more apples, carrots, celery and other foods rich in fiber; increase the amount of physical activity every day, take more walks, and exercise more, which is beneficial to gastrointestinal motility. But you must not take laxatives just for the sake of temporary relief, otherwise it may cause miscarriage.

2. Ensure iodine intake:

The fetus's thyroid gland begins to function around 14 weeks, producing its own hormones. If your iodine intake is insufficient, your baby will have hypothyroidism after birth, which will affect brain development. So at this time you should start paying attention to iodine supplementation. Seafood such as fish, shellfish and seaweed are rich in iodine, and you should eat them at least twice a week.

3. Reasonable arrangement of sex life:

"Ten months of abstinence" is actually not reliable. Now you are in the second trimester and the pregnancy is relatively stable, so you can have a moderate sexual life. At this time, sexual life should be arranged reasonably, 1-2 times a week is appropriate. The postures that the couple are accustomed to and comfortable with should be adopted, but be careful not to compress the abdomen. The postures can be front side position, front sitting position or back position. Expectant fathers should not stimulate the nipples of pregnant women. You should also pay attention to self-regulation and avoid getting overexcited, so as not to induce miscarriage.

4. Pay attention to secretions:

At this time, your nipples can squeeze out some milk and the amount of vaginal discharge increases, which is normal. Normal secretions are white, thin, and odorless. If the amount is large and the color or shape is abnormal, you should see a doctor. During this period, you must pay attention to the cleanliness of your vulva, choose pure cotton underwear, wash it every day, and avoid using strong soap solutions.

5. Pay attention to your activity posture:

During this period, your belly gradually grows and various parts of your body also change. At this time, you should maintain a normal posture in your daily life, do not bend over or squat for a long time, do not press on your stomach, and do not try to move heavy objects. Do housework in moderation, do not demand perfection, and focus on moving your body.