What causes pregnancy contractions?

When a pregnant woman is about to give birth, there will be some phenomena, such as uterine contractions, abdominal pain, water breaking and spotting. When uterine contractions occur, they are often accompanied by abdominal pain. When the contractions become more frequent and more regular, it means that the time of delivery is getting closer. When uterine contractions first appear, many pregnant women will not feel it and are not very adaptable, so pregnant women should pay more attention to changes in their bodies.

Causes of uterine contractions

Starting from the 28th week of pregnancy, "false contractions" will often occur in the abdomen. If a pregnant woman stands or sits in the same posture for a long time, she will feel her abdomen hardening from time to time. This is called "false labor." Its characteristics are that the time of occurrence is irregular and the degree varies from time to time. Before delivery, "false labor" will become more and more frequent due to the traction stimulation of the lower part of the uterus caused by the descending fetal head. If the above symptoms only occur occasionally and do not last long, and there is no vaginal bleeding, there is no need to be nervous, as they are mostly normal. If the above phenomena occur frequently with short intervals, and there are obvious abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, etc., you should go to the hospital in time to avoid accidents.

1. The feeling of uterine contractions during pregnancy

The reaction to uterine contractions is that sporadic and irregular contractions will naturally occur from the beginning of pregnancy. Because the intensity of uterine contractions is not strong, mothers generally cannot feel it. The real feeling of uterine contractions will only be felt in the late pregnancy. During pregnancy, the uterus feels soft to the touch at ordinary times. When the contractions are severe and frequent, the uterus will become hard, and the abdomen will feel tight and even painful.

Pregnancy contractions are like false labor. They do not mean that delivery is imminent, but the feeling of contractions is also uncomfortable. False labor usually occurs in the last three months of a mother's pregnancy. The contractions are often irregular in timing, non-periodic, and of varying degrees. Although false labor sometimes appears to be as strong as labor contractions, they are not true contractions.

2. The feeling of labor contractions

Uterine contractions are irregular and weak at first, then gradually become regular, increasingly strong, last longer, and have shorter intervals, such as 50-60 seconds at an interval of 2-3 minutes. Some women feel the pain of labor contractions in the abdomen, while others feel it in the waist.

If pain occurs, the contractions cause slight pain, which passes after a while and then gradually intensifies, the intervals shorten, the pain lasts longer, the contractions come like waves, the pain spreads to the lower abdomen, or there is a feeling of defecation, this type of contraction is the labor contraction.

Precautions for preventing uterine contractions

1. It is not suitable to travel long distances during pregnancy.

2. Do not do heavy work or lift heavy objects.

3. Pay more attention to rest, keep your emotions stable, and relax your body and mind.

4. The indoor temperature and humidity should be appropriate to prevent colds from causing uterine contractions.

5. When you have uterine contractions during pregnancy, you can try breathing techniques to adjust. Note that you should lie flat, close your eyes, take a deep breath through your nose, hold your breath after inhaling through your nose, and then exhale deeply.