What does it mean when the uterus is in good shape? What is uterine tone during pregnancy?

Frequent and sometimes involuntary urination, tone (or hypertonicity) of the uterus. These health problems arise most often during pregnancy, so information about them is of interest to most expectant mothers. However, in this article we will talk only about one, but quite unpleasant and serious problem - the tone of the uterus.

Normally, the muscular layer of the pregnant uterus is in a relaxed state. This is necessary, firstly, to maintain pregnancy, and, secondly, to fully provide the fetus with nutrients and oxygen. However, periodic short-term contractions of muscle fibers in the uterine wall are also not considered something pathological. The frequency of such contractions even increases with the duration of pregnancy. And this is absolutely normal, since the uterus grows (for example, muscle fibers lengthen 10-12 times), various physiological processes take place in its wall aimed at preparing for the upcoming birth, and the child, becoming more active every day, is annoying with his movements uterine wall.

But not everything always happens within the norm. In some pregnant women, uterine contractions may occur very often and last not 1-2 seconds, but longer, causing quite unpleasant sensations. In such cases, they say that the uterus is in good tone (hypertonicity). This is already a pathological condition that requires medical attention.

Maintaining the muscles of the uterus in a relaxed state during pregnancy is the task of the nervous system and hormones (in particular progesterone).

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After implantation of a fertilized egg into the wall of the uterus, impulses begin to actively flow into the woman’s brain, as a result of which a focus of excitation is formed in the cortex, called dominant pregnancy. All other impulses are suppressed. Such changes in the central nervous system are necessary for the preservation and normal course of pregnancy. If a pregnant woman experiences severe stress, fear, or emotional overstrain, one or even several more foci of excitation may form in the cortex, and accordingly, the dominance of pregnancy weakens. All this provokes irritation of the receptors in the wall of the uterus and contraction of its muscle layer, that is, the appearance of tone.

The hormone progesterone also plays an important role in maintaining pregnancy; it is not without reason that it is called the pregnancy hormone. This substance is secreted in a woman’s body throughout the entire period of bearing a child: up to 10-12 weeks it is synthesized in the ovaries by the corpus luteum, and subsequently by the placenta. Progesterone helps to relax all smooth muscles, so not only the uterus, but also the intestines (in connection with this, constipation often appears during pregnancy), and the urinary tract, and other organs are in a relaxed state in the body of the expectant mother. If there is not enough progesterone produced, the contractile activity of the uterus is not suppressed at the proper level, and it contracts. For example, progesterone levels physiologically decrease towards the end of pregnancy, causing labor to begin, but in the early stages, progesterone deficiency can lead to miscarriage.

Thus, hypertonicity can be provoked by any external or internal influences that disrupt the central mechanism for regulating muscle tone of the uterus:

Chronic.
Conflicts in the family, at work.
High body temperature (respectively, all diseases in which patients develop fever).

In addition, uterine tone can occur in pathological conditions accompanied by insufficient progesterone synthesis. These include:

Hyperandrogenism (increased concentration of male hormones in the body).
Hyperprolactinemia (increased prolactin levels in the blood).
Genital infantilism (underdevelopment of the genital organs and hypofunction of the ovaries).
Inflammatory diseases of the uterine appendages (these diseases almost always lead to disruption of the functioning of the corpus luteum of pregnancy).

Diseases and conditions that affect the structure of its wall also play an important role in the development of uterine hypertonicity:

Inflammation of the uterus.
Postoperative scars.

Gynecologists identify a number of risk factors for uterine hypertonicity:

Background diseases (which develop during pregnancy): endocrine disorders, influenza and acute respiratory infections, acute diseases of internal organs.
History of hormonal infertility.
History of numerous abortions.
The woman's age is under 18 or over 35 years.
Bad habits.
Harmful factors of production. Heavy physical work or work in a forced position, frequent business trips, contact of a pregnant woman with chemicals - all this can become an impetus for the occurrence of uterine hypertonicity.
Unfavorable atmosphere in the family.
Chronic.

Pregnant women, depending on the period of gestation of the baby, characterize their feelings when uterine hypertonicity appears in different ways:

in the first trimester, most often it is a pulling or squeezing pain in the lower abdomen and discomfort in the lower back (as during menstruation);
in the second and third trimesters - a feeling of short-term but strong tension or hardening of the abdomen.

In addition, when the uterus is toned, detachment of the chorion or placenta may occur in a small area, which is manifested by spotting or bleeding.

Some pregnant women do not even suspect that their uterus is in good shape (they simply do not notice the symptoms that arise), but find out about it during their next visit to the gynecologist or ultrasound specialist. Indeed, during an examination of the patient (feeling the abdomen), the doctor can clearly feel with his hands that the uterus is contracted.

Even more information about the tone of the uterus can be obtained using. However, according to some doctors, contraction of the walls of the uterus during an ultrasound examination is often associated with a mechanical effect on the organ (especially if the woman is examined with a vaginal sensor). Therefore, the diagnosis of “Hypertonicity” is made taking into account the results of all examinations and based on the presence of specific symptoms in a woman (severe abdominal pain, bleeding, etc.).

Consequences of uterine tone

Prolonged and frequent contractions of the uterus can lead to the development of the following complications:

chorionic detachment (in the later stages of the placenta);
miscarriage;
premature birth;
disturbances of uteroplacental blood flow and, as a consequence, hypoxia (oxygen starvation) and malnutrition (growth retardation) of the fetus.

What to do if the uterus is toned?

A pregnant woman should report any unpleasant sensations in her body to the gynecologist at her next appointment. If severe pain occurs, abdominal tension and/or bloody discharge from the vagina appears, you should visit a doctor unscheduled and preferably immediately. After the examination, the specialist will make appointments and, if necessary, give a referral for hospitalization, since uterine hypertonicity is considered a sign of a threat of miscarriage.

Important:Any medications for expectant mothers should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Injecting yourself with No-shpa or Papaverine if the uterus has increased tone (as recommended by various forums for mothers), instead of contacting an obstetrician-gynecologist, is a big mistake that can cost the life of an unborn child. These drugs, of course, are not contraindicated for pregnant women; they are widely used in the treatment of patients with increased uterine tone, but only after examination and establishment of an accurate diagnosis.

In addition to No-shpa and Papaverine, the following drugs are used in the treatment of hypertension:

But what is definitely not prohibited for pregnant women to do on their own if the uterus is toned is to rest (preferably lying down), take soothing herbal teas (for example, mint), valerian, and motherwort tincture. In addition, it doesn’t hurt to learn how to stop your frantic pace of life in time and relax, delegate household chores to loved ones, get enough sleep and not get nervous over trifles.

Every representative of the fairer sex has at least once found herself in a situation where every woman needs to know what to do in this situation. This condition can occur both in the early stages of pregnancy and just before childbirth. It is also possible to have increased tension in the uterine muscle even without pregnancy.

The uterus is toned

What to do in this case depends on the woman’s immediate health condition. There are several main degrees of uterine muscle condition:

Hypotonicity. In this case, the uterus is in an overly relaxed state, which is also not the norm.
Normatonus. The muscle in this case is in its normal state.
Increased tone. Occurs during pregnancy and can cause spontaneous abortion.
Hypertonicity. A condition that occurs at the onset of labor and persists throughout.

Quite often, doctors diagnose a pregnant woman with uterine hypertonicity, but this is not entirely true. The expectant mother may have increased tone, but with hypertonicity, labor or miscarriage has already begun.

Symptoms

When increased uterine tone occurs, a pregnant woman experiences the following manifestations:

Mix the resulting mixture and apply it to your palms. Take a horizontal position and gently massage your lower abdomen. Thanks to light stroking, your body will relax, and the smell of oils will help you calm down and set yourself in a positive mood.

Medicines

If a relaxed state and peace do not help and factors such as developing pregnancy and uterine tone are present. What to do in this case?

Take one No-Spa tablet. This drug will help relieve spasms and relax the uterine walls. You can also use Papaverine. This medicine is available in injections and suppositories. For independent use, give preference to the latter. Insert one suppository into the rectum and lie down.

Usually these actions help when the pregnant uterus is in good shape. What to do if this doesn’t help and spotting begins?

Lack of progesterone

Sometimes in the early stages of pregnancy, the expectant mother experiences a lack of progesterone. It is this hormone that helps the uterine muscle to remain in normal tone. It promotes the progression of pregnancy. If there is not enough hormone, the walls of the uterus begin to tighten and become toned. In this case, there is only one way out - to obtain progesterone artificially.

Usually the doctor prescribes the drug to the expectant mother. The dosage of the drugs should be selected individually, which is why it is worth visiting a doctor and not self-medicating.

Tonus in late pregnancy

If the expectant mother’s uterus is in good shape, what should she do? 30 weeks is usually considered a cut-off point. It is from this moment that a child born prematurely can already survive with the qualified help of neonatologists.

But, despite this, treatment for the occurrence of increased tone is carried out right up to childbirth. At this time, the patient is usually placed in a hospital for more careful monitoring of her condition, where the necessary medical correction is carried out for her.

At home, it is possible to prescribe the drug "Genipral". It cannot be taken in the early stages, but it is indispensable for increased tone after 30 weeks.

Warm bath or shower

Quite often, before giving birth, women’s uterus is toned. What to do in this case?

Experienced obstetrician-gynecologists recommend that the expectant mother take a warm bath or shower. Of course, this can only be done if there are no contraindications. Fill the bathtub with water with your favorite foam and soak in it for a while. Warm water will relieve muscle tension and help you relax.

If it is not possible to take a bath, you can replace it with a warm shower. Stand under the running water and relax. Think positive thoughts, stroke your belly, talk to your baby.

Always be careful not to slip when leaving the bath.

Hypertonicity of the uterus

This phenomenon usually occurs at the onset of prenatal contractions. It is useless to fight it at home and it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance. Especially if muscle tension is accompanied by bleeding. In this case, your life may be at risk.

Hypertonicity is a normal condition if it appears after 38 weeks of gestation. At this time, the unborn child is already considered full-term and may well be born. Tune in to a positive outcome and go to the long-awaited meeting.

Uterine tone and absence of pregnancy

If conception is impossible, but a woman’s uterus is in good shape, what should she do? Without pregnancy, this condition is much easier to deal with, due to the fact that expectant mothers cannot take most medications.

If you are not pregnant, but there is tension in the uterine muscle, then this may be the beginning of your next period. If there is severe discomfort, you can take any antispasmodic and rest a little. Surely this method will relieve stress.

Many women faced with a similar problem panic and exclaim: “The uterus is toned! What to do? Not pregnant, that’s for sure!” Doctors’ answer to this question is the same: “Nothing needs to be done if it does not cause pain or discomfort.”

Conclusion

To summarize, we can conclude: any woman can experience uterine tone, at any stage of pregnancy or even without it at all. Don't panic or be nervous, this can only make the situation worse.

There are many different methods for treating tone, but the best of them is prevention. If you are pregnant, monitor your well-being and do not overexert yourself. Take the necessary vitamins and minerals prescribed by your doctor. An excellent way to prevent tone is to take B6 vitamins. Contact your doctor to find out how you can prevent tone.

Only a specialist can accurately determine the presence or absence of increased tone of the uterine muscle using an ultrasound machine. Therefore, to make a correct diagnosis, you should consult a doctor and not decide on treatment on your own.

Pregnancy for any woman is a period that will be remembered for a lifetime. At this time, the expectant mother should be extremely attentive to herself. A pregnant woman may face new dangers that she did not know about before. One of these is the diagnosis of a toned uterus.

Causes of uterine tone

To understand the causes of this condition, it is worth understanding the structure of the organ. The uterus consists of several layers: perimetry, myometrium, endometrium.

The myometrium (muscle layer) is capable of contracting; this function must work during labor. In a calm state, the muscle does not tense and is in normal tone. If during pregnancy the muscle begins to contract, but childbirth is still far away, this means that the uterus is in good shape. This process is natural, and does not always mean that there is a threat to the full course of the pregnancy.

In Western countries, this condition is considered normal if it is not accompanied by other alarming symptoms. There is common sense in this, because as experience shows, tone often increases during an examination by a gynecologist.

This indicator is influenced by the psychological state of the expectant mother. The decisive factor here is the duration of the manifestation; if the tone is short-lived, then you should not worry. When it persists for a long time, it can affect the course of pregnancy.

What harm can uterine tone cause?

If hypertension appears in the first trimester, the result may be a spontaneous miscarriage. In the early stages, it occurs more often; with constant tension, it becomes difficult to fix the fertilized egg, which can provoke its rejection. This will be the cause of spontaneous miscarriage, which can occur before the 28th week.

When tension appears in the second or third trimester, it can lead to premature birth.

If tone occurs in the later stages, almost before childbirth, this means that prenatal (false) contractions have begun. They are not capable of harming the child. Rather, on the contrary, the uterus is thus prepared for future births.

A prolonged state of the uterus in good shape can harm the baby. Tense muscles can compress the umbilical cord, as a result of which the fetus may not receive enough oxygen - this leads to hypoxia. If there is a lack of not only oxygen, but also nutrients, then this is fraught with fetal hypertrophy.

What can trigger hypertension?

Hypertonicity can appear for various reasons. Half of pregnant women are diagnosed with uterine tone. Lack of progesterone in the early stages is the main reason. It is secreted by the corpus luteum during the four months of pregnancy. This hormone must prepare the endometrium for the attachment of the fertilized egg. It is also designed to relax smooth muscles so that uterine tension does not occur. Thus, a lack of this hormone can lead to hypertension.

Another reason for such a diagnosis may be hormonal imbalances, for example, an increase in male hormones. Therefore, the expectant mother should be interested in the state of hormonal levels throughout pregnancy.

Toxicosis has a negative effect on the condition of the uterus. Especially if it is accompanied by severe vomiting.

When vomiting, the abdominal muscles begin to contract intensely. This process negatively affects the condition of the uterus. Unfortunately, it is impossible to get rid of toxicosis; it will only be possible to slightly improve the general condition of the body.

Hypertonicity, as a result of abnormalities or diseases of the pregnant woman

This diagnosis can be made as a result of abnormal development if the pregnant woman's uterus is bicornuate or saddle-shaped. Any congenital anomaly can affect the course of pregnancy.

When planning a pregnancy, the expectant mother should be fully examined and find out about existing problems. If there are any, she will be under the supervision of a doctor, starting from the earliest stages.

With Rh conflict, the uterus can also be in good shape. When future parents have different Rhesus, for example, the mother is negative, and the future father is positive, the body can reject the fetus, perceiving it as a foreign body. This process will manifest itself through increased uterine tone.

The cause of the diagnosis may be infection and inflammation of the genital organs of the pregnant woman. They are not difficult to identify by accompanying symptoms, such as itching, characteristic discharge and pain.

When the fetus is too large, the muscles of the uterus are stretched, because of this it will be in good shape. Distension also occurs with polyhydramnios. In addition to the above reasons, the reason for the condition of the uterus in good shape can be abortions, tumors or miscarriages. Stress, overexertion, psychological fatigue, and even bowel problems can have an impact.

The main thing to remember is that hypertension is a symptom, so it cannot be treated as a separate disease. For effective treatment, many examinations are necessary.

Main symptoms

To independently determine the presence of tone, you should know the main symptoms. In the first trimester of pregnancy, cramps are felt like during menstruation, heaviness in the lower abdomen, and sometimes pain occurs in the lumbar region. In the second and third trimesters, the symptoms are similar, but now you can see how the stomach shrinks and becomes “stony”. Any woman can easily recognize these sensations.

Sometimes hypertonicity is accompanied by spotting and bloody discharge. In such cases, you should immediately call an ambulance, and try not to be nervous until it arrives.

If you go to a medical facility in a timely manner, a large percentage of pregnancies are saved.

Diagnostics

You can understand that your uterus is in good shape at your next appointment with the gynecologist. Another diagnostic method is ultrasound; it allows you to examine the muscles of the uterus and check its condition.

The study shows the presence of tone along one of the walls of the uterus (anterior or posterior), which directly depends on which of them the fetus is attached to.

Treatment

Once the diagnosis is known, treatment should begin immediately. The first step is to follow your doctor's instructions. Treatment will depend on the degree of tone and the causes of its occurrence. If the pregnant woman is not at high risk, treatment can be done on an outpatient basis.

The patient must adhere to the pastel regime and take antispasmodics, such as no-spa or papaverine.

Magnesium B6, motherwort and medications are also prescribed that will treat the cause of hypertension.

If you have problems with the intestines or increased gas formation, the doctor prescribes medications that stabilize the functioning of this organ. In cases where a woman’s body lacks progesterone, she is prescribed a drug containing this hormone.

If the body is oversaturated with male hormones, the pregnant woman is prescribed antipodes.

When drug treatment does not give the desired result, doctors insist on hospitalization and treatment in a hospital. There the patient will be under the close attention of medical personnel and will not be able to break bed rest. If the tone increases, the patient will promptly receive assistance to prevent premature birth.

Should I agree to hospitalization or not?

At home, a pregnant woman cannot always adhere to bed rest. Household responsibilities for cleaning the house and cooking must be transferred to other shoulders, and this is not always possible.

Hospitalization is especially important for pregnant women over 28 weeks. Today modern medicine is able to save such a newborn. At earlier stages, doctors will try their best to stop labor; the chances of a newborn surviving at 26 weeks are negligible.

A woman should understand how important hospitalization is. If the risk of premature birth or miscarriage is high, then you need to immediately go to the hospital.

How to relieve uterine tone while at home?

Sometimes, instead of drug treatment, when the uterus is toned, but the risk is not too great, you can resort to special exercises. One of these is called “cat”, performed on your knees with your head raised and your back arched.

You need to stand for a few minutes, then gradually return to a relaxed position. This exercise is repeated several times.

Prevention

To prevent hypertension, you should follow some rules. A pregnant woman should avoid overexertion and stress. You need to stick to a routine, go to bed on time, eat right and try not to get nervous. Drinking alcohol and smoking negatively affects pregnancy in general. Therefore, it is worth giving up bad habits even when planning a pregnancy.

But if the diagnosis “uterus is in good shape” occurs, there is no need to worry, this will only worsen the situation. In most cases, pregnancy can be saved, and the negative impact on the child can be minimized.

Pregnancy is a time that brings a lot of joy and positivity. However, in this condition, a woman can expect a lot of unpleasant diagnoses. The most common include tone (hypertonicity) of the uterus. What is this condition and what should the expectant mother expect?

Uterine tone: causes and dangers of the condition

Normal uterine tone is when the myometrium (smooth muscle tissue) is in a relaxed state. If during pregnancy until the onset of birth it begins to contract, then in medical practice it is customary to say that the tone of the organ is increased. Since the described muscle behavior is natural, this condition is not always a pathology and a cause for concern. If it is not associated with other symptoms and discomfort, then most likely there is no need to worry. However, this does not mean that the condition should be ignored. Especially if the tone of the uterus is not short-lived.

Interesting fact: more than 60% of women during pregnancy are diagnosed with increased uterine tone.

If the condition continues for a long time, then it is fraught with the most harmful consequences. Hypertonicity of the uterus can lead to spontaneous miscarriage (in the first trimester) or premature birth (in the second and third trimesters). Increased tension in the uterus in the early stages can negatively affect the process of attachment of the fertilized egg, causing its rejection by the uterine organ or death. Myometrial activity immediately before birth is often not dangerous. In this way, the woman’s body prepares for childbirth.

With hypertonicity of the uterus, tense muscles limit the flow of oxygen to the fetus, compressing the vessels of the umbilical cord

Hypertonicity of the uterus can negatively affect the health and development of the baby. Tense muscles limit the flow of oxygen to the fetus because they compress the umbilical cord vessels. This phenomenon can lead to hypoxia (oxygen starvation) or malnutrition (stunted growth), since nutrients also cease to be supplied in sufficient quantities.

The following reasons for the development of increased tone, or hypertonicity, of the uterus can be identified:

lack of progesterone (steroid hormone of the corpus luteum, which is formed instead of a burst follicle). It is also responsible for muscle relaxation;
excess male hormones and prolactin (a hormone involved in the regulation of reproductive function);
severe toxicosis with frequent and profuse vomiting;
abnormalities of the uterine organ and pathologies of the placenta;
malfunction of the thyroid gland;
Rhesus conflict between the mother and father of the child. In this case, the body can reject the fetus through muscle contractions;
certain infectious diseases of the pelvic organs and inflammatory processes;
excessive distension of the uterus (possibly with polyhydramnios or multiple pregnancies);
tumors, miscarriages, abortions and other painful conditions;
malposition;
disturbance of intestinal peristalsis (normal contraction);
stress and unstable psychological state;
increased physical activity;
sleep disturbance;
age after 35 years;
sex before 12 weeks of pregnancy;
increased gas formation and improper diet.

Please note: uterine tone is only a symptom, not an independent disease. Only after an accurate diagnosis can adequate treatment be prescribed.

Norms of uterine tone by stage of pregnancy

In order for the child to develop correctly within the uterine organ, the latter must be relaxed and pliable. Short-term tone in the early stages is relatively safe. In this case, muscle contraction:

occurs 6 or less times a day;
activates blood circulation and ensures normal development of the fetus;
most often caused by physical exertion or excessive activity.

In the second trimester, painless contractions can already be observed. They are usually called training or false. They usually happen several times a day. In this way, the body prepares for subsequent births.

At the beginning of the third trimester, contraction of the uterine muscles can be provoked by the baby himself, who begins to actively move. In recent weeks, young mothers often confuse hypertension with the onset of labor.

Video: why uterine hypertonicity occurs during pregnancy

Symptoms of hypertension by trimester

The development of pathology can be determined within each stage of pregnancy. Hypertonicity is most dangerous in the first trimester. If there is a problem:

muscle contraction is observed;
the uterus becomes hard due to tension;
the condition is often accompanied by copious vaginal discharge and pain.

Important: even if at least one of the described symptoms is present, consultation with a doctor is mandatory.

In the second trimester, it will be more difficult to determine hypertension. During this period, a pregnant woman experiences a lot of new sensations, which is why it can be difficult to single out specific ones. A woman should be concerned about:

pain in the lower abdomen and back. They are somewhat reminiscent of renal colic;
colored discharge. Be sure to use disposable pads to quickly recognize the presence of a characteristic shade.

Important: if the pain is acute, you must immediately call an ambulance.

The third trimester is marked by the active preparation of the mother’s body for future birth. At this time, periodic short contractions of the uterine muscle are the norm. Typically, training contractions appear at 7–8 months. Hypertonicity becomes incredibly difficult to recognize. During this period, it poses a great danger as it can cause premature birth. Therefore, it is important to listen carefully to the signals that come from the body. The following features will help distinguish training contractions from hypertonicity:

training contractions do not differ in regularity and significant duration;
pain when preparing the body for childbirth is excluded;
no bleeding is observed.

Training contractions are normal for the third trimester; they do not differ in regularity or duration

In the second and third trimesters, in a state of hypertonicity, every movement of the fetus gives off pain. Its activity decreases. Sometimes the opposite happens: the child begins to behave excessively. If this has not been observed before, then you should pay attention to this phenomenon. If the discomfort does not go away for a long time, then you should immediately consult a doctor.

Diagnosis of the condition

Hypertonicity of the uterus can lead to harmful consequences. The life and health of the fetus may depend on the timeliness and correctness of diagnosis, as well as well-chosen therapy. A gynecologist can determine hypertonicity through a routine examination on a chair. When palpating (feeling) the abdomen, characteristic tension of the myometrium will be observed. Its intensity may vary. Usually during the examination the patient experiences discomfort or even pain.

Additional diagnostic methods include ultrasound scanning. Thanks to ultrasound, it will be possible to determine the degree of contraction of the muscles of the uterine organ and the location of the problem:

The first degree of hypertonicity is characterized by thickening of the muscle layer on only one side of the organ. If such a phenomenon is observed in the area where the placenta is attached, then there is a high probability of its detachment;
the second degree of uterine hypertonicity is characterized by thickening of the myometrium along the entire perimeter of the organ. In this case, accompanying clinical symptoms must be present.

To determine the degree of uterine contractility, tonuometry can also be used. This diagnostic method involves measuring the indicator using a special sensor. It is placed in the anterior abdominal wall, after which the device records the level of tension in the muscles of the uterus.

Photo gallery: diagnosis of increased uterine tone

Using ultrasound diagnostics, it will be possible to determine the degree of localization of contraction of the muscles of the uterus. A gynecologist can determine the hypertonicity of the uterus by palpating (feeling) the anterior abdominal wall. The tone of the uterus can be measured using a special sensor, which is placed in the area of the anterior abdominal wall

Independent determination of uterine tone

The appearance of uterine tone can be determined independently only based on the symptoms described above. It is often blurry, so it is hardly permissible to talk about accuracy. In some cases, hypertension is asymptomatic. Then it is almost impossible to determine its presence, as well as the reasons that led to the pathology. The first sign you should pay attention to is a “stone” stomach. He seems to freeze and become heavier for a few seconds.

All other diagnostic methods require medical knowledge or special equipment.

Treatment

Drug therapy or special exercises will help alleviate the condition and reduce the tone of the uterus.

Important: self-medication or practicing traditional methods without consulting a specialist is strictly prohibited. Not all available methods of therapy are medically substantiated and can boast of effectiveness.

When a medical examination or ultrasound indicates that the fetus is developing normally with poor tone with irregular contractions of the myometrium, then the pregnant woman is allowed to stay at home if she does not feel discomfort.

Drug treatment

Usually, in the first trimester, pregnant women are prescribed No-shpu. The drug relieves spasms. For severe hypertonicity, it is better to give preference to injections.
No-spa can relieve spasms due to hypertonicity of the uterus

In the second trimester, a pregnant woman may be prescribed other antispasmodics: Magnesia or Papaverine. For better tolerability, drugs are administered using a dropper. In this case, they are added to saline solution.

In the third trimester, the uterus is actively preparing for childbirth, so completely eliminating symptoms is not recommended. Special vitamin complexes will help regulate contractions during hypertonicity. Experts give preference to Magne B6.
Magne B6 will help regulate uterine contractions during hypertonicity

In addition, during the therapy period, the woman must avoid heavy loads and excessive activity; bed rest is recommended. She is prescribed sedative (calming) drugs, such as:

Persen;
Sedavit;
Novo-Passit;
valerian infusion.

Specific problems (Rh-conflict, hormonal imbalance) can be eliminated only with the help of well-chosen individual medication.

Exercises

Simple exercises can help relieve tension. However, before using them in practice, you should definitely consult your doctor.

Muscle relaxation

If you completely relax all the muscles, especially the face, you can have a positive effect on uterine contractions in the direction of reducing their intensity. At the first signs of hypertonicity, you need to take a comfortable position, lower your head slightly and try to completely relax, breathing through your mouth.
At the first signs of hypertonicity, you need to take a comfortable position, lower your head slightly and try to completely relax, breathing through your mouth.

Exercise "cat"

The “cat” exercise is effective. Execution sequence:

Get on all fours.
Lower your head, then slowly raise it, while arching your back down and taking a deep, even breath. You need to completely relax.
Maintain the pose for 5–7 seconds.

Even those who have never carried a child under their hearts have heard it. This condition, unfortunately, occurs so often that it would not hurt both pregnant women and those planning to conceive to know about it.

What is increased uterine tone?

To answer this question, let's first figure out what kind of organ it is. The uterus is a hollow, contractile, muscular organ, the basis of which is the myometrium. Naturally, it increases during pregnancy. At the same time, each muscle fiber lengthens 10-12 times and thickens 4-5 times. Nature has arranged it so that normally, for 9 months, the muscles of the uterus are in a calm (relaxed) state. This allows you to carry the child to term. Also, normally, the uterus contracts slightly at times; this happens closer to the expected date of birth. Such contractions are called training contractions. This is like a dress rehearsal before the main event - the birth of a baby. But it happens that during a large period of pregnancy (in some cases, throughout the entire gestation period), the muscles of the uterus are in an excited, contracted state. The muscle layer of this organ contracts (its tone increases) - the pressure in the uterine cavity increases. Unfortunately, this is a pathological condition that requires appropriate and timely treatment, since it is a symptom of a threat or

Causes of increased uterine tone during pregnancy

As a rule, the occurrence of increased tone (hypertonicity) of the uterus is facilitated by fear, overexcitation or overstrain of muscle fibers caused by excessive physical activity.

If tone occurs in the early stages of pregnancy, the cause may be hormonal disorders, in particular, decreased production of progesterone. As a rule, increased uterine tone in the second trimester usually appears due to overload at work or poor lifestyle. In addition, hypertonicity can occur due to inflammatory and structural changes (uterine fibroids, endometriosis). Increased tone can be caused by overstretching of the uterine muscles, which occurs due to multiple pregnancies or a large fetus. Moreover, increased uterine tone can occur as a result of a history of acute respiratory infections or other diseases (influenza, sore throat, pyelonephritis), previous abortions, bad habits (smoking, etc.). In the third trimester of pregnancy, increased uterine tone can lead to premature birth.

How does a woman feel in this state?

unpleasant squeezing or aching pain in the lower abdomen (can be either barely noticeable or severe); often they are similar to those experienced by a woman before or during menstruation;
abdominal tension (it becomes hard, as if made of stone);
often - unpleasant or lower back pain;

In some cases, pain may be accompanied by bleeding. If this happens, go to the doctor immediately. Also, urgent medical attention is required when a woman experiences cramping pain at intervals of several minutes.

What if you don’t see a doctor? What could be the consequences?

Unfortunately, not the best. Increased tone can lead to spontaneous abortion at any stage. If this happens in the first trimester, they will talk about a miscarriage, in the later trimester - about premature birth. In addition, increased uterine tone threatens with another complication: the risk of pregnancy fading.

Even if the tone is not so significant as to lead to such sad consequences, it will not have the best effect on the baby’s health. The fact is that a frequent increase in the tone of the uterus provokes oxygen starvation, since the blood supply is disrupted.

Treatment of increased uterine tone during pregnancy

You should inform your obstetrician-gynecologist about the occurrence of this condition as soon as possible. He will tell you how to behave in order to reduce the risk of complications, and, if necessary, prescribe medication.

Fortunately, increased uterine tone is highly treatable. The first thing the doctor will require is to ensure a calm regime and normalization of the patient’s psycho-emotional state. Now, more than ever, it is very important for a pregnant woman to establish a normal work and rest schedule, proper sleep, sufficient time in the fresh air, and feasible physical activity. With increased uterine tone, bed rest is often prescribed and sexual activity is completely prohibited. If necessary, the woman is hospitalized and treated in a hospital setting. Drug treatment is also used for this condition. To relieve stress and provide psychological comfort, sedatives (tincture of motherwort and valerian) are prescribed. If these drugs are not effective in a particular case, Sibazol, Nozepam, Trioxazine, etc. are prescribed. To relax the uterine muscles, antispasmodics (No-shpu, Papaverine) are used. Magne-B6 is often used. If the reason for the increase in tone is insufficient progesterone, use the drugs Duphaston and Utrozhestan (up to 16 weeks). Drugs that relax the muscles of the uterus (for example, Ginipral) and calcium channel blockers (Nifedipine, Corinfar) have proven themselves to be effective. To stop bleeding, hemostatic medications (Dicinone, Sodium Etamsylate) are prescribed. In addition, if increased uterine tone is diagnosed in the late stages of pregnancy, the woman is prescribed IVs. Intravenous administration of a 25% solution of sulfuric acid and 10% alcohol can alleviate the situation. In addition to the above treatment options for increased tone, a fortified diet is used, as well as physiotherapy, acupuncture and psychotherapy.

If the spasms began suddenly and are very severe, then you can take 2 tablets of No-Shpa or put a suppository with Papaverine. The next step in this case is to immediately consult a doctor. Even if the pain has passed, do not ignore this issue and do not ignore a visit to the antenatal clinic.

Remember: how you behave in this or that case depends not only on the health of your unborn baby, but even his life.

Especially for- Elena Kichak

From Guest

The tone was strong from the 26th week, it was kept in storage until the 38th week, then they had a cesarean procedure. The tone was so frequent, literally within 5-10-15 minutes. Mostly I lay down, injected ginepral, magnesia, drank B6 and motherwort, of course. Tone is no joke, while I was in the maternity hospital I heard a lot of scary stories from girls whose tone led to premature birth. So, take care of your children, and if something happens, call an ambulance and go to the emergency room!!! I wish everyone the birth of healthy children!!!