Decreased uterine tone. Increased uterine tone during pregnancy

Today in the article you can find out what this means: is the uterus toned? Women hear this diagnosis quite often, but why is it dangerous? What to do in this case?

First, let’s look at the concept of “toned uterus.” What does it mean? From doctors you can hear another name for the diagnosis - uterine hypertonicity. It most often occurs in early pregnancy. As you know, during childbirth the uterus contracts, helping the baby to be born. But in some cases, these muscle contractions occur much earlier than expected.

What does increased uterine tone mean? Sometimes women feel nagging pain in the abdomen or lower back. In other cases, the diagnosis is revealed by ultrasound examination. What does it mean - the uterus becomes toned, what are the reasons? There are an incredible variety of them. After all, this female organ is capable of responding not only to stretching (it occurs as a result of fetal growth), but also to nerve impulses. The latter include conditions caused by:

excitement;
fear;
joy and so on.

Do not ignore abdominal pain during pregnancy; immediately seek the help of a specialist. He will prescribe adequate treatment that can save the baby’s life. The consequences can be the most dire, including termination of pregnancy.

Uterus before birth

First, let's talk about why the uterus is in good shape before childbirth. What does this diagnosis mean immediately before the baby arrives? Let's start with the features of this stage:

achieving maximum uterine size;
with the correct presentation of the baby, the mother’s belly has the correct oval shape;
just before childbirth, the stomach drops.

Is hypertension always observed before childbirth? It is worth remembering that immediately before contractions you can observe the uterus in good shape. What does it mean? Before childbirth, some changes occur in a woman’s body, and hypertonicity is a normal reaction of the body, indicating that labor has begun. During this period, the placenta and pituitary gland produce hormones that can strengthen the muscular structure of the uterus. This is necessary to prepare for the intense tension to expel the fetus. Hypertonicity in the forty-first week is quite normal, the body signals to us that labor has begun, and soon the mother will be able to hug her long-awaited baby.

What is uterine tone?

But what does it mean that the uterus is toned during pregnancy before the expected birth? Let's start with the fact that we are talking about the smooth muscle genital organ, which consists of three layers:

perimetry;
myometrium;
endometrium.

The myometrium is a muscular membrane that is characterized by contraction. As a result of this, the concept of “uterine tone” arises. Her normal state is relaxation. If the muscles contract, the myometrium contracts, creating pressure in the uterine cavity.

The most dangerous is hypertension in the first trimester, as it can cause fetal death.

Danger

In this section you will learn what increased uterine tone during pregnancy means and what the consequences of its occurrence are. If you have hypertension, you should urgently consult a doctor, because the consequences include:

spontaneous miscarriage (the most dangerous consequence that can be avoided if you seek medical help in a timely manner);
The tone of the uterus can negatively affect the health of the baby (impaired blood supply that occurs as a result of this disease can lead to oxygen starvation of the baby).

You should not be inactive, because prolonged hypertension can lead to premature birth if it occurs in the late stages of pregnancy. With this disease, children are often born weak and small, because the pinched umbilical cord does not deliver the required amount of oxygen and nutrients to the child.

Cause

We figured out the question, what does a toned uterus mean during pregnancy? Now we propose to talk in more detail about the causes of this unwanted and dangerous disease.

Natural causes include:

strong laughter;
sneezing;
orgasm;
performing any physical work and so on.

In addition, there are also pathological factors that increase the tone of the uterus, which means their correct treatment. Now we'll figure it out. Among them:

Deficiency of progesterone, a hormone that prepares the endometrium for implantation. It should relax the muscles of the uterus and maintain normal tone.
Production of male hormones in large quantities. This is due to hormonal imbalance, in which case the uterus actively contracts to reject the embryo.
Saddle-shaped and bicornuate uterus. These anomalies are congenital and occur quite often. Some women learn about this feature only during the first ultrasound during pregnancy.
Severe toxicosis. This can be explained quite simply: during vomiting, all the muscles of the abdominal cavity contract. Toxicosis can cause hypertonicity only if it is the cause of weight loss and constant poor health of a woman. In this case, urgent hospitalization is necessary in order to stabilize the woman’s condition. If the expectant mother eats well, gains weight, and toxicosis does not bother her much, then hospitalization is not necessary.
Rhesus conflict. This problem is relevant for women with a negative Rh factor, if the father is positive. There is a chance of conceiving a child with positive Rh, like the father. Then the mother’s body perceives the fetus as a foreign body, the uterus begins to actively contract, which prevents the fertilized egg from implanting in its cavity. As a rule, the first pregnancy goes well, since the female body produces a small amount of antibodies. With subsequent pregnancies everything is much more complicated.
Diseases of the female reproductive system. This problem is accompanied by a lot of additional symptoms, including: pain, discharge, itching, and so on.
Distension of the uterus (large or giant fetus, twins, polyhydramnios).
Tumors in the uterine cavity.
Stress.
Transverse position of the fetus at the end of pregnancy.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, since with increased gas formation and impaired intestinal motility, the uterus becomes very tense.

As you can see, there are a lot of reasons. That is why you should not self-medicate, consult a specialist. He, in turn, must figure out the cause of hypertension, and only then will he prescribe you the correct treatment.

Symptoms

You have learned what is dangerous and what uterine tone means during pregnancy. The symptoms of this disease are our next question, which we will try to deal with right now.

A woman can independently determine, without the help of a doctor, that her uterus is in good shape. The first signal is a nagging pain in the lower abdomen, it is similar to what a woman experiences before her period. In addition, discomfort may be felt in the lumbar region. There may be pain that women experience during contractions. In this case, the uterus can be “stone”.

There is also the following way to independently determine tactilely whether the uterus is in good shape. Lie on your back and try to relax as much as possible. Feel your stomach, if your assumptions are wrong, then it will be soft, otherwise, in terms of elasticity, it will resemble a thigh.

If hypertonicity occurs in the second or third trimester, you may notice:

contraction of the abdomen (determined visually);
bloody discharge from the genital tract.

In addition, the doctor may notice during examination a shortening of the cervix and thickening of the anterior wall.

First trimester

Now we will talk about the dangers of hypertension in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is important to note that in the first weeks (from the fourth to the twelfth) the woman should not experience any discomfort. This is due to the fact that it is during this period that the probability of miscarriage is high. Ideally, the doctor will put forward the following verdict: uterine tone n. What does "n" mean? In medicine, this is customary to denote a good condition that is not in danger.

You should consult a doctor with any problem. If the situation is not serious, then you will be recommended to take a course of No-shpa. Hormonal problems can be solved by taking the drugs Duphaston and Utrozhestan. If other serious disorders are detected, then urgent hospitalization is necessary.

When you feel aching pain in the first trimester of pregnancy, you need to drink No-shpu and rest a little. Try to calm down, drive all negative thoughts away. If the pain does not go away, then call an ambulance. In the hospital, as a rule, injections of Progesterone are prescribed. For bleeding, use "Ditsinon", "Tranexam" and other hemostatic agents.

2nd trimester

Uterine tone during pregnancy during this period is a fairly common phenomenon. The whole point is that the body begins to train, prepare itself for childbirth. Now a woman’s body is undergoing hormonal changes; starting from the twentieth week of pregnancy, small painless contractions can be periodically observed.

If the situation is serious (pain, bleeding, etc.), then medical supervision is needed. Seek help from a medical facility immediately. Hypertonicity in the second trimester can lead to fetal hypoxia. The doctor who is caring for your pregnancy should definitely play it safe and prescribe the drug Magne B6. He is able to maintain a normal state.

If hospitalization is indicated for you, then in the second trimester of pregnancy, doctors can instantly remove the tone of the uterus using the following means:

electropheresis with magnesium;
endonasal galvanization;
electrorelaxation of the uterus.

These procedures are the safest if there is a threat of miscarriage. Since no drugs are taken, the effect can be noticed already during the procedure. In addition, droppers are possible:

"Ginipralol";
magnesium sulfate.

Drugs are prescribed that partially block calcium channels. Due to this, the uterus cannot contract and the muscles relax. Such medicines include:

"Nifedipine";
"Corinfar".

Additionally, doctors prescribe special vitamin complexes for pregnant women.

Third trimester

What does increased uterine tone mean in the third trimester of pregnancy? These manifestations are already quite frequent and strong. This is due to the fact that the baby can provoke it himself, since he feels cramped in his mother’s stomach and rests against his legs and arms.

During this period, it is very difficult for doctors to diagnose hypertonicity, since these may be preparatory contractions. Of course, gynecologists play it safe by sending pregnant women for CTG procedures as often as possible.

It is also important to note that in Europe hypertonicity does not cause such a violent reaction among doctors. They believe that this is a normal condition for a pregnant woman. However, hospital treatment is prescribed for women for whom this symptom causes a lot of discomfort or there is a possibility of miscarriage.

"Courantil";
"Eufillin";
"Trental."

They are necessary for hypertonicity, as they help normalize blood circulation in the uterus. As a result of treatment, the tone returns to normal, the baby receives the necessary amount of oxygen and nutrients.

Hypertonicity should not cause a mother to panic; it is a signal that she should pay more attention to her health. Also relevant drugs in this case are:

lipoic acid;
"Actovegin";
"Riboxin";
"Calcium pantothenate";
"Essentiale";
"Hofitol".

Diagnostics

We have already said enough about what increased uterine tone means. Now let's talk a little about diagnostics. When contacting a medical facility, the doctor will advise:

abdominal examination;
examination on gynecological stool;
ultrasound examination;

By palpation and examination on a gynecological chair, the doctor will be able to assess the condition of the uterus and cervix. Using ultrasound, you can determine: is the tone increased throughout the entire uterine musculature or in certain areas? Do not self-medicate, immediately contact qualified specialists. Now you are responsible not only for your health, but also for the well-being of the baby.

Treatment

How is a toned uterus treated? What does this mean: myometrial tension? With this diagnosis, the woman is individually selected for therapy that helps relax the muscle fibers (that is, the myometrium).

Depending on the degree of danger and cause, therapy can be carried out at home or in a hospital. If you are allowed to be treated at home, then you should follow all the doctor’s recommendations, including mandatory bed rest. As a rule, women cannot fully observe it, because there will always be housework. Doctors recommend treatment in a hospital. The most common drugs to eliminate increased uterine tone are:

“No-spa” or “Drotaverine hydrochloride”;
"Magne B6";
"Valerian";
"Motherwort";
"Novo-passit";
"Duphaston";
"Utrozhestan" and so on.

Hospitalization: yes or no?

What does increased uterine tone mean? You also learned how treatment is carried out in a hospital. Now let’s say a few words about whether it’s worth going to the hospital, or whether it’s better to choose treatment at home.

With hypertension, it is very important to maintain bed rest, which is almost impossible for a woman to do at home. After all, it is necessary to do the cleaning and prepare food, but it is not always possible to shift these responsibilities onto other shoulders.

If increased tone is detected at twenty-eight weeks or more, then hospitalization is important for the woman. Modern medicine is able to take out such a baby, he has a chance of survival. Before this date, the chances are extremely low. Therapy is aimed at stopping labor.

No one will send a woman to the hospital by force; the mother herself must understand that the life of the unborn baby depends on this. If the threat of miscarriage is high, then you should immediately go to a hospital for treatment.

Getting rid of it at home

Now let's talk about how to relieve uterine tone during pregnancy at home. Before going to a medical facility, a woman can try the following methods:

relax;
take a No-shpy tablet;
perform special gymnastics.

The following exercises will help with the last point:

“Kitty” (up to fifteen repetitions);
relaxation of the facial muscles (the chin is lowered to the chest, and the muscles of the face and neck are as relaxed as possible);
deep mouth breathing;
take a knee-elbow position, linger a little, then lie down and relax.

What does a toned uterus mean in pregnant women: prevention

Calmness of the nervous system.
Quitting bad habits.
Gentle work schedule.
Healthy, full sleep.
Compliance with diet and daily routine.
Listen to relaxing music.
Avoid contact with sick people.

These tips will help you avoid many health problems for the future baby and mother.

Pregnancy brings a woman not only pleasant troubles while waiting for the birth of her baby, but also many unpleasant moments that cause her discomfort. During the next examination, gynecologists tell some pregnant women that they have increased uterine tone. But not every woman knows what it is. And the most important question that worries a pregnant woman is: what to do with the tone of the uterus when such a diagnosis is made. Let's try to figure out these questions.

What is uterine tone?

Uterine tone is a concept that refers to the tension of the muscles of the uterus during pregnancy. You can also very often hear the concept of hypertonicity, which means the same thing. The first concept is used more often due to the fact that it is shorter.
Normally, the uterus is calm and relaxed. That is why at the first manifestations of this condition it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor.

The tone of the uterus in the early stages of pregnancy may be the first, and sometimes the only, sign of spontaneous abortion that has begun.

Since uterine tone can also be observed during late pregnancy, this can lead to premature birth. However, increased uterine tone is not as scary as it seems. The most important thing is to recognize it in time and prescribe appropriate treatment.
During the normal course of pregnancy, uterine tone occurs only before childbirth, and at this moment it is a physiological phenomenon that allows the uterus to expel the fetus. As a result of this action, a new person is born.

Signs of hypertension

The most common signs of uterine tone are the subjective sensations of the pregnant woman herself. Hypertonicity is often manifested by unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen, which can be pulling, radiating to the lumbar region or reminiscent of pain during menstruation.

As soon as a pregnant woman experiences such sensations, it is necessary to urgently contact a local obstetrician-gynecologist in order to prescribe the correct treatment in order to maintain or prolong pregnancy.

Symptoms of uterine tone must be confirmed clinically. To do this, the woman is prescribed ultrasound control, a vaginal examination is performed and the abdomen is palpated.
When palpating the abdomen, the doctor feels the uterus, which is similar in consistency to stone. Similar sensations occur during two-manual vaginal examination. But an ultrasound shows that the muscles of the uterus are in a contracted state.

But not only an experienced gynecologist will be able to determine just by appearance that a pregnant woman has problems. The woman herself may also understand that she needs specialist advice. All of the above signs are so obvious that they do not require additional research.

Reasons

The reasons for uterine tone can be very diverse and each woman has her own. However, we can highlight those that occur most frequently. Among them, a special place is given to the causes of the external environment: stressful situations, lack of sleep, increased physical activity. Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy also play an important role in the development of uterine hypertonicity. The age category under eighteen and over thirty years are at risk for the development of uterine tone in pregnant women.

Uterine tone in the first trimester of pregnancy can be caused by insufficient progesterone, a hormone that is responsible for reducing muscle tension in the uterus during pregnancy. A lack of this hormone can provoke contractile activity of the uterus and, as a result, the development of a miscarriage.

Uterine tone in the second trimester can be caused by reasons related to the uterus itself and those located outside it. Uterine causes are all kinds of tumors, diseases of inflammatory origin or hormonal diseases. Women suffering from endometriosis or uterine fibroids are at risk of having hypertension.

Uterine tone in the third trimester is most often caused by reasons related to the fetus. This is a large fetus, multiple pregnancy, as well as polyhydramnios that developed during it. This occurs due to the fact that the fetus puts pressure on the walls of the uterus, which leads to the development of its contraction.

Prevention

The tone of the uterus during pregnancy must be stopped to avoid miscarriage or premature birth. That is why timely registration at the antenatal clinic, regular visits to the gynecologist and active participation in the pregnancy process can prevent the undesirable consequences of this condition.
In order to prevent the development of uterine tone during pregnancy, you need to be less nervous, spend more time in the fresh air, preferring walking, but without leading them to fanaticism.
Also, for the normal development of pregnancy, it is necessary to take sufficient amounts of vitamins, preferably in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits.

Treatment

If the diagnosis of uterine tone has already been made, then, as a rule, the woman is hospitalized in a hospital. At the same time, she is prescribed bed rest.
Treatment of uterine tone begins with sedation, or relaxation. Among medications, sedatives of plant origin, for example, valerian, motherwort or herbal tea based on mint, are very effective. Very often, only one dose of these remedies allows you to completely get rid of uterine hypertonicity. Based on this, it can be assumed that in this case, hypertension is caused by stress factors or physical activity.

If the symptoms of tone are relieved by sedatives, the woman can be advised to expose herself less to negative emotions, preferring to lead a calm lifestyle.
If sedatives do not help, you need to take stronger medications. These include antispasmodics, or myotropes, which cause relaxation of smooth muscles and have a mild sedative effect. In this group of drugs, special attention is paid to papaverine, drotaverine or no-shpe. Most often, papaverine is prescribed as a drug that is relatively inexpensive and does not have an adverse effect on the fetus.

There have been no clinical experiments on the use of papaverine on pregnant women, however, its effectiveness is clearly visible. Papaverine began to be used at the beginning of the twentieth century, and since then no negative effect on the mother or fetus has been detected.
Pregnant women often use papaverine in the form of rectal suppositories, which must be used three times a day. This is precisely its main drawback.
With increased uterine tone, taking papaverine allows you to relax its muscles, reduce blood pressure, while it produces a calming effect, which reduces the excitement of the mother’s nervous system. All this has a beneficial effect on the fetus, which begins to receive more oxygen and, thanks to this, develop further.

If the cause of hypertonicity is related to the uterus, then it is necessary to treat it. Only the combination of all possible treatment methods will reduce the contractile activity of the uterus and prevent spontaneous abortion or premature birth.
And remember, uterine hypertonicity is quite common. If you have been diagnosed with this, don't panic. Just think about your baby. This will allow you to relax a little, which will benefit the treatment prescribed by your doctor.

Collapse

The uterus is a muscular organ and is therefore subject to constant contraction and relaxation. The tense state of the uterus is especially pronounced during pregnancy and during childbirth. This state is called tone. Almost every third pregnancy is accompanied by such tension. But are only pregnant women susceptible to this condition? Why is the uterus tense? Can there be uterine tone without pregnancy?

State of tone in the absence of pregnancy

In its structure, the female uterus acts as a hollow organ covered with muscles. It is represented by three layers: the outer (perimetry), the middle (endometrium - the lining of the uterus) and the muscular layer itself (myometrium). Muscle fibers are arranged in different orders. For example, in the inner layer - in a circle, in the outer layer - vertically, and in the middle - in a spiral. The work of these fibers directly depends on the nervous system and hormonal influences. The uterine muscles tend to be in constant motion - contracting and relaxing.

This is interesting! Normally, the muscle layer of the reproductive organ of a non-pregnant woman should be at rest. Prolonged tone indicates gynecological problems. In European countries, non-pregnant women with this phenomenon do not receive any medical care. Uterine tone here is considered a completely common occurrence that does not affect women’s health in any way. In Russia, on the contrary, doctors try to determine the causes of tension with maximum accuracy and prescribe optimal treatment.

Reasons

Uterine tone not during pregnancy is usually caused by the following reasons:

Premenstrual period. Uterine tone before menstruation is a fairly common occurrence. The epithelium of the organ is rejected and muscle contraction occurs. Uterine tone during menstruation is also possible. On critical days, the female body produces progesterone in excess. It promotes fluid retention in the body. At this moment, the main share of nutrients ends up in the uterus. This provokes an enlargement of the uterus and its tone. There is no need to sound the alarm regarding the tone of the uterus during this period. But tension in the uterus after menstruation is a reason to consult a doctor.
Endometriosis. This disease can occur due to any surgical intervention (interruptions, abortions, other operations). Typically, menstruation with endometriosis is spotting, quite painful, and brownish in color. The disease is often accompanied by uterine tone.
Myoma. A very common disease in which formations are observed in the uterus (most often benign). Women of premenopausal age are especially susceptible to it. Myoma often causes cramping pain before menstruation. The disease is easily treatable with timely diagnosis.

The tone of the reproductive organ is often observed in the presence of fibroids

A deficiency, or vice versa - an excess of male hormones in the female body. To eliminate this feature, the woman is prescribed suitable hormones. The lack of male hormones is eliminated by progesterone, while the excess is eliminated by the antipode.
Problems with intestinal motility. Increased gas formation causes bloating, colic and constipation. The intestines put pressure on the uterus, forcing it to be in good shape. In addition, problems with the intestines can provoke blood stagnation in the pelvis and clogging the body with its own waste. To avoid this condition, you need to carefully monitor the quality of your diet and lead an active lifestyle.
Postpartum tone. Often caused by placental particles remaining in the uterus. In order to find out, the woman needs to undergo an ultrasound. An afterbirth may remain in the case of poor contractility of the uterus, which could not independently remove all postpartum residues. It can also be caused by manual separation of the placenta or if the placenta is too tightly attached to the uterus. If the tone is caused precisely by these reasons, the woman needs to undergo cleansing, and then monitor her condition using an ultrasound. Ignoring this situation can lead to serious women's health problems.
Problems in the functioning of the central nervous system. The uterus consists of many nerve endings. Stress, overwork, and nervous disorders can worsen the contractility of the organ. For this reason, during times of stress, a woman is quite often susceptible to painful sensations in the lower abdomen.
Taking medications. Certain medications cause uterine tone as a side effect.
Psychological aspect. No matter how strange it may sound, a woman herself can cause uterine hypertonicity. Confidence that there really is tension can provoke its appearance in reality.
Previous operations on the cervix. The treatment of some diseases requires surgical intervention in the cervix. This procedure is used to eliminate polyps, treat erosions, precancerous conditions and other pathologies. After the intervention, sutures are placed on the neck and a cotton swab is left in the neck for a short period of time. It is necessary to stop postoperative bleeding. The first time after the operation, the patient feels nagging pain in the lower abdomen. This symptom is often accompanied by bloody discharge. All this indicates the presence of tone. This phenomenon is eliminated with anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
Tone after intimacy. Orgasm always causes uterine tone, which goes away after a short time. If the organ remains in good shape after sex for a long time, you should immediately consult a specialist.

These reasons for tone cannot be ignored. A woman should consult a doctor for complete medical care.

Attention! By palpating the uterus, the doctor can detect its tone. But this fact in itself is not a basis for such a diagnosis. The organ may become tense during the examination. Therefore, to accurately determine the fact of tone, you should undergo an ultrasound.

In addition to a gynecological examination and ultrasound, the level of uterine tension can be determined using a tonuometry procedure using special equipment.

Danger

The degree of negative impact of uterine tone during pregnancy is obvious - it can cause miscarriage. Can it harm the tone of a non-pregnant woman? A toned uterus can cause the following complications:

Feeling of general discomfort. This symptom often accompanies a state of tone and to a certain extent affects the woman’s usual way of life.
Possibility of liver problems. When feeling discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen, women often take antispasmodics. Their systematic use can lead to liver problems.
Problems with conception. A tense uterus, contracting, will not allow pregnancy to occur. And if the fact of conception does occur, the zygote will not be able to gain a foothold in the tense uterine wall.
Difficulties in intimate life. Uterine tension causes discomfort during sex. For fear of unpleasant sensations, a woman may avoid intimacy.

Remedies

Patients with increased tone require topical therapy. As a rule, this condition is eliminated with the help of medications.

Important! Only a doctor can prescribe a particular drug. Self-medication can cause unpleasant consequences for the female body.

In matters of relieving uterine tension, the following groups of medications will be relevant:

Immunomodulators, antibiotics. Prescribed when inflammatory processes are detected in the uterus. Before taking antibacterial agents, the patient should undergo testing for the sensitivity of microorganisms.
Sedatives. Particularly effective in relieving uterine tension in the absence of pregnancy. They help eliminate stress and emotional tension - the main factors of tone. It is worth considering that taking some types of such medications interferes with concentration and the process of driving a car.
Antispasmodics. The main effect of such drugs is to relax the reproductive organ before menstruation. They must be taken in the dosage prescribed by the doctor. Such medications may take the form of rectal suppositories, injections, or regular tablets.
Progesterone-based drugs. Helps in relaxing the uterus. Some women manage to become pregnant after taking them. These drugs are taken after ovulation.

In parallel with taking medications, doctors prescribe restrictions on physical activity for women. It is also worth leading a measured lifestyle - maintaining a sleep schedule, avoiding overwork and stress. It would be useful to follow a diet and avoid junk food.

Uterine tone is a frequent companion of pregnant women. But it can be present without pregnancy. Usually it is short-lived and the woman practically does not feel it. The situation is completely different when the symptoms of tone are clearly felt. “Petrification” of the lower abdomen, aching or shooting pain in the lower back are mandatory conditions for visiting a doctor and receiving additional recommendations. Usually the condition is quite easily treated with medications and following simple rules.

Even those who have not yet carried a baby under their hearts have heard about this condition. It is recommended to know more about this not only for pregnant women, but also for those who are planning to conceive a child.

How to explain the condition in which the tone is increased, and what it is?

Before explaining this condition, it is necessary to first understand and understand what the uterus is.

Every pregnant woman knows about the increased tone of the uterus

Uterus is an internal reproductive organ that is present in women. It is capable of contracting; its basis is the myometrium.

During pregnancy, a woman's uterus is enlarged, this occurs due to the development of the baby inside the mother. At the same time, the muscle fibers also increase, become longer and thicker. During pregnancy, the muscles of the uterus are relaxed, at rest, and the pregnant woman does not experience any discomfort. When the time comes for labor, the uterus begins to contract slightly. These contractions are usually called contractions; only these contractions are considered training contractions.

But sometimes it happens that the muscles of the uterus are constantly in a contracted and also tense state. In this state, the muscles of the uterus contract, the organ contracts, and pressure begins in the uterine cavity.

This is a condition that can cause pathology, it must be treated immediately in order to prevent pregnancy failure, as well as eliminate the threat of miscarriage.

Reasons for increased tone during pregnancy

The most cherished dream of any woman, especially one who is pregnant, is to bear a healthy baby. But very often ultrasound overshadows this condition with a diagnosis such as increased tone. We can assume that this is a disease in the body of a pregnant woman, but the correct statement would be this: tone is rather the negative consequences of the processes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman.

Increased uterine tone can pose a threat to pregnancy

The main reason for increased tone is considered to be stress in pregnant women. This also includes overexcitation, or muscle strain, which can be caused by physical activity.

The tone can increase both in the early and late stages of pregnancy. Very often, this condition characterizes the early stages of pregnancy; at this time, the uterus may contract, but it is not yet ready for the upcoming birth. This is characterized by a dull pain that is present in the lower abdomen, but it happens that a woman does not feel these changes, and this condition can only be recognized after an ultrasound.

The reason for its increase in the first trimester of pregnancy is hormonal imbalances and various types of hormonal system disorders; this may be the lack of progesterone production in the pregnant woman’s body.

The second trimester of pregnancy can also be characterized by this condition. As a rule, the cause here is overload, as well as an incorrect lifestyle. In addition to all this, the cause may be various kinds of inflammatory processes that occur in the body during pregnancy.

An increase in tone can also occur due to the fact that the muscles of the uterus are overstretched; this can occur as a result of multiple pregnancy, or polyhydramnios in the pregnant woman’s body, as well as a large fetus.

During pregnancy, diseases such as acute respiratory infections and flu are dangerous; increased tone can also be a complication after these diseases.

In the third trimester of pregnancy, increased tone usually leads to premature birth.

Some experts divide the causes of this disease into two groups:

The first group includes only somatic causes that can arise as a consequence of physiological problems that appear in a pregnant woman.
The second reason includes the incorrect lifestyle of the mother. Let's look at this in more detail.

Various infections, as well as the course of the menstrual cycle in pregnant women, can lead to tone. This also includes drinking alcohol or smoking.

Many women suffer from toxicosis in early pregnancy. In the second trimester, this condition disappears, but is replaced as a consequence by increased uterine tone.

Another very important reason for this condition is the different Rhesus of the mother and baby. This also includes placenta previa. This is a serious abnormality during pregnancy, it is almost impossible to fight it, but you must always hope that the placenta will move into place on its own.

Psychosomatic reasons. For these reasons, tone occurs as a result of psychological problems, as well as various types of stress. All this affects the pregnant woman’s nervous system and weakens it. It is precisely to characterize these problems that tone can occur in the third trimester, and the consequence is premature birth.

To eliminate tone, it is necessary to correctly identify its causes.

Symptoms of uterine tone during pregnancy

Almost every pregnant woman faces this diagnosis. Regardless of the stage of pregnancy, every expectant mother will worry about her baby and will try to monitor all the deviations that occur in her body. It is for this reason that many pregnant women are interested in the symptoms that are characteristic of increased tone.

It is important to know the symptoms of increased uterine tone

How the internal state of the uterus will manifest itself in the external environment. A pregnant woman herself can determine this condition if she understands the symptoms.

To do this, the pregnant woman needs to lie on a hard surface with her stomach up. Starting to feel the stomach, you should feel that it is soft, in this case there is no tone.

If your stomach is elastic, it may even resemble the hardness of a thigh, then the possibility of tone is likely. With tone, a pregnant woman experiences pain in the abdomen, especially lower, as well as a feeling of heaviness. This pain feels similar to premenstrual pain. Sometimes this pain is cramping, in which case it is manifested by bloody discharge that is similar to menstruation.

When any of these symptoms occur, you should immediately contact your doctor. Only he can either refute or confirm the presence of uterine tone.

What to do if the tone of the uterus is increased?

Opinion of Russian doctors

The first thing to do is to diagnose the pathology and also this condition.

The main symptom, according to doctors, is tension in the muscles of the uterus, as well as pain in the abdominal area. At the first symptoms of increased tone, it is believed that the girl’s body lacks the hormone progesterone; it is this hormone that is responsible for the normal course of pregnancy, as well as for its preservation.

A diagnosis of uterine tone can only be made by diagnostics, ultrasound results, and examination by a doctor. In some cases, when this diagnosis is established, the patient is hospitalized, usually in the gynecology department, but it also happens in the pathology department for pregnant women.

Only a doctor can clearly determine the tone of the uterus and assess the risks.

A referral to a gynecologist is given only in cases where increased tone is accompanied by bloody discharge, and also if abdominal pain has become prolonged and is intensifying.

This condition is treated with sedatives made from herbs, and antispasmodics are also added here. At the same time, the pregnant woman needs constant peace and no negative emotions.

Opinion of foreign doctors

Abroad, this deviation is not considered a pathology, and it is not treated.

It is believed that the uterus is a muscular organ that must contract. And this should not only happen to pregnant women.

Uterine tension can be caused by:

long walking;

uncomfortable position of the abdomen when a pregnant woman is in this position for a long time;

travel by public transport;

and many other factors that help increase the tone of the uterus of a pregnant woman.

It is believed that even an ultrasound sensor can act as a provocateur for increasing the tone of the uterus.

But still, foreign doctors claim that uterine tone can lead to premature birth, as well as miscarriage. In this case, the pregnant woman’s condition sharply worsens, pain appears in the lower abdomen, spotting, and the general condition worsens. A pregnant woman feels constant fatigue, irritability, abdominal pain can be either sharp and short-lived or prolonged and intensifying.

What to do if the uterus is toned?

If this condition is not accompanied by abdominal pain, then it is necessary:

take a mild sedative, thanks to which the general condition of the body will be improved and unnecessary worries will be eliminated;

drink weak tea;

take a non-hot bath;

and also watch a relaxing movie.

There are many options that can be taken when the uterus is toned. If the tone of the uterus is not accompanied by pain, then it releases very quickly and this condition goes away in a short time. And also this does not mean at all that the tone will pose a risk of losing the child and terminating the pregnancy. Therefore, you should not be upset that you are at risk and your pregnancy is in jeopardy.

Indeed, in foreign countries, uterine tone is not considered a disease, but this should not mean that doctors do not react to this condition in any way.

An ultrasound is always prescribed for this condition. According to the results of an ultrasound examination, they look not at the muscular layer of the uterus, but at the length of its cervix. If the uterus is 3 cm longer than its layer, and is also closed, then there is no reason to worry.

If the cervix is short and also slightly open, then these are clear signs of spontaneous abortion. If this condition is accompanied by pain, cramping, and also sensations of contractions, then this condition can accelerate termination of pregnancy, as well as miscarriage.

According to foreign doctors, we can conclude that the tone of the uterus is still a physiological condition, but if this condition bothers the pregnant woman and is also accompanied by pain, then you need to contact a gynecologist who is observing you.

Diagnosis: uterine tone at 20 weeks of pregnancy

20 weeks already means that the first half of pregnancy is already over. This time is considered the most beautiful, the belly is already a little noticeable, but as long as it does not interfere with the pregnant woman’s movement, perhaps those around her have not yet noticed how the expectant mother has changed. Waiting for a child should proceed harmoniously, the atmosphere should be calm. This is important not only for the mother, but also for the unborn baby.

If pregnancy occurs in a favorable environment, then this time can be considered a vacation or vacation time. This will continue until the baby grows up and becomes a tangible burden for the mother.

But it happens that a pregnant woman leads an incorrect lifestyle, and the consequence of this may be the tone of the uterus. Very often, when a pregnant woman hears such a diagnosis, she immediately begins to panic and fear for her baby, as well as for the continuation of the pregnancy. Therefore, the question immediately arises whether there can be a threat of miscarriage during pregnancy at 20 weeks.

The tone of the uterus is characterized by muscle abnormalities, which in some cases lead to consequences such as the loss of a child. When pregnancy proceeds normally, the muscles do not contract, but at the slightest deviation the muscles contract and this leads to muscle contraction, as well as the tone of the uterus.

Tone can occur in any trimester of pregnancy, and its appearance does not depend on the period. But usually this group includes those pregnant women who have previously had abortions or whose cervix is injured. The injury can occur during a previous birth, or during the treatment of emerging diseases.

Unfortunately, at a short period of time, for example, at the 20th week of pregnancy, the baby’s weight is still small, and he cannot survive outside the mother’s womb, even with the most modern medical capabilities. There are cases when it is possible to deliver children, but the gestational age is 24 weeks.

Uterine tone at 20 weeks can still cause miscarriage

The onset of the threat of miscarriage usually occurs unnoticeably; the first thing a pregnant woman will feel is pain in the lower abdomen. And if you start to feel your stomach, you will notice that it has become hard.

At this stage of pregnancy, the stomach, in principle, should not hurt, but if this happens, you should immediately visit a doctor. If you do this on time, you will be able to save the baby. Usually, in such cases, a special device is placed on the cervix to hold it in place. In this case, the pregnant woman is prescribed complete rest, during which any physical activity is prohibited.

If there is a lack of progesterone in the body, then it is likely that utrozhestan, and in some cases duphaston, will be prescribed.

When treating uterine tone, it is imperative to control the amount of sugar in the body, as well as blood pressure and heart rate.

Papaverine is considered a very effective remedy in the fight against tone, which is prescribed to pregnant women in almost every case.

When this diagnosis is established, pregnant women are advised, first of all, not to panic. The more nervous and panicked a pregnant woman is, the more the tone of the uterus will increase.

Magne-B6 is also considered an effective remedy that is used for increased uterine tone; it replenishes the lack of vitamin B in the pregnant woman’s body. This drug is prescribed when there is already a clear threat of miscarriage in a pregnant woman with a serious degree of tone. This drug allows you to improve metabolic processes in the body, as well as help improve the immunity of a pregnant woman. Thanks to this drug, the level of absorption of vitamins into the blood, as well as magnesium cells, increases. The average duration of taking this drug is one month. Approximately pregnant women are prescribed 3 ampoules of the drug per day.

Bad habits and stress can cause uterine tone

In conclusion, I would like to say that during pregnancy you need to take care of yourself. This applies not only to the last trimester of pregnancy, but also to the time when the baby was conceived.

A pregnant woman should take her condition seriously and understand that the absence of stress, good nutrition, and avoidance of harmful substances, all these factors are the key to maintaining your health.

It is important that the pregnant woman stops smoking and drinking alcohol.

Physical activity should be carried out only in the amount permitted by the doctor. Pregnant women are recommended to take walks in the fresh air, which replenish the body with positive emotions. It is also necessary to visit the theater, various painting exhibitions, and cultural monuments. It is necessary to accustom a child to art now, when he is in the womb.

And most importantly, take care of yourself.

The diagnosis of “uterine tone” is made to almost every second pregnant woman, both at the beginning of pregnancy and at the end of it. Everyone has heard about the consequences of this condition, and from the first happy days of pregnancy, the expectant mother tries not to lose sight of the slightest deviation from the normal state. That is why many are so interested in what symptoms this unfortunate tone manifests itself.

First, you still need to figure out what it is, and after that it will become obvious how it can manifest itself. So, even from the school desk, we must remember that the uterus is an organ that consists of muscle tissue. We also know that muscle fibers tend to contract. However, the pregnant body is by nature amazing. It is during the happy months of waiting for a new life that the brain “turns off” many functions and directs all its energy to pregnancy. Therefore, under normal circumstances, the muscles of the uterus are calm and relaxed, so that the little person develops in favorable conditions. But everything in our lives is not always smooth and calm. Nervous stress, overstrain, overload, poor lifestyle - all this confuses the “pregnant brain” and it can send the wrong instructions to the uterus. The fibers begin to shrink, their tone increases and the pressure “increases” in the uterus itself. Such contractions can be very dangerous, as they can “push out” the fetus.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your gynecologist immediately. Only he is able to either confirm or refute uterine hypertonicity. In a clinical setting, this is quite easy to do. Examining a pregnant woman with help, the doctor clearly sees whether the muscle fibers are tense or not. While palpating (feeling), the doctor also feels tension in the abdomen and shortening of the cervix. There is a special drug that is used to measure the strength of uterine contractions during pregnancy. However, it is rarely used, since the symptoms of hypertonicity are noticeable.

The most dangerous tone of the uterus is in the first trimester of pregnancy (up to 12 weeks). Late diagnosis or ignoring it can cause arbitrary miscarriage. Any pain or strange sensations in the uterine area should be a good reason to consult a doctor. It is necessary to treat the tone of the uterus during this period.

Very often, hypertonicity is observed in the second trimester of pregnancy. However, during this period the uterus begins to “train”, and the woman feels tension and relaxation, but without pain and rarely. The normal state is maintained with a familiar medicine - Magne B6.

But in the last weeks of pregnancy, the tone of the uterus is increasingly difficult to determine. Now it is difficult to distinguish it from preparatory contractions, and the baby himself is pushing his mother, because his tummy is becoming cramped. If, nevertheless, uterine contractions are painful, let alone regular, then consult a doctor immediately. Hypertonicity in the last trimester provokes.

Listen to your “pregnant body”, but don’t panic about anything. Otherwise, you will only make things worse for yourself and your baby. Although the diagnosis of “uterine tone” is common, it almost always has a favorable outcome if the expectant mother is attentive to herself and remembers that pregnancy is a pleasure!

Take care of yourself!

Especially for- Tanya Kivezhdiy