Uterine contractions braxton hicks sensations. Braxton-Hicks training contractions - everything an expectant mother needs to know about them

The contractions were named after a scientist engaged in research in this area. Cramps appear in women after the 20th week of pregnancy. Braxton Hicks contractions help the baby take the correct position, move through the birth canal, and increase blood access to the uterus.

Timing, reasons

The paroxysmal contraction of the organ shows the woman that the reproductive system is preparing for childbirth already in the early stages of pregnancy. But the cervix does not open at this time, which means that real labor does not occur. The uterine muscles periodically tense and remain in this state for 30–60 seconds.

How many weeks do Braxton Higgins contractions start? On the 6th, but at this time contractions are not felt. The reason is the size of the reproductive organ. Spasms become noticeable in the 3rd trimester, when the uterus reaches a large size.

False contractions are considered the norm in the life of a pregnant woman; they often go unnoticed. The uterus hardens and can be easily felt. Contractions are painless, do not cause physical discomfort, and the frequency does not exceed the norm.

Causes:

the appearance of spasm keeps the uterine muscle in working order;
provides blood supply to the placenta;
prepare the cervix for labor.

Any touch to the abdominal area affects the birth of false contractions. Full bladder causes an uncomfortable feeling. The baby's behavior during Brecton Hicks training contractions becomes too active. The occurrence of false contractions appears mainly in the evenings, when the woman is resting. Mom relaxes, it is easier to notice the changes taking place in this state.

Symptoms, signs

Braxton Higgs contractions are irregular spasms of the organ that do not increase in intensity over time. The duration ranges from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The frequency is 2 – 4 manifestations per hour. During contraction, the firmness of the abdomen is felt, the position of the fetus is felt, no pain is observed.

How do Braxton Hicks contractions feel?

irregularity;
no pain, only inconvenience;
irregularity;
tenderness of compression in the upper part of the uterus;
unpredictability.

Tension is concentrated in one specific place and does not spread throughout the abdomen. This significantly distinguishes Hicks contractions from real ones. Gradually the discomfort decreases and completely disappears. Training contractions occur through certain actions, and a woman can stimulate their appearance.

False contractions cause:

experiences;
dehydration;
unrest;
full bladder;
orgasm during sex;
maternal activity;
baby's mobility in the womb.

The sensation of Braxton Hicks contractions can occur from a hand placed on the stomach. In order not to provoke the appearance of temporary spasms, monitor your emotions, actions, and actions. Undesirable situations better to warn.

It is necessary to distinguish false contractions from real ones. The first ones occur irregularly and painlessly. The second is characterized by an increase in pain. Training sessions in the later stages occur with a certain frequency, not regularly. The power of manifestation is great, but painless. When pain that is difficult to bear appears, analyze the frequency. Identical periods of time indicate real contractions and the approach of labor.

Relief of false spasms

Scientists around the world cannot give a clear answer why Braxton Higgins training contractions are built into the body, and why a woman needs it. There are different theories based on the versatility of abbreviations. Some obstetricians call the process of preparing for childbirth. This is where the name training came from. The cervix ripens during the preparatory period.

The second group considers contractions as the body’s response to hormonal changes. It is believed that no preparation takes place. One more important function No less important is the supply of oxygen to the placenta.

A woman gets the opportunity to practice breathing when she feels the symptoms of Braxton Hicks contractions. Prenatal courses teach inhalation and exhalation techniques. The actions should become automatic; the mother will be able to perform them involuntarily to alleviate the condition during the birth process.

Exercises:

"Economy breathing" Exhale slowly at the peak of the spasm. Then take a deep breath. When you exhale, you feel cleansing;
"Like a dog". Breathe frequently and shallowly. Watch how the dog does this in the heat, try to repeat it. The action lasts no more than 30 seconds, dizziness begins from lack of oxygen;
"candle". Inhale deeply through your nose. Take it slow. Next, exhale sharply through your mouth. The exhalation should be short, do not prolong it.

When it was not possible to avoid the appearance of false contractions, you need to know how to alleviate the condition. If the training contractions go unnoticed, there is no cause for concern. The spasms have started and are causing discomfort, try to move, turn around, change position.

Does your stomach hurt during Braxton Hicks contractions? Not always, often it goes unnoticed. If pain occurs, then with correct behavior the discomfort will disappear.

Ways to quickly relieve uterine contractions:

take a leisurely walk, walking will relax the smooth muscles;
change your body position, tension is often caused by an uncomfortable position;
take a warm bath or shower, they will relieve muscle spasms;
drink more, any liquid taken in sufficient quantity will prevent dehydration;
do breathing exercises when Braxton Higgs contractions begin, oxygen relieves the mother’s condition and calms the child’s excessive activity;
practice relaxation, relax, get distracted, listen to pleasant music.

Simple actions help you wait out training contractions and help relieve discomfort. If you behave correctly, false contractions do not cause inconvenience and pass quickly.

When you need a doctor's help

Training cramps are considered normal. Despite this, there are a number of signs that indicate problems with pregnancy. If you notice that abnormalities are occurring in your body, that something is going wrong, contact your gynecologist.

What are Braxton Hicks contractions like? Pulling sensations in the lower abdomen. When spasms increase in intensity and frequency, they are mistaken for real. The reproductive organ is preparing for the birth process.

Reasons to go to the gynecologist:

bleeding began;
appeared pain syndrome lower back;
water broke;
there was copious blood and water discharge;
fetal movement decreased.

On recent months pregnancy, when the gestation period of the child comes to an end, intense, regular contractions indicate the approach of childbirth. Frequent, prolonged spasms indicate its onset. You need to contact a gynecologist without delay.

When it goes ambulance, try to determine the location of the pain. If the stomach is tightened as if by a belt, this is false labor. With real ones, the pain begins in the lower back and moves towards the stomach. Assess the intensity of the spasm. During training contractions they feel pain, then it weakens and goes away unnoticed. Real contractions are marked by an increase in pain.

How often do Braxton contractions occur? From several times an hour to 1 - 2 times a day, they begin at the end of pregnancy. The duration does not change for a particular woman.

When training contractions become more frequent in the last months of pregnancy, consult a gynecologist. It is worth checking to see if the cervix is dilating. Perhaps real contractions have begun, the fetus is approaching exit.

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Most women give birth between 38 and 42 weeks of pregnancy, and sometimes labor can begin as early as two weeks before the expected due date or two weeks later.

However, some women experience Braxton Hicks contractions, or irregular contractions of the uterus, until day X. Braxton Hicks contractions (also known as false contractions, training contractions) can begin as early as the second trimester of pregnancy, but are most common in the third trimester.

Braxton Hicks contractions occur when the muscles of the uterus contract. They are usually without periodicity, do not follow a “pattern”, and do not increase in intensity or frequency.

Of course, they may scare you, and you may think that real contractions are coming. Braxton Hicks contractions are normal and beneficial in their own way: they train the muscles of the uterus, preparing it for childbirth, and they also enable you to practice breathing and learn to use other relaxation techniques to soothe pain during contractions.

What causes Braxton Hicks contractions, what causes training contractions?

Experts don't know the answer to the question of what causes Braxton Hicks contractions, but these false contractions appear to tune the muscle tissue of the uterus, training them for childbirth, and also thanks to training contractions blood flow to the placenta improves. The biggest difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and real contractions is that with Braxton contractions the cervix remains unchanged, but with real uterine contractions, when labor occurs, the contractions lead to opening of the cervix. Certain situations trigger Braxton Hicks contractions, including:

active activity of the mother or activity of the baby in the womb
if you or someone else puts your hand on your stomach
dehydration
full bladder
sex (orgasm).

How common are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Most women experience Braxton Hicks contractions, especially in the third trimester of pregnancy as they approach their due date.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish training contractions from the real ones, but if you carefully monitor the sensations, you will be able to determine what’s what. The main difference is the frequency and duration of contractions. If you have any doubts or concerns, be sure to consult your doctor.

Braxton Hicks contractions (training contractions) can be identified using the following characteristics:

a feeling of tightness in the upper part of the uterus or in the lower abdomen and groin;
concentration in one area (and not through the entire stomach into the lower back, as with real contractions);
irregularity (less than 6 contractions per hour);
intensity of violations;
unpredictable;
non-rhythmic (the picture is not observed: the contraction becomes longer and more painful over time, the duration of the break between contractions is reduced - as with real contractions, but with real contractions);
not very painful, although they, of course, can cause severe inconvenience;
Gradually the contractions fade away and then disappear altogether.

As your pregnancy progresses, Braxton Hicks contractions may become more intense and even painful. It is better to concentrate on what kind of contractions they are (whether there is regularity, whether the pain is increasing or, conversely, subsiding), it will help if you try to rest and relax.

If it seems to you that the picture is not changing, or the contractions are increasing even when you are resting, then most likely you are going into labor! Stop sitting in front of the computer, call your doctor :)

How can you manage Braxton Hicks contractions?

False contractions give you the opportunity to practice breathing exercises, check what relaxation methods help you to muffle the pain - after all, all this will be useful during real contractions during childbirth. Try to calm down, determine the length and frequency of contractions. Calculate how long each contraction lasts and what is the interval between them. Now there are many online services on the Internet that will help you do this. Just type in a search engine "scramble-counter". Real contractions usually last at least 30 seconds once they start and can last up to 75 seconds. As they progress, contractions become stronger.

Braxton Hicks contractions, on the other hand, vary in duration, as a rule, they are irregular, weak and do not intensify.

If training contractions are very inconvenient for you, then try to rest, change your body position, walk, take a warm bath (not hot!), drink water - until the contractions go away.

(Benefitting from Braxton Hicks Contractions
It’s not for nothing that these contractions are called training contractions. In some medical institutions, doctors recommend that women do breathing exercises during Braxton Hicks contractions: practice breathing techniques during childbirth.)

The only way that can definitely help you determine whether contractions are false or not is when your doctor examines the cervix. As we said earlier, Braxton Hicks contractions do not affect the cervix in any way. True contractions are identified when the cervix is dilated. If you have any doubts, contact your doctor and he or she can do Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and tell whether you have started labor.

What are the possible consequences of Braxton Hicks contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are not harmful and can help you prepare for labor and actual contractions. However, if you experience periodic contractions, feel unwell, experience back pain or pain in the lower abdomen, as during menstruation, it is likely that you are going into labor. Below are also indicators that labor may have begun:

a feeling that the baby has fallen lower in the uterus - i.e. when the baby's head settles deeper in the pelvic area. This can happen either a few weeks or a couple of hours before the onset of labor.
Increased vaginal discharge - this may be light pink or slightly bloody issues, this process is usually called “ the plug came off" This occurs when a thick mucus plug moves into the vagina as the cervix opens, usually any time from a few days before labor begins or just before delivery.
You water breaks- the fluid-filled amniotic sac ruptures, and the watery fluid can either flow in a weak stream or simply pour out of the vagina. This usually occurs a few hours before or any time during labor.

Below is a list of questions to ask your doctor if you are concerned about Braxton Hicks training contractions.

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
How can I tell the difference between false contractions and real contractions?
What to do if false contractions begin?
When are training contractions most common in pregnancy?
Do they change as pregnancy progresses? How?
How can I relieve symptoms if contractions are painful?
Can you tell me more about childbirth?
How will I know when labor has started?

Well, a few very valuable questions/answers:

Sometimes I am bothered by pain on the sides of my abdomen. Could it indicate the onset of labor?
Probably not. Sharp, shooting pain in either side of the abdomen (round ligament pain) extending into the groin may indicate that the ligaments are stretching to support the growing uterus.

To help relieve discomfort in the sides:

change of position, movement
fluid that should be drunk in sufficient quantity (at least 6-8 glasses of water, juice or milk per day)
rest.

I feel bad bothering my OB/GYN because of a “false alarm.” When should you contact him?
Your OB/GYN can answer your questions at any time and help you differentiate between false and labor contractions. Don't be afraid to bother your gynecologist if you have any doubts. He may ask you a few questions to help him determine what type of contractions you are having. If you have any doubts about your condition, it is better to consult a doctor and trust his professional experience.

and a little from myself.

I sit in one position for a long time;

I go up the stairs;

getting excited;

I want something small.

Breathing and lying on your back for 5 minutes helps to relax it. and sometimes I don’t even notice how it goes.

a stabbing pain in my sides also bothers me from time to time, as does pain on the inside of my thigh at the very top, almost between my legs, my doctor said that it’s the ligaments that are being stretched. Well, let’s go wide, my dears)))) but I can’t move with such pain in any way, it can only get worse and it’s better not to touch these places. just lie down and relax. sudden movements can increase pain in the sides, and pressure can generally cause sparks from the eyes. fucking passes between the legs from walking.

This is how things are for me))) oh, how good it is that there is someone to talk to about this!

Contractions of the smooth muscles of the uterus that appear in late pregnancy are often interpreted by women as pre-labor contractions. However, often this happens not a few days or weeks before the expected moment of birth, but earlier. Why is this happening? How many weeks do Braxton-Higgs contractions begin, and what does a woman experience?

Despite the fact that false abdominal tension is considered to be the body’s readiness for childbirth, which means it always occurs several days or weeks before this long-awaited moment, training contractions begin in women much earlier - even in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, their intensity is so low that most expectant mothers hardly notice what is happening, especially since this period has much more unpleasant nuances: nagging pain, toxicosis, etc.

Read also:

False contractions become more distinct at the 20th week of pregnancy, and they become a real signal of the possible imminence of labor only at 36-40 weeks. True, this is relevant only for a period that proceeds according to all the rules, without any reason for its premature end.

The most important thing is not to be afraid of Braxton-Higgs contractions, even if they turned out to be very obvious early on. The contractions of the smooth muscles of the uterus are still not strong enough to open the cervix, so the fetus is not in danger. On the contrary, experts believe that such a process, by increasing blood circulation, supplies an additional portion of oxygen and nutrients, and therefore brings considerable benefits to the child.

Such contractions cannot indicate pathologies if they occur correctly: i.e. are short-term, have no “schedule” and are not accompanied by acute pain. Not all women experience discomfort during uterine contractions, but even if it actively manifests itself, the pain will be nagging and soft.

However, if bloody discharge is noticed on the underwear, or thick mucus appears, pain in the lower back, pressure in the lower abdomen increases, the child stops moving, and the contractions themselves become very frequent (more than 4 per minute), you should urgently consult a doctor . In the later stages, this may precede childbirth; in the early stages, it can be a threat of miscarriage.

As mentioned above, some do not notice training contractions at all, while others experience obvious discomfort due to sharp spasms, but it is still very difficult to confuse this process with real prenatal contractions of the uterus. The degree of pain is disproportionate, and, in addition, in the latter case, the water and mucus plug break, which cannot happen during Braxton-Higgs contractions.

The main “marker” of training contractions is their irregularity. If prenatal usually represents a minute of pain and 4-5 min. rest, then there may be a few minutes of discomfort, after which everything subsides completely. Sometimes it is enough to observe the body for 10-15 minutes to understand whether it is preparing for childbirth, or whether it is simply not allowing the expectant mother to relax.
More than 6 compressions in 60 minutes. It shouldn’t happen during training contractions. In addition, unpleasant sensations do not increase over time either: on the contrary, they weaken. For some women, even an interval of 6-8 hours is possible.
During Braxton-Higgs contractions, the uterus is very tense, and if you try to feel it, it will feel very hard. In this case, there is a feeling of spasm in the lower abdomen or even the groin area, but it never spreads to the back and pelvic area.

It should be noted that uterine contractions can also be provoked by external factors, which makes them more pronounced and sometimes more painful: excessive physical activity, when the body is not prepared for it, severe stress, a full bladder or even fetal mobility. It is noteworthy that medical restrictions on the sexual life of a pregnant woman also stem from this problem: muscle contractions, arising at the moment of orgasm, can provoke false contractions of the expectant mother. Most of these situations are best avoided, at least in order not to cause deterioration in well-being, but it is impossible to completely protect yourself from uterine contractions, so the question arises of how to act in such moments.

Doctors advise not to panic and not be tormented by the thought of a threat of pregnancy, especially if the previously listed symptoms (discharge on underwear, increased pain and a feeling of heaviness in the lumbar region) are not present, but to use the “opportunity” wisely: it’s not for nothing that Braxton contractions are Higgs was called training. This is a great way to test yourself and your existing knowledge about behavior at the time of childbirth long before it occurs.

Control your breathing - the most important nuance, which can seriously facilitate the process ahead of you after the end of your pregnancy. At the moment of contraction, exhale very slowly, squeezing out all the air from the lungs, and immediately after it, fill them with a new portion of air. You can also take frequent inhalations and exhalations at the time of active contraction of the uterus, with your mouth slightly open, but longer than 3-3.5 minutes. It is not advisable to breathe this way, as you may feel dizzy. Some doctors recommend inversion of method 1: exhale sharply and through the mouth, and draw in air through the nose and very slowly.
If contractions are painful, you can take a warm bath or stand in a warm shower, but remember that the water temperature should not exceed 37 degrees. Uterine tension can also be relieved by changing your position if you are in a sitting or horizontal position.
Some women find relaxation with soothing music or distraction with a book, movie, crafts, etc. helpful. It is important to find something you like that will allow you not to notice the discomfort.
In some cases, physical activity may also be beneficial, however, this depends on the individual organism. If before pregnancy and during early stages You have been actively involved in sports, it makes sense to do a few exercises, but not ones that load the abdominal area. For other women, a simple walk at a slow, rhythmic pace is sufficient.

Read also:

To summarize, it should be emphasized that Braxton-Higgs contractions should not cause anxiety if they are short-lived and are not accompanied by bloody or mucous discharge, and are not characterized by increased pain and an increase in its area. Do light breathing exercises, relax and do not experience a panic attack. And in case of any deviations from the norm, be sure to consult a doctor.

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When do training contractions appear?
What to do if training contractions appear?
What if there are no Braxton Hicks contractions?
How to distinguish training contractions from real ones?

False contractions, “Braxtons” or “trainings”, as expectant mothers call them, despite their harmlessness, often become a very real cause for concern. Obstetrician-gynecologist-endocrinologist of the Ultrasound Studio network of medical centers Olga YAKOVLEVA answered our questions about training contractions.

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

These are short-term (no longer than two minutes) contractions of the muscles of the uterus that spontaneously arise and disappear during pregnancy and are felt like a “stone belly”. These sensations, familiar to almost every pregnant woman, were first described in 1872 by the talented English doctor John Braxton Hicks, after whom they were named.

Expert commentary

Braxton Hicks contractions are training contractions. They occur to prepare the uterus for real contractions during labor.

Are Braxton Hicks contractions safe?

False contractions do not last long, but the cervix does not dilate and the labor process is not initiated.

Signs of Braxton Hicks contractions:

a feeling of compression in the uterine area that lasts no longer than a minute or two;

irregularity (there may be several contractions in a row, then they disappear);

sensations arise in any one area: above, below, side;

contractions are not painful.

If your sensations coincide with this description, everything is in order, such contractions are false, “training” and do not pose any danger. The catch is that these sensations are very similar to those that arise with a diagnosis of “increased uterine tone,” which really requires increased attention and mandatory treatment. The main difference between these conditions is that training contractions pass quickly, but the tone lasts a long time!

Expert commentary

Training contractions are safe, because they appear so that the uterus “doesn’t forget” how to behave during childbirth. Contractions and increased tone of the uterus, when the stomach becomes “stony”, are, in fact, the same thing, but the tone may not go away for a long time.

How painful are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are not painful, so if the expectant mother experiences pain in addition to sharp muscle contractions, she should immediately consult a doctor!

Expert commentary

Contractions pass without pain, but unpleasant pulling sensations in the lower abdomen may occur; they are felt the same at all stages of pregnancy.

When do training contractions appear?

Braxton Hicks contractions are unpredictable. One woman’s uterus begins to “warm up” already at 20 weeks, while another woman had never heard of any “Braxtons” until she gave birth. The pregnancy-protecting hormone progesterone, which is produced by the placenta, relaxes the muscles of the uterus. However, short-term contractions of actively growing muscles in response to irritation are absolutely normal.

Braxton Hicks contractions can be triggered by:

physical activity;

strong kicks of the baby;

excitement;

bladder fullness;

sex.

But most often, the uterus “unfolds” active “preparatory work” after 36 weeks. During this period, the concentration of progesterone begins to decrease. Female sex hormones estrogens and hormone-like substances prostaglandins enter the arena, which cause contractions of the uterine muscles and, ultimately, childbirth.

Expert commentary

They usually appear after 20 weeks of pregnancy, but according to some authors they can occur throughout pregnancy. Many women begin to feel training (“precursor”) contractions only on the eve of childbirth.

What to do if training contractions appear?

Although Braxton Hicks contractions themselves are harmless, pregnant women often become frightened by them and do not understand what is happening. And strong excitement can spur muscle contractions. What can be done? Treat it like a workout! False contractions are a great opportunity to learn how to relax breathing exercises, and this skill will be very useful during childbirth.

12.10.2018

From how many weeks do Braxton-Higgs contractions occur, and what do they feel like? Braxton Higgs contractions: the reason for their appearance.

In this article:

Every woman, being pregnant, is very sensitive to the slightest changes in her condition. And this is correct, since these changes entail the next stage in the development of pregnancy, and indicate that the long-awaited meeting of mother and baby is just around the corner. For example, towards the end of pregnancy, expectant mothers begin to experience sensations similar to mild contractions. This is a cause for concern for many, but should you be worried? Let's figure it out.

Braxton Hicks contractions - what are they?

This phenomenon received its name in 1982 in honor of its discoverer, the English doctor John Braxton Hicks. Oddly enough, it was the man who noticed and described this process. It is a contraction of the uterine muscles lasting 1 to 2 minutes.

Such contractions become noticeable after the 20th week of pregnancy and are characterized as a short-term increase in uterine tone. Over time, the number of such contractions increases, but the duration remains the same.

Why is this happening?

Braxton Hicks contractions are quite rightly also called training contractions. During the entire period of pregnancy, the uterus undergoes changes in connection with maintaining the vital activity of the fetus and performing a protective function. In addition, during pregnancy its size increases 500 times. The uterine muscles tend to contract and be in good shape, so they simply need training in order to perform their main function during childbirth - to push the fetus out. In addition, with the help of such contractions, the expectant mother gets an excellent opportunity to learn how to breathe correctly during labor contractions by performing special breathing exercises.

How does a woman feel?

Training contractions are usually painless and do not cause severe discomfort. It's easy to recognize them. Their signs can be considered: slight numbness of the abdomen, periodic tension of the muscles of the uterus and slight nagging pain in the lumbar region. Such sensations do not bring pain, rather inconvenience, gradually fade away, and then completely disappear. The fetus most often behaves actively during such contractions.

How to get rid of discomfort

There are several methods to help yourself during Braxton Hicks contractions and relieve discomfort:
A quiet walk will help relax the muscles of the uterus;
A warm bath or refreshing shower can also help relieve muscle spasms;
Comfortable body position;
A glass of water, fruit drink or juice will calm your overall condition;
Relaxation;

Reason to see a doctor

If a woman notices an increase in the frequency of training contractions and an increase in their pain, then this may be a signal of the onset of labor. These contractions are harbingers of labor, which contribute to the dilatation of the cervix. Childbirth is a process that occurs individually for each woman. Therefore, only a doctor can determine whether these contractions are false or labor.

So, you need to see a doctor immediately if you notice that:

Contractions became intense, regular, prolonged and frequent.
Bloody discharge from the vagina appeared.
Bleeding began.
An obsessive pain appeared in the lower abdomen, radiating to the lower back.
The waters have broken.
Weak fetal movement or complete absence of movement.

Waiting for the birth

Braxton Hicks contractions are a normal process in which the expectant mother's body prepares for childbirth. Thanks to it, one can conclude that the pregnancy is going well, and the main event in a woman’s life will soon happen - the birth of her baby. If a woman notices an increase in contractions or increased pain in the body, this may be a signal that labor has begun. In this case, you should immediately go to the maternity hospital.

Video about preparing the female body for childbirth

While carrying a baby, a woman becomes familiar with medical terminology, Latin names and diagnoses. She does not always understand what is written in the ultrasound results or medical prescriptions. For example, not all women know what it is. So, let’s figure out what they mean and how the expectant mother should behave when they occur.

Brief information about Braxton Hicks contractions

Training contractions were first described by a doctor from England, John Braxton-Hicks. This was back in the 19th century, and since then this type of fight has been named after him.

What does this medical term mean? This is the name given to contractions of the muscles of the uterus of the expectant mother, which do not lead to its opening and childbirth, respectively. Not all women experience this phenomenon, but you need to be aware of this possibility.

Training contractions usually appear after the 20th week of pregnancy and do not at all mean that the pregnancy is not progressing properly. So the main thing when they occur is not to panic, behave calmly and know that this is just “training”. There's a reason they're called that!

Symptoms and causes of training contractions

The expectant mother can find out about training contractions by the tension of the uterine muscles from time to time. This tension is similar to seizures. And they last 30-60 seconds. Braxton Hicks contractions usually do not cause much discomfort. They are irregular, more typical in the areas of the upper uterus, lower abdomen and groin. Such contractions are irregular and concentrated in one area and do not cause back pain, as is usually the case with real contractions. A special feature of these matchups is that they gradually disappear on their own.

What can cause such contractions? There are several reasons. For example, the activity of the mother and her physical activity, the movements of the baby in the womb and the nervousness of the pregnant woman, and dehydration of her body, bladder filling and orgasm. Sometimes even touching the abdomen can trigger Braxton Hicks contractions.

That is why some situations that cause contractions can be avoided, and some simply not allowed.

Breathing during Braxton Hicks contractions

Doctors don't agree on Braxton Hicks contractions. Some consider such contractions to be a kind of training to prepare a woman for childbirth, while others believe that this is simply a natural condition that characterizes the maturation of the uterus.

This phenomenon makes it possible to practice breathing exercises, which are taught to pregnant women in childbirth preparation courses. Here are some of them:

Breath of savings. During the contraction, a cleansing and slow exhalation should occur, then a full deep breath.
Breathing like a dog. Shallow and rapid breathing, the way dogs breathe in hot weather. It is useful during a fight. But if you breathe like this for more than 30 seconds, you may feel dizzy.
Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose and exhale sharply and briefly through your mouth.

How to behave during the onset of training contractions?

In addition to knowing breathing exercises, the expectant mother should avoid situations that provoke the onset of these contractions. If they start, then you can try walking slowly or taking a warm shower. Warm water relieves muscle spasms. You should change your body position if contractions occur in a lying position. Take a comfortable position. After all, one of the reasons may be tension in the uterus due to the woman’s uncomfortable posture.

Go to the toilet, empty your bladder. You can drink a little.

Breathing exercises help increase the supply of oxygen to the fetus.

If Braxton Hicks contractions occur while walking or doing homework, then rest and relaxation would be advisable. You can lie down, close your eyes and just breathe slowly through your nose.

Such measures help relieve discomfort in the pregnant woman. The main thing is calmness and the ability to relax.

But there are cases when a woman still needs to see a doctor during such contractions. These are bloody or watery vaginal discharge, discharge of water, and a decrease in active fetal movement.

This usually happens over a long period of time. If at least one of the above symptoms complements training contractions, then you should urgently contact your doctor.

Especially for Elena TOLOCHIK

Contractions of the smooth muscles of the uterus that appear in late pregnancy are often interpreted by women as pre-labor contractions. However, often this happens not a few days or weeks before the expected moment of birth, but earlier. Why is this happening? How many weeks do Braxton-Higgs contractions begin, and what does a woman experience?

Read also:

The most important thing is not to be afraid of Braxton-Higgs contractions, even if they turned out to be very obvious early on. The contractions of the smooth muscles of the uterus are still not strong enough to open the cervix, so the fetus is not in danger. On the contrary, experts believe that such a process, by increasing blood circulation, supplies an additional portion of oxygen and nutrients, and therefore brings considerable benefits to the child.

The main “marker” of training contractions is their irregularity. If prenatal usually represents a minute of pain and 4-5 min. rest, then there may be a few minutes of discomfort, after which everything subsides completely. Sometimes it is enough to observe the body for 10-15 minutes to understand whether it is preparing for childbirth, or whether it is simply not allowing the expectant mother to relax.
More than 6 compressions in 60 minutes. It shouldn’t happen during training contractions. In addition, unpleasant sensations do not increase over time either: on the contrary, they weaken. For some women, even an interval of 6-8 hours is possible.
During Braxton-Higgs contractions, the uterus is under great tension, and if you try to palpate it, it will feel very hard. In this case, there is a feeling of spasm in the lower abdomen or even the groin area, but it never spreads to the back and pelvic area.

It should be noted that uterine contractions can also be provoked by external factors, which makes them more pronounced and sometimes more painful: excessive physical activity when the body is not prepared for it, severe stress, a full bladder or even fetal mobility. It is noteworthy that medical restrictions on the sexual life of a pregnant woman also stem from this problem: muscle contractions that occur at the moment of orgasm can provoke false contractions in the expectant mother. Most of these situations are best avoided, at least in order not to cause deterioration in well-being, but it is impossible to completely protect yourself from uterine contractions, so the question arises of how to act in such moments.

Control your breathing - the most important nuance that can greatly facilitate the process ahead of you after the end of pregnancy. At the moment of contraction, exhale very slowly, squeezing out all the air from the lungs, and immediately after it, fill them with a new portion of air. You can also take frequent inhalations and exhalations at the time of active contraction of the uterus, with your mouth slightly open, but longer than 3-3.5 minutes. It is not advisable to breathe this way, as you may feel dizzy. Some doctors recommend inversion of method 1: exhale sharply and through the mouth, and draw in air through the nose and very slowly.
If contractions are painful, you can take a warm bath or stand in a warm shower, but remember that the water temperature should not exceed 37 degrees. Uterine tension can also be relieved by changing your position if you are in a sitting or horizontal position.
Some women find relaxation with soothing music or distraction with a book, movie, crafts, etc. helpful. It is important to find something you like that will allow you not to notice the discomfort.
In some cases, physical activity may also be beneficial, however, this depends on the individual organism. If before pregnancy and in the early stages you were actively involved in sports, it makes sense to do several exercises, but not ones that load the abdominal area. For other women, a simple walk at a slow, rhythmic pace is sufficient.

Contractions of the smooth muscles of the uterus that appear in late pregnancy are often interpreted by women as pre-labor contractions. However, often this happens not a few days or weeks before the expected moment of birth, but earlier. Why is this happening? How many weeks do Braxton-Higgs contractions begin, and what does a woman experience?