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How to independently relieve uterine tone during pregnancy? How to deal with increased uterine tone? Possible negative consequences and prognosis

There is no limit to the joy of feeling the baby inside yourself, and when the news is confirmed by the diagnosis, any woman will feel in the tenth heaven. But this period is very fragile, there is a need for special care. This time is associated with many problems and diagnoses, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of doctors in order to avoid the manifestation of any complications, among which is the tone of the uterus during pregnancy.

What does hypertonicity of such an important organ mean?

The uterus is a muscular three-layered organ, among them the myometrium. It is made up of smooth muscle tissue that contracts when needed, for example, during childbirth. In the normal position, she should be at rest, which is - the tone is normal.

If the muscles of the myometrium begin to contract before childbirth, during the period of gestation, then this is considered an increased tone of the uterus during pregnancy. But this state of affairs may not always be considered an excess of the established norm, because contraction is considered normal for muscles.

In the West, such cases are generally not a reason for the diagnosis, as such, if it does not overlap with other symptoms that cause negative feelings. And this is normal, because muscles are always contracting:

  1. When experiencing;
  2. During a gynecological examination;
  3. When laughter or sneezing occurs, there is also a contraction of all muscles in the lower abdomen, including;
  4. During orgasm.
But all such cases are short-lived. If this position is of a protracted nature, then this is already a danger not only for interrupting the bearing of a baby, but also for his life. The consequences of this situation may even be a miscarriage at the initial stages of gestation or premature birth.
  1. This position of such an important organ is more common in the first trimester and can lead to freezing or rejection of the fetus, further to miscarriage up to 28 weeks.
  2. In some cases, the diagnosis occurs at a later date, such as muscles, contracting, as if preparing for the upcoming contractions. And this state of affairs is not dangerous.
  3. The threat to the health and life of the baby lies in the clamping of the vessels of the umbilical cord, which leads to a lack of oxygen and nutrients, and this, in turn, to serious consequences.

Symptoms of developing a dangerous position while waiting for a child

How to determine the tone of the uterus during pregnancy on your own? This condition is easy enough to identify. Symptoms of uterine tone during pregnancy are quite easily determined at different periods of bearing a baby:
  1. In the first trimester, this condition is characterized by pulling and aching pains in the lower abdomen, as during menstruation, this condition also affects the lower back or sacrum;
  2. Later, the sensations are the same, but this state is still noticeable upon visual inspection, the stomach compresses, as if it turns to stone;
  3. In exceptional cases, it is accompanied by bloody discharge, it is very dangerous.

The reasons for this condition

There may be a lot of reasons and it is simply impossible to list all of them, but there are main ones:
  1. In the early stages, this condition is caused by an insufficient amount of progesterone. A hormone responsible for relaxing smooth muscles and preparing the endometrium for implantation of an egg with a fetus;
  2. There are other hormonal disruptions that lead to a similar result, so it is important to monitor the hormonal background in an interesting position;
  3. Severe toxicosis, accompanied by profuse vomiting;
  4. Some anomalies in the development of this organ are sickle-shaped or also difficult to compare;
  5. Various infectious diseases lead to tone, for example. The infection can also be accompanied by profuse discharge, pain;
  6. The reason is also in the Rh-conflict;
  7. Severe distension due to large fruit.
And these are not all reasons, so it is very important to be under constant medical supervision during gestation.

Getting rid of hypertonia during gestation

If the diagnosis is already known and it is not at all comforting, how to relieve the tone of the uterus during pregnancy?
  1. The first is to listen to the doctor's recommendations; in a very deplorable case, it is better to agree to hospitalization, in order to avoid negative results. Indeed, under the supervision of doctors, a woman will be safer, she will observe bed rest, unlike at home.
  2. Observing the rules of treatment, the doctor will offer an antispasmodic, magnesium B6, which should effectively relieve a woman from this diagnosis.
  3. Further, drugs will be prescribed that treat the cause of the problem.
  4. If there is a lack of progesterone, drugs containing them will be prescribed.
  5. With toxicosis, drugs that will alleviate a serious condition.
  6. During the predominance of male hormones, their antipodes are used.
  7. When the Rh factor is diagnosed, appropriate treatment is also carried out.

In the case of a temporary diagnosis without other symptoms, you can fight at home on your own using the relaxation technique.

  1. According to the recommendations of Western doctors, at the slightest manifestation of hypertonia, it is worth relaxing the muscles of the face and neck, since everything is interconnected. Sit down in a comfortable position, calm down and adjust calm breathing, relax your muscles to the maximum. This method teaches you to establish control over the body, which is useful during childbirth.
  2. The next exercise is called "kitty". You need to stand on all fours with your head down. Next, raise your head up and in parallel bend your back down, exhaling. Hold for 5 to 7 minutes. Then slowly return to the starting position and so on several times.
  3. You can also just sit down when the stomach is in a suspended position. For example, kneel down and rest your elbows on a chair. After you need to lie down.
Along with these exercises, observe the regimen and supportive therapy.

To prevent the tone of the uterus during pregnancy, you should take care of yourself while expecting a baby:

  1. Avoid heavy physical exertion;
  2. Eat right so that there is no excess gas;
  3. Observe the daytime regimen - go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time;
  4. Avoid bad habits.
And what is very important is not to worry and worry too much, it is worth taking care of the nervous system and the health of your own and your future baby.

One of the most common problems during pregnancy is uterine hypertonicity. These are spontaneous contractions of the uterus, accompanied by pulling pains in the lower abdomen and in the lower back. Factors such as hormonal disturbances, inflammatory processes and infectious diseases, tumors of various natures, the emotional state of a woman and many others can lead to it. Hypertonicity of the uterus can lead to its premature termination, so it is never left without the attention of the doctor. Since hypertonicity of the uterus during pregnancy is not so much a problem as a symptom that speaks of some kind of disorder in the body, when it is detected, a thorough examination should be carried out to identify its cause. Without finding out the reasons, it is impossible to deal with hypertonicity - you can only remove especially acute attacks with mild means, which should be recommended by a specialist.

In addition to the danger of miscarriage and discomfort in the mother, hypertonicity of the uterus during pregnancy can harm the baby himself: it leads to disruption of placental circulation, and, accordingly, can cause hypoxia and the associated developmental delay in the fetus. Among other things, due to the fact that during uterine contractions the placenta remains in place, detachment can occur - another very dangerous complication, often leading to

All this suggests that such a diagnosis as hypertonicity should by no means be taken lightly. It often happens that the doctor strongly recommends a woman to go to save, but she feels good and therefore refuses. This scenario is undesirable, and in this case it is worth listening to the doctor's opinion: most likely, a serious examination will be needed, and it is not recommended to run around hospitals with such a diagnosis on your own - after all, this is both significant physical activity and considerable anxiety. In the hospital, the necessary conditions have been created not only for carrying out all the required research, but also for the most comfortable and safe pastime of the expectant mother, and also an effective course of treatment will be conducted there. It is clear that any woman would prefer to spend this time in a cozy home environment with close people, but it may still be preferable to immediately deal with this problem and spend the rest of the pregnancy as the happiest and most carefree period in life, instead of suffering fears all the time left before the birth? The most difficult period is up to 28 weeks, when, when labor begins, the child's chances of surviving are minimal, but, as a rule, doctors try to stop the incipient labor activity up to 34 weeks - in this case, the likelihood that the child will be healthy increases significantly, and with serious fears of specialists, it is better to spend this time in a medical institution, where they can always come to the rescue.

If the cause is identified, but due to circumstances cannot be eliminated, then it remains to act symptomatically, namely to relieve muscle tension at the time of the onset of pain. The doctor must pre-select safe drugs and their dosage, and must be kept with you at all times. As a rule, these are weak sedatives, papaverine, no-shpa, and for course use, the doctor can prescribe vitamins E and C, magnesium and vitamin B6 preparations, or a combination thereof. Magnesium-containing preparations should not be consumed uncontrollably: they should be used only on the recommendation of a doctor and taken exclusively under medical supervision.

Of course, it is better to prevent uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy before its onset by thoroughly examining and preparing for it. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, but with correct and responsible behavior, the risks can be minimized, for which it is very important not to neglect the doctor's recommendations.

In this article, we will discuss the reasons for the tone, and find out why it is dangerous, whether the fears of doctors are exaggerated, and when you need to rush to the hospital for help.

What is uterine hypertonicity?

First of all, it is necessary to decide what the tone is and by what signs it can be detected.

In medicine, uterine hypertonicity is called contractions of this organ that appear before the expected date of onset of labor and quite often in the early stages of pregnancy . This is a feeling of fullness, cramping, pulling pains in the lower abdomen and in the lower back, reminiscent of menstrual periods.

They can be single, periodic, and can disturb for a long time. Make no mistake, uterine hypertonicity is not an independent disease, but a sign of trouble in a woman's body, indicating a real threat of spontaneous abortion.

I can imagine how the pregnant women are alarmed now, faced with a tone.

Calm! Forewarned is forearmed. Don't be hysterical, it has been established that an anxious and depressive state of a woman during and even before pregnancy, internal tension, self-doubt also increases the likelihood of an increase in the tone of the uterus.

However, one cannot ignore the appearance of such pain in oneself. It will be enough between times to look at the gynecologist who is watching you. What advice can he give you?

In addition to the obligatory bed rest, or at least the exclusion of loads, you will be prescribed sedatives and antispasmodics. The dosage, of course, will be determined by the doctor. (Most mothers who used papaverine suppositories during pregnancy carried out and gave birth to strong babies).

As a rule, this is enough to decrease the tone of the uterus. Along with medications and bed rest, you will have to refrain from sex, because with orgasm, the uterus contracts, and with increased tone, this can provoke a miscarriage.

Less often, due to the relatively high price, a combined preparation of magnesium and vitamin B6 is prescribed. It simultaneously relieves muscle spasms, prevents blood clots and soothes. It can be taken from 5-6 weeks throughout pregnancy.


Doctors advise drinking these pills as a prevention of tone. If you are already taking any vitamin complex, it is better to consult with your doctor about the appropriateness of using the drug.

If the effect of the therapy is absent, and cramping pains appear regularly, especially if they are accompanied by bloody discharge from the genital tract, immediately consult a doctor, call an ambulance. The threat of termination of pregnancy in such a situation is great and it would be more correct to go to the hospital for preservation.

Hospital horror stories

In the hospital, you will undergo vaginal examinations using additional methods. They will certainly do an ultrasound scan, with the help of which the threat of termination of pregnancy is diagnosed in the early stages, and measures will be taken in time to preserve it.

In this case, a thickening of the muscle layer of the uterus in a limited area will be visible on the screen of the device (increased tone of the muscles of the uterus).

Ultrasound will help assess the condition of the fetus and membranes... If necessary, blood and daily urine will be taken from you to determine the level of hormones, and they will be examined for genital infections.

Not without sedatives... The main thing is complete peace. Therefore, avoid talking with your roommate about miscarriages, pathologies, and medical errors. Drive away the nanny with the ship who predicts a bad ending.

Know how to highlight only useful advice from the flow of information, be prepared for the fact that in our hospitals people from the staff like to tell horror stories, especially those without medical education, who are least versed in this matter - from a dishwasher to a cleaning lady.

They try to suppress hypertonicity, which led to the onset of labor before the 34th week, with drugs that relax the muscles of the uterus. But only if the fetus does not suffer, remaining in the womb.

The most critical period for a premature baby is 25-28 weeks.... Previously, his chances of survival, unfortunately, are negligible, after 28 weeks they increase sharply.



In the event of a threat of premature onset of labor, the main task at this time is to accelerate the maturation of the fetal lungs. Extension of pregnancy by at least two days in most cases makes it possible.

Hypertonicity of the uterus does not always lead to abortion, but it still harms the baby. For the developing fetus in the uterus, hypertonicity is dangerous by a violation of the blood supply to the placenta.

This leads to intrauterine hypoxia - oxygen starvation, to retardation of growth and development. In addition, the placenta does not contract when the uterus contracts, which leads to its detachment.

What are the causes of hypertension and how to prevent it?

Unfortunately, there are a lot of reasons that cause contractions of the uterus. Perhaps the most serious are hormonal disorders - insufficient function of the ovaries, placenta, dysfunction of the adrenal glands, leading to an excess of male sex hormones.

This is the underdevelopment of the female genital organs (genital infantilism), malformations of the uterus (for example, a two-horned uterus, etc.), tumor formations in the uterus (fibroids). Infectious diseases and inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs of a woman and the ovum.

Isthmic-cervical insufficiency(ie, the cervix cannot withstand the increasing load and begins to open long before the onset of labor, at the "inappropriate" time).

Failure of the immune system during pregnancy. Somatic diseases of a woman (i.e. diseases not directly related to the reproductive system): heart disease, kidney disease, etc. And, of course, the already mentioned stress, overwork, physical activity.

For those who have not yet encountered the problem of tone, it is best to be warned and take a number of preventive measures. Provide yourself and your baby with a sparing regimen, reduce physical and psychological stress, rest more often, and at the first signs of uterine tone, consult your doctor.

Uterine tone - normal or pathological? In the article - about situations when the tone of the uterus threatens pregnancy, and how to solve them.

Hypertonicity of the uterus is one of the unpleasant surprises that await the expectant mother during 9 months of pregnancy. A similar diagnosis, heard from a doctor, often plunges a pregnant woman into confusion, forcing her to worry about the baby in the womb and her own health. Are there really any reasons for concern?

What does uterine tone mean during pregnancy?

In the area of ​​the small pelvis, a woman has a smooth muscle organ, a "cocoon" for the fetus, the uterus. The body of this organ consists of three layers - mucous (endometrium), muscular (myometrium), serous layer (perimetry).

IMPORTANT: In a non-pregnant woman, the uterus weighs about 50 g, reaches a height of up to 8 cm, and a width of up to 5 cm. During pregnancy, its weight and size grow rapidly. So, at 39 weeks, the uterus can weigh up to 1.5 kg, reach 38 cm in height and 25 cm in width. The muscles of the uterus are the strongest in a woman's body, they are able to push the baby out during childbirth.

The uterus is a smooth muscle organ. She is characterized by periodic tension and relaxation.

The muscles of the uterus are always in good shape, they periodically contract and relax. During pregnancy, the tone can be:

  • normal
  • increased (hypertonicity)
  • low (hypotonic)

IMPORTANT: The muscles of the uterus may contract during pregnancy. Normally, a woman should not feel these contractions of the myometrium, moreover, they should not cause her discomfort

The expectant mother should see a doctor if:

  • she clearly feels the contractions of the uterus (in the lower abdomen pulls, hurts, pulsates)
  • these reductions are lengthy

Increased tone is a dangerous condition in which medical attention should be sought urgently.

Similar symptoms may indicate hypertonicity of the muscles of the uterus and the possible threat of termination of pregnancy or premature birth. Increased tone is not an independent diagnosis, the causes of this condition are various pathological processes in the body of a pregnant woman, as well as unfavorable external factors. These reasons are:

  1. Hormonal Disorders. The tone can increase with insufficient production of the ovaries, placenta, adrenal glands of female estrogens and progesterone with a simultaneous excess of male hormones
  2. Congenital malformations of the female genital organs (underdevelopment, bicornuate uterus, others)
  3. Inflammatory processes in the genital and pelvic organs of a woman
  4. Infectious diseases, including venereal
  5. Neoplasms in the body of the uterus (fibroids)
  6. Disturbances in the work of the nervous and immune systems of the body of a pregnant woman
  7. Extragenital diseases (diseases of the cardiovascular, urinary systems, etc.)
  8. Bad habits
  9. Hard physical labor, overwork
  10. Stress
  11. Depression and anxiety associated with pregnancy and future childbirth

Why is uterine tone dangerous during pregnancy?

Hypertonicity of the uterus as a long-term or permanent phenomenon is dangerous throughout pregnancy.

  1. It is necessary to start with the fact that due to hypertonicity, pregnancy may not occur at all. Due to the intense contractions of the myometrium, the fertilized egg may not attach at all
  2. Until the 28th week of pregnancy, tone can provoke placental abruption and spontaneous miscarriage.
  3. After 28 weeks of pregnancy, due to hypertonicity, premature labor may begin.
  4. Contractions of the myometrium cause spasm of the vessels of the uterus, therefore, in the second and third trimesters, increased tone is fraught with hypoxia and fetal malnutrition with mediating disturbances in its growth and development

Video: the uterus is in good shape

How to determine the tone of the uterus during pregnancy on your own?

Usually, the pregnant woman feels uterine hypertonicity. These sensations are compared:

  • with pain on the first day of menstruation
  • intestinal colic
  • back pain

Also, spotting spotting can be added to these sensations.

In the second and third trimester, hypertonicity is visible with the naked eye - the stomach hardens, it becomes as if stone.

Cramping pain in the lower abdomen, bloody discharge are signs of increased uterine tone.

Uterine tone in the first trimester of pregnancy

In the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman's body is just getting used to a new state, its new responsible role. At this time, tremendous changes are taking place in it. Not surprisingly, the response of this stressed organism can be varied and unpredictable.

In the first trimester, increased uterine tone can be temporary and normal. It can pass by itself if the expectant mother:

  1. I got nervous. Gynecologists note that the pregnant woman's uterus begins to contract directly during a visit to them, as the woman is very worried. The upcoming changes in life associated with bearing a baby and motherhood are also kept in nervous tension: relations with a husband, moving on to a new round, a forced break in career, etc. Usually, in order for the tone to return to normal, it is enough for the expectant mother to rest and calm down.
  2. Overworked. In the first three months, the pregnant woman's tummy is not visible at all, but her body is already making tremendous efforts to nurture a new life. The expectant mother should seriously think about the fact that she needs to relieve herself of some of the responsibilities at work and at home.
  3. She had intercourse. During orgasm, the uterus of both pregnant and non-pregnant women is toned. If the expectant mother has no health problems, having sex will only benefit her both mentally and physically. But in the presence of the pathologies indicated above in the article, she will be advised to abstain from sex for a certain period or for the entire pregnancy

Unfortunately, in 60% of pregnant women in the first three months, hypertonicity is a dangerous condition, a signal that the pregnancy is proceeding with deviations from the norm. He can say:

  1. About the threat of spontaneous abortion. Then, in parallel with the contractions of the uterus, a woman may experience reddish or brownish discharge from the genital tract. In this case, she immediately needs to call an ambulance and go to the hospital, where they will do everything possible to keep the pregnancy.
  2. About a frozen pregnancy. Unfortunately, it happens that due to the coincidence of certain conditions, the fetus freezes at some point, that is, stops in development. For days and weeks a woman may not notice that there is no more new life in her. An indirect sign of a frozen pregnancy is hypertonicity against the background of the disappearance of other signs of pregnancy

To maintain pregnancy at home or in a hospital, a woman will be prescribed to take drugs with progesterone, antispasmodics, a sparing lifestyle and more rest.

Uterine tone in the second trimester of pregnancy

In the second trimester, the tone of the uterus can increase for all the reasons indicated above. Added to these are the increase in size and significant weight gain in the fetus.

IMPORTANT: From the third to the seventh month of pregnancy, hypertonicity is often accompanied by isthmic-cervical insufficiency. These two conditions have common causes. Together, they are the most common cause of spontaneous abortion at a given time.

With isthmic-cervical insufficiency, the cervix is ​​shortened and opened. If its length is less than 2.5 cm, and the disclosure is more than 0.5 cm, the cervix is ​​sutured or a special ring or pessary is placed on it.

In the second trimester, tone can occur simultaneously with isthmic-cervical insufficiency.

Uterine tone in the third trimester of pregnancy

In the third trimester, the uterus periodically comes in tone, preparing for childbirth. Training contractions are called false contractions, Braxton-Hicks contractions. They can be distinguished from premature onset of labor by the following features:

  • false contractions should not bring unbearable pain
  • they are short
  • they are irregular
  • false contractions stop if you take an antispasmodic, go to the shower, change your posture, etc.

Tonus at 7-8 months of pregnancy is a common cause of the birth of premature babies.

Otherwise, if the gestational age is less than 37 weeks, urgent hospitalization is necessary.

How to reduce the tone of the uterus during pregnancy? How to treat uterine tone during pregnancy?

The tone of the uterus is confirmed in several ways:

  • by palpation, when the gynecologist probes the belly of the pregnant woman
  • by tonusometry - using a special apparatus
  • by ultrasound

The first thing a pregnant woman needs to do is change her lifestyle. To reduce the tone of the uterus, she needs:

  • get enough sleep
  • do not overexert yourself
  • do not lift weights
  • more rest while sitting and lying down
  • avoid stress
  • abstain from sexual activity if the doctor insists on it

IMPORTANT: In case of hypertonicity threatening pregnancy, the expectant mother is prescribed bed rest

Actually, the treatment of increased tone of the muscles of the uterus is carried out strictly according to the doctor's prescription and comes down to taking:

  • synthetic and herbal sedatives
  • antispasmodic drugs (classic version - No-shpa)
  • hormonal drugs
  • magnesium preparations and vitamins

In the process of treating the tone, the condition of the fetus and the pregnant woman herself (her heartbeat, pressure, blood composition) is constantly monitored.

IMPORTANT: If the hypertonicity is strong, painful, accompanied by discharge, the expectant mother must be hospitalized in a gynecological hospital "for preservation"

With an increased tone of the uterus, you cannot refuse to "save".

Exercises to relieve uterine tone during pregnancy

Feeling the increased tone of the uterus, a pregnant woman can provide herself with an ambulance with the help of special breathing and relaxation exercises.

IMPORTANT: If physical exercises that involve muscle tension in the body are contraindicated for the expectant mother with hypertonicity, then, on the contrary, she should learn how to perform relaxing exercises.

Here are some ways to relax the myometrium:

  • It is believed that the muscles of the uterus and vagina are directly related to the facial muscles of the woman. To reduce the tone of the myometrium, she needs to relax her face. A woman should take a sitting position, tilt her head slightly forward, breathe evenly, relax her neck and face as much as possible
  • Knee-elbow pose. The uterus will relax if it is in limbo. To do this, a woman needs to kneel down, bend over and lean on her elbows. For convenience, you can put a pillow under them. As a rule, after a few minutes in this position, the discomfort caused by increased tone disappears
  • Cat. Still in the same kneeling position, a woman can alternately arch her back and arch her back. You need to change the position of the back on a slow inhalation, keep in each position for 5-7 seconds

What to do with uterine tone during pregnancy: advice and reviews

Having learned about uterine hypertonicity, the expectant mother should follow all the doctor's recommendations regarding lifestyle and treatment. If she is offered hospitalization, the situation is really serious, the tone threatens the normal course of pregnancy. By refusing to "save", a woman is endangering herself and her baby.

But in no case should you be nervous about the tone of a pregnant woman. Tears and worries will not only not correct the situation, but only aggravate it: we must not forget that nerves are one of the causes of overstrain of the muscles of the uterus.

Video: Exercises to relieve uterine tone