Hypertonicity in the expectant mother. Uterine tone during pregnancy: what is it and what is the danger of a "stony" stomach

From the very beginning of pregnancy, the concentration of progesterone in a woman's blood increases. This hormone acts in the interests of the fetus: it relieves the tone of the uterus and prevents its contractions, which is necessary to save the child. If symptoms of uterine tone appear during pregnancy, then the likelihood of having a baby prematurely increases. But there are treatments for this condition.

The tone of the uterus goes into the category of safe states when the moment of childbirth approaches. The uterus begins to increasingly come into a state of tension, sometimes resembling contractions. This is a workout that starts against the background of a gradual decrease in progesterone.

Symptoms of uterine tone during pregnancy

Muscles form the basis of the uterus. Before pregnancy, its size is small: it is no larger than a chicken egg and does not even protrude due to the pubic articulation. During the development of the child, the uterus is repeatedly stretched. The muscles are arranged in three layers in three mutually perpendicular directions. This is necessary so that during labor during labor, the baby is pushed out. Each muscle fiber thickens four to five times and lengthens 10 to 12 times.

Under the influence of progesterone, the uterus is in a relaxed state. But sometimes there is its local or general tension. That is, the tone of the uterus during pregnancy is a temporary or permanent state of tension of the myometrium.

During pregnancy, subjective signs of uterine tone may differ, therefore, several degrees of tone are distinguished to determine medical tactics.

First degree. The pain in the lower abdomen is short, does not bring pronounced discomfort and anxiety. It goes away on its own at rest.
Second degree. Severe pain in the abdomen, pain can be given to the lower back, sacrum. The uterus comes into a state of high density.
Third degree. Small physical or mental stress leads to the appearance of tone. The uterus becomes "stony", does not relax well. This condition requires medical attention.

Hypertonicity of the uterus during pregnancy can occur at any time and periodically appear until the moment of delivery.

How does it manifest

Increased tone can be a dangerous symptom of the onset of preterm labor, so you need to listen to your body. You should consult a doctor if the following symptoms appear, regardless of the gestational age:

lower abdominal pain;
cramping pain in the uterus;
stony density of the uterus;
bloody discharge from the genital tract.

When can it develop

It is possible to independently determine the tone during a normal pregnancy when the uterus is clearly visible. Sometimes it "hardens" even when touching the stomach.

1 trimester

In the 1st trimester, uterine tension becomes a sign of a possible termination of pregnancy. It has been noticed that on ultrasound, the tone along the anterior wall of the uterus appears if the child has chromosomal pathologies. But many other reasons can affect the condition of the uterus:

sex;
physical exercise;
stress;
constipation;
pronounced toxicosis.

2 trimester

In the 2nd trimester, uterine tension may be more pronounced. The main reasons are the same conditions as at the beginning of gestation, but the rapid growth of the fetus is added to them. Other possible causes of uterine tone during pregnancy at this time:

polyhydramnios;
twin pregnancy;
myoma;
endometriosis;
Rhesus conflict;
placenta previa;
premature detachment of the placenta;
pathology of the development of the uterus;
inflammatory processes in the genital organs.

High parity of births (frequent pregnancies with a short break between them) can also lead to increased tone.

For a pregnant woman, an additional increase in intra-abdominal pressure is dangerous, which occurs due to vomiting in case of poisoning, severe diarrhea, and flatulence. This can cause uterine contractions.

3rd trimester

In the 3rd trimester, the child is already quite large. But before the 35th week, the appearance of increased uterine tone is undesirable. There may be the following additional causes of this condition:

malposition;
preeclampsia;
placental insufficiency;
history of caesarean section;
miscarriage in the past.

The female body is influenced by external factors. Stress has an impact not only on mood, but also on sexual function, the ability to conceive and bear a child, and lactation. Constant emotional stress, lack of sleep also provoke the appearance of uterine tone. Some doctors refer this condition to psychosomatics.

Risks

The uterus in good shape does not always pass without a trace. In the early stages, this condition may end in abortion. An additional symptom in this case is bloody discharge from the genital tract.

In the later stages, the tone of the uterus is dangerous for the violation of blood flow in the placenta. In this case, a spasm of blood vessels appears, and then their relaxation. These processes can lead to detachment of a normally located placenta and fetal death.

If the tone occurs periodically, then the consequence is malnutrition of the fetus, intrauterine growth retardation.

Ways to influence the state

Diagnosis of uterine tone is not difficult. On examination, the doctor can determine a change in the shape of the abdomen, a hard uterus that hurts even more when touched. In the short term, the tone is diagnosed during ultrasound. Most often this is a local process along the anterior or posterior wall.

For a period after 27 weeks, the use of the CTG apparatus is informative. It has two sensors. One reflects the fetal heartbeat, and the second - uterine contractions. This allows you to evaluate not only the strength and duration of uterine contractions, but also the child's reaction to them. A pronounced decrease in heart rate, which takes a long time to return to normal, speaks of the suffering of the fetus.

Early dates

The cause of the pathological condition is often a lack of progesterone, and the consequence is the threat of interruption. Therefore, hormonal preparations are used for treatment that can compensate for the deficiency of the hormone. Most often, Duphaston is prescribed. But for some women, Utrozhestan is more suitable, which can be taken orally or vaginally. The vaginal form is indispensable for signs of toxicosis - severe vomiting in the morning.

Treatment is supplemented with antispasmodics. You can use tablets "No-Shpa" (similar to "Drotaverin"). With frequent vomiting, candles "Papaverine" are prescribed, which are best laid at night.

In a hospital setting, Vikasol and Dicinon may be prescribed to stop bleeding. You can calm your nerves with motherwort tincture. But you should not get carried away: it contains ethyl alcohol.

Treatment of uterine tone in early pregnancy involves a change in the patient's lifestyle. A woman is assigned sexual rest. In some cases, hospitalization. It is recommended to normalize the regime of work and rest, to sleep at night, but also to go to bed during the day to rest for an hour. Foods that promote gas formation, as well as coffee, strong tea, are removed from the diet. If you suffer from constipation, then you need a laxative diet.

Middle of gestation

Approaches to the elimination of tone in this period are different. In some women with progesterone deficiency, Duphaston continues to be taken until week 20 (followed by a gradual dose reduction). Helps in the treatment of antispasmodics. If necessary, they are used in the form of injections.

But the main drug for quickly reducing the local tone of the cervix and generalized spasm is a solution of magnesia. It is used in the form of drops. Magnesium sulfate helps to relax the muscles as well as calm the nervous system. The solution lowers blood pressure, improves diuresis, which is used for preeclampsia. Appointment is contraindicated for bradycardia, low baseline blood pressure and severe kidney disease.

The choice of other drugs depends on concomitant pathologies that could cause a deterioration in the condition.

After discharge from the hospital, women are prescribed Magnesium B6 in the form of a tablet medication. This is necessary to improve the condition of the fetoplacental complex. At home, a pregnant woman can perform breathing exercises that help to calm down in stressful situations. Some do yoga for pregnant women, but it should be easy asanas, excluding raising the arms and tightening the abdomen. Nutrition recommendations remain the same as in the previous trimester.

From 7 months

In this period, the uterus also responds to the introduction of magnesia. But it increases the number of receptors that can be influenced by the drug "Ginipral". It belongs to the group of sympathomimetics and is able to reduce the tone and contractility of the myometrium. Available in the form of tablets and solution. But most often the drug is used in hospitals for tocolysis - the removal of contractions during preterm labor or during complicated labor.

The tone of the uterus - the norm or pathology? The article deals with situations when the tone of the uterus threatens pregnancy, and ways to solve them.

Uterine hypertonicity is one of the unpleasant surprises that await the expectant mother during 9 months of pregnancy. A similar diagnosis, heard from a doctor, often throws a pregnant woman into confusion, forcing her to worry about the baby in the womb and her own health in earnest. Is there really reason for concern?

What does uterine tone mean during pregnancy?

In the pelvic area, a woman has a smooth muscle organ, a “cocoon” for the fetus, and 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. It is characterized by periodic tension and relaxation.

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

normal
elevated (hypertonicity)
low (hypotension)

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

The mother-to-be should see a doctor if:

she clearly feels the contractions of the uterus (in the lower abdomen it pulls, hurts, pulsates)
these cuts are long

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

Such symptoms may indicate hypertonicity of the muscles of the uterus and a 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 adverse external factors. These reasons are:

Hormonal disorders. The tone can increase with insufficient production of female estrogens and progesterone by the ovaries, placenta, adrenal glands, while an excess of male hormones
Congenital malformations of the female genital organs (underdevelopment, bicornuate uterus, others)
Inflammatory processes in the genital and pelvic organs of a woman
Infectious diseases, including venereal
Neoplasms in the body of the uterus (fibroids)
Disorders in the work of the nervous and immune systems of the body of a pregnant woman
Extragenital diseases (diseases of the cardiovascular, urinary systems, etc.)
Bad habits
Hard physical labor, overwork
Stress
Depression and anxiety associated with pregnancy and childbirth

What is the danger of uterine tone during pregnancy?

Uterine hypertonicity as a prolonged or permanent phenomenon is dangerous throughout pregnancy.

You need to start with the fact that due to hypertonicity, pregnancy may not occur at all. Due to intense contractions of the myometrium, a fertilized egg may not attach at all
Until the 28th week of pregnancy, tone can provoke placental abruption and spontaneous miscarriage
After the 28th week of pregnancy, due to hypertonicity, premature labor may begin.
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 hypotrophy with mediating disorders of its growth and development

Video: uterus in good shape

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

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

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

Also, spotting spotting can be added to these sensations.

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

Cramping pain in the lower abdomen, spotting with blood 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 only getting used to a new state, its new responsible role. At this time, great changes are taking place in it. Not surprisingly, the reaction of this stressed organism can be varied and unpredictable.

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

I got nervous. Gynecologists note that the uterus of a pregnant woman begins to contract directly during a visit to them, as the woman is very worried. The upcoming changes in life related to bearing a baby and motherhood are also kept in nervous tension: relations with her husband, moving to a new round, a forced career break, etc. Usually, in order for the tone to normalize, it is enough for the expectant mother to rest and calm down.
Overtired. In the first three months, the pregnant woman’s tummy is not visible at all, but her body is already making tremendous efforts to grow 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.
She had intercourse. During an orgasm, the uterus of both a pregnant and a non-pregnant woman comes into tone. If the expectant mother has no health problems, having sex will only benefit her both mentally and physically. But if there are pathologies mentioned above in the article, she will be advised to abstain from sex for some time 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 abnormal. He can say:

About the threat of spontaneous abortion. Then, in parallel with uterine contractions, 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 save the pregnancy.
About a missed pregnancy. Unfortunately, it happens that due to a combination of certain conditions, the fetus freezes at some point, that is, it stops in development. A woman may not notice for days and weeks that there is no new life in her anymore. An indirect sign of a missed 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 previously mentioned reasons. To them is added an increase in size and a 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 this time.

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

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

Uterine tone in the third trimester of pregnancy

In the third trimester, the uterus periodically comes into 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 position, 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 a pregnant woman
by the method of 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:

sleep well
don't overexert yourself physically
do not lift weights
rest more in sitting and lying positions
avoid stress
refrain from sexual activity if the doctor insists on it

IMPORTANT: With hypertonicity that threatens pregnancy, the expectant mother is prescribed bed rest

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

sedative preparations of synthetic and herbal origin
antispasmodic drugs (classic version - No-shpa)
hormonal drugs
magnesium preparations and vitamins

During the treatment of tone, the condition of the fetus and the pregnant woman herself (her heartbeat, pressure, blood composition) are constantly monitored.

IMPORTANT: If 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, “preservation” cannot be abandoned.

Exercises to relieve uterine tone during pregnancy

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

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

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 a woman. To reduce the tone of the myometrium, she needs to relax her face. The woman should take a sitting position, slightly tilt her head forward, breathe evenly, relax her neck and face as much as possible.

Knee-elbow posture. The uterus will relax if it is in limbo. To do this, a woman needs to kneel, bend down and lean on her elbows. Under them for convenience, you can put a pillow. As a rule, after a few minutes in this position, the discomfort caused by increased tone disappears.

Cat. While still in the same position on her knees, a woman can alternately arch her back and bend it. You need to change the position of the back on a slow breath, to remain in each position for 5-7 seconds

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

Having learned about uterine hypertonicity, the expectant mother must 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 "preserve", a woman endangers herself and her baby.

But in no case should you be nervous because of the tone of a pregnant woman. Tears and worries will not only not improve the situation, but will 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

Pregnancy brings a woman a lot of new and previously unknown sensations that need to be paid attention to. These sensations relate to the well-being and health of the expectant mother, and if something is wrong, you should immediately consult a doctor, especially if the new sensations are unpleasant or painful.

This is especially true if there is a tone of the uterus during pregnancy, or as it is also called - hypertonicity, the uterus is in good shape.

The uterus is a muscular organ consisting of three layers. Outside, it is covered with a special film - parametrium, and from the inside it is lined with a mucous membrane - the endometrium, where the placenta and fetal membranes are formed during pregnancy.

Muscle tissue during pregnancy is able to grow and increase in thickness and size, has the ability to contract.

As, for example, it happens during childbirth, to help the child be born. But, in its normal state, the myometrium should be relaxed, including during pregnancy - this will be the normal tone of the uterus.

If during pregnancy, before the onset of labor, the muscles of the uterus contract and it thickens, they speak of an increase in the tone of the uterus.

But not always an increase in the tone of the uterus is a pathology, often such an increase in tone is quite physiological - the muscles periodically come into tone so that the fibers are trained.

European doctors generally do not take the diagnosis of "uterine hypertonicity" seriously, they consider this a variant of the norm, provided that this condition is not associated with other dangerous or uncomfortable conditions that can lead to serious disturbances in the development of the fetus.

There is also a share of common sense in this, the tone of the uterus rises from time to time even in response to the usual irritants in the form of laughter or sneezing, coughing. The state of the muscles of the uterus is even affected by the emotional state of the expectant mother, especially when examined by a doctor or worries about the health of the crumbs.

The peculiarity of the physiological tone is that it occurs for a short time and quickly passes without causing any trouble to the pregnant woman and the baby.

It will be a completely different matter if the tone of the uterus during pregnancy is long, or the uterus is in good shape almost constantly. This condition is fraught with the most unpleasant consequences for pregnancy and for the fetus, up to termination of pregnancy.

What is the danger of uterine tone during pregnancy

The presence of uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy can be deplorable for the fetus, up to provoking spontaneous miscarriages if it is early pregnancy or premature birth with a premature fetus in late pregnancy.

Often, hypertonicity occurs in the early stages of pregnancy, which interferes with the normal implantation of the embryo, and also after implantation causes a violation of its nutrition, rejection and miscarriage.

If the tone occurs after 28 weeks of pregnancy, it is already customary to talk about premature birth, with the birth of an extremely immature premature baby.

Before childbirth, a short-term increase in the tone of the uterus is called training contractions, but such a tone is not dangerous - this is training the uterus for the birth process. At the same time, such contractions are not regular, not painful and do not open the cervix. If everything is different, it means that these are not training fights at all, but problems in the state of pregnancy.

The tone of the uterus, with its prolonged presence, can threaten the condition of the child. Muscle tension in the uterus leads to clamping of the vessels in the placenta and umbilical cord, which leads to fetal hypoxia and nutritional deficiencies. Under such conditions, the fetus will grow worse, which will lead to its malnutrition and growth retardation.

Uterine tone during pregnancy: causes

The causes of uterine tone during pregnancy can be extremely different, while it is necessary to highlight - when the tone is completely physiological, and when it is dangerous. We have already said that during training contractions, the tone of the uterus increases, which is quite normal, and you should not worry.

But what diseases can lead to the development of pathological uterine tone? Most often, these are various deviations during pregnancy, and often up to 60% of pregnant women face such a diagnosis for one reason or another.

In the early stages, the cause of tone is usually a deficiency of progesterone, the hormone of the corpus luteum of pregnancy, produced by the ovary where the egg was released. The main task of this hormone is to prepare the uterus for implantation and gestation.

If the hormone is low, the uterus comes into tone. Similarly, it also happens with an excess of androgens (male sex hormones) in the body, disruption of the thyroid gland or pituitary gland.

Strong toxicosis can affect the tone of the uterus, especially with frequent vomiting, leading to contraction of the abdominal muscles, including the uterus.

The presence of abnormalities in the development of the uterus can affect the increase in uterine tone - a saddle-shaped, bicornuate uterus is usually more sensitive to external influences, including an increase in muscle tone.

The cause of the tone can be a Rh conflict, if the Rh-negative mother has a fetus with a positive Rh from the father. In such cases, the mother's body perceives the child as a foreign substance, and tries to reject it by increasing the tone of the uterus. Also, the tone of the uterus may increase due to reasons such as:

inflammatory processes of the genitals of the uterus and appendages
infectious diseases, STDs
excessive stretching of the walls of the uterus during multiple pregnancy, myoma, polyhydramnios
miscarriages and abortions before pregnancy
mental tension, stress, anxiety
intestinal motility and gas, abdominal pain
tiredness and physical exhaustion.

It is important to remember that uterine tone is not a diagnosis, but one of the symptoms of various pathologies in which you need to find out the true cause of the increase in uterine tone and eliminate it. It is not always possible to detect this only by examination, and additional examinations are necessary.

Uterine tone during pregnancy: symptoms

Usually, women themselves determine the increased tone of the uterus during pregnancy. But, usually this happens already in the late stages of pregnancy, although in the early stages there are also special manifestations. In the early days it is:

feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen
drawing pain, as during menstruation
giving pain in the sacrum or lower back.

In late pregnancy, manifestations of uterine tone are more distinct:

reduction in the volume of the abdomen
thickening of the uterus (it turns to stone)
soreness or discomfort in the uterus and lower back.

In the presence of uterine tone and spotting or spotting, it is important to immediately calm down and call an ambulance, go to bed.

These may be signs of a threatened miscarriage that must be addressed immediately. With prompt medical attention, the pregnancy can usually be saved.

With physiological hypertonicity, there are usually no unpleasant sensations, it is asymptomatic, which is how it differs from pathology.

How to determine the tone of the uterus during pregnancy?

There can be several methods of medical diagnosis of hypertension. First of all, this is a gynecological examination with palpation of the uterus, as well as an ultrasound examination with the detection of tone.

According to the ultrasound, the state of the tone of the walls of the uterus is revealed, especially in its individual walls and in severity. It is important to know this especially in the early stages of pregnancy, since the fetus is attached to the walls of the uterus and its nutrition depends on their condition.

There are some devices for determining the tone of the uterus, but they are not widely used. It is usually more difficult to identify the cause of the tone, and not the very fact of its presence.

Uterine tone during pregnancy: treatment

The most important problem is the question of how to reduce the tone of the uterus during pregnancy. First of all, you need to listen to the advice of a doctor and relax more, calm down.

Stress and physical activity increase the manifestations of tone. The choice of treatment methods will depend on the causes that caused uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy.

If the situation is not critical, treatment is usually carried out on an outpatient basis; if there is a threat of pregnancy, a woman is hospitalized in a hospital. Usually recommended:

bed rest
antispasmodics (papverine, no-shpa)
sedatives in combination with Magne B6
psychotherapy.

In addition, active treatment is carried out aimed at eliminating the causes that caused the tone of the uterus.

If this is a progesterone deficiency, utrogestan or duphaston is prescribed, if the cause is an excess of androgens - antiandrogen drugs, they treat toxicosis, eliminate problems with bowel function, and reduce gas formation with the help of a diet.

In the presence of a serious condition, they resort to inpatient treatment with the use of tocolytics in preparations, systems and injections, conduct active therapy to prevent premature birth, and if this fails, the pregnancy is carried out at least until 28-30 weeks, the period when a newborn, born ahead of time.

Doctors will do everything to prolong the pregnancy as much as possible and relieve the increased uterine tone before the normal delivery time.

In the presence of physiological hypertonicity of the uterus during pregnancy at home, you can carry out exercises and breathing exercises, be in the fresh air and have more rest.

It is worth remembering that the tone of the uterus is far from always dangerous, training contractions prepare the uterus for the birth of a baby, and you should not worry about them.

But if you notice that training contractions have become regular, painful, or last too long, see your doctor immediately.

Other related information

Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy (GDM)
Pregnancy and troubles associated with the work of the cardiovascular system
Two sides of toxicosis during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a wonderful state in the life of every woman. But it can be overshadowed by various health problems that threaten not only the expectant mother, but also the baby.

One of these problems is the tone of the uterus, which occurs mainly in the initial stages of pregnancy.

Excessively active contraction of the uterine muscles can provoke either in the second and third trimester. What to do with the tone of the uterus during pregnancy?

The tone of the uterus during pregnancy can be kept normal if you monitor your physical and mental state.

The uterus is characterized as a hollow muscular organ with three layers: myometrium, perimetrium and endometrium.

The myometrium is a tissue that can contract. The relaxed state of the myometrium is called normal tone (normotonus). Strong contractions of the myometrium occur in the birth process.

But in the normal state, any tension in this muscle is abnormal. Therefore, at a gynecologist's appointment, pregnant women have to hear about increased tone, that is, uncontrolled uterine contractions.

Normal uterine tone is provided by the hormonal state of the body. Like other internal organs, the uterus has its own receptors that send impulses to the brain.

Receiving such signals, the body tunes in to the correct course of pregnancy. The activity of the female body will be aimed at bearing a healthy fetus.

With overstrain, unrest, the hormonal background begins to change, due to which the uterine muscles begin to spontaneously contract and decompress. The tone of the myometrium increases and the pressure in the uterus increases. Doctors characterize such a condition as increased tone.

The luminaries of Western medicine argue that increased tone cannot be considered as a serious disease or pathology. There is some truth in these statements, since muscle contraction occurs even during laughter.

The main physiological feature of the tone is its short-term course and the absence of unpleasant sensations. If the uterus has been in good shape for a long time, we can talk about the need for treatment.

The main causes of increased uterine tone

To the tone of the uterus often leads to improper functioning of the whole organism as a whole.

However, there are a number of external causes that can provoke a dangerous condition that threatens the life of the baby and the health of the mother.

Development .

In such a situation, the cause of the tone will be the stretching of the uterus.

or .

The fetus presses on the walls of the uterus and it contracts too often.

and strong intestinal peristalsis.
Malformations and genital infantilism.

The malformations of the female genital organs include: agenesis and hypoplasia, uterine anomalies, the presence of intrauterine septa, bicornuate, saddle, rudimentary and double forms of the uterus.

Genital infantilism is an inferior development of the organs of the reproductive system. An underdeveloped uterus can often shrink due to being exerted on it.

tumor process.

This is the formation of benign or malignant neoplasms. Myoma is a benign tumor that negatively affects the uterus.

This neoplasm consists of smooth muscle cells that cover the walls of the uterus, due to which contractile activity can be impaired.

Endometriosis.

This is an abnormal growth of the uterine mucosa inside the muscular organ, due to which the contractile activity is also disturbed.

Bad habits.

Abuse of alcohol and narcotic mixtures, as well as smoking, provoke tension of the uterine muscles due to an increase in blood pressure.

Somatic diseases.

By them are meant unpleasant sensations that have no real physical basis.

The syndrome of somatic diseases becomes very painful for women during pregnancy. They may complain of pain in the chest, digestive tract and abdominal cavity;

Poor working conditions during pregnancy.

Women should avoid working in chemical plants and X-ray rooms, that is, where the negative effects of radiation and chemicals are possible.

Physical overstrain, work in several shifts can provoke an increase in the tone of the uterus;

Numerous abortions.

Lead to stretching and weakening of the muscles of the uterus;

Age under 18 and over 40.

How to identify: symptoms and signs

At each stage of pregnancy, pathology can be determined by different signs.

The first trimester of pregnancy is characterized by the following symptoms:

The appearance of a sensation of muscle contraction;
Excessive tension of the uterus, it becomes hard;
Minor pain and abnormal mild discharge;
Heaviness at the bottom.

How to determine the tone of the uterus in the second and third trimester of pregnancy:

giving to the spine;

Diagnosing tone in the early stages of pregnancy is quite simple, since the above symptoms are not typical for a normal condition.

But starting from 7-8 months, periodic uterine contractions are not considered something unusual.

You can distinguish increased tone from training bouts by the presence of spotting and severe pulling pain. Preparatory contractions are infrequent and short-lived, in contrast to the strong tone during pregnancy.

Some experts call the increased tone hypertonicity. This is not true. Hypertonicity of the uterus appears only in childbirth. With untimely help, it often leads to.

What is dangerous tone during pregnancy?

In the second or third trimesters, uncontrolled uterine contractions can trigger preterm labor.

Very often, the problem is detected in the initial stages of pregnancy, when implantation of the fetal egg is difficult. Muscular contractions of the uterus can lead to its complete rejection.

This is a miscarriage that usually happens before 23-24 weeks of pregnancy. At a later date, the tone of the uterus can provoke and lead to or premature birth.

In addition, tense muscles of this organ can pinch the umbilical cord and prevent the baby from getting enough oxygen. This may lead to development.

The fetus does not receive nutrients, which can provoke malnutrition and developmental arrest.

A slight tone of the uterus in the last months of pregnancy is the usual training contractions in which there is nothing dangerous. Thus, the body prepares for childbirth.

Carrying out diagnostics

If a woman who is expecting a baby comes to the gynecologist with a suspicion of increased uterine tone, she should tell in detail about all the unpleasant symptoms. Then the doctor will diagnose using one of the following methods:

will reveal a total or local increase in the thickness of the muscular layer of the uterus;
When tonusometry, devices with built-in sensors are used that accurately determine the state of the uterus;
Palpation is the simplest diagnostic method. The doctor probes the belly of a pregnant patient.

How to remove the tone of the uterus at home

After diagnosing the tone of the uterus, the doctor prescribes treatment. It consists in taking medications.

Home treatment is possible if the increased tone is not associated with a danger to the life of the child.

It is considered a common tool. It replenishes the deficiency of vitamin B6 in the body, which is necessary for the normal bearing of a healthy fetus. The drug has a positive effect on the nerves of a pregnant woman.

Papaverine is prescribed in the form of rectal suppositories 3 times a day. It helps to relax muscles and lower blood pressure. Gives a great calming effect.

Special simple exercises contribute to the removal of uterine tone.

You should get on all fours, bend your back and stay in this position for a while. Then you can slowly return to the original position and relax in a comfortable position. This exercise will help to temporarily relax the uterus.

It has been proven that relaxation of the facial muscles leads to a decrease in tone. You can sit down, tilt your head and try to relax your face. As a result, the uterus will release tension.

The above methods must be combined with the use of special medications. If the cause of increased tone is hormonal disorders (), it is necessary to take drugs that include it. With an excess of male hormones, their antipodes are prescribed.

If the problem is associated with increased bowel function, it is necessary to follow a special diet prescribed by a gastroenterologist.

You can take conventional sorbents such as or.

Inpatient treatment

Constant uterine tone is the main indication for planned hospitalization.

Often, treatment in a hospital turns out to be significantly effective, since the specialist strictly controls the observance of the patient's bed rest, preventing his physical exertion, stress and overstrain.

Assign antispasmodic, sedative and hormonal drugs.

Beforehand, the doctor draws up an individual plan for taking medications for each patient. With acutely manifested tone, intravenous injections are recommended. For good tolerance of No-shpa, Papaverine and other drugs, they are administered by means of a dropper with the addition of saline.

The advantage of being in a hospital is the constant presence and control of a doctor.

The hospital will definitely monitor the patient's pulse rate, blood pressure and blood sugar, and will also help bring down the tone during childbirth.

Prevention

If the ultrasound examination showed a mild tone with rare but noticeable uterine contractions, the following preventive measures should be followed:

You can not be nervous and upset, it is important to monitor the state of mind;
You should include foods with a high content of magnesium in the diet;
It is necessary to consume at least two liters of water per day;
There should be a good full sleep, but it should be limited a little;
Do not engage in heavy physical labor;
It is recommended to be more in the air, to arrange short but frequent walks.

Increased uterine tone is a phenomenon that occurs among women in position. Constant contractions of the muscles of the uterus usually lead to negative consequences, including the loss of the fetus.

During pregnancy, you need to take care of yourself so as not to provoke such problems and follow all the recommendations of the doctor.

Throughout life, a person is in good shape. This is the so-called activity. It can be high or low. Today's article will tell you about what tone is. It turns out that this activity is not good in all cases. Sometimes its reduction is required, for example, during pregnancy.

What is tone?

Tone is a long and persistent excitation of muscles, tissues and nerve receptors of the human body. You can often hear such a thing as "skin tone". What does it mean? When the skin is in good shape, we can say that it is in perfect condition. The dermis is hydrated, it is elastic and full of vitality. Outwardly, this is manifested by a beautiful color, smooth surface, and the absence of any defects.

What is the tone of the human body? This is the ability to maintain a certain posture and position in space. A person always strives to increase his tone. The concept is determined by a combination of characteristics: mood, muscle condition, sanity, and so on.

improve tone

What can you do to improve your tone? If we are talking about the body, then you can activate the muscles and the work of all organs with the help of physical exercises. Athletes visit gyms in order to improve their tone. During physical exertion, blood circulation improves (the tone of the heart muscle and blood vessels), the work of the muscles is activated), and so on.

You can also increase the tone with the help of food. Now on many food products it is indicated that they increase tone. Separately, we can say about energy drinks. When they are used, the work of the whole organism is activated. But doctors say that this way to improve tone is not the most correct. Women are always looking to improve their skin condition. Many cosmetics indicate that they help to increase tone.

Uterine tone

Separately, the tone of the reproductive organ is considered. During the entire menstrual cycle, it changes, it depends on the production of hormones. During menstruation, the uterine organ is actively reduced (high tone). Some women experience pain during this.

In the middle of the cycle, the uterus is in normal tone. If pregnancy occurs, then certain hormones are produced that relax the muscular organ. This is necessary for normal attachment and further development of the embryo.

High norm or pathology

If the uterus is constantly in tension, then this condition is not normal. In early pregnancy, the corpus luteum and adrenal glands secrete the hormone progesterone. This substance relaxes the uterus. If it is not enough, then there is a tone. One or all of the walls of the reproductive organ thicken and tighten, contraction occurs. If this condition is not corrected in time, then detachment of the membranes will begin. A hematoma forms between the wall of the uterus and the embryo, the tissues are not fully nourished, and blood circulation is disturbed. In the future, a miscarriage or spontaneous abortion will occur.

At long gestation periods, tone can lead to premature birth. Therefore, it is necessary to inform the gynecologist about it. Note that at the time of contractions, the uterus is always in a tense state. This is fine. In some cases, reduced tone during delivery requires stimulation. For this, obstetricians and gynecologists use drugs (for example, Oxytocin). The drug contributes to the contraction of the uterus and the speedy opening of the birth canal. Every expectant mother needs to know how the tone manifests itself at different periods of gestation.

Symptoms and signs

What are the symptoms of tonus during pregnancy? Much depends on the gestational age. In the first weeks, the tension of the uterus can not be felt at all. But the higher the tone, the more noticeable it is. In this case, the woman experiences pulling pains in the lower abdomen. Sometimes they can give to the lower back. With a high tone, bloody discharge from the vagina can be observed.

For longer periods of pregnancy, the symptoms of tone look a little different. There is still pain in the abdomen. Only now it is spreading throughout the uterus. The expectant mother may notice abdominal tension. The abdominal wall becomes hard and seems to shrink. During increased tone, fetal movements can cause discomfort. In addition, the child during this period is especially active, thereby trying to get more oxygen.

Constant increased tone during pregnancy (the symptoms you already know) can have consequences: lack of nutrition for the baby and intrauterine growth retardation. Therefore, in the presence of the described signs, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist. The doctor will prescribe drugs that improve blood circulation and therapy aimed at reducing uterine tone.

Diagnosis of the tense state of the uterus

What is tone and what symptoms does it have for women - described above. But how can a specialist determine this condition? Diagnosis is quite simple. The doctor may note the tension of the uterus during a routine gynecological examination. It is worth noting that in some cases the examination itself provokes tension in the reproductive organ.

You can determine the increased tone with the help of ultrasound. On the monitor, the doctor will see a thickening of the uterine walls, which indicates their tension. In early pregnancy, the tone of the uterus is reported by the deformation of the fetal egg. In the third trimester, pathology can be detected during cardiotocography (CTG).

Features of treatment: drugs

In order for the tone to be reduced with the threat of abortion, it is necessary to conduct appropriate therapy. First you need to find out what caused the contractions of the uterus. This may be physical activity, sexual contact, nervous tension, a hot bath, eating certain foods or taking medications. After that, the cause of the pathology is excluded. Next, conservative treatment is carried out, the scheme of which directly depends on the duration of pregnancy.

In the first trimester, women are prescribed progesterone-based drugs (Dufaston, Iprozhin). Antispasmodics are also prescribed (tablets or injections "Noshpa" and "Drotaverin", suppositories "Papaverin"). Be sure to use sedatives ("Valerian", "Motherwort"). In the later stages, hormonal drugs are not prescribed. Instead, they use "Ginipral", "Partusisten". Also, expectant mothers can be prescribed a medication containing magnesium and B vitamins. These drugs have a positive effect on the muscles and nervous system.

It must be said that treatment is indicated only with a constant tone of the uterus and a negative effect on the fetus. In late pregnancy, tone may periodically appear and pass on its own. If this condition does not cause any discomfort to a woman, then it is not necessary to correct it. For more detailed information, it is better to check with your gynecologist, since a lot depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Prevention of hypertension during pregnancy

Has controversial opinions about the concept of "tone". Reviews of doctors say that this is a normal condition. But during pregnancy, it is better to reduce the contractility of the uterus and not provoke its tension. For the prevention of tone, observe the following rules:

avoid physical activity;
refuse sexual intercourse (according to indications);
stick to proper nutrition;
monitor the regularity of the chair, avoid constipation;
do not wear tight clothing (especially in the beginning and later);
do not take any medications on your own (even conventional painkillers);
rest and walk more;
get positive emotions and avoid stressful situations.

If you sometimes experience tone, then tell your doctor about it. Perhaps, depending on your characteristics, the specialist will give individual recommendations.

Summarize

Tone - is it good or bad? It is impossible to answer this question right away. Everything depends on the situation. Skin tone allows a person to look good and well-groomed. If it is lowered, then the body becomes flabby and ugly.

The tone of the uterus during pregnancy, on the contrary, can be dangerous. But it does not always require treatment and the use of medications. It should be remembered that each case is individual.