The uterus tone during pregnancy (or hypertonia) is a contraction of a given female organ that occurs before the expected date of delivery. Such sensations can be characterized by nagging or aching pains in the lower abdomen, as well as in the lumbar region.
In some cases, pronounced symptoms are absent, but the results of an ultrasound study confirm this pathological condition.
General characteristics of the concept of "hypertonicity of the uterus" and its negative consequences
One of the layers of the uterus, namely, myometrium, in its normal state is in complete relaxation. In the process of labor, it is reduced, thereby providing the output of the fetus.
If, for some reason, myometrium contractions begin to occur before the period of natural childbirth, this condition is called uterine hypertonus.
Muscular contraction of this female organ is usually a natural process. Not in all cases, hypertonicity during pregnancy is a problem.
According to numerous studies in Western countries, this state of the uterus is a normal physiological process. If there are a number of other symptoms that cause discomfort to the woman, specific therapy is needed.
Short-term tone of the uterus, arising, for example, during orgasm or at the time of gynecological examination, is not accompanied by any negative consequences. As such, the treatment in this case is also not required.
In the event that a hypertonus during pregnancy is diagnosed on an ongoing basis, this can cause complications in both the woman and the fetus.
The most dangerous consequence of hypertonus during pregnancy is spontaneous interruption. For the prevention of miscarriage, it is recommended to consult a specialist when the first symptoms occur.
Negative consequences for the fetus are expressed in the possible disruption of the functioning of many organs. This can be explained by the fact that when the uterus is elevated, the blood supply to the pelvic organs is disturbed, which contributes to the oxygen starvation of the fetus.
Why does uterus tone occur during pregnancy
The occurrence of hypertonicity of the uterus can be equally affected by the living conditions of the pregnant woman, her age, habits, and type of activity. The most common causes of this pathological condition include:
- Different Rh factor of the mother and fetus (for example, in a pregnant woman it is positive, and in the unborn child - negative). As soon as the red blood cells of the fetus penetrate into the bloodstream of a woman, her body responds in the form of rejection, trying to remove the fetus in any way. In this case, these are prolonged uterine contractions.
- Violation of hormonal background. For example, it may be an insufficient amount of progesterone contained in the body of a pregnant woman. This hormone promotes relaxation of smooth muscles and the preparation of the endometrium to the birth of the ovum in it.
- A strong degree of toxicosis. If frequent vomiting and nausea are observed, the abdominal muscles, including the uterine, are severely reduced.
- Systematic stress. Everyone knows that depressive and stressful situations do not have the best effect on the whole organism. For this reason, the uterus will be constantly in good shape.
- Long and heavy physical activity. Experts do not recommend physically loading the body during pregnancy. Otherwise, you can cause a spontaneous abortion, or rather, a miscarriage.
- Development in any of the genital organs of an infectious disease or other inflammatory process.
- Multiple or abundant water.
- A tumor that develops in the uterus. These include myoma, the contents of which are smooth muscle cells.
- The development of endometriosis. The disease is characterized by an abnormal growth of the mucous membrane of the organ inside the muscles, which causes a violation of the contractile activity.
- Abuse of bad habits, which include alcohol, smoking, drugs. The uterine muscles in this case are strongly strained, which can be explained by an increase in blood pressure.
- The flow of any somatic disease in a pregnant woman.
- The abundance of abortions, which is the cause of stretching and weakening of the muscular system of the uterus.
This list of reasons is not exhaustive. No less often, hypertonia of the uterus occurs against the background of constant lack of sleep, hours of work, numerous air travel or long distance journeys, and colds.
What are the symptoms of hypertonus occur in different trimesters?
In each trimester of pregnancy, symptoms of increased uterine tone can be distinctive. As a rule, in the first three months (early terms) of an “interesting position”, the increase in tonus is considered to be common and does not require specific treatment. The main symptoms in this period are:
- Slight pain and slight tension of the abdomen in its lower part. To get rid of such manifestations, you can take a comfortable position and relax.
- Pulling sensations in the lumbar region.
- Nausea and vomiting (rare).
If relaxing and taking a comfortable position does not help to eliminate the symptoms of hypertonia, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Otherwise, fetal death or bleeding can be caused.
In the second semester of pregnancy, the increased tone of the uterus is dangerous due to the fact that its untimely elimination may contribute to the development of such negative consequences as fetal hypoxia or its fading in the womb, premature birth. Not always similar to hypertonic symptoms that occur during this period, point to it.
In some cases, pain in the lumbar region and abdomen are only symptoms of fetal growth in the womb. The main manifestations of increased tone in the second trimester of pregnancy include:
- Pulling pain in the lumbar or lower abdomen.
- Tingling in the lower abdomen.
- The appearance of brown discharge.
- "Hardening" of the abdomen.
If, according to the results of diagnostics, an increase in hypertonus is detected in the third trimester of pregnancy, medication therapy is prescribed. This is necessary in order to prevent preterm labor.
In the last weeks of pregnancy (week 38-49), hypertonus is a common phenomenon, as the body is prepared for labor. During this period, the woman feels heaviness in the lower abdomen and pulling pain, tension of the uterus. A spotting may also occur, which requires emergency medical care.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis of a similar pathological condition during pregnancy should be comprehensive. Often, the following procedures are prescribed:
- Palpation and examination by a doctor. It is in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy that the increase in tonus can be most accurately diagnosed by palpating the abdominal wall. If there is a normal tone, the walls of the uterus will be relaxed, and the stomach will not be tense. The doctor performs a palpation when the woman is in a supine position, and her legs are bent at the knees.
- Ultrasound examination. In this case, you can detect both a local increase in the tone of the uterus, and total.
- Behavior tonusometry. To determine the tone of the uterus, use a special sensor.
Differential diagnostics, which are necessary for identifying other diseases with similar symptoms, are not rarely carried out.
Methods of treatment of uterus tone
Treatment of the increased tone of the main reproductive organ of a woman is prescribed only if there are other symptoms that indicate a possible spontaneous termination of pregnancy (incessant pain in the abdomen, bleeding, etc.).
What kind of treatment is necessary in this or that case, the doctor determines taking into account what caused the hypertonus. Often, they direct all forces to regulate the psychoemotional and physical condition of a woman, relax the muscles of the uterus, and normalize blood circulation. Of the drugs shown reception of the following:
- Soothing means (motherwort, valerian or peony in the form of tablets or tinctures).
- Tranquilizers. If herbal sedatives are not effective, the use of stronger drugs, such as Diazepam or Halcionin, is necessary.
- Progesterone, which is most effective in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- Antispasmodics. With the help of such, it is possible to achieve the reduction of uterine muscle contractions and restore normal blood circulation.
- Tokolitikov. Such drugs are prescribed, starting from the second trimester of pregnancy. With the help of tocolytics, muscle spasms can be stopped.
- Magnesium based preparations. These include Magne B6 - a drug that contributes to the removal of increased uterine tone and lower blood pressure.
- Drugs that regulate metabolic processes in the body.
Treatment may be supplemented with other drugs, depending on the cause of the increase in tone.
How to remove the tone of the uterus at home
In addition to drug treatment, home therapy can be carried out using other methods. The most common of these are:
- Performing therapeutic gymnastics. Special physical exercises help to remove an increased tone and normalize the general condition. For example, if there was discomfort in the lower abdomen, it is recommended to take a comfortable position and regulate breathing. No less useful is the exercise "cat", which consists in the following: a woman takes a pose on all fours, lowers her head, then slowly lifts it up, and bends down her back. In this position, you need to stay 5-7 seconds.
- The use of a special bandage for pregnant women. Such a device is recommended to wear, starting from the second trimester, but after 30 weeks it is recommended to refuse it.
- Maintaining proper diet. It is also important how a woman eats during such a period of her life. The diet should include in sufficient quantities products containing magnesium, as well as bread, buckwheat, oatmeal, beans, green vegetables, almonds. Experts recommend limiting the consumption of the food that may cause a rise in tone, namely, strong tea, coffee, sweet soda, alcohol.
By following these simple recommendations, you can greatly alleviate the general condition of the pregnant woman.
Prevention rules
In order to prevent the need for treating the increased tone of the uterus, as well as the development of dangerous complications of this condition, it is recommended to observe the following preventive rules:
- Timely diagnosis and treatment of infectious and somatic pathologies before planning a child.
- Registration on pregnancy in the first trimester (ideally - in the first 12 weeks).
- Timely visit to the leading pregnancy specialist (according to the designated schedule).
- Compliance with the correct lifestyle and rational loads, as well as the elimination of bad habits.
Only timely identification of the cause of uterine tonus increase during pregnancy will help avoid negative and irreversible effects.
Conclusion
Not every woman has hypertension of the uterus during pregnancy. If it is observed, it can be the result of prolonged stress, the development of certain diseases in the pregnant woman (for example, somatic or infectious), as well as the presence of Rh factor or a tumor-like neoplasm.
Symptoms of uterus tone during pregnancy include the appearance of a pulling or aching pain in the abdomen or lower back, bloody discharge, "hardening" of the uterus.
You can confirm the diagnosis using ultrasound, tonusometry, and manual palpation of the abdomen.
Therapy of uterine hypertonus during pregnancy depends on the factor provoking the pathology and may consist in taking such agents as sedatives, tranquilizers, antispasmodics, tocolytics. Preventive measures include the management of a healthy life, the timely cure of major diseases, a visit to the doctor at the first alarming symptoms.
And a little more information about hypertonia of the uterus during pregnancy - in the next video.
