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Pregnancy is an event that provides future mothers with many questions and sometimes stress. Why? The female body experiences so many changes in a short period of time that it is difficult to keep up with them. What is normal and what should be worrying? Should a hard pregnant belly alert you and how to recognize the symptoms of impending trouble?
These and many other questions are in the mind of many pregnant women. After all, what did not happen before pregnancy now surprises practically every day. How not to go crazy? First of all, use common sense, trust the body, and the gynecologist in charge of pregnancy – ask as often as possible about everything that is worrying and interesting.
What should a pregnant belly be like, hard or soft?
There is no single answer to this question, because while contractions should not occur at the beginning of a physiological pregnancy, in the last trimester, abdominal hardening is completely natural and serves training before delivery. One of the factors that influences the ability of the uterus to contract is its overall well-being, i.e. its oxygenation and nutrition. Low hemoglobin levels can make the uterine muscle susceptible to contractions.
Tough belly at the end of pregnancy
In the third trimester of pregnancy (sometimes earlier, after the end of the 20th week of pregnancy), the uterus begins its great preparation for childbirth. The uterus trains with the help of the so-called predictive contractions, or Braxton-Hicks contractions. Such contractions are not painful, they appear quite randomly and irregularly. Sometimes they are caused by the child’s movements.
This is a normal, fully physiological situation. Around 30 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus may begin to contract, i.e. harden the abdomen, to respond to many external and internal stimuli, such as changing body position or long stroking the abdomen. Interestingly, predictive contractions not only train the uterus, but also stimulate the baby’s muscles. During contraction, the baby exercises by tensing its muscles, and when the uterus relaxes, the baby also “rests”.
Such a mechanism is necessary for both mother and baby to prepare well for childbirth. Towards the end of pregnancy, predictive contractions may become more disruptive, they will come more frequently and last longer. In such a situation, it is worth taking care of your comfort using relaxation techniques.
How can I relieve myself when my stomach becomes hard?
If your stomach hardens, it is best to rest for a while, refrain from being active and try to relax.
A surefire way to find out at the end of your pregnancy whether your hardening belly is signifying contractions or the beginning of the birthing action is to take a relaxing, warm shower. The heat should relax the body and slow down uterine contractions a little. If you go into labor, your contractions will not go away. If we are dealing with Braxton-Hicks contractions, a warm shower will bring relief.
A hard belly at the beginning of pregnancy
Hardening of the abdomen is one of the symptoms of uterine contractions, so it should not be present in the early stages of pregnancy. If abdominal stiffness is not a one-time experience, consult your doctor and stay alert.
If the stomach is hard, there will be additional symptoms such as:
- pain,
- spotting,
- whether bleeding,
see a doctor immediately.
The most important criteria to help recognize a potential risk is the regularity and soreness of contractions. If they appear rhythmically, are painful or are accompanied by the above symptoms, go to the maternity emergency room immediately, as these may be signs of imminent miscarriage or premature labor.
During pregnancy, be sure to take appropriate supplementation. In order to provide the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals, reach for the Daily Mum ° for pregnant women, which you can order in a convenient and safe way on Medonet Market.
In case of any anxiety, it is better to go to the facility and check the situation. It is not necessary to panic, but you should check that the episodes of contracting do not affect the opening of your cervix.