Almost every pregnant woman is faced with a mysterious phrase - uterine tone. Doctors also call this condition hypertonicity.

Disputes about the tone do not fade away. Modern doctors believe that it is not worth treating and hospitalizing a pregnant woman with such a diagnosis, and doctors of the old school prefer to play it safe. In most cases, the tone of the uterus does not threaten the pregnant woman and the child, but exceptions occur 1.

The tone of the uterus - a side view

To begin with, it is important to understand what the uterus is and how it functions. It is worth imagining a hollow organ, similar in shape to a vessel, the walls of which are muscle tissue.

The body consists of three layers:

• Outer serosa.
• Internal mucous membrane.
• The central muscle tissue is the myometrium.

We recall from the school anatomy curriculum that the main task of muscles is contraction.

The myometrium is responsible for contractions, which is the main function of childbirth. In theory, during rest, the myometrium should not contract. As the fetus grows, the uterus gradually stretches, providing the fetus with proper comfort. If contractions are observed before the onset of labor at any stage of pregnancy, then they speak of uterine tone. An obstetrician or an ultrasound diagnostician, regardless of the condition of the pregnant woman, can make a diagnosis of hypertonicity 2.

Some doctors believe that short-term uterine contractions are quite common, and the unborn child is not threatened. In Western medicine, there is no concept of uterine tone at all, there is hypertonicity, which actually portends the onset of labor. Short-term uterine tone can be provoked by stress, sex, and even going to the gynecologist 1 .

The real danger of uterine tone

Any pregnant woman immediately understands when she has a prolonged uterine tone. If it is accompanied by general malaise, unusual discharge and other unusual symptoms, then you should immediately consult a doctor. In addition, you need to know the real threats of prolonged hypertonicity:

1. In the early stages of pregnancy (first trimester), hypertonicity can cause fetal death. Hypertonicity really poses a danger in the earliest period of pregnancy, when the embryo has not yet fixed on the walls inside the uterus.

2. In the later stages (second and third trimester), hypertonicity can provoke premature birth.

3. The tone of the uterus in a pregnant woman threatens the child with hypoxia, since the compressed uterus partially blocks access to oxygen and nutrients. The growth and development of the child is suspended.

4. Starting from week 32, regular uterine contractions (which, however, do not cause pain or severe discomfort) are the absolute norm. Thus, the uterus "trains" before childbirth. Nevertheless, regular medical supervision during this period is very important. In the event that, along with increased uterine activity, there is an "adverse" obstetric history (termination of pregnancy, complications of childbirth), it is important to treat any manifestations of increased uterine tone with great caution, and carefully evaluate each situation. 3

Causes of uterine tone

If symptoms of uterine tone occur during pregnancy, expectant mothers immediately ask the question: “what is the reason”? However, it is worth considering that the tone of the uterus is not an independent disease. Uterine tone or hypertonicity is a symptom of another disease or problems developing in the body during pregnancy, and there are a lot of possible problems 4.

The main task after diagnosing the tone of the uterus is to find the cause of the tone and the impact on this cause. In parallel, it is necessary to deal with the tone itself and prevent its protracted course.

It is almost impossible to list all the possible conditions of the body in which the tone of the uterus is formed. But the main ones are:

1. Stressful state. The most common cause of tone is the usual stress. Any experience of a pregnant woman is reflected in the tone of the uterus. That is why the tone of the uterus is so often diagnosed during examination by a gynecologist or during a routine examination in the ultrasound room. Unfortunately, not all doctors understand that such a condition is caused by stress, and after examination, everything quickly returns to normal.

2. Lack of pregnancy hormones, which is a hormonal disorder. The body is provided with a similar hormone by the remnants of the egg after fertilization. Progesterone relaxes the myometrium and allows the fetal egg with the future embryo to gain a foothold inside the uterus. A lack of progesterone provokes hypertonicity, the organ may begin to contract, preventing the fetal egg from attaching, which leads to an obvious and sad ending of pregnancy.

3. Inflammation and infection. Everyone knows that before pregnancy it is extremely important to heal all the "sores" and ailments. But this is not always possible, then such diseases can become the cause of uterine tone in a pregnant woman. However, in this case, hypertonicity is accompanied by symptoms characteristic of this disease, which facilitates diagnosis and further treatment.

4. Toxicosis. A common but unpleasant condition that accompanies pregnancy, especially its first half. Severe toxicosis causes vomiting and the urge to vomit, which in turn affect uterine contractions. In this case, funds are needed that reduce the symptoms of toxicosis.

5. Rhesus conflict. A different Rh factor in mother and father is always a risk for the unborn child. If an embryo develops in the womb that has inherited the Rh factor from the father, then the woman’s body will reject it with all its might, which ultimately results in prolonged hypertonicity.

6. Previous abortions. After an abortion, synechiae (unions) form on the walls of the uterus. Further pregnancy always proceeds with various threats, including uterine tone.

7. Problems with the intestines. Gas formation, disturbances in bowel contraction and the process of defecation has a physiological effect on the uterus, as does toxicosis.

8. Medicines. Taking medication during pregnancy is associated with risks. It is necessary to clearly know about all the side effects and contraindications of the drugs used. Self-administration harms a pregnant woman, an unborn child and can cause uterine tone.

9. Physical changes in the uterus. They can cause polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancy, or simply a large fetus and its sharp growth. The uterus, in turn, reacts with a tone of 5.

Symptoms and diagnosis of uterine tone during pregnancy

As a rule, a pregnant woman herself understands when she has a uterine tone, such sensations are hard to confuse. Depending on the period, the symptoms of uterine tone in a pregnant woman may vary slightly:

• 1 trimester - back pain and pulling pain below the abdomen.
• 2nd trimester - the symptoms described above are accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and tension in the abdomen.
• 3rd trimester - the tone can not only be felt, but also felt, the stomach becomes as dense as possible, its usual shape may change 5.

It happens that a pregnant woman ignores such symptoms or gets used to them, then the tone of the uterus is easily detected on an ultrasound scan or at a gynecologist's appointment. For a more accurate diagnosis, additional tools are used, such as a tonometer.

But as already mentioned, it is important not only to diagnose the tone itself, but to determine the cause of the appearance. Sometimes outpatient monitoring of a pregnant woman is not enough, and hospitalization is required.

To treat or not to treat uterine tone during pregnancy?

An obvious question with an unobvious answer. It all depends on certain factors, such as the duration of pregnancy, the frequency and duration of the tone, and most importantly, the cause that causes this tone. If the tone threatens the unborn child, then naturally it must be treated, but only a gynecologist can make such a decision.

If the tone is accompanied by pronounced pain or unusual discharge, you should immediately consult a doctor.

With hospitalization and severe hypertension, doctors will try to cope with it promptly. For this, electrophoresis with magnesia and other types of electrical stimulation are used. With severe toxicosis, provoking hypertonicity, endonasal galvanization is used.

If the doctor determines that the expectant mother is able to cope with the tone of the uterus herself, outpatient treatment is prescribed. Most often, doctors prescribe mild sedatives and antispasmodics. With a lack of progesterone, hormonal agents are prescribed. A naturally pregnant woman is recommended complete rest, bed rest and the absence of any stressful situations 5 .

The two most important tips, which are also the basis of tone prevention:

• Before pregnancy, it is important to cure all diseases and give up all bad habits, and during gestation, monitor your health and respond to any changes in the body.
• "Calm, only calm" is the basis of life philosophy for expectant mothers. The absence of stress is the key to successful childbirth.

In addition, it is worth getting used to a healthy diet and the normalization of water balance. It is necessary to abandon any heavy physical exertion. Wear loose clothing and go outside more often. During pregnancy, try to lead a healthy lifestyle, because the health of the unborn child depends on it.

• 1. Berezovskaya E. 9 months of happiness. Desktop guide for pregnant women / E.P. Berezovskaya. – M.: Eksmo, 2015. – 576 p.
• 2. Gasparyan N. Modern ideas about the mechanism of regulation of the contractile activity of the uterus / N. D. Gasparyan, E. N. Kareva // Russian Bulletin of the obstetrician-gynecologist. - 2003. - No. 2 (3). – 21-27 p.
• 3. Bakhmach V. Changes in the uterus and cervix during pregnancy and on the eve of childbirth / V. O. Bakhmach [et al.] // Saratov Journal of Medical Scientific Research. - 2011. - No. 2 (7). – 396-400 s.
• 4. Enikeeva G. Prevention of violations of the contractile activity of the uterus in childbirth and the early postpartum period / GK Enikeeva [et al.]// Tez. I All-Russian congress of obstetricians-gynecologists and pediatricians. - Chelyabinsk, 1992. - 49-50 p.
• 5. Sidorova I. Guide to obstetrics / I. S. Sidorova, V. I. Kulakov, I. O. Makarov. – M.: Medicine, 2006. – 848 p.

The uterus is the organ that undergoes the greatest stress during pregnancy. Each muscle fiber in the process of bearing the fetus thickens and lengthens several times. However, such a process is absolutely natural, regular and painless, and in the normal state of the uterus, it is not accompanied by tension in its muscles. In other words, even stretched and elongated, they are at rest.

However, many women during pregnancy experience such a situation as increased uterine tone. That is, the muscles that were supposed to be in a relaxed state and not cause concern to the expectant mother contract, causing increased pressure in the pelvic area.

In some cases, increased uterine tone is not a pathology: with muscle contraction during laughter, sneezing, or even orgasm. In addition, in the last trimester of pregnancy, the muscle tissue of the uterus can contract as part of the so-called "training" contractions: rather weak and short, which are a kind of rehearsal before the baby is born. As you may have noticed, in all these cases, the increased tone persists for a short period of time, and there is no need to get rid of it. If it does not pass long enough, then there is a threat to the health of the mother and unborn child, as well as the likelihood of premature birth or miscarriage.

How to determine the increase in tone in the uterus?

The main symptoms that indicate that your uterus has been in good shape for too long are as follows:

1. Drawing, aching pain in the lower abdomen. As you might guess, they can feel very similar to those painful urges that you feel during critical days.
2. Stomach tension. This symptom is most noticeable already in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy: the stomach literally hardens, shrinks due to excessive tension in the muscles of the uterus.
3. Pain in the lumbar region and sacrum- parts of the spine closest to the uterus.
4. Bloody spotting. This is the most alarming symptom, upon detection of which you should never self-medicate at home. Call an ambulance immediately, otherwise you may lose your child.

How to remove the increased tone of the uterus in pregnant women?

If you have been experiencing an increased tone of the uterus for a long time, then we strongly recommend that you consult a doctor. The main techniques with which you can relieve stress from the most important genital organ at home are the following methods:

• Bed rest, refusal of physical activity, healthy sleep, frequent exposure to fresh air. If you planned to go to work until the last and faced an increased tone of the uterus, then you should think about whether the salary of the health and well-being of your baby is more important to you.
• Antispasmodic drugs. This is a standard treatment aimed at relieving muscle hypertonicity of any organ. Pregnant women are most often prescribed drugs such as Papaverine or No-Shpa.
• Sedative medicines. Increased tone is often associated with emotional stress, the stressful state of the expectant mother. Therefore, she may be prescribed a tincture of valerian, motherwort, or other relatively harmless sedative herbs.
• Physiotherapy, reflexology, psychological consultations. These are a few more ways, the main purpose of which is to relieve stress in the expectant mother: both physical and psychological.

• Hormonal preparations. Sometimes the cause of hypertonicity is a lack or, for example, an excess of progesterone in a woman's body. In this case, she is prescribed hormonal drugs designed to increase or, conversely, reduce their concentration in the patient's blood.
• Proper nutrition, drugs to reduce gas formation in the intestines. Problems with the digestive system are a standard companion of pregnancy, and sometimes they cause a prolonged increased tone of the uterus. To get rid of such problems, a fortified diet and special preparations can be prescribed.

• Hemostatic drugs. They are prescribed in the presence of bleeding. It can be "Etamsylate sodium", "Dicinon" and other drugs.

These are just a few of the most common answers to the question of what to do with uterine hypertonicity. And even from them it becomes clear how individual the appointment of certain methods of dealing with the problem is, and how much treatment will differ depending on the causes of increased tone. Therefore, we advise you to use these data only as general recommendations and be sure to consult a doctor to specify your treatment program.

Why does an increased tone of the uterus occur?

Before prescribing you a treatment designed to reduce uterine hypertonicity, the doctor will conduct an examination to find out its causes. Most often, this situation occurs in one of the following cases:

• Anomalies and malformations of the reproductive system, that is, individual (most often congenital) features of the body.
• Hormonal problems (lack or excess concentration of progesterone).
• Inflammatory processes, tumors and infections in the uterus or its appendages.
• Stress, emotional breakdowns, psychological or physical overstrain, violation of the correct daily routine, lack of sleep, etc.

• Bad habits (drinking alcohol, drugs, smoking).
• Previous abortions, miscarriages or premature births that occurred before the current pregnancy.
• Various somatic disorders (ailments of the kidneys, liver, heart and other organs).
• Toxicosis, malnutrition, problems with the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Multiple pregnancies, large fetuses, or excessive amniotic fluid.
• Rh-conflict of the mother and the unborn child, in which careful monitoring of the patient must be carried out from the very first days of pregnancy.

Thus, there can be quite a few reasons for uterine hypertonicity, and correct diagnosis in your particular case is extremely important in order to remove this problem effectively and harmlessly. Take care of your health and the health of your baby - identify symptoms and consult a doctor in a timely manner!

Every woman faces some kind of problem during pregnancy. Frequent is the diagnosis of "the tone of the body of the uterus."
The tone of the uterus during pregnancy is the degree of tension of the walls of the uterus. The uterus is a hollow organ consisting of several layers:

• external (perimetry, serous layer);
• middle (myometrium, muscle layer);
• internal (endometrium, mucous layer).

To understand what the tone of the uterus is, you need to understand the myometrium, since it is it that is the tissue that has the contractile function, which is necessary for carrying pregnancy and childbirth. Not always the tone is a negative phenomenon. The muscles of the uterus contract when sneezing, examining a gynecologist, coughing. Pathological is a long-term high tone, which can appear at different stages of pregnancy. Tonus is the consequences of failures in the mother's body, it is not an independent disease. The tone is of the following types:

• elevated - both short-term and permanent, according to localization it can be local or extensive (total);
• moderate - normotonus, the state of a non-pregnant uterus or a pregnant woman in a state of calm;
• reduced - an abnormal physiological state of the uterus, its excessive relaxation, is unpleasant, an addition in the postpartum period, the cause of uterine hypotonic bleeding.

Hypertonicity is an anomaly in the sequence of contractions during childbirth, it cannot be compared with increased tone.

The first and last two, of course, are dangerous conditions and can lead to very dire consequences. In the early stages, this leads to a fading of pregnancy (up to 28 weeks of the term), later to untimely birth. High tone leads to a disruption in the supply of blood to the fetus, as a result of hypoxia (reduced oxygen supply) and a delay in the development of the child. You should not be scared much, just if such symptoms occur, you should consult a gynecologist.

Causes of hypertonicity

There are two types:

• somatic;
• psychosomatic.

The first are directly related to the presence of physiological problems in. The second is the emergence of a psychological aspect, that is, experiences, unrest for a certain period, which has a sufficient effect on the nervous system, its excitability and the response of the body in terms of bringing the uterus into tension.

Physiological reasons:

• living conditions, main occupations, bad habits, age;
• obstetric features - structural features of the uterus, the course of a previous pregnancy, infections during pregnancy, pregnancy complications (Rhesus conflict, toxicosis);
• excessive exercise during pregnancy;
• decrease in progesterone levels;
• polyhydramnios and, as a result, severe distension of the uterus;
• non-compliance with the regime of work and rest;
• the nutritional pattern affects the change in the tone of the uterus. The use of excessively salty, peppery, gas-forming dishes that affect the state of the body.

Symptoms of increased uterine tone depending on the trimester

The most dangerous period is the tone of the uterus during pregnancy - symptoms - 1 trimester. At this time, contraction of the muscles of the uterus can be felt up to pain and discharge. The uterus tenses and hardens, in this case you should lie on your back and touch the lower abdomen. Most often, an increase in tone is diagnosed by ultrasound, but it can also be detected by a doctor during a routine examination. If you find at least one of these symptoms during the first 21 weeks of pregnancy - a reason to see a doctor.

In the second trimester, it is more difficult for the woman herself to determine the tension of the walls of the uterus, because a number of other sensations join (fetal movement). Allocations may be present the same as in the first trimester. For this, the use of daily pads is recommended. Pain during spasm of the walls of the uterus in this period is easily confused with back pain, renal colic. If the sensations are strong, you should immediately call an ambulance.

In the third trimester, the appearance of periodic similar increased tones indicates the preparation of the uterus for the upcoming birth. These are the so-called training bouts. It is important to distinguish them from false abbreviations. Training sessions are short-term and there is no regularity in them. With such contractions, there is no discharge mixed with blood and pain.

Treatment

High uterine tone is treated according to the trimester of pregnancy and under medical supervision. Uterine tone during pregnancy: symptoms will help the specialist to correctly prescribe treatment and save the woman and the unborn child from undesirable consequences. Progesterone is the pregnancy hormone. Often its lack causes an increase in tone. This problem is solved by the use of progesterone preparations such as Duphaston, Utrozhestan. The use of progesterone in the first trimester is in demand, since the risk of miscarriage is high. With a strong tone, progesterone is prescribed in injections. In some cases, No-shpa (Drotaverine) is used with caution in the first trimester and lactation, with spasms. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor. Such drugs should not be taken constantly, as they flatten the uterus and can provoke fading. One of the remedies used to treat this condition is with papaverine. The cause of the tone may be a lack of magnesium and vitamin B6, which is replenished by the use of Magne B6, Magnefar. The latter should not be used together with vitamin and mineral complexes for pregnant women, but should be drunk only as directed by a doctor if the potential benefit to the fetus outweighs the risk to the mother. In the case of prolonged incessant increased tone, treatment in a hospital setting is indicated. It is recommended to combine the above treatment with Ginipral. According to its pharmacological action, it is characterized as a means of reducing the contractility of the myometrium and its tone. The drug affects contractions (premature) and they stop, which helps to prolong the gestation period. It has a slight change in the cardiac activity of the pregnant woman, her blood flow and the fetus. This drug is tocolytic. Can uterine tone be caused by increased bowel function? Yes maybe. A gastroenterologist will help in normalizing the general condition. Perhaps a woman does not eat well, consumes a lot of spicy, fatty, gas-forming foods. He drinks little liquid, which contributes to the formation of constipation or, conversely, the occurrence of diarrhea, to eliminate which, in addition to changing the diet, enterosorbents, such as Enterosgel, can be used. Correction of the intestinal microflora with the help of special preparations can help. Taking antibiotics during pregnancy often leads to these kinds of bowel problems. Nutritionists recommend eating more bananas, molasses, persimmons. Useful low-fat meat of turkey, chicken, rabbit, beef. Soy contains a lot of vitamins, as well as natural phytohormones. A mixture of properly selected nuts and dried fruits will also be useful. This should be eaten at least a handful a day. It is advisable to stop drinking green, black tea, coffee. These drinks can trigger a spasm. Carbonated water should be completely excluded from the diet, as its use can provoke flatulence.

At home, women who do not have vaginal discharge with uterine tone can lie in a warm bath, listen to classical music, and use valerian and motherwort. But you can’t lie in a hot bath, soar your legs, add essential oils to the bath - this can cause an increase in tone. If spasms occur suddenly, sit down, take a couple of deep breaths, exhale, relax. It is very important to maintain maximum calm during pregnancy, it has been noticed that the tone of the uterus after excessive experiences increases. It is not recommended for a pregnant woman who has an increased tone of the uterus to have sex, because in this case the orgasm stimulates the uterus to contract.

Is it possible to wear squeezing, constricting clothes with the tone of the uterus? No.

Uterine tone during pregnancy - it is very important to choose the right treatment

For prevention, the following tips should be followed:

• it is necessary to avoid both physical and emotional strong overload of the body;
• observe the regime of the day, alternating the time of work and rest;
• limit sexual activity;
• with uterine tone, you can go swimming, do some exercises to prevent uterine spasms;
• walk calmly, avoiding sudden movements;
• it is important to observe the hygiene of the genital organs for the prevention of infectious diseases;
• a full night's sleep for at least 8 hours. It will not be superfluous to lie down after dinner;
• frequent walks in the fresh air;
• proper nutrition;
• you can not self-medicate, all vitamins and medicines should be taken only as directed by a doctor;
• do not violate bed rest if it is prescribed by a doctor;

Uterine tone during pregnancy: symptoms -2 trimester is not as dangerous as the first and third, but still you should not relax. Do everything according to the doctor's recommendations. Uterine tone - symptoms, if they occur, it is important to inform the doctor in time. The choice of treatment depends on how the patient describes her condition. To learn more about how to remove the tone of the uterus during pregnancy, the attending physician will recommend.

In addition to traditional medicine recipes to relieve increased uterine tone, there are folk remedies. Melissa is the simplest. It has a calming effect and relieves stress, anxiety, and calms the nerves. To prepare 1 liter of lemon balm infusion, 20 g of herbs are taken, 1 liter of hot water is poured, insisted for 20 minutes. You can add honey. Divide into 3-4 doses, drink throughout the day. Another remedy is valerian root (50 g) with linden flowers in the same amount. Infused for 1 hour, consumed 50 ml three times a day. With an increased tone of the uterus, you should not worry too much. You must strictly follow the doctor's orders.

What is the danger of uterine tone during pregnancy was last modified: May 2nd, 2016 by Gulya

Hypertonicity of the uterus - its increased contractility. Due to the fact that the uterus tends to contract, the child is born. But such uterine contractions should be normal only in childbirth.

If the tone appears even during pregnancy or lasts for several minutes, this will not give the child normal nutrition, so that in the end the child may have disturbances, and the pregnancy may even freeze. To prevent this from happening, you need to know everything about hypertonicity and how to prevent it.

So why does the uterus begin to shrink? Uterine contractions are caused by many factors, but more often than others, these are hormonal changes in the body.

Common causes of uterine tone

Doctors identify several reasons:

1. The presence of surgical interventions in the uterus, including abortions.
2. Abnormal development of the uterus (bicornuate, adhesions, bend, etc.).
3. The presence of endocrine diseases (polycystic, diabetes, etc.).
4. The age of the woman, up to 21 and after 40 years.

In addition to the hormonal background of a woman and the reasons listed above, there are others. Among them, one of the central places is occupied by the state of the nervous system. And all because, due to the restlessness of the nervous system, the level of oxytocin and adrenaline rises. If everything is in order with the nerves, then these hormones do not rise above the norm, and the smooth muscles of the uterus remain at rest. If the level of these hormones is slightly overestimated, the uterus begins to contract, because it is not for nothing that in childbirth, an oxytocin drip is placed to stimulate them.

And yet, for the calm of the uterus, a full-fledged one is very important. So, being pregnant, dear ladies, do not forget to sleep 9 hours a day, and 2 hours at lunch, if possible.

Other causes of uterine tone

In addition to the groups of causes described above, there are several more, although they can affect a normal, adult woman, without nervous abnormalities and lack of sleep. And those reasons are:

1. The right way of life. Very important, includes the ability to do everything slowly without sudden movements and tension. Here slow walking, transition from lying to sitting position, etc. phenomena.
2. Proper bowel function. Due to the proximity of the intestinal loops to the uterus, increased peristalsis also provokes uterine contractions, leading to tone. Therefore, it is so important to eat right during this period. And it is desirable to eliminate constipation not with an enema, but with food (prunes, dried apricots, raisins, etc.) or use papaverine suppositories.
3. Lack of vitamins, especially folic acid and vitamin E. Ask your doctor to prescribe you the right vitamin complex or a balanced menu in which all the necessary vitamins will come from food.

For the expectant mother, a good mood is very important, then there will be no worries and uterine tone. It is necessary to try to control your emotions, especially at 3 and 7 months of pregnancy. After all, no one is better than a mother to help a baby be born full-fledged. Physicians provide little support throughout this process.

1. Control your sleep and wake patterns.
2. Transfer some of the household chores to your household.
3. Don't hang out with people you don't like.
4. Be careful during sexual intercourse, especially at 3 and 7 months.

It is clear that it will not be possible to carry out the entire pregnancy absolutely calmly, but it is worth trying at least in the main points. If everything is done correctly, the baby will be born healthy, and the parents will be just happy that they now have a small, beloved miracle, for which you can do anything.

Interested in almost every pregnant woman. Someone was “delighted” by the doctor with such a diagnosis, someone was frightened by a friend who had already given birth, and someone, hearing this term, wants to quickly find out what it is so as not to deal with it in personal practice. To define the concept of uterine hypertonicity, such phrases as “uterus in good shape” and “increased uterine tone” are also used. So what is uterine hypertonicity? Why does it arise? Is it dangerous for the baby? Can it be treated?

What is uterine hypertonicity? Symptoms and signs

The uterus - the reproductive organ of a woman - consists of three layers: a thin film-shell, muscle fibers and the endometrium, which covers the uterine cavity from the inside. The muscle fibers of the uterus have the ability to contract, that is, to tone up. Nature provided so that during the period of bearing the baby, the muscles of the uterus are in a relaxed state and do not contract. But if for some reason the muscular layer of the uterus is exposed to irritants, it contracts and contracts. This creates a certain pressure (depending on the strength of the contractions), and then they talk about uterine hypertonicity. The condition when the muscles of the uterus during pregnancy are relaxed and calm is called normotonus.

Since uterine hypertonicity is a symptom of the threat of spontaneous abortion or, in the later stages, premature birth, you need to know how it manifests itself. This will allow you to contact a specialist in time and eliminate the causes of hypertonicity. The first signs that the uterus is in increased tone are pulling and unpleasant pains in the lower abdomen, as well as in the lumbar or sacral region. Often there is pain in the pubic region. A woman experiences a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen. In women after the first trimester, when the tummy is already quite large, there are sensations as if the uterus is stone.

How is uterine hypertonicity diagnosed?

In order to diagnose this condition, there are several methods. The simplest is palpation by a doctor). This method is especially informative in the later stages, when the uterus is already outside the small pelvis, or rather above it. Then hypertonicity can be determined through palpation of the anterior abdominal wall. The second method is ultrasound. Ultrasound is more informative in the sense that it also shows the tone of the uterus that a woman does not feel. This is true for the so-called local tone, when not the entire uterus is tense, but some part of it. The third method is tonusometry. It is carried out using a special apparatus, the sensor of which is applied to the woman's stomach and the information received is read.

What causes uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy?

There are quite a few reasons that cause uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy. For example, in the early stages, a variety of hormonal disorders can lead to such a state of the uterus. Especially often the “culprit” of increased tone is the hormone progesterone, or rather, its lack.

Structural changes in the walls of the uterus, such as endometriosis, can also cause hypertonicity. If a woman has suffered various inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs (uterus, appendages, ovaries) before pregnancy, then she will most likely find out what hypertonicity is during pregnancy.

Also, the cause of uterine hypertonicity can be any strong emotional shock, stress, fear that has arisen. To this list should be added such factors as hard physical work, excessive activity of a pregnant woman, poor-quality and inadequate rest and sleep.

Who is most likely to have uterine tone during pregnancy?

Doctors have established that there are certain "risk groups". As a rule, women related to them have one, or even several, of the following risk factors. These are the women:

• having abortions;
• with underdeveloped genitals;
• with weak immunity;
• having inflammatory diseases of the genital organs;
• under the age of 18 and over 30;
• frequently exposed to chemicals;
• smoking, drinking or having other bad habits;
• who are in bad relations with their husband or other family members.

Why is uterine hypertonicity dangerous?

In the first trimester of pregnancy, increased uterine tone can cause the death of the fetal egg, non-developing pregnancy, and even miscarriage - spontaneous abortion. At later dates, hypertonicity can cause spontaneous abortion or, if the period is more than 28 weeks, premature birth. If the tone is local, then it is especially dangerous along the wall where the placenta is attached, since in this case there is a danger of its detachment. In the early stages, for the same reason, detachment of the chorion may occur.

For a child in the womb, uterine hypertonicity is dangerous by disrupting the blood supply to the placenta. This leads to oxygen starvation (intrauterine hypoxia) and, consequently, to growth and development retardation.

How to treat uterine hypertonicity?

If a pregnant woman feels pain in the abdomen and a "stone" uterus, the first thing she should do is go to bed. If the tone is not strong, this simple action is enough to make the uterus relax. However, this fact should be reported to the doctor as soon as possible. Especially if this happens periodically. During this period, you need to exclude any physical activity (up to going to grocery stores) and stress.

As a rule, the doctor, in case of uterine hypertonicity, prescribes antispasmodic drugs (no-shpa, papaverine), as well as sedatives (motherwort and valerian tinctures, synthetic drugs sibazol, trioxazine, nozepam). If the tone is accompanied by contractions and pain, the pregnant woman is hospitalized.

Women in the early stages of pregnancy are prescribed utrogestan or duphaston. In the later stages, after 16-18 weeks of pregnancy, ginipral, partusisten, brikanil are used. Often, magne-B6 is used to relieve uterine hypertonicity.

Prevention of uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy

Given the reasons for the development of uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy, it is necessary to do everything possible to eliminate them. A woman carrying a child must definitely listen to the advice of her gynecologist and follow all his instructions. The fruits of disobedience in this case can, unfortunately, be deplorable.

In order to prevent increased uterine tone, every pregnant woman simply needs to rest a lot and try to maintain psychological balance. The expectant mother should explain to relatives and work colleagues that stress is highly undesirable for her now. You should also not go on tiring business trips. Sleep must be complete. Reception of vitamin and mineral complexes is mandatory. So that nothing provokes the development of hypertonicity, a woman must undergo a complete medical examination and, if necessary, eliminate all causes that can cause her trouble. The most important thing in these 9 months is favorable conditions for bearing crumbs. Everything else will have to wait.

Especially for Olga Rizak