Diagnosis and treatment of uterine tone during pregnancy. Increased uterine tone: a pathology or a special condition of pregnancy? How to understand that the tone has passed
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Pregnancy is an almost magical state, well, at least it’s definitely miraculous. Naturally, at this time, a woman simply has to be attentive to herself and very careful. During pregnancy, a woman faces a huge number of dangers and unpleasant diagnoses. One of the most common diagnoses is the so-called uterine tone during pregnancy, or uterine hypertonicity. What does "Mother in tone" mean?
The uterus is a hollow muscular organ consisting of three layers: the outer mucosa is the perimetrium, the middle muscular layer is the myometrium and the inner mucosa is the endometrium. Myometrium is a smooth muscle tissue that is capable of contraction, for example, it contracts during childbirth. However, in its natural state, this muscle should be relaxed, and this state is usually called the normal tone of the uterus.
If during pregnancy, but before the onset of labor, the uterus begins to contract, they say that the tone of the uterus during pregnancy is increased. It is worth mentioning here: since the process of muscle contraction is natural, it is not always that the uterus in good shape is a problem.
In Western medicine, this condition is considered a normal physiological process. Of course, in the event that this diagnosis is not associated with other symptoms that cause discomfort, as well as indicative of serious violations. There is some common sense in this reasoning, because even in the process of sneezing or laughing, almost all muscles contract, including the uterus. The same applies to the ordinary orgasm. Affects the state of the uterus and the psychological state of the pregnant woman. Very often, tension in the muscles of the uterus is observed during a gynecological examination.
However, the peculiarity of the tone of the uterus in all these cases lies in its short duration. Yes, and usually this condition does not cause discomfort. Another thing is if the uterus is in good shape for a long time. The constant tone of the uterus during pregnancy is fraught with the most unpleasant consequences for the fetus, and for maintaining pregnancy too.
What is the danger of uterine tone?
The consequences of uterine hypertonicity can be very deplorable, up to spontaneous miscarriage, if we are talking about uterine tone in early pregnancy, to premature birth, if we are talking about uterine tone in the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
Most often, uterine tone is observed precisely in the early stages, when uterine tension can impede the process of implantation of the fetal egg, and can also cause its rejection or death. In this case, they talk about spontaneous miscarriage.
Sometimes there is a tone of the uterus before childbirth, in which case it is customary to talk about training contractions. They are usually not dangerous. Thus, the uterus prepares for the birth process, roughly speaking, it trains.
May threaten the tone of the uterus and the condition of the baby. So, due to the fact that tense muscles of the uterus compress the vessels of the umbilical cord, the fetus may receive less oxygen, which leads to the development of hypoxia. If, for the same reason, the baby does not receive enough nutrients, then malnutrition, growth arrest is possible.
Causes of uterine hypertonicity
The causes of uterine tone during pregnancy can be very diverse. So, we have already described above why the uterus can tone for natural reasons. Unfortunately, in many cases, the causes of hypertension lie in a variety of problems associated with the course of pregnancy.
It is almost impossible to list and describe all the causes of hypertension in one article, but we will try to give readers as much information as possible about such a common diagnosis. After all, more than 60% of women at least once in their entire pregnancy are diagnosed with increased uterine tone.
In the early stages, the cause of the uterus in good shape is most often a lack of the hormone progesterone. This hormone during pregnancy up to 4 months is produced by the so-called corpus luteum, formed in place, bursting during the exit, the mature egg of the follicle. The main function of progesterone is to prepare the endometrium for implantation of the fetal egg, as well as to relax smooth muscles in order to prevent the development of uterine tone. A lack of progesterone, therefore, can cause hypertonicity.
There are other hormonal disorders, the consequence of which may be the same diagnosis. In particular, an excess of certain male hormones. That is why it is very important during pregnancy to carefully monitor the hormonal background of a woman.
Severe toxicosis also affects the condition of the uterus. Especially if accompanied by profuse and frequent vomiting. During vomiting, many muscles of the body contract, in particular, the abdominal cavity. This process also affects the uterus. Unfortunately, toxicosis in the early stages cannot be completely removed, you can only slightly alleviate the condition of the woman, but it also makes sense to do so.
Hypertonicity, as well as in general miscarriage of the fetus, may be associated with the presence of anomalies in the development of the uterus: the uterus may be bicornuate or saddle-shaped, and also have other disorders. Any anomaly in the development of the uterus creates difficulties for bearing a child, and sometimes makes it impossible.
It is very important that by the time of conception a woman is aware of all her problems, and throughout the pregnancy a woman should be under the constant supervision of a doctor. All anomalies in the development of the uterus will make themselves felt in the very early stages of pregnancy.
In some cases, the cause of tone can be the so-called Rhesus conflict. In the event that the mother's blood Rh factor is negative, and the father of the child is positive, the woman's body can reject the fetus as a foreign body. The process of rejection will be expressed in an increase in tone.
Some infectious diseases and inflammatory processes of the genital organs or in the uterine cavity also cause an increase in tone. Usually, infections are accompanied by other symptoms, such as: a change in the nature of the discharge, pain, itching, and so on.
The cause of the tone may be excessive stretching of the uterus. This condition occurs if the fetus is too large or the pregnancy is multiple. Also, uterine distension occurs with polyhydramnios.
The list is almost endless: tumors, abortions / miscarriages before a real pregnancy, and so on - all this can also cause uterine tone and other painful conditions. We have not yet touched on psychological problems, tension and stress, which also affect the state of smooth muscles.
There are also prosaic reasons. Thus, the tone of the uterus often develops due to the intestines, more precisely, due to strong gas formation and altered intestinal perelstatics.
The main thing to understand and remember from this section is that uterine tone is a symptom, so it would be fundamentally wrong to treat it as an independent disease. It is always necessary to conduct additional studies and establish an accurate diagnosis, and only then prescribe treatment.
Symptoms: how to determine that the uterus is in good shape?
How to determine the tone of the uterus yourself? In most cases, this will not be difficult to do. Symptoms of uterine tone during pregnancy are simple and understandable, although they differ at different times.
Symptoms of an increase in uterine tone in early pregnancy are heaviness in the lower abdomen, pulling pains, as during menstruation, sometimes these pains radiate to the lower back or to the sacrum. The symptoms of uterine tone in the second and third trimesters are almost the same, in addition, at such times, hypertonicity can even be seen visually: the stomach shrinks, becomes hard, the uterus “hardens”. In general, every woman will easily understand how the tone of the uterus feels during pregnancy.
In some cases, the tone of the uterus is manifested by spotting spotting. These are very alarming symptoms, you must immediately call an ambulance, try to calm down. In most cases, with timely treatment, the pregnancy can be saved. It remains to be added that in some cases the tone of the uterus is asymptomatic, more precisely, a woman may not feel them.
Diagnosis of uterine tone
There are several ways to medically diagnose uterine hypertonicity. Often it is noticeable even with a simple gynecological examination. However, the most common diagnostic method is ultrasound. Ultrasound shows the state of the muscles of the uterus. In particular, it is ultrasound that shows such pathologies as uterine tone along the posterior or anterior wall of 1 or 2 degrees. The fact is that the tone along one of the walls of the uterus is expressed by a change in its shape, and the degree directly depends on which wall the fetus is attached to.
There are also special devices that measure exactly the tone of the uterus. However, they are not widely used due to the fact that the diagnosis of this problem leaves no difficulty. It is much more difficult to determine the cause of the tone.
Uterine hypertonicity: treatment
But now, the diagnosis is known, the uterus is in good shape. What to do? First of all, listen to your doctor's advice. The choice of treatment largely depends on how strong the tone of the uterus during pregnancy takes place, as well as on what caused it. If the situation is not associated with a serious risk, the treatment of uterine tone during pregnancy is carried out on an outpatient basis.
A woman is recommended to observe bed rest, antispasmodics are prescribed, usually no-shpu or papaverine. Magnesium B6 and sedatives, such as motherwort, are often prescribed for uterine tone. Please note that all these remedies should only relieve the tone of the uterus during pregnancy, in addition, you will probably be prescribed other medications that should cure the cause of the tone.
So, if we are talking about a lack of progesterone, then a woman is prescribed a drug with its content. If the cause of uterine tone is an excess of male hormones, then their antipodes are prescribed. With toxicosis, they do everything necessary to alleviate this condition, and if the cause is problems with the intestines, it is necessary to reduce gas formation. Its treatment is available in the case of a Rh conflict, and for any other diagnosis.
If the tone of the uterus cannot be removed for a long time, or if the situation is very serious initially, the doctors will insist on hospitalization and further treatment in the hospital. In the hospital, the patient will not be able to systematically violate bed rest, as women usually do while at home: cleaning, cooking and other household chores haunt the housewives. In addition, only in the hospital, doctors will be able to more closely monitor the condition of the mother and child, as well as bring down the increased tone in a timely manner in order to prevent premature birth from starting.
Here it is worth making a small digression, in which we will talk about why, starting from the 28th week, they talk about premature birth, although the baby is clearly not full-term yet. The fact is that with the current state of medicine, it is from the 28th week that you can try to save the life of a newborn. Of course, this is far from the best outcome, it is always desirable to extend the pregnancy for at least one more day.
So, if the tone of the uterus at the 26th week of pregnancy provokes the onset of labor, then doctors will stop it with all their might. For this, tocolytic therapy is carried out, that is, the uterus is relaxed in every possible way with the help of appropriate schemes and preparations. And it is very important to start on time, because at this time the child most likely will not survive. That is why doctors in hospitals are fighting for every day of maintaining pregnancy. Still, the tone of the uterus at 36-38 weeks of gestation is not so dangerous, although it threatens the condition of the fetus. Therefore, after 28 weeks, first of all, they try to keep the pregnancy.
Do you agree to hospitalization?
Very often, women have a question: how much hospitalization is necessary? Usually this question is asked by those who have older children or those who are afraid of losing their jobs due to a long absence, they say, the child needs to be fed, money needs to be earned, but no-shpu and papaverine can be taken at home.
Unfortunately, there is no single right answer here. It all depends on the specific situation: how high is the risk of miscarriage or premature birth, how strong is the tone, and so on. A woman must understand that she refuses hospitalization at her own peril and risk, and she risks, first of all, her unborn child. Is the job worth the risk, for example? And for the older child, you can ask to look after your husband, relatives or close friend. There is almost always a solution.
How to remove the tone of the uterus at home?
In some cases, the tone can really be removed at home, and not only with medications, although you should not refuse them too hastily. How to remove the tone of the uterus at home?
The best way to do this is with exercises to relieve uterine tone. For example, "Cat". You need to get on all fours, raise your head and bend your back, stand in this position for a few seconds, and then slowly return to the starting position. This exercise must be repeated several times, and then lie down for an hour.
It has long been observed that the relaxation of the muscles of the uterus contributes to the relaxation of the muscles of the face. That is why the second exercise recommended for uterine tone is associated specifically with the face. You need to lower your head and relax all the muscles of the face and neck as much as possible. In this case, you need to breathe only through your mouth.
Sometimes, in order to get rid of the unpleasant sensations and symptoms of hypertonicity that have appeared, it is enough just to stand in such a position that the uterus is in a suspended position: that is, again, on all fours, with an emphasis on the elbows.
Combining this simple set of exercises with sedatives and antispasmodics, the tone of the uterus can be removed quite quickly. However, do not forget that it is important not only to remove the tone of the uterus, but also to eliminate the cause, and for this it is important to strictly follow all the instructions of the attending physician. In addition, we consider it our duty to remind you that if this condition cannot be removed, or if the discomfort intensifies, you still have to agree to hospitalization.
Prevention
Prevention of hypertension is a very simple matter. The main thing is to avoid unnecessary physical exertion and stress. It is also useful to eat right and observe the daily routine: go to bed and get up at about the same time. At this time, proper rest and healthy sleep are very important.
Separately, it is worth mentioning a variety of bad habits, such as drinking alcohol and smoking. Both are known to increase, among other things, the risk of uterine tone, and other, even more unpleasant pathologies. Therefore, it is better to give up tobacco and alcohol at the stage of pregnancy planning.
Of great importance for prevention and timely detection is constant monitoring by a gynecologist, as well as the timely passage of all related studies: tests, ultrasound, examinations by narrow specialists, and so on. This is especially true if the woman belongs to one of the risk groups.
Well, and most importantly, worry less. Especially if you still haven't saved yourself. The tone of the uterus, of course, is not a sentence. In the vast majority of cases, pregnancy can be saved, the consequences for the child are minimized. But excitement will in no way help to improve the condition of a pregnant woman with uterine tone.
Editorial: site,
Lada Sergeeva, practicing gynecologist
Useful video about uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy
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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. The lack of progesterone provokes hypertonicity, the organ may begin to contract, preventing the fetal egg from attaching, which leads to the 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, on the cause that this tone causes. 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.
Many women, while waiting for a baby, face a dangerous manifestation - uterine hypertonicity. But this is not a diagnosis. Such a situation during pregnancy in the early stages, like the tone of the uterus, is only a prerequisite for a possible miscarriage. However, the situation is complicated and if no measures are taken, the consequences can be the most deplorable.
The uterus is a smooth muscle organ. And it is characterized by periodic stress. When the tone rises, the myometrium contracts. This is the muscular layer of the uterus. It is located just behind the endometrium (mucous layer). And during the contraction of muscle tissue, pressure on the child begins.
In addition, there is insufficient blood supply to the placenta. She does not receive her norm of oxygen and nutrition. Further, as a consequence, detachment of the placenta. Which leads to fetal death or miscarriage.
Features of increased tone in the first trimester
The state of increased tone of the uterus is the norm if the pregnancy has reached its peak, and childbirth occurs. It also occurs during the menstrual cycle and during orgasm. But if a woman is in the early stages of bearing a fetus, then this is a serious sign for concern.
Uterine tone in early pregnancy: how to find out what is the problem?When conception occurs, the body undergoes global changes. He is preparing for a new role. And a woman, thinking about the future, experiences and worries accordingly. Perhaps the relationship with her husband is changing, moving to a new stage. And all these events affect the emotional state, which affects the degree of uterine tone.
In the first trimester of pregnancy, increased tone is especially dangerous for a woman. In some cases, because of it, the pregnancy stops, and the fetus dies. At the same time, a woman sometimes may not even know this. The main sign of a missed pregnancy is the disappearance of other signs: heaviness in the chest ceases to be felt, toxicosis is no longer tormented in the morning, etc.
That's why a woman needs to relieve herself of part of the household obligations more rest both mentally and physically. This is necessary so that the first months of bearing a baby pass without complications, and the body can prepare for further changes without stress.
State Danger
During pregnancy, there may be a short or long contraction of the uterine muscles. And if in the first variant it is normal, then in the second it is already a pathological condition.
![](https://i1.wp.com/kidteam.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tonus-matki-pri-beremennosti-na-rannih-srokah-5.jpg)
It can provoke:
- fetal hypoxia;
- placental abruption;
- spontaneous abortion;
- frozen pregnancy;
- occurrence of preterm birth.
Reasons for the increase in tone
Since the uterus expands during pregnancy, its muscle tissue should not tighten. But due to a number of reasons, the risk of this process increases.
For example:
- Sexual infections. These are cytomegalovirus, chlamydia, herpes, etc.;
- Inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system;
- Change in hormonal background. This is an overabundance of male hormones or a lack of progesterone;
- Rh-conflict of blood with the fetus;
- Improper nutrition;
- Depression and stress;
- Physical overexertion;
- sexual intercourse;
- Abnormal development of the uterus;
- Toxicosis.
Symptoms of hypertonicity
In order to avoid uterine tone in early pregnancy, you need to pay attention to the following symptoms:
- Bloody issues. They can be red, brown or pink. They testify to a miscarriage or detachment of the chorion that has already begun.
- Drawing pains in the lower back, lower abdomen or pelvis. There is irradiation of pain in the perineal region. Especially the pain is felt after physical exertion or sexual intercourse.
- The general condition is similar to menstrual malaise.
- Pulsation in the abdomen.
- At a later date - hardening of the abdomen.
- Contraction-like spasms.
How to determine the increased tone yourself
With a careful attitude to her feelings, a woman is able to understand herself that the state of the uterus is disturbed. When a pressing pain is felt under the abdomen or in the lumbar region. In the second half of pregnancy, the stomach becomes stony.
If this happens rarely, when changing positions or after physical exertion, then this is a normal physiological process. Perhaps the woman was nervous, walked a lot, or had sexual intercourse.
with frequent spasms or discharge, these signs are already pathological in nature, and in this case you should definitely see a specialist.
Palpation
As a rule, the doctor examines women through ultrasound and uses the method of palpation to detect tone. But in the early stages of pregnancy, the tone of the uterus is difficult to detect with the help of palpation, then such a diagnosis is considered relevant in the period of the second and third trimester.
To do this, the woman lies on her back, bending her knees. The abdominal muscles relax and the doctor can feel the tense uterus. Also, the gynecologist checks the presentation of the fetus. At later dates, with an increase in tone, the stomach becomes stony, and it is already problematic to feel parts of the fetus.
Methods of first aid
Performing simple exercises, a woman can relax the muscles of the uterus on her own at home.
This will help:
- Gymnastics:
- Relax facial muscles. To do this, you need to sit in a comfortable position and bow your head. Breathe slowly and calmly. In this position, tension subsides from the face and neck, which allows you to bring the tone back to normal;
- Exercise "cat". The woman gets on all fours and bows her head. Then he lifts it, bending his back down. Breathing should be deep and even, and the muscles should be relaxed. And just as smoothly with deep breathing, bend your lower back up, lowering your head. Stand in each position for about 7 seconds. After doing the exercise 5 times, lie down on the bed;
- Get on your knees, resting your elbows on the floor. Stay like this for about a minute. Then lie down to rest.
By performing these exercises regularly, a pregnant woman will learn to control her body and, if necessary, quickly remove the tone.
- Bandage:
- Panties, with elastic wide top well support the stomach without causing discomfort.
- Belt. It is worn over underwear. There are grippers on the sides, with the help of which it is easy to adjust the volume.
- Universal bandage. The elastic band has hooks or other fastening methods on the sides. From the side of the abdomen, it is of an expanded form, and narrowed at the lower back. It fixes the stomach well, which allows the uterus not to strain due to its weight.
The doctor will help you choose the right bandage, taking into account the characteristics of each woman.
- Nutrition:
- Oatmeal and buckwheat porridge. 3 art. Spoons are poured with a glass of boiling water and boiled for 5 minutes. Consume on an empty stomach. You can add honey;
- Green vegetables. These are asparagus, cucumbers, broccoli, peas;
- Almonds and nuts;
- Fruits;
- From meat: chicken and rabbit.
By eating the right foods, you can significantly reduce the risk of increased tone. Do not drink coffee and strong tea. Carbonated drinks, fast food and fatty foods also harmful to pregnant women.
Non-drug removal of hypertension
To reduce the increased tone of the uterus during early pregnancy, it is not necessary to resort to medical treatment. There are many ways to help cope with this without drugs.
- aromatherapy. A pleasant smell helps to relax and calm the nerves. You can arrange scented sticks around the house or light incense. If a pregnant woman is not bothered by discharge, then a warm bath with the addition of essential oils will perfectly relax the muscles and calm the nervous system. Literally 6 drops of basil, thyme, sage, eucalyptus or lemon can already fully restore the emotional state;
- Herbal teas are excellent sedatives.. It can be either a collection of herbs, or just tea with the addition of motherwort, mint or lemon balm.
- Yoga. With the help of a special relaxation technique, you can completely get rid of stress and nervous overexcitation. In the process of meditation, a woman can visualize a happy future with a baby in her arms. Yoga classes should be soothing, not physically stressful.
- Nice, calm music will set you in a peaceful mood, pushing aside all inner experiences.
- Handmade. Knitting, embroidery, cooking or sewing will help you escape from the hustle and bustle. And if such a pastime brings joy to a woman, then you can do this as often as possible.
Whatever a pregnant woman is fond of, the main rule is to enjoy the activity.
Diagnostic measures
According to certain signs, a woman herself can understand what is happening to her. But it also happens that hypertonicity does not manifest itself in any way and the moment of help may be missed. The gynecologist can determine the tone in several ways.
![](https://i2.wp.com/kidteam.ru/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tonus-matki-pri-beremennosti-na-rannih-srokah-2.jpg)
- Palpation. It is more often used in late pregnancy, when the uterus is well palpated. The patient assumes a supine position with half-bent knees. Since in this position the involuntary tension of the abdomen subsides and it is easier for the doctor to palpate.
- ultrasound. Scanning with ultrasound determines what kind of tone the pregnant woman has - local or total. With local tone, only 1 wall of the uterus, anterior or posterior, is tense. With total tone, the entire myometrium thickens.
- Tonusometry. A special sensor is attached to the patient's abdomen. Thanks to the device, you can accurately record the degree of muscle tension.
Treatment in a hospital
"Houses and walls heal." For women who are carrying a baby, this belief is not always suitable. Since with a tone, first of all, bed rest is put. And household chores can still make a woman make unnecessary movements. Therefore, inpatient treatment may be the best solution in this matter.
In addition to short walks along the corridor, there is nothing else to do there. Doctors often recommend eating in the ward. From forced idleness, a pregnant woman sleeps a lot, which is considered the best medicine.
But initially, in order to determine the severity of the symptom, the pregnant woman must pass all the tests, undergo an ultrasound examination and tonusometry. After evaluating the condition of the uterus, the presence of hormones, psychological attitude, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment regimens. These are soothing, preserving or supporting drugs.
Another advantage of inpatient treatment is droppers. Intravenous injections of magnesium or magnesia are faster and more effective than tablets. Also, doctors are constantly nearby, who, if necessary, will be able to provide professional assistance in time. And the fact that she is under the control of specialists reassures the woman.
Treatment with medications
In order to avoid spontaneous abortion or fetal hypoxia due to uterine tone during early pregnancy, it is necessary to take medication. For this, pharmacological preparations are prescribed to relieve tension in muscle fibers.
- Ginipral. Due to the selective B 2 - Adrenomimetic contained in the preparation, the activity of the myometrium decreases. The intensity of contractions decreases, inhibiting spasms in the uterus. They are used in the form of droppers or tablets.
- But - shpa (Drotaverine). It also relieves spasms in the abdominal muscles. However, the drug can cross the placenta, so it is prescribed if there is a real risk of fetal loss.
- Magne B6. Assigned in early pregnancy, the drug compensates for magnesium deficiency, and prevents complications in subsequent trimesters. These are placental insufficiency, preeclampsia, fetal malformations. Also, the tool normalizes cellular metabolism.
- Papaverine. It relieves spasms, lowers blood pressure and generally has a beneficial effect on the fetus. In the early stages, they are prescribed in the form of candles.
- Utrozhestan. Compensates for the lack of progesterone. Reduces the risk of miscarriage.
- Duphaston. It is prescribed for hormone therapy. The main component of progestogen is an analogue of progesterone.
- Valerian or motherwort. Sedatives. Normalize the emotional background. Helps to relax and relieve spasms in the abdominal muscles. They are taken exclusively in tablet form, since the tinctures contain alcohol.
Treatment with folk remedies
With the tone of the uterus in the early stages of pregnancy, mother nature can also help. Some natural remedies solve this problem as well as medicines.
- Melissa. An infusion is prepared from 1 liter of water and 20 g of the plant. Boil the herb in a water bath. Then stir continuously for a quarter of an hour. When the broth has cooled, strain through a strainer or cheesecloth and mix with 3 liters of honey. Take 3-4 times a day. The course of admission varies from 1 to 2 months.
- Cranberry. Puree cranberries with a meat grinder or blender, and mix with sugar in proportions of 1:1. You can also make pasta from sea buckthorn. Then 5 tbsp. dilute the sweet mixture in half a liter of water and replace tea with such a drink. You can drink the whole pregnancy.
- Parsley. A decoction of parsley perfectly relieves spasms, and the folic acid contained in it is useful for any expectant mother. Take fresh parsley leaves, finely chop and pour boiling water. Keep on low heat for a quarter of an hour. Drink 2 glasses a day for a month.
- Lemon and tomato. Squeeze juice from lemons and tomatoes. In the proportions of tomato to lemon 9:1. Within 14 days, drink 100 ml of a cocktail in the morning 30 minutes before meals.
- Dried fruits and rose hips. For 1.5 liters of water, take 50 g of wild rose, dried apricots and raisins. Boil for 10-15 minutes, no more. In the cooled broth, stir 2 tbsp. meadow honey. Divide 250-300 g into 2 times and drink a day. The course lasts 5 months.
Prevention of hypertension
For preventive purposes, it will be appropriate to do or not do certain things.
For example, you cannot:
- be nervous;
- overwork physically;
- use alcohol, tobacco or drugs;
- lift weights;
- eat junk food.
At the same time, you should:
- sleep well;
- more rest from household chores;
- spend more time outdoors;
- be sure to visit a gynecologist on time.
Expert opinion
Taking into account the current time, new technologies, the presence of various gadgets in the life of every person, experts advise pregnant women to change their lifestyle.
To bear a healthy baby and avoid problematic situations during pregnancy, you should:
- Significantly reduce the use of a computer, phone or tablet;
- If possible, change your place of residence during pregnancy. That is, to go to the country or to the village, where the air is much cleaner than in big cities;
- More often walk in the fresh air in the park, where there are a lot of trees;
- If conditions permit, visit the pool. And generally have more contact with water. Take warm baths. Sea, lake, river are welcome;
- Do not use foods, drinks and seasonings that can change the tone for the worse;
- Perform exercises related to proper breathing;
- Keep only positive thoughts in your head.
The most important thing is to remember that the tone of the uterus in early pregnancy is not a sentence. And in no case should you cry and be nervous, since such a reaction only worsens the situation. Taking care of your health and the health of your baby largely depends on the behavior of the expectant mother.
Video uterine tone during early pregnancy
Uterine hypertonicity in the first trimester: diagnosis and treatment:
What to do with uterine hypertonicity in early pregnancy:
In the state of pregnancy, women often hear the diagnosis "uterus in good shape." A phrase that is common in auditory perception can become threatening and lead to irreversible consequences. You should carefully consider the medical verdict and ask the gynecologist an important question: what does this phenomenon mean and whether it is necessary to fight it.
What is uterine tone during pregnancy
The uterus is a hollow muscle, contracting is its natural state. The organ consists of layers:
- external - perimetry;
- middle (muscular) - myometrium;
- internal - endometrium.
When sneezing, coughing, medical gynecological examination or ultrasound, the uterus contracts - it comes into tone for a short time. Prolonged contraction of the muscle layer is called "hypertonicity". This is a dangerous condition for pregnancy. It is necessary to recognize the symptoms in time and eliminate the causes.
Symptoms
The growing fetus stretches the tissues, during this period the muscles relax. You can determine the tone of the uterus by a number of symptoms and during an instrumental examination by a doctor. At each stage of bearing a baby, contractions appear with varying degrees of intensity, have their own characteristics and consequences. Contractions can be local (tonus along the posterior wall of the uterus) or general. A woman can understand that the uterus is in good shape by internal sensations and some external signs.
In the early stages
At this stage, cases of tone are observed frequently. Main features:
- Aching pain in the lower abdomen.
- Pulling sensations.
- Cramps like contractions, or like menstruation.
- Discomfort, pain in the lumbar region.
Sometimes the increased tone does not manifest itself, so doctors recommend undergoing an ultrasound scan. This procedure accurately determines the condition of the muscles.
Signs of uterine tone in the second trimester
At this stage (from 8 to 16 weeks), cases of hypertonicity are detected much less frequently. They are no less dangerous than in the first and third trimester of fetal formation. You should immediately consult a gynecologist, feeling the appearance of:
- Pain in the lower abdomen.
- Tactile sensations of the "fossil" of the entire abdomen.
- Bloody secretions.
The diagnosis is confirmed by a medical examination. If the uterus is in good shape during pregnancy in the second trimester, this threatens with abnormal fetal development or premature birth.
In the 3rd trimester
The most responsible and difficult stage. The body prepares for childbirth, muscle contractions become more frequent. It is difficult to independently determine what it is: a manifestation of habitual spasms or tone. Only a doctor can diagnose a deviation from the norm. If, upon examination at the 32nd week, the uterus is open, and the ECG of the child inside the womb is unstable, the specialist will immediately understand the presence of an increased tone. To prevent the risk of miscarriage, visits to your gynecologist should be frequent. In all cases, with bloody discharge, an urgent need to call a doctor.
Causes
The following reasons can cause a state of increased tone:
- overwork / slight malaise;
- stress / depression;
- physical pathologies (underdevelopment of the reproductive organ);
- lack of the hormone progesterone;
- Rh-conflict of systems for providing mother and child;
- severe toxicosis with vomiting;
- infectious diseases;
- age characteristics of a woman's body;
- chronic or acquired diseases;
- general psychological mood;
- the physical condition of the woman;
- loads;
- in special cases - sex with uterine tone.
When the uterus is in good shape, what does this mean for a woman who is looking forward to the appearance of a child? Clinical consequences, dangers for the woman in labor and the baby can be described by an experienced specialist. Wrong lifestyle and behavior of a pregnant woman can leave an indelible mark.
What is dangerous increased uterine tone
Increased tone negatively affects the child and mother. During the period of bearing a child, hypertonicity means the risk of abortion: in the early stages of miscarriage, in the later stages - premature birth. In the second trimester, prolonged muscle contraction leads to a deterioration in blood circulation with the placenta, insufficient oxygen is supplied to the fetus, which causes hypoxia. Placental abruption occurs as a result of the fact that it does not contract with the myometric layer.
Treat with medication when the uterus is in hypertonicity, what does this mean? The condition involves a mandatory visit to a doctor who will correctly diagnose and prescribe the necessary drugs. In the initial stages, it can be antispasmodics: "No-shpa", "Papaverine", motherwort, valerian. For prevention, pregnant women are prescribed vitamins A and E, light breathing exercises are prescribed, more walks in the fresh air.
How to remove the tone of the uterus at home
You can remove the tone of the uterus by resorting to simple methods:
- Go to shower. After standing for 10 minutes under warm water, lie on your back, relax all the muscles.
- Take magnesium with food. Oatmeal or buckwheat porridge, almonds, herbs, beans, nuts (forest) are rich in minerals.
- Do a light external massage of the abdomen and back. To reduce muscle tension, ask your relatives to rub your back until it burns, massage your head and neck.
- Wear a bandage. It is used to reduce stress on the lower uterine wall. The bandage should not cause discomfort and feel like something foreign. How to wear, you can find out by looking at the corresponding photos.
Every woman has to be nervous before childbirth, the main thing is not to experience constant stress. Low mood negatively affects the entire course of pregnancy. Remember: the well-being of childbirth and the health of the baby depend entirely on the mother. Ideally, medical intervention in the natural process of gestation and birth should be minimal.
Video about uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy
Although pregnancy is considered one of the most beautiful periods in a woman's life, when she enjoys her position, she needs to be attentive for all 9 months, monitor changes, and respond quickly to them. One of the most unpleasant symptoms that pregnant women often experience is uterine tone or hypertonicity.
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Signs of tone vary slightly depending on the duration of pregnancy. How to determine yourself in the first trimester:
- feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen
- drawing pain, similar to those that occur during menstruation
- pain that radiates to the lower back or sacral spine
In the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, the signs are almost the same, except that hypertonicity can also be visually noticed. In a pregnant woman, the belly shrinks noticeably, it becomes very hard. Therefore, it will be easy for any woman to notice this phenomenon. Sometimes this condition can also be manifested by bloody discharge. You should definitely call an ambulance immediately, and at the same time, see a doctor. To determine whether the tone is definitely increased or not, and whether it is dangerous, an examination by a gynecologist, as well as an ultrasound examination, will help.
They may be different. Sometimes these are natural causes associated with hormonal changes, physical activity, emotional state, etc. For example, the uterus is often in good shape during a gynecological examination, because the patient is a little tense and embarrassed at this moment.
What causes the uterus to tone up:
- Lack of progesterone in the early stages. With a hormonal failure, tone can occur due to an excess of male hormones. Therefore, all 9 months it is necessary to monitor the hormonal background.
- Toxicosis- Another reason, especially if it is accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting. At this point, the abdominal cavity contracts, and the uterus may also be involved. With severe toxicosis, it is recommended to go through, in which the blood is cleansed and toxins are removed from the body. To do this, a woman is drip-injected with special solutions that do not harm either her or the baby, a course of 3 procedures, then at the discretion of the doctor and based on the condition of the pregnant woman. After that, the expectant mother becomes much easier, often the signs of toxicosis go away completely.
- Anomalies in the structure of the uterus are also one of the reasons. Therefore, it is better for a woman to be examined in advance, even before pregnancy, in order to be aware of such problems. Anomalies of the uterus can greatly interfere with the normal bearing of the fetus, or not allow it at all.
- Rhesus conflict often causes hypertension. It occurs if a woman has a negative blood type, and her partner has a positive one. It may happen that her body will reject the fetus, mistaking it for something foreign.
- Infections, inflammation in the pelvic organs- another reason. There will be other signs expressed in a change in the amount and type of discharge, the occurrence of itching and burning.
The reasons why there may be an increased tone of the uterus during pregnancy are a huge number and can be listed for a long time. One of them is uterine distention, for example, if the child is very large or the pregnancy itself is multiple. The tone increases due to gas formation in the intestines.
It is not the tone of the uterus itself that should be treated as some kind of separate disease, it is only a symptom, you need to look for the cause and eliminate it.
This means that the muscles of the uterus are tense. Normally, they should be relaxed. They strain only during childbirth to help the fetus be born. If the muscles of the uterus are tense, and the pregnant woman and her baby feel uncomfortable, then it is worth fighting this condition.
Why is hypertension dangerous?
There is nothing wrong with it if the tone passes quickly. If such symptoms become permanent, there is a danger to the health of the fetus and, in general, there is a threat of termination of pregnancy. With hypertonicity, the fetus may suffer from a lack of oxygen.
What to do if the tone is increased?
The question that worries almost all expectant mothers: what to do if the uterus is in good shape during pregnancy? You need to take a little look at your condition. If there is no acute pain, bleeding, and this condition itself quickly passes, there is nothing wrong with that, perhaps these are just training fights. If the hypertonicity is of a prolonged nature, a doctor's consultation is necessary, and possibly hospitalization, or complete rest. In some cases, the doctor recommends undergoing an additional examination to determine the possible risks and causes of the pathology.
At home, the expectant mother is recommended to observe bed rest. She should avoid strong physical exertion, emotional experiences. Antispasmodics are prescribed. Usually, with uterine tone, this is No-shpa or. Magnesium B6, motherwort, and other drugs may be prescribed, depending on the identified cause. All actions should be aimed at eliminating the underlying cause that caused the increased contraction of the uterus.
You can remove the tone not only by medication, but also by performing special exercises. One option for how to relieve uterine tone during pregnancy is the Cat exercise. A woman should get on all fours and bend her back, stay in this state for a few seconds, and then straighten her back back. You need to repeat 7-8 times, then lie down on the bed and lie down for at least one hour.
If at home it is not possible to remove the increased tone, you should contact your doctor. He may prescribe hospitalization to prevent preterm labor and maintain a healthy pregnancy for the rest of the term. Sometimes, even if the expectant mother has the opportunity to relieve symptoms at home, she simply does not follow all the doctor's prescriptions. After all, there are many things to do at home: which can never be redone, so it is not always possible to relax calmly. More often, because of this, doctors recommend strongly to go to the hospital, at least for a day, so that the woman regains her strength.
What the doctor advises with increased uterine tone, see the video:
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