How to understand that the uterus is in good shape: a description of the symptoms, possible causes, consultation with a gynecologist, examination and treatment if necessary. The uterus is in good shape, what does it mean What does the uterus in good shape mean in pregnant women

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.

The tone of the uterus in early pregnancy is quite common, faced by at least half of the mothers. On the one hand, this may mean the body's usual reaction to certain actions, on the other hand, it can become a harbinger of a serious threat to the fetus. They will indicate whether the tone of the uterus during pregnancy is dangerous specifically in your case, the symptoms in the 1st trimester, which every woman should know about.

If bleeding is added to the discomfort, call an ambulance immediately! Do not disregard the cramping pains, because they also require immediate intervention. If the condition is not critical, it is recommended in any case to consult a doctor to establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, if necessary.

Depending on the condition and the factors that led to it, a woman may need either medication or hospitalization with bed rest. In any case, the main thing when hypertonicity is detected is peace and exclusion of annoying causes that cause unrest and stress.

What is dangerous uterine hypertonicity

Hypertonicity of the uterus during pregnancy, the symptoms of which can go completely unnoticed by a woman, with timely access to a doctor, rarely ends in failure. But ignore even the slightest threat! In the third trimester, this can lead to premature birth, but in the first, it can end in an involuntary miscarriage.

At conception, this state of the female organ leads to problems with the implantation of the ovum into the endometrium, that is, the fertilized egg cannot penetrate into the endometrium of the uterus for further development. Or the already finished fruit is simply rejected. In this case, the doctor states a spontaneous miscarriage.

Even if a miscarriage was avoided, uterine hypertonicity in early pregnancy no less threatens the fetus. Indeed, due to the increased load on the organs, the baby may not receive useful nutrients, and therefore growth retardation is likely. No less threatening will be hypoxia, in which the fetus receives oxygen in an amount insufficient for normal existence and development.

How is the diagnosis of uterine tone in the early stages

Signs of uterine tone in the early stages of pregnancy are most often established by the doctor during the examination, if before that the pregnant woman herself did not suspect anything. The gynecologist determines the condition with the help of palpation, but be sure to prescribe an additional examination for ultrasound. This is how it will be exactly clear in what condition the muscles of the uterus are. In modern clinics, there are also special devices that detect pathology. However, it is much easier to identify uterine tone in early pregnancy, the symptoms of which are obvious, than to establish the cause that led to it.

Methods of treatment of uterine tone and prevention of its manifestation

If a woman felt the beginning hypertonicity of the uterus during pregnancy, the signs should not immediately scare her. Otherwise, she will worsen her condition by herself, increasing the load from excitement on the organs and the fetus.

To get started, follow these simple steps:

• lie down comfortably and relax;
• stroke the tummy, talk to your baby;
• get out of your head any thoughts that cause anxiety, panic, irritation;
• exclude sexual activity for a while.

As for prevention, the expectant mother, first of all, needs to tune in to the positive, believe that her pregnancy will be wonderful, and the baby will be born healthy and happy. Secondly, it is recommended to observe the normal

Reading 6 min. Views 1.7k. Published on 03/13/2019

Often pregnant women are diagnosed with increased uterine tone. The organ is intensively reduced, which is typical for labor.

elevated uterine tone during pregnancy creates great risks for the baby and the expectant mother, so you need to know how to behave when characteristic symptoms occur.

Hypertonicity. When should you be worried?

The uterus consists of muscular and mucous membranes. Any muscle has the ability to contract, the musculature of the uterus is no exception. She is usually relaxed.

Occasionally, the muscle contracts for 1-2 seconds, for example, due to sneezing, coughing, laughing, general body tension. Short-term weak tension does not cause discomfort or any inconvenience, it is completely safe for the child.

Normal tone is not felt in any way. Even during pregnancy, it does not pose a danger.

Another thing is when the contractility increases, and the uterus is in a tense state for a long time and often. Or the uterus tenses not for a couple of seconds, but for several minutes.

This condition causes pain and discomfort. Then they talk about increased tone (or hypertonicity) of the uterus - a doctor's consultation, examination, and a number of therapeutic measures are necessary.

Sometimes hypertonicity is observed a few days before childbirth. These are training fights, which is considered as a variant of the norm. At the end pregnancy uterus prepares for the upcoming birth, so their muscles seem to “rehearse”.

What is dangerous uterine hypertonicity

Frequent and intense tension of the uterus is dangerous for the woman and the fetus. Hypertonicity poses a serious threat to the preservation of pregnancy. For up to 28 weeks, it leads to spontaneous miscarriage, and at a later time - to premature birth.

For a baby, overstrain of the muscles of the uterus is fraught with serious dangers - the vessels that feed the fetus may be pinched, the child will receive less oxygen, which will lead to hypoxia and developmental abnormalities, the occurrence of anomalies ..

Also, the child will not receive the necessary nutrients, which is fraught with stunted growth or malnutrition, problems with further development.

Increased tone causes placental abruption.

The more frequent and stronger the contractions, the higher the risk of violations. The worst scenario is a strong shortening and opening of the cervix, which causes miscarriages, premature births.

A uterus in good shape is not a good thing for women planning a pregnancy. Excess stress will prevent the fetal egg from firmly attaching to the walls of the organ, which will lead to rejection of the zygote. The pregnancy will end before it even started.

Causes

Normally, the contractile activity of the uterus is observed only at the end of pregnancy, immediately before childbirth. However, hypertonicity can be observed at any period of bearing a baby.

In the 1st trimester, problems often arise due to changing hormonal levels, for example, insufficient production of the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for proper relaxation of the uterus. The second reason- severe toxicosis.

In the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, the cause is the large size of the fetus and increased pressure on the organ;

Causes of hypertension:

• Rhesus conflict occurs at any stage, the mother's body will perceive the fetus as a foreign organism;
• past infectious diseases, especially if they were accompanied by fever and / or severe cough;
• multiple pregnancy and polyhydramnios create increased pressure on the walls of the organ, which leads to hypertonicity;
• irregular shape of the uterus, anomalies of its development;
• surgical interventions in the anamnesis;
• endocrine disorders, diseases;
• problems with the nervous system, the presence of chronic stress, high physical activity, overwork;
• lack of sleep: pregnant women are advised to sleep at night from 8 to 10 hours, daytime sleep is desirable for 1-2 hours;
• constipation, intestinal disorders, lack of vitamins, folic acid;
• too active sex life.

Women under the age of 21 or older than 40 are more likely to experience hypertension.

Compliance with the daily regimen, balance and a balanced menu will reduce the risks of increasing the tone of the uterus during pregnancy.

Symptoms of hypertonicity

Hypertonicity is not an independent disease, it should not be treated in isolation, it must be considered in a complex way or as a manifestation of other pathologies.

Symptoms of uterine tone during pregnancy in the early stages:

• heaviness in the lower abdomen;
• drawing pains, similar to premenstrual;
• pain in the lumbar region, sacrum.

Symptoms of uterine tone during pregnancy in the 2nd and 3rd trimester:

• "petrification" of the abdomen;
• its contraction and hardening;
• bloody issues.

What to do if symptoms of hypertension appear

With the appearance of characteristic pains and petrification, it cannot be tolerated. As soon as determined the tone of the uterus during pregnancy, with complaints of discomfort, you need to go to the doctor.

You should also not self-medicate. The doctor will prescribe adequate therapy. Usually, increased tone is treated at home, in rare cases they are sent to a hospital.

Medical measures

With hypertonicity, drug therapy is prescribed, drugs are selected depending on what caused it.

Treatment is prescribed complex, including:

• antispasmodics;
• hormones;
• multivitamins or individual groups of vitamins and trace elements;
• sedative drugs;
• bowel stabilisers.

Antispasmodics reduce muscle tension, they act directly on smooth muscles, relaxing it.

If, as a result of the tests, it turns out that there is a hormonal failure or endocrine disorders, then special drugs are prescribed. Most often, the tone is caused by an excess of male hormones, a lack of progesterone, or the presence of stress hormones (adrenaline, oxytocin).

Magnesium and vitamin B 6 relax muscles, make them elastic, and stabilize the central nervous system. Folic acid is also necessary for the normal course of pregnancy.

Sedative drugs will reduce stress levels, stabilize the nervous system, moderate the level of stress hormones, which allows you to normalize the tone of the uterus. Preference is given to herbal preparations that do not affect the course of pregnancy, for example, valerian and motherwort.

It is better to use a tablet version or make natural decoctions. Alcohol tinctures during pregnancy are not recommended for use.

The condition of the intestine affects the uterus. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor it: take preventive measures, drink drugs to reduce gas formation, prevent

home measures

This is not about self-medication or alternative methods, but about those measures that will speed up the recovery process or become a good prevention of hypertension.

Pregnant women during outpatient treatment are recommended:

• observe bed rest;
• sleep well;
• stick to a diet, avoid foods that stimulate gas formation or increase body tone;
• drink herbal teas with lemon balm, mint;
• perform special exercises to relax the uterus;
• follow the doctor's recommendations.

Do not delay: when the first symptoms appear, you should consult a gynecologist. The specialist will advise how to relieve the tone of the uterus during pregnancy.

To spend the entire period of pregnancy, never nervous, without lifting a single bag or catching any infection, will not work. But you need to try to spend this time as relaxed as possible.

The following steps will help:

• observe the regime of the day: get enough sleep, enough rest, do not overstrain;
• partially transfer homework to the rest of the family;
• avoid contact with sick people, especially during colds, influenza and SARS epidemics;
• do not eat foods that irritate the intestines;
• do not use tonic drinks: energy drinks, strong tea and coffee - they stimulate the activity of all muscles;
• be moderate during sexual intercourse;
• good and varied food.

You have to deal with hypertonicity quite often, but with timely measures taken, this condition passes quickly and without consequences.

Conclusion

Uterine hypertonicity can be called normal s m state only a few days before childbirth, when the body is actively preparing for the process and training contractions begin.

In other cases, if you feel discomfort or pain, a woman should consult a doctor. During treatment, it is necessary to adhere to some restrictions: observe bed rest, drink sedative decoctions. But the success of therapy depends on the medications prescribed by the attending physician.

Which of the expectant mothers is not familiar with such a concept as uterine tone? Yes, almost everyone is familiar. Only if for one it proceeds almost asymptomatically and imperceptibly, for the other it causes real panic and very painful sensations.

How to deal with the tone of the uterus, and what to do with its increase?

Uterine tone at the beginning and end of pregnancy

The fact that the muscular layer of the uterus tends to contract has been known to everyone since school. But these contractions do not really bother us in the usual non-pregnant state. When the long-awaited crumbs develop in the uterus, this issue becomes more relevant than ever. Especially since tone can provoke sudden placental abruption, fetal hypoxia and even miscarriage . The reason for this can be anything, including a drunk glass of wine or excitement about the upcoming birth. How is tone treated at different stages of pregnancy?

• First trimester.
  At this time, even the doctor (and the expectant mother herself) can hardly detect the tone of the uterus. Moreover, as a rule, it happens that a woman does not even know about pregnancy yet, and she perceives pulling pains as harbingers of future menstruation. Sometimes such pains at this time can be a signal of a threatened miscarriage, missed or even ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, ultrasound is indispensable. And if the ultrasound shows the absence of abnormalities in the development of the fetus, then, most likely, the expectant mother will be able to get by with antispasmodics and a calmer daily routine (that is, a decrease in habitual activity).
• Second trimester.
  We are talking about treatment only if the tone manifests itself as pain, duration and symptoms (fixed on ultrasound), such as opening or shortening of the cervix. To maintain pregnancy and, accordingly, reduce tone, progesterone suppositories are used. As for antispasmodics, according to experts, they are not effective in this case.
• Third trimester (middle and end).
  The tone at this time is usually due to serious changes in the hormonal background and the natural preparation for childbirth of the cervix. Although, it happens that cramping pains can also flow into labor. Then urgent medical attention is required if there are three (or even more) weeks left before the birth.

How to independently remove the tone of the uterus during pregnancy?

Even if the doctor did not consider it necessary to tell you about the symptoms and treatment of this phenomenon, and nothing really bothers you, except for minor spasms, it will not be superfluous to find out how to cope with the tone on your own. Of course, no one canceled a visit to the doctor - and at the slightest doubt, you should immediately go to the doctor or call an ambulance. But useful information is always useful.

How to avoid uterine tone?

Prevention is always better than long and painful treatment. Therefore, try to adhere to the traditional rules and methods that allow you to transfer these nine months without additional hospitalizations and drugs. So what do you need?

And most importantly, don't panic. A slight tension of the uterus is characteristic of the body during pregnancy. But taking care of yourself and reporting your concerns to the doctor in a timely manner is a minimum program.

The site site warns: self-medication can harm your health and threaten the life of your unborn baby! The recipes given here do not replace medical treatment and do not cancel a trip to the doctor!