Pregnancy for a woman becomes a difficult, important period when the body undergoes a serious test. Training contractions are false sensations that can begin either in the second half of pregnancy or closer to the 40th week. This is not a deviation in the development of the fetus and is not a reason to immediately sound the alarm. Most of the sensations that a woman experiences are aimed at preparing the body for labor.

What are training contractions?

This phenomenon is characterized by paroxysmal tension of the uterus, it does not bring unpleasant sensations and does not cause discomfort. This muscle contraction is also called Braxton-Hicks contractions. They may begin suddenly and at irregular intervals. Some women say that their preparatory contractions repeat once a day, and for some almost every hour. During false contractions, the expectant mother experiences how the muscles of the uterus tense, and attacks of abdominal tension occur at different intervals.

Causes

Not everyone experiences Braxton-Hicks contractions; there are a number of reasons for the appearance of false muscle contractions. The following factors are identified that may affect this:

• excessive activity of the mother or fetus;
• touching the stomach;
• dehydration;
• serious physical exercise;
• stormy intimate life;
• psycho-emotional stress;
• full bladder.

During actual childbirth, a woman will have to put in a lot of effort, so this process prepares the uterus. If during the entire period of pregnancy the muscles have never tensed, they will remain in a relaxed state and during real labor, there may simply not be enough strength. Immediately before birth, this phenomenon helps to soften the cervix, due to contraction it becomes shorter, which leads to dilatation of the cervix. This is a kind of training for the body to facilitate the process.

Does everyone have

Exists a large number of women who did not experience any training contractions. This does not mean that the muscles of the uterus did not work before childbirth. Expectant mothers may simply not notice them due to pain threshold, lifestyle and other factors. Much depends on individual tolerance, but the uterus will definitely tense up and prepare for labor at certain intervals. Primiparas often do not experience any sensations, but during the second pregnancy they already notice uterine contractions.

How to distinguish training contractions from real ones

Mothers should listen carefully to what is happening in their bodies. For this reason, it is important to know how to distinguish real contractions from training contractions. The main difference is that during prenatal contractions the cervix dilates, but during training contractions this does not happen, which indicates false contractions. There are two main factors that help women distinguish real labor from false labor:

• rhythm of contractions;
• painful sensations.

Symptoms

A girl should know how to distinguish real contractions from false ones. As a rule, during training contractions a slight tension appears in the lower abdomen. Often the sensation is localized on one side (left or right), lasts a couple of seconds or minutes and passes. Visually, this may look like the baby’s butt or head protruding, and the belly takes on a “pointed” shape. The expectant mother can get additional benefit from false contractions by starting to do breathing exercises.

As a rule, training contractions are painless. Their intensity may increase with the duration of pregnancy, and sometimes minor pain appears. They can be recognized by 4 main characteristics:

• the interval between them is not equal, there is no predictability, the next contraction may last longer or occur earlier than the previous one;
• irregularity, less than 6 voltages in 1 hour;
• contraction concentrated in one area, may be localized in the lower abdomen, upper uterus or groin;
• physical discomfort is felt, but not pain, it gradually subsides and completely disappears.

Feel

Women describe this condition as a sudden tension in the abdomen. The sensations during training contractions do not cause pain; they appear spontaneously, sometimes increase, but more often sharply. The duration of the training contraction is no more than 2 minutes; it passes completely or is repeated after some time. In rare cases, frequent contractions are accompanied by pain. If it is prolonged and acute, accompanied by discharge, you should immediately call a doctor and go to the hospital.

What week do training contractions begin?

Girls want to know when false cramps may begin, but exact week Not even a gynecologist can tell you. In some women, they occur in the second trimester of pregnancy if there are disturbances in the functioning of the internal secretion organs. In most cases, they begin within 2 weeks and become a harbinger of labor. The hormonal system begins to correct the biochemical reactions that are needed for real labor. The incidence is higher if the fetus has grown too large.

How long do false contractions last?

The duration of the attacks is one factor indicating that these are training contractions. False contractions last no more than 2 minutes, often even a few seconds. The closer to childbirth, the more often contractions will occur, but the duration will not change. If you experience discomfort, it can be reduced by certain methods. Often the birth breathing technique or switching attention to something more interesting helps.

What to do during training contractions

As a rule, nothing needs to be done; some mothers do not even notice the tension. If spotting or severe pain appears, this indicates possible premature birth - you should immediately consult a doctor at the hospital. To reduce discomfort during training contractions, you can use the following methods:

1. Change your body position. Moms who have experience advise lying on your left side and drinking a glass of still water before doing this. Rest helps relieve pain. When it is not possible to lie down, it is recommended to sit down.
2. Warm shower. Water helps relieve tension and relax the muscles of the body.
3. Take No-shpa or Papaverine. These are medications from the group of antispasmodics; they help relieve pain, but you should not take them on your own. Before taking, be sure to consult your doctor.

Each human body is unique, so there is no recipe that would suit all girls. Only the girl herself will be able to recognize training spasms, feel them and understand what can be done to relieve them. If this is the first child, then you need to very clearly understand whether this is the beginning of labor, before which irregular and short-term contractions should become more frequent. Otherwise, you will disrupt the natural process of labor. You need to see a doctor if you have the following symptoms:

• water breaks;
• bloody issues;
• pain in the lower back, lower back;
• the fetus began to move noticeably less;
• diarrhea, nausea;
• bleeding;
• painful contractions, cramps.

How long after training contractions does labor begin?

The standard pregnancy period is 9 months, but the process begins for every woman at different time: some give birth at 27 weeks, others at 41. Training contractions are even less predictable; they begin individually for each mother and proceed differently. It has been noted that some pregnant women feel them constantly throughout the last trimester, as the body increases muscle tone.

The earliest recorded date is week 20. At this time they are very weak, so not every woman has a way to feel them. Contractions will intensify over time due to the growth of the fetus, unpleasant sensations may appear, and the tension will last longer. The woman in labor clearly feels the contraction at 32-34 weeks. IN last days before childbirth, they strongly resemble labor.

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Maria Sokolova

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Braxton Hicks contractions are commonly called random, painless training contractions. They were named after the English doctor J. Braxton Hicks, who was the first to characterize these contractions in 1872. By their nature, contractions are a short-term contraction of the uterine muscles (from thirty seconds to two minutes), felt by the expectant mother as an increase in uterine tone.

All about training contractions - educational program for expectant mothers

False contractions are necessary for a woman during pregnancy . The uterus needs preparatory training in order to cope with the labor load without problems.

The purpose of Hicks contractions is preparation for labor - both the cervix and the uterus itself.

Features of false contractions-harbingers:

• Shortly before the onset of labor, contractions are harbingers promote shortening of the cervix and its softening. Previously, when there were no ultrasound machines, the appearance of preliminary contractions predicted a near birth.
• Contractions - warning signs occur after the twentieth week of pregnancy.
• They are short-lived - from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. The expectant mother experiences cramps in the uterine area during Hicks' training contractions. The tummy hardens or turns to stone for a while, and then returns to its previous state. Often, women in labor confuse false contractions with real ones and arrive at the maternity hospital ahead of time.
• With increasing gestational age Braxton Hicks contractions become more frequent , and their duration remains unchanged. Many women may not even notice the appearance of such contractions.

Women who feel discomfort during training contractions should try to distract ourselves. An excellent option would be a leisurely walk or a relaxing holiday.

Need to learn relax and breathe properly, listen to your body and understand what it needs.

How to behave during Higgs Braxton contractions?

Training contractions are usually not accompanied by pain, but as the duration of pregnancy increases, they can become more frequent and bring a feeling of discomfort. All phenomena are personal and depend on the sensitivity of the expectant mother.

Warning contractions can be caused by the following:

• Maternal activity or active movements of the baby in the womb;
• Experiences or worries of the expectant mother;
• Dehydration of the body of a pregnant woman;
• Bladder fullness;
• Sex, or, to be more precise, orgasm.

During contractions—precursors—every pregnant woman should know how to behave and how to help herself. The best thing - try to avoid situations that cause false contractions.

If the process does begin, You can alleviate the condition in the following ways:

• Take a warm shower, as water relieves muscle spasms;
• Change body position;
• Take a leisurely walk; when walking, the smooth muscles of the uterus will relax;
• Drink some water, juice or fruit drink;
• Do breathing exercises, which will increase the access of oxygen to the baby;
• Try to relax, lie down, close your eyes and listen to pleasant music.

Learning to distinguish false contractions from real ones

Having noticed the beginning of any contractions, a pregnant woman should take a piece of paper, a pen and record the time and duration of the first and all subsequent contractions. They will help you figure out whether your contractions are real or false.

• Compared to labor pains, training contractions, painless, and can easily pass when walking or when the pregnant woman changes position.
• Labor contractions are regular, but training contractions are not. When real contractions occur, contractions appear in the lower back and spread to the front of the abdomen. The interval between contractions is ten minutes, and over time it decreases and reaches an interval of thirty to seventy seconds.
• Unlike false contractions, labor pains do not go away when walking or changing position. They are characterized by constant strengthening. In the event of rupture of amniotic fluid, the baby must be born within twelve hours, otherwise the infection may enter the uterine cavity and harm the child and the mother in labor.
• During labor, bloody or other discharge appears. This is not typical for training fights.

Attention - when you need to see a doctor urgently!

By their nature, Hicks training contractions are considered completely normal. But there are times when you should immediately seek qualified medical help.

Warning signs include the following:

• Decreased frequency of fetal movements;
• Loss of fetal fluid;
• The appearance of bleeding;
• Pain in the lower back or lower spine;
• Watery or bloody vaginal discharge.
• Repetition of contractions more than four times per minute;
• Feeling of strong pressure on the perineum.

Remember: if you are long term and you feel intense, regular, prolonged and frequent contractions, it may be your baby who is in a hurry to meet you!

Pregnancy and childbirth are the most exciting moments in the life of every woman. The last trimester is especially difficult. The pregnant woman is tired of her situation and wants to give birth as soon as possible. Against this background, primigravidas have many questions: “How to determine contractions? How severe is the pain?" Women who are pregnant for the first time are very anxious about childbirth. They are tormented by their friends' stories of indescribable torment. Each birth process is individual, so don’t torment yourself with horror stories. Dear expectant mothers, childbirth is a natural situation. A positive attitude is the key to success.

How to understand that contractions have begun

During pregnancy, a woman experiences irregular uterine contractions more than once. At more than 20 weeks, the expectant mother feels slight discomfort from training (false) Braxton-Hicks contractions. In the future, false contractions become more frequent. The symptoms of uterine contractions have an exceptional unity of characteristics, but the result of labor is labor. How do contractions begin in pregnant women?

The most important symptoms of contractions before childbirth:

• contraction duration is more than 30 seconds;
• increasing periodicity: unstable - characteristic of the latent phase, the presence of the same interval - for the active phase;
• the stomach “turns to stone”;
• nagging pain in the lower abdomen, “ache” in the lower back.

How contractions begin in first-time mothers: sensations

The birth process is conventionally divided into several phases: latent (hidden), active, expulsion phase. Finally, the birth of the placenta takes place. A woman in labor will feel severe pain only during the active phase of labor. The rest won't cause her much pain. The expulsion phase requires a lot of work, so in the previous stages the expectant mother should rest and not waste her strength. How often do contractions begin and how can you tell when contractions have started?

Signs of cervical dilatation include: regular contractions, mucous discharge, nagging pain in the lower abdomen, as during menstruation. The frequency of the latent phase is 20-30 minutes. The active stage is characterized by an increase in the frequency of contractions, their duration and pain. The dilation of the cervix reaches 8 cm. The contraction lasts about a minute, the interval is 2-4 minutes. The transition to the expulsion phase is accompanied by an increase in uterine contractions, an increase in their duration, a feeling of “bloating,” and dilation of up to 10 cm.

In multiparous women

The duration of the labor process during the second and subsequent births noticeably decreases, the signs of each of the phases change. How do contractions begin in multiparous women? Thanks to the phenomenon of “uterine memory,” the period of dilatation occurs many times faster and brings minimal pain to the mother in labor. Contractions in multiparous women acquire vague symptoms. The latent phase passes unnoticed by the woman. Active period intervals vary. Contractions become productive only during the period of expulsion.

How to distinguish false contractions from real ones

False contractions have great importance for future births. With their help, the uterus trains and prepares for future events. In the early stages, such training is not felt at all. False contractions cannot lead to dilatation of the cervix and the onset of labor. In the last trimester, Braxton Hicks contractions occur regularly, prompting the expectant mother to rush to the hospital.

Symptoms of false contractions

How to recognize contractions? False uterine contractions do not have the parameters of regularity or pain. The intervals between Braxton Hicks contractions do not decrease. The contractions are irregular and repeat once every few hours. The pain inherent in labor contractions is excluded during false ones. How to identify false contractions? A relaxing shower massage completely eliminates discomfort from false uterine contractions. A similar effect is not achieved in the prenatal state.

When do training contractions begin?

Training contractions begin literally from the very beginning of pregnancy. The expectant mother simply does not feel them. From the second trimester, a woman’s attention is attracted by the short-term tone of the uterus. At the end of pregnancy, false uterine contractions cause significant discomfort to the mother. Many women do not experience Braxton Hicks contractions. Physical activity and uncomfortable posture usually tone the uterus. In such cases, you should just rest and change your position.

What to do if contractions start

You should look for signs of opening of the cervix - at the beginning of contractions they are more informative. During the latent phase, do normal activities - this will speed up its passage. The active phase is best done in a position that is comfortable for you. Women in labor often choose a position with support on some object: a couch, the back of a chair. It is better to experience each uterine contraction calmly, drawing out vowel sounds at its peak. The sound needs to be directed “down”. It is very important to keep your jaw relaxed. A massage of the lower back will help relieve pain from contractions. Interval of 5-7 minutes. - a reason to go to the maternity hospital.

How to know when contractions start

Indirect reasons for the early onset of labor are their harbingers. Don't take these calls too seriously. Labor activity often goes without them. First of all, you need to listen to your body. Processes should not be artificially accelerated. The baby himself will give a signal when he is “ripe” to come out of his hiding place. Don’t worry about the timing of your pregnancy, pregnancy up to 42 weeks inclusive is considered normal. The precursors of labor in primiparous and multiparous women are similar:

1. The fetus “freezes”, its motor activity decreases.
2. Braxton Hicks contractions become more frequent.
3. 25-35% of expectant mothers have a “nesting instinct”.
4. A discharge streaked with blood is detected (the mucus plug comes off).
5. The woman loses weight, there is a lack of appetite.

Precursors of childbirth: prolapse of the abdomen

2 weeks before giving birth, a woman feels unprecedented ease of breathing, her diaphragm is no longer compressed. This is due to the fact that the baby's head is "inserted" into the pelvic bone. Due to this movement, the mother's stomach drops. With repeated births, abdominal prolapse occurs directly during childbirth. The movement is easy to check. To do this, place your palm between your chest and stomach. If it fits in this space, your stomach has dropped.

Video: false and labor contractions

Bearing and giving birth to a child is a wonderful time. Motherhood is a reward for all the hardships of pregnancy and childbirth. During pregnancy, the expectant mother experiences stressful situations, her physical strength are depleted. The birth of a child is seen as a long-awaited relief, but the emotionality of expectant mothers takes its toll. Find out how to determine the onset of labor, when to go to the hospital, and when the amniotic fluid should break. The video will help you understand the difference between the types of uterine contractions. Knowing the signs of labor will eliminate fuss and unnecessary trips to the maternity hospital.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and make recommendations for treatment based on individual characteristics specific patient.

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At 34 - 42 weeks of pregnancy, doctors do not rule out the occurrence of false contractions, which are also called “training” or Braxton Hicks contractions. Every expectant mother, in order to avoid panic and unnecessary stress, should not only know about this not entirely pleasant state, but also be able to react to it correctly.

In fact, false contractions are voluntary contractions of the uterine muscles that prepare the cervix for dilation and the uterus itself for the upcoming birth. Moreover, with their help, general blood circulation improves, since the characteristic activity of the uterus helps to enrich cells with vital oxygen and nutrients; which is also important.

How to distinguish false contractions from real ones

False contractions only vaguely resemble real contractions, and multiparous women know this for sure. If in the life of a future mother this is only the first pregnancy, then such voluntary contractions of the muscles of the uterus can not only alarm, but also frighten. In fact, there is nothing to be afraid of, and distinguishing false contractions from real ones is not at all difficult. Firstly, false ones are single, that is, they are not characterized by periodicity and cyclicity, as is observed during labor. Secondly, the duration of such movements varies from several seconds to two minutes. Thirdly, the intensity of false contractions depends on the duration of pregnancy and the general well-being of the expectant mother, but they can rarely be called painful (they are more likely to cause discomfort than physical suffering).

The main distinguishing feature of false and real contractions is the intensity and cyclical nature of the latter. The fact is that when labor begins, a woman experiences acute pain, and it gradually increases. If contractions last a minute or longer, and the interval between them reaches 5 minutes, then it’s time to get ready for the maternity hospital. Moreover, they can be accompanied by causeless indigestion, leakage of amniotic fluid and acute pain in the spine.

How to behave in case of false contractions?

If a woman feels false contractions, then, first of all, she should not panic, otherwise the unpleasant sensations may only intensify. If this unpleasant sensation occurs during physical activity, then it is best to postpone everything until later and relax. If false contractions, on the contrary, began in the resting stage, then you need to get off the couch and take a walk in the fresh air. You can relieve the condition in other ways, for example, take a warm shower or drink a glass of warm milk.

When false contractions occur, the expectant mother should take the opportunity to practice poses and train proper breathing. Such actions in the future can significantly facilitate and speed up the natural process of labor. Ideally, general state It returns to normal after a few minutes, and not a trace remains of the former anxiety.

Serious cause for concern

In general, the presence of false contractions at 34 - 42 weeks of pregnancy is quite normal, but there may still be significant cause for concern. If a woman begins to leak amniotic fluid, predominates bloody discharge from the vagina, feels acute pain and increased pressure in the groin, then it is necessary to urgently contact a local gynecologist or call " ambulance" Premature onset of labor cannot be ruled out, and this clinical picture cannot be avoided without qualified medical assistance.

False contractions as a way to prepare for childbirth

However, you should not worry prematurely, because in most cases, false contractions are a small warm-up before childbirth, which only brings the long-awaited moment of meeting your future baby closer. As many years of obstetric practice have shown, it is simply impossible to confuse false and real contractions; but in any case, you should always listen to the signals of your pregnant body and respond to the problem in a timely manner.

Update: October 2018

As the due date approaches, more and more questions arise. expectant mother. Among the many topics of concern to pregnant women is the following: what are false contractions during pregnancy? Unfortunately, not every obstetrician considers it necessary to explain the essence of false contractions, how they differ from real contractions and whether this is normal. Most pregnant women experience false contractions and, as a rule, shortly before giving birth. In addition to such contractions, a number of other harbingers indicate the approaching birth, which are difficult not to notice.

Harbingers of childbirth

The gestation period for women lasts on average 280 days or 40 obstetric weeks. By the end of this period, approximately 2 weeks before, harbingers of labor appear, which inform about its imminent onset. Thanks to the harbingers, the woman understands that the long-awaited meeting with the baby will soon come. These signs appear in all women, in some they are well expressed, while others do not notice them at all. But childbirth rarely begins suddenly, “without warning,” and the period of harbingers is laid down by nature so that the woman has time to prepare and tune in to childbirth. The appearance of all the precursors of labor is not at all necessary; the occurrence of one or two should already alert the woman.

False contractions

The concept of false contractions was introduced by the English doctor Braxton-Hicks at the end of the 19th century, which is why they are also called Braxton-Hicks or training contractions. False contractions are periodic, spontaneous muscle contractions of the uterus. Their appearance is registered as early as 6 weeks of gestation, but in most pregnant women they are felt only after 20 weeks. By the end of pregnancy, at about 38 weeks, false or training contractions are felt by expectant mothers in 70% of cases. Such contractions are called false, since they do not lead to the start of labor and stop on their own.

Abdominal prolapse

The belly drops in expectant mothers a couple of weeks before birth in first-time mothers and a few hours in multiparous mothers. This is due to the fact that the presenting part of the baby, usually the head, is pressed against the entrance to the pelvis, pulling the uterus along with it. At the same time, its upper part (bottom) also descends, which relieves the pressure of the uterus on the chest and abdominal cavities. From that moment on, the woman notices easier breathing, shortness of breath disappears with little physical exertion, but being in a sitting position or walking becomes more difficult. Since the uterus no longer lifts the stomach, heartburn and belching disappear. But the downward movement of the uterus increases pressure on the bladder, which is manifested by increased urination.

With prolapse of the uterus, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and discomfort in the area of ​​the inguinal ligaments may occur. It is also possible that tingling may occur in the legs and lower back. These symptoms are associated with irritation of the nerve endings located in the pelvis when the head is inserted into its entrance.

The mucus plug comes off

This sign is considered the most characteristic, it is difficult not to notice it. Cervical glands with early dates pregnancy begins to produce a thick secretion that fills the cervical canal and prevents the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the uterine cavity, thereby protecting the fetus and amniotic fluid from infection. On the eve of childbirth, the production of estrogen in a woman’s body increases, due to which the cervix begins to soften and open slightly, which facilitates the passage of the mucus plug. Characteristic signs of its discharge are jelly-like mucous clots that are visible on the underwear. The color of the mucus plug varies from white or transparent to yellowish or pinkish. Often, streaks of blood are visible in the plug, which is considered normal and indicates the imminent onset of labor (within 24 hours). The mucus plug is released either entirely at once, or in parts throughout the day. Removal of the plug is painless, but pulling pain in the lower abdomen may occur. The time it takes for the plug to come out varies. It can go away either 2 weeks before the onset of labor or immediately with the onset of contractions.

Weight loss

One to two weeks before the onset of contractions, the pregnant woman’s weight decreases (by about 500 grams - 2 kg). The effect of progesterone, which retains fluid in the body, decreases, and estrogens come into play. As a result, excess fluid is removed from the body, swelling is reduced, and it is much easier to put on shoes and put on gloves with rings.

Changes in urination and bowel movements

Most pregnant women notice the appearance of constipation before childbirth, which is associated with compression of the rectum by the presenting part of the child. But the opposite situation is also possible - the occurrence of diarrhea. Urination also becomes more frequent, as the fetal head puts pressure on the bladder, causing a frequent desire to urinate. Urinary incontinence is possible, especially during physical activity.

Change in fetal movement

Towards the end of pregnancy, the expectant mother notices a decrease in the child’s motor activity. It's connected with rapid growth and an increase in fetal weight. The baby becomes cramped in the uterus, which is reflected in his movements; they become fewer.

Frequent mood changes

On the eve of childbirth, a pregnant woman is characterized by frequent mood changes. Activity and efficiency suddenly gives way to tears, which is caused by neuroendocrine processes and fatigue by the woman. Often, expectant mothers become apathetic, sleepy and seek solitude. All these signs indicate the accumulation of energy before the upcoming birth.

Causes and characteristics of false contractions

What are false contractions for? First of all, they keep the uterus in good shape, “train” it before childbirth and create conditions for the “ripening” of the cervix. Secondly, thanks to training folds, blood flow to the child increases, which contributes to better saturation with oxygen and nutrients. It becomes clear that false contractions are absolutely normal manifestations that you should not be afraid of. There are a number of factors that can cause false contractions to occur.

Provoking factors

Training contractions appear under the following conditions:

• excessive physical activity (housework, sports, prolonged standing, etc.);
• taking a hot shower/bath;
• increased motor activity of the fetus;
• drinking strong alcohol frequently (stimulates the nervous system and increases the tone of the uterus);
• emotional stress, stress;
• active sex and orgasm (the release of oxytocin, which promotes uterine contractions);
• smoking and drinking alcohol;
• fatigue, sleep disturbance;
• a full bladder (puts pressure on the uterus, forcing it to contract);
• (the volume of circulating blood decreases, the blood supply to the uterus deteriorates, which provokes its contractions);
• improper or insufficient nutrition;
• multiple pregnancy or large fetus (the space is too small for the child/children, any movement of them irritates the uterine walls);
• overeating or feeling hungry, drinking soda (causes the stomach to contract, the irritation of which is transmitted to the uterus);
• touching the stomach by a stranger.

Characteristics of false contractions

As indicated, false contractions occur in the second half of gestation, but usually on the eve of childbirth (at 38–39 weeks of pregnancy). As a rule, training contractions appear in the evening, when the woman is resting. These contractions do not cause pain and occur irregularly and infrequently. In addition, false contractions only prepare the cervix for dilatation, but do not cause it. Some expectant mothers may not feel false contractions, but this does not indicate abnormalities.

Symptoms and sensations

Since each body is individual, the symptoms of false labor may vary. Some feel them well due to the significant intensity and severity of the unpleasant sensations, while for others they pass almost unnoticed. Characteristic signs of training contractions include:

• contractions are irregular, it is impossible to catch the rhythm of their occurrence (they can occur every 5 - 6 hours (but less than 6 times per hour) and after 1 - 2 days;
• the duration of false contractions is short, a few seconds, no more than a minute;
• tension (compression) of the uterus;
• Vivid sensations during contractions do not cause pain, but bring discomfort;
• usually occur in the evening or at night, when the woman is resting (during the day, expectant mothers often do not pay attention to them);
• the intensity of contractions quickly decreases with changes in body position.

What does it feel like to have false contractions? In many cases, training contractions are painless, and expectant mothers tolerate them quite easily. But in the case of a low threshold of pain sensitivity, false contractions are very unpleasant and even require assistance. The sensations during false contractions are reminiscent of menstrual pain: they are of a pulling nature and occur in the lower abdomen. A woman can also feel the hardening of the uterus herself by placing her hand on her stomach.

Differences between real contractions and false ones

How to distinguish false contractions from real ones? Signs of training and true contractions are shown in the table:

Sign	training	true
Significant pain that intensifies over time	—	+
The duration of the fight increases	—	+
Leakage of amniotic fluid	—	+
There is no clear rhythm of uterine contractions, irregular contractions	+	—
The intensity of the contraction increases, uterine contractions last a minute or longer	—	+
Disappearance of contractions when changing body position or physical activity	+	—
The cervix gradually opens and smoothes out	—	+
There is pressure either in the vagina or pelvis	—	+
Lasts less than 2 hours, and less than 4 uterine contractions occur per hour	+	—

How to deal with false contractions

To eliminate the discomfort caused by training contractions, following some recommendations will help:

Walk

A leisurely walk in a park or square will not only help eliminate discomfort, but will also enrich the mother’s blood with oxygen, which is beneficial for the baby.

Change body position

Sometimes it’s enough to change your body position and take the most comfortable position. If a pregnant woman is lying down, you can stand up and take a few steps, or sit down while standing for a long time.

Get distracted

Watching your favorite movie, listening to calm music or reading a book will help you unwind and relax.

Warm water

This technique will help ease Braxton Hicks contractions. warm shower or baths with aromatic oil.

Correct breathing

The occurrence of false contractions is an excellent moment to practice proper breathing during childbirth, which was taught in classes at mothers’ school. Take deep breaths through your nose, trying to exhale slowly and smoothly through your mouth, with your lips pursed into a tube. You can try breathing like a dog - intermittent and frequent, but do not get carried away, otherwise you will feel dizzy.

Drink water or have a snack

If false contractions are caused by dehydration, drinking a glass of plain water is enough to relieve them. In case of hunger, even mild, which provoked uterine contractions, you should have a snack that is easily digestible and nutritious (for example, a banana).

When to call an ambulance

Sometimes situations arise when you urgently need to call an ambulance or contact your doctor:

• the gestational age at which uterine contractions appeared is less than 36 weeks (the threat of premature birth cannot be ruled out);
• the occurrence of moderate or heavy bleeding (suspicion of placental abruption);
• the appearance of watery discharge (possible leakage of amniotic fluid);
• discharge of the mucus plug before 36 weeks;
• pressing pain in the sacral and lumbar regions;
• feeling of pressure in the perineum;
• excessive physical activity of the child or its sharp decrease;
• the frequency of contractions is 3 or more in 10 minutes (the beginning of labor).

Preliminary period - what does it mean? The preliminary period is the period of time during which a woman’s body prepares for childbirth. That is, the preliminary period can be called the preparatory period, during which the harbingers of childbirth appear. A normal preliminary period is recorded in 30–33% of women at the end of gestation (38–40 weeks). The physiological preliminary period is characterized by:

• contractions that occur with varying frequency, duration and intensity, but lasting no more than 6 – 8 hours;
• contractions may disappear on their own and reappear after 24 hours;
• the pregnant woman’s sleep and general well-being are satisfactory;
• the expectant mother is fully ready for childbirth (“mature” cervix, positive mammary and oxytocin tests, etc.);
• the uterus is in normal tone, the fetus does not suffer in utero;
• in 70%, the normal preliminary period develops into adequate labor.

Pathological preliminary period

A pathological preliminary period is spoken of when the preparatory period is prolonged, characterized by irregular but painful contractions that do not contribute to structural changes in the cervix. It is diagnosed in 10–17% of pregnant women and, as a rule, develops into labor anomalies (weakness of contractions or incoordination of contractions). IN foreign literature This pathology is called “fake childbirth.”

Causes

The pathological nature of the preliminary period can be provoked by:

• emotional lability and neuroses;
• endocrine pathology (obesity or underweight, menstrual irregularities, genital infantilism, etc.);
• somatic pathology (heart defects, arrhythmias, hypertension, kidney and liver diseases);
• chronic inflammatory processes of the uterus and cervix;
• large fruit;
• (dystrophic processes);
• fear of childbirth, unwanted pregnancy;
• first births in women under 17 and over 30;
• little-and;
• incorrect position of the fetus and placenta;
• and so on.

How it manifests itself

The clinical picture of the pathological preliminary period is characterized by painful contractions that occur not only at night, but also during the day. Contractions are irregular and do not become true for a long time. The pathological preliminary period can last from one to ten days, which disrupts the pregnant woman’s sleep and contributes to her fatigue.

The cervix does not undergo structural changes, that is, it does not “ripe.” It is long, located anteriorly or posteriorly, dense, and the outer and inner pharynx are closed. Also, the lower segment of the uterus does not unfold, and the uterus itself is easily excitable and has increased tone.

The presenting part of the child does not press against the entrance to the pelvis for a long time, despite the absence of any discrepancy between the sizes of the baby and the mother’s pelvis. The presence of hypertonicity of the uterus makes it difficult to palpate the head and small parts of the child.

Uterine contractions are monotonous for a long time, the intervals between them do not shorten and the intensity of contractions does not increase. The psycho-emotional status of the expectant mother also suffers. She is irritable and whiny, aggressive and afraid of childbirth, doubting its successful completion.

The long course of the pathological preliminary period is often complicated by premature rupture of water and. Due to energy consumption, this pathology often develops into weakness of the generic forces.

Autonomic disorders are often observed (neurocirculatory dystonia, increased sweating), the woman complains of pain in the lumbar and sacral regions, palpitations and shortness of breath, painful movements of the baby.

Question answer

Question:
I am about to give birth for the first time and I am afraid that I will not be able to distinguish false contractions from true ones. What do i do?

Many first-time women are afraid to miss real contractions, mistaking them for false ones. Doctors recommend: if there is any doubt about false contractions, especially if they are painful and last a minute or more, you should go to the maternity hospital. The obstetrician will conduct an internal vaginal examination and evaluate maturity and. If the alarm is false, the woman will be sent home with a recommendation to report to the antenatal clinic in 2 to 3 days.

Question:
When I gave birth for the first time, the doctors told me about some incorrect preparatory contractions and after a while they opened the amniotic sac, after which I gave birth myself. What was it and is there a high probability of this situation repeating in the second birth?

During your first birth, you experienced a pathological preliminary period. The likelihood of its development in the second birth depends on many reasons, but first of all on the mood for the successful completion of childbirth. Attend mothers' school, practice self-hypnosis and breathing exercises, try to get rid of the fear of childbirth and follow the doctor's recommendations. Competent psychoprophylactic preparation for childbirth will significantly reduce the chances of a pathological course of the preparatory period.

Question:
I am 41–42 weeks (recalculated at the antenatal clinic), but there are no false contractions or other precursors of labor. What to do?

You may be postterm pregnant. To stimulate labor, use natural methods (long walks, sex, certain foods, etc.).

Question:
How is the pathological preliminary period treated?

The tactics for managing a woman depend on the duration of the pathological preparatory period, the condition of the cervix, the intensity of pain, and the condition of the mother and child. If the cervix is ​​“mature” and the duration of this pathology is less than 6 hours, the amniotic sac is opened to stimulate contractions. If the cervix is ​​“immature”, but this period lasts 6 hours or less, sedatives (Relanium) are prescribed and the cervix is ​​prepared (prepidil-gel intracervically). In the case of a prolonged course (more than 10 hours) of the pathological preparatory period, medicinal sleep-rest is prescribed, after which the pregnant woman wakes up in the active phase of contractions.