Increased uterine tone is a danger that does not tolerate delay. Increased uterine tone: an unpleasant phenomenon during pregnancy

Instruction

Increased uterine tone during pregnancy is a natural physiological condition caused by smooth muscle contractions. If the tone is short-term and does not occur too often, there is no cause for concern. If the belly of the expectant mother hardens, and often there are unpleasant sensations or pulling pains, you should consult a doctor. Prolonged uterine tone can lead to unpleasant consequences, ranging from impaired blood supply to the unborn baby, ending with spontaneous abortion.

Among the many reasons that cause an increase in the tone of the uterus, malnutrition stands out. Some foods can provoke tone, so they must be excluded from the diet of a pregnant woman: such food poses a direct threat to the unborn child.

Uterine contractions may increase if the expectant mother often eats cabbage, legumes, and soy products. Any food that stimulates gas formation helps to increase the tone, since the intestines press on the uterus and cause a muscular reaction. Hypertonicity can also occur in lovers of black coffee. A strong drink raises blood pressure and increases heart rate. Especially dangerous is the frequent use of coffee in the early stages of pregnancy, when the risk of miscarriage due to uterine hypertonicity is quite high. Some doctors do not recommend abusing strong tea, which also contains caffeine. Some teas that have tonic properties should be excluded from the diet during pregnancy. Increased uterine tone can be caused by Chinese pu-erh and other highly fermented teas.

During pregnancy, it is necessary to refrain from the use of spicy spices and medicinal plants. Even ordinary parsley can provoke tone. It is also dangerous to consume foods rich in essential oils in large quantities. Decoctions of herbs and berries must also be taken with caution. Anise, cinnamon, viburnum, bay leaf, barberry, basil, cumin, fennel, dogwood, fenugreek, nutmeg - all this can cause uterine contractions, accompanied by painful and pulling sensations in the lower abdomen. It is best to stop using such foods and seasonings during pregnancy and not endanger the health of the unborn baby.

Quite often, pregnant women learn from a doctor that they have uterine hypertonicity. You need to know what this condition is connected with and whether it is dangerous for your health and the health of the unborn baby.

The uterus is a smooth muscle hollow organ, consisting of three layers - the outer shell (perimetry), the muscular layer (myometrium) and the mucous membrane (endometrium). The myometrium of the uterus is characterized by contractility, as a result of which the concept arises as “uterine tone”.

During the uterus muscles should ideally be relaxed. This is considered her normal tone. But if the muscles begin to contract, the myometrium contracts and, as a result, pressure arises in the uterine cavity. This is her increased tone, or hypertonicity. It is most dangerous during pregnancy, as it can lead to the death of the fetal egg or miscarriage.

Hormonal disorders, stretching of this organ, when the fetus is too large, polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancy, toxicosis, Rh conflict, sexual intercourse, premature cervix, physical and emotional stress, various diseases, complications due to previous pregnancy abortions and etc.

The main signs of increased uterine tone are pulling pains and heaviness in the lower abdomen, pain in the pubic region and lower back. The abdomen may become hard, there is a feeling of a stony uterus. During the examination, the doctor may notice a shortening of the cervix. Bloody discharge is also possible, upon finding which, you need to urgently seek medical help.

It is not worth neglecting the treatment of uterine hypertonicity. As a result of this condition, a threat may appear, premature birth may begin. Prolonged hypertonicity provokes the most severe complications of pregnancy and can cause the fetus, its developmental delay and other serious problems.

Increased uterine tone is detected by palpation of the lower abdomen by a gynecologist during ultrasound examinations. Treatment is prescribed by a doctor - as a rule, it includes bed rest, taking antispasmodics, sedatives and drugs that reduce uterine activity.

To protect yourself from uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid stress and high physical exertion, fully relax, give up all bad habits and regularly visit a gynecologist.

Tip 3: What foods cause gas in the intestines?

Gas formation in the intestines is a problem that most people face. To eliminate this kind of discomfort, experts recommend adhering to a healthy lifestyle and refraining from eating foods from the “forbidden” list.

Gas formation: causes and remedies

Every second inhabitant of this planet has experienced bloating. The cause of such an ailment is gases in excess of the norm. Gases are formed in the digestive system as a result of the vital activity of microorganisms and swallowed air.

As a rule, they are removed from the gastrointestinal tract through a straight line or due to belching. However, when their number is increased, heaviness, flatulence and general malaise appear. Why does this happen and what is true gas formation in the intestines?

Gas formation is caused by foods that contain a large amount of carbohydrates. Proteins and fats to a lesser extent affect the appearance of gases.

There is a whole list of products that cause gas formation. However, before giving them up, you should conduct your own observation of your well-being after using them. After all, each person has individual characteristics for the assimilation of food, and those products that increase gas formation in one person are absolutely harmless for another.

So, "forbidden" products:
- carbonated drinks;
- chewing gum and caramels (using these products, you swallow more air, which increases the risk of increased gas formation);
- bread (because of the yeast fungus that is part of it);
- fresh fruits, namely: grapes, apples, prunes, cherries, peaches, pears (a large amount of sugar in their composition is also one of the reasons for the increase in gases);
- vegetables (cabbage, asparagus, potatoes, artichoke, corn, onions);
- beans, beans (contain complex carbohydrates);
- dairy products (for people with lactose digestion problems);

In addition, in order to avoid the appearance of food fermentation processes in the intestines, it is necessary to abandon the following combination of products:
- sour fruits + grains;
- fruits + vegetables;
- products containing a large amount of protein, and potatoes;
- sugar + carbohydrates;
- dairy products - with all other products.

Recipes to reduce gas formation in the intestines

Water, which can be purchased at, will help reduce the occurrence of gases in the intestines. It is also useful to drink a warm decoction of mint. To prepare it, take 1 teaspoon of mint, pour boiling water and boil for 5 minutes, then cool.

In addition, you can buy slippery elm powder or granules and just a small amount of tea or pure water.

A decoction of elm bark. Pour ½ teaspoon of bark powder into 1 cup boiling water, boil, let cool and strain. Take this decoction 1-3 times a day for 1 glass.

Remember that your health is in yours. Give up bad habits, start leading a healthy lifestyle - and literally in a week you will feel like a completely different person.

Causes of increased gas formation

Increased flatulence has two sources. The culprit may be air swallowed during meals, or gases produced by bacteria that carry out their activities. Air swallowing is caused by hasty eating, stuffy mouth habits, smoking, chewing chewing gum, and drinking carbonated drinks. Increased gas production can also cause the use of certain types of carbohydrates, which in the course of evolution a person has not adapted to digest. As a result, cellulose, chitin, lignin and pectins get into and become food for bacteria, which emit gases.

Malfunctions in the work of the gastrointestinal tract can also be the cause of increased gas formation. You should see a doctor and rule out enzyme deficiency, dysmotility, bacterial composition, or absorption problems.

What can you eat with increased gas formation

To get rid of increased gas formation, exclude foods that provoke it from your diet. These are legumes, apples, cabbage, white bread, pears, beer and carbonated soft drinks. It is advisable to avoid the combination of protein and starch foods. Meat and potatoes should also be eaten separately. Fermented milk products will be useful for you, but it is better not to use milk in this situation, since lactose often provokes flatulence. Loose cereals, in particular, millet and buckwheat, will be useful. It is advisable to eat vegetables boiled: salads from boiled beets or carrots. The meat present on the table should be exclusively boiled. Bread choose wheat, coarse grinding. For the duration of the diet, refuse to visit restaurants with exotic cuisine. Eating unfamiliar foods can also lead to sad consequences. If you are not ready to completely switch to food, choose places with Russian and European cuisine and order dishes that are familiar to you.

It's not just what you eat that matters, but how you eat it. Do not overload your stomach, eat small meals four to five times a day. Do not talk, read or watch TV while eating to avoid swallowing air. By following all the recommendations, you can get rid of increased gas formation.

Sometimes pregnancy brings the expectant mother not only pleasant chores in anticipation of the baby, but also many unpleasant moments that cause her discomfort. One of the most dangerous and common diagnoses is the so-called uterine tone.

Instruction

Every expectant mother should know that uterine tone is a tension in the muscles of the uterus during pregnancy, the consequences of which can be deplorable. With untimely medical care, spontaneous miscarriage at an early stage and premature birth can occur - from the 28th week of pregnancy. In addition, the tone of the uterus threatens the condition of the unborn child, since muscle tension entails clamping of the umbilical cord vessels and the development of hypoxia.

Normal condition of the uterus

The uterus periodically becomes hard, but this condition does not last long and passes quickly. Normal tone is not accompanied by painful sensations (just unpleasant ones do not count) and spotting. The uterus is a muscular organ tuned for labor pains, and therefore, for all 9 months, it is preparing for childbirth, periodically contracting. This forms a stable connection between the uterus and the brain. It has been proven that women whose uterus is intense during pregnancy give birth easier and faster than women whose tone was diligently “treated” with various antispasmodic drugs.

abnormal condition of the uterus

The uterus hardens more than once every 20-30 minutes, this is accompanied by pain and bleeding from the vagina. In this case, this is not an increase in tone, but a beginning miscarriage. Urgently call an ambulance.

If the doctor did not find any cause for concern, and you experience discomfort during uterine contractions, then apply these simple tips to relieve tension in the abdomen:

Relax your lips. Yes, yes, oddly enough, but relaxing the face also relaxes the uterus. This technique will be useful to you during childbirth. Use it during contractions to relieve pain.

Inhale deeply and exhale, mentally “passing” the exhalation through your uterus. Repeat 2 times. This is enough to tone it down. This technique came to us from India, from experienced yogis.

Take a knee-elbow pose. It will unload tired ligaments, relax your back and help the kidneys to rest from constant stress.

The tone of the uterus is not a disease and it is not needed. Swim in the pool, do yoga, walk more and your pregnancy will not be overshadowed by the preparation of the uterus for childbirth.

Hypertonicity can be defined as involuntary uterine movements that occur before the expected time of delivery. Often this phenomenon occurs in the initial stages of gestation. Usually, the tone of the uterus during pregnancy can be felt or diagnosed instrumentally. In the absence of adequate therapy, the tone threatens premature birth and loss of the child.

When does hypertension occur?

Uterine tone without pregnancy is rare and can be triggered by drugs or human activities. Several reasons can provoke the appearance of tone during pregnancy. But one should distinguish between a normal tone and an increased one, since the danger is only the second type.

The uterus has a three-layer structure, the middle level is represented by muscle muscles, which means it is able to contract. The fertilized egg is attached to its inner mucous layer. Normally, muscle fibers should not be tense. The tone of this type is called normal, or "normotonus".

Note. A pathological condition occurs when the fibrous layer of the uterus begins to contract intensively, being in a stressed state. In this case, we should talk about the high tone of the uterus. What nature of the tone of the uterus during pregnancy - in an increased or normal form - can be established by ultrasound.

It should be remembered that only uterine hypertonicity is dangerous, and with normal tone there is definitely no reason for concern.

Causes

You can talk about uterine hypertonicity if the muscles of the uterus involuntarily contract and move. There are various reasons for the development of this condition. The main ones include:

an increase in the concentration of male sex hormones in the blood (if the first trimester);
a decrease in the level of the hormone that supports pregnancy - progesterone;
large size of the fetus;
bad habits;
multiple pregnancies;
numerous abortions;
wrong type of food;
the age of the pregnant woman;
abnormal structure of the female genital organs from birth;
inflammatory processes;
improper functioning of the thyroid gland;
increased physical activity (second trimester and above);
polyhydramnios (significantly increases the risks);
diseases of the endocrine type;
infantilism of the uterus (structure of the child type);
the appearance of tumors;
infectious diseases.

In some cases, we can talk about the development of hypertonicity due to nervous or psychological overstrain, lack of sufficient sleep, or complications during pregnancy. This condition can also be caused by impaired functioning of the kidneys, liver, or development. Also, the causes of hypertonicity are the appearance of benign or malignant neoplasms.

Each of these conditions and pathologies can provoke the appearance of symptoms of uterine tone during pregnancy.

What foods can cause hypertension

Among the products that can cause an increase in uterine tone, we can distinguish:

coffee (due to the invigorating effect, the removal of fluid from the body, the increase in blood pressure and the deterioration of sleep; in some, cardiac activity increases);
black tea (strong).

Also among the unsafe foods to eat are moldy cheese (contains special types of fungi that can cause tone), raw, smoked, dried or uncooked meat. It is necessary to reduce the consumption of liver products, lard and pâtés.

Advice. Fish for pregnant women is allowed, with the exception of dishes where half-baked raw materials are used. It is better to replace wheat bread with rye bread, and give up alcohol completely.

Manifestations

The most obvious symptoms include the following signs of uterine tone during pregnancy:

nausea;
feeling of dizziness;
weighting of the lower abdomen;
bloody discharge;
palpable pain in the lower abdomen;
feeling that the pregnant belly is hard.

Advice. If at least one of the symptoms manifests itself, you should consult a doctor to decide what to do.

Diagnostic methods

There are several approaches to how to determine the tone of the uterus during pregnancy - diagnostics include finger palpation, ultrasound, tonusometry.

There are already three actively used methods for checking the tone of the uterus, and which one to choose - you decide on your own or on the recommendation of a doctor

Palpation

During palpation, the specialist feels the uterus through the anterior wall of the abdominal cavity - while the pregnant woman lies with her legs bent at the knees. This position of the body allows you to eliminate the tone of the abdominal muscles, and, if there is a tone of the uterus, the doctor can feel the compaction of the muscles of the organ. Typically, this type of diagnosis is used in the second trimester based on the patient's history.

Ultrasound examination

Ultrasound is used as an additional way to study the condition of the muscles of the uterus. This method of determining tone helps to establish the degree of risk and the type of muscle tension.

The tone of the uterus during pregnancy in the 2nd or 3rd trimester can be general or local (located only in selective areas of the organ), posterior or anterior (depending on which wall tension is observed, the tone of the anterior wall of the uterus during pregnancy is more common). Only an ultrasound examination can accurately reflect these characteristics of the condition. On ultrasound, the doctor can also assess the degree of risk of complications, premature birth or miscarriage - this is what dangerous uterine tone during pregnancy is and what it can provoke. When ultrasound detects tone, hospitalization is usually prescribed.

Ultrasound gives a quick and clear answer, removing any errors

Tonusometry

With tonusometry, special sensors can reflect the tension of the uterus. This method is rarely used compared to palpation and ultrasound.

How can you diagnose uterine tone at home

There are methods for determining the condition of the uterus during pregnancy, which are carried out independently. They can be used before a visit to the doctor, since only a specialist can confirm the diagnosis.

First of all, it is possible to assume the presence of hypertonicity if a feeling of tension, pulsation is manifested in the uterus. You may also feel numbness or stiffness in your abdomen. The pain when the tone of the posterior wall of the uterus is observed during pregnancy can be compared with the sensations that often appear during menstruation.

To diagnose the tone, you need to lie on your back. One of the hands is placed on the upper part of the femoral region, and the second on the lower abdomen, where the uterus is supposed to be located. If the hands feel the same tension on both parts of the body, there is no hypertonicity. But if increased toning of the uterus is present, the lower abdomen will appear firmer. If this condition is detected, you should visit a specialist and undergo an ultrasound to avoid complications. Uterine tone is common during pregnancy in the 1st trimester.

It is not difficult to determine the tone at home, but you should not panic ahead of time, because. a doctor with experience will give an accurate answer, unlike a patient who is not experienced in diagnosing

How to relieve the condition before visiting a doctor

If hypertonicity is suspected, it is advisable to ensure complete rest for the pregnant woman and bed rest before visiting a doctor. You can also take antispasmodics that are allowed for pregnant women. If there is a pulling sensation from behind, you should:

stop any activity;
kneel down, bend your back, while raising your head, and then slowly return to the starting position;
relieve the tension of the facial muscles and muscles of the whole body.

Note. Treatment of uterine tone during pregnancy usually includes a number of measures at once.

Treatment

The first thing to do with the tone of the uterus is to ensure complete rest for the pregnant woman and stop vigorous activity. Sex is excluded.

Medical treatment

All drugs that help alleviate this condition should be prescribed by a doctor based on the patient's condition. Common means to combat tone are:

sedative preparations of plant origin (motherwort, valerian);
vitamin and mineral complexes for pregnant women;
drug "Magne B6";
antispasmodic drugs (Baralgin, Papaverine with uterine tone).

When choosing hormone therapy, doctors prefer products with progesterone - for example, Duphaston. If heavy bleeding is detected, the patient is hospitalized. In the hospital, hemostatic drugs such as Etamzilat and Dicinon can be used

In the 2nd trimester, the tone of the uterus during pregnancy can be eliminated by the appointment of diathermy, if hypertonicity is not a normal physiological phenomenon (in this case, it does not have a pronounced or prolonged character).

Tension in the uterine muscles can help relieve drugs such as:

sulfate;
antispasmodic drugs (No-Shpa);
"Nifedipine";
"Ginipral";
"Hexoprenaline";
"Verapamil".

In addition to the usual rest, specialized medications are used, the intake of which must be coordinated with your doctor.

Ways to eliminate tone at home

Uncomplicated forms of uterine hypertonicity can be eliminated at home, and therapy may not even include drug treatment.

Exercises

In some cases, the tone of the uterus in early pregnancy can be helped to eliminate simple physical exercises - for example, "Cat". To perform it, you should get on all fours and alternately bend your back up and down a certain number of times - about 5-10. This will help relax the uterine muscles and relieve spasm. After performing the movements, it is useful to lie down for an hour (especially if it is the 3rd trimester).

You can also not perform any movements, but simply kneel with a short time of emphasis - the uterus in a position on all fours with an elbow rest is in a suspended state, which contributes to its relaxation. After performing, you should always rest in a supine position. This is important in how to remove uterine spasms.

Note. The tension of the muscles of the uterus may depend on the tension of the facial muscles. To reduce hypertonicity, sometimes it is enough to relax the facial muscles. To do this, tilt your head and completely relax the muscles of the face and neck. Breathing in this position is carried out through the mouth. This can help relieve symptoms of uterine tone during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester.

As an additional therapy for uterine tone, you can use specialized exercises that will only accelerate the effect of recovery.

Medications

You can supplement exercises at home by taking mild antispasmodics. In mild forms of hypertension, these measures may be sufficient. But if the discomfort or lack of benefit from exercise increases, you should undergo a medical examination.

It is important to eat right during pregnancy - the products must be natural. You need to eat more legumes, nuts, bran, green vegetables, cereals (especially buckwheat and oatmeal).

If a pregnant woman has it, it is necessary to get rid of this phenomenon using the means recommended by the doctor. If the increased tone of the uterus during pregnancy caused premature labor, doctors stop this process with medication by the 40th week of pregnancy.

Preventive measures

To reduce the risk of occurrence or remove the tone of the uterus, it is recommended to follow these tips:

provide sleep for at least 8 hours a day;
eat right (food should be non-aggressive);
reduce physical and motor activity;
limit the lifting of heavy objects (especially if there is uterine tone in the third trimester of pregnancy);
limit sex;
breathe fresh air, but give up long walks;
minimize stress;
stop using tobacco or alcohol;
reduce the frequency of trips in the car or transport (in the second trimester).

All sexually transmitted infections, if present, should be treated before pregnancy. It is important, if the uterus is in good shape during pregnancy, to maintain a good psychological state and avoid stressful situations - natural soothing herbs and essential oils (for example, mint, chamomile or lotus) will help with this. Pregnant women should also undergo regular gynecological examinations to eliminate the risk of developing pathologies.

Prevention is always more effective than treatment, so after completing the course of taking medications, you can safely use the list of recommendations above.

Uterine tone during pregnancy is a rather dangerous condition during pregnancy if left untreated. The risk of developing this phenomenon can be significantly reduced by observing the right lifestyle and lack of stress. The tone is easily treatable, but it can not always be cured on its own. If you suspect the development of spasms of the muscles of the uterus, you should visit a doctor and accurately determine the severity of the condition in order to choose the right treatment. How to remove the tone of the uterus during pregnancy in a certain case and what to do, the specialist decides.

A woman expecting a baby can be very frightened when she first feels discomfort. Uterine tone during pregnancy is a symptom that is dangerous throughout all three trimesters, the cause of which must be identified as soon as possible in order to avoid serious complications. Why such a problem arises, what is its danger, what to do to normalize the situation, how to determine the pathology - it is necessary to understand these issues.

What is uterine tone

Nature has prepared a special hollow organ for carrying a baby. The uterus, consisting of several layers, has muscle tissue that protects the growing fetus, which can contract during childbirth, helping the baby to be born. Normally, she is relaxed. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why a dangerous contraction of muscle fibers occurs.

What is uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy? This is a symptom that requires accurate diagnosis of the causes of the pathology and immediate treatment. The appearance of dangerous signs means:

there is a strong compression of the muscle layer;
increased pressure in the uterine cavity;
there is a threat to bearing a baby;
high risk of preterm birth.

What is the danger of uterine tone during pregnancy

Expectant mothers should carefully monitor their condition throughout the pregnancy. It is useful for women to know why the uterus is in good shape, what are the symptoms, so that when they appear, consult a doctor. This will help avoid serious problems. Uterine activity is dangerous in all trimesters of pregnancy. In the early stages, high tone can:

cause difficulties in the process of implantation of the fetal egg;
lead to placental abruption, disrupting the nutrition of the fetus, causing missed pregnancy;
provoke a miscarriage.

No less dangerous is the uterus in good shape during pregnancy in subsequent periods:

In the second trimester, contraction of muscle fibers reduces blood flow in the vessels of the placenta, limits the supply of oxygen to the fetus, which leads to delayed development.
In the third trimester, abortion is possible - premature birth due to early opening of the cervix. The baby develops hypoxia due to compression of the vessels of the umbilical cord.

Norms of uterine tone by gestational age

For a baby to develop properly in the womb, the uterus must be supple and relaxed. Like any muscular organ, it has physiological contractions. What contractions of the uterine walls are considered normal? Experts highlight the tone that occurs in the early stages of pregnancy and is conditionally safe. In this case, uterine contraction:

occurs no more than 6 times a day;
contributes to the activation of blood circulation, the normal development of the child;
can be caused by minor physical exertion.

The following stages of pregnancy have their own characteristics:

In the second trimester, starting from the 20th week, painless contractions are observed, which are considered training, preparation for future childbirth, occur several times a day.
With the beginning of the third trimester, the contractions of the uterus are helped by the baby, who begins to actively move. By the end of the term, hypertonicity is difficult to distinguish from the onset of labor.

Signs of tone

Only a gynecologist can accurately determine the tone. When the first symptoms of a threat appear, in order to exclude dangerous consequences, you need to visit a doctor. What are the signs of uterine tone during pregnancy? Pathology is accompanied by:

aching, squeezing pains in the lower abdomen;
contractions of the muscles of the uterus;
feeling of heaviness, discomfort;
bloody discharge;
tension, petrification of the abdomen;
pain in the lumbar region, sacrum;
feeling of contractions.

The reasons

There are a large number of reasons for the occurrence of tone. They are related to the state of the body and external factors. There are such causes of uterine tone:

a reduced amount of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes smooth muscles;
severe toxicosis with vomiting, causing muscle contractions;
increased levels of prolactin and male sex hormones;
thyroid pathology;
anomalies in the development of the uterus;
Rh-conflict of the blood of parents;
infectious diseases;
pathology of the placenta;
uterine fibroids;
inflammatory processes of the reproductive organs.

Hypertonicity of the uterus during pregnancy is provoked by:

psychological problems;
constant stress;
physical exercise;
long journeys;
sports;
air travel;
lack of sleep;
strong gas formation;
malnutrition;
obesity;
age after 35 years;
incorrect position of the fetus;
violation of intestinal motility;
stretching of the uterus during multiple pregnancy;
polyhydramnios or large baby size;
sex before 12 weeks of pregnancy;
previous miscarriages;
tumors;
abortions.

Products

Improper nutrition can provoke an increased tone. There are foods that cause this condition. These include:

legumes, cabbage, provoking increased gas formation;
moldy cheese containing a fungus dangerous for pregnant women;
coffee, which quickly removes fluid from the body, increasing blood pressure;
raw eggs that can cause the development of salmonellosis - heat treatment is recommended;
black tea containing a lot of caffeine.

Spices cause an increase in uterine tone. Doctors recommend limiting the use of basil, bay leaf, fennel, cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin during pregnancy. The danger is represented by dishes that have not undergone long-term heat treatment. They can become a source of infectious diseases. These include:

steaks from meat with blood;
dried delicacies;
pate;
quick cooked liver;
sushi;
salo.

Diagnostics

The first unpleasant symptoms should be determined by the pregnant woman herself and consult a doctor. With great accuracy, increased tone is detected during examination by a gynecologist. Diagnostics includes:

external control, fixing complaints;
palpation of the abdomen in the supine position;
Ultrasound, which reveals a thickening of smooth muscle tissue, the tone of the anterior or posterior wall, depending on the place of attachment of the fetus;
tonusometry using special sensors.

How to determine the tone of the uterus during pregnancy yourself

A woman should be able to diagnose uterine tone herself. This will help to timely identify the causes of the pathology and prescribe treatment in order to moderate it. It is important to distinguish between symptoms that signal a problem. You can find out if there is muscle tone at home. To do this, you need to lie on your back, relax, gently feel the stomach, check the condition of the muscles. In this situation:

a feeling of softness indicates a lack of tone and reason for concern;
a firm, elastic abdomen is characterized by increased muscle contraction, requires the intervention of a doctor.

What to do

How should a woman behave, what to do if there are dangerous symptoms? Gynecologists recommend following the regimen to relax the muscles, taking medications that will reduce tone. To avoid the threat of miscarriage, pregnant women need:

stress relief;
complete cessation of sexual activity;
exclusion of physical activity;
providing bed rest;
aromatherapy that promotes relaxation;
use of warm baths and showers;
acupuncture;
treatment of Rh-conflict;
normalization of nutrition;
psychotherapy sessions.

Medical treatment

When uterine tone appears, it is necessary to solve two important tasks - to remove unpleasant symptoms and to influence the causes of their occurrence. Doctors prescribe magnesium preparations with vitamin B6, which relax the uterine walls. It is recommended to take:

tincture of motherwort, valerian, soothing, helping to relieve stress;
Utrozhestan, Duphaston - progesterone preparations for hormone deficiency in early pregnancy.

To reduce uterine tone, relieve spasms, remove dangerous symptoms, antispasmodics are prescribed - Nosh-pa tablets, as well as drugs:

Genipral - relaxes muscles, not recommended in the early stages;
Nozepam is a sedative drug that has a sedative effect;
Curantil - improves placental circulation;
Riboxin - activates metabolic processes;
Piracetam - increases the resistance of nerve cells in the fetus to oxygen deficiency;
Dicynon - stops spotting.

Candles

Rectal suppositories help to bring the increased uterine tone back to normal very quickly. Candles are injected into the rectum, left until resorption. The active substance enters the blood, reduces the excitation of the walls of the uterus. Doctors prescribe:

Viburkol - has an antispasmodic, analgesic effect;
Papaverine - relaxes smooth uterine muscles, expands blood flow, reduces tension;
Indomethacin - is used for the threat of abortion, but only from 16 to 32 weeks.

Exercises

You can cope with increased uterine tone at home if you perform simple exercises. This will help relax tense muscles. It is recommended to make a complex:

Get on all fours, bend your back, raise your head, return to the starting position. Repeat several times, then lie down for at least an hour.
Sitting on a chair, lower your head, relax the muscles of your neck and face, breathe through your mouth.
Stand on all fours for a few minutes so that the stomach is in a suspended position. Breathe calmly.

How to avoid uterine tone during pregnancy

Prevention of hypertension helps to avoid the appearance of unpleasant symptoms. Simple measures contribute to the normal course of pregnancy without pathologies. A woman needs:

avoid stress;
start eating right
do not drink alcohol;
observe the daily routine;
ensure proper sleep;
avoid physical overload;
worry less;
Do not smoke;
visit a gynecologist regularly.

Video

Pregnancy is a time associated not only with the happy expectation of the appearance of crumbs, but the period of adaptation of the woman's body to the state of gestation and the fight against gestational complications. One of these pathological conditions, which seems to be the most common during pregnancy, is increased uterine tone. In this article, we will consider the problem of uterine hypertonicity during pregnancy, highlight the pathogenesis, clinical picture, present the diagnosis and methods of dealing with this problem.

What is uterine tone?

The tone of the uterus is a normal state of the female reproductive organ, which is characterized by a short-term contraction of the myometrium (middle muscle layer of the uterus) in response to various kinds of influences. For example, the motor activity of the embryo, and after 22 weeks - the fetus, a filled bladder, increased intestinal motility. The tone of the uterus without pregnancy may increase before and during menstruation.

How to determine the tone of the uterus?

The tone of the uterus must necessarily be present during pregnancy, since this is a muscular organ and it must contract. Otherwise, if the uterus did not come into tone, then it would not be able to complete such a difficult task as a rather long period of contractions - the first period of childbirth, as well as the second period - the period of attempts. During a normal pregnancy, there should be a tone of the uterus, the symptoms of which should not cause any discomfort to the woman.

What is uterine hypertonus?

Hypertonicity is a pathological condition that characterizes the presence of a diagnosis of threatened abortion before 22 weeks, and after - the threat of premature birth.
How to distinguish uterine tone during pregnancy from hypertonicity? How to understand that the uterus is in good shape and this condition is physiological in nature?

The most important differences in tone are:

Absence of pain.
The absence of a long period of the uterus being in good shape (no more than one minute).
Feeling the tone of the uterus up to 5 times a day.
The absence of productive contractions, which lead to a shortening of the cervix, as well as to its wedge-shaped transformation. This item is the most important in the diagnosis of increased uterine tone.

Symptoms of uterine tone

An important point is the question "how to determine the tone of the uterus during pregnancy?". In order to understand when pregnancy proceeds physiologically, and when it is necessary to seek medical help, it is necessary to understand how to independently determine the tone of the uterus. Quite often, primigravid women cannot understand what this condition includes. Below we present the main symptoms that help to find out the answer to the question "how to understand the tone of the uterus."

Diagnosis of uterine tone during pregnancy

When examined by a doctor of a pregnant woman, the uterus is determined with an increased tone, characterized by a dense consistency. At the same time, the female reproductive organ is well controlled through the anterior abdominal wall and is in this state for a long time. For the diagnosis of hypertonicity, ultrasound is used, during which hypertonicity of the posterior wall of the uterus, as well as the anterior one, can be detected. However, this symptom may not always indicate the threat of termination of pregnancy. The uterus can come into tone in response to the passage of an ultrasonic wave through its wall. Also on ultrasound when performing cervicometry (measuring the length of the cervix), isthmic-cervical insufficiency is diagnosed (shortening of the cervix, opening of its internal pharynx).

How does uterine tone appear on cardiotocography? (KTG)

Increased uterine tone can be determined by cardiotocography. The resulting film will graphically depict a curve parallel to the fetal heart rate curve, indicating hypertonicity.

Reasons for the appearance of tone in the first trimester

The tone of the uterus in the early stages can be caused by various factors, among which 80% is assigned to congenital malformations. Women must be compulsorily aware of this fact and, while maintaining a pregnancy in a hospital, must give written consent to continue the pregnancy. Also, the tone of the uterus in early pregnancy can be caused by hormonal dysfunction in the form of progesterone deficiency, the impact of stress factors on the female body.

Reasons for the appearance of tone in the II trimester

In the second trimester, a woman can also be diagnosed with increased uterine tone during pregnancy, the causes of which lie in the low level of progesterone (the main hormone of pregnancy), which has a relaxing effect, the presence of an infection of various etiologies, and disruption of the intestines in the form of its increased peristalsis.

Reasons for the appearance of tone in the III trimester

Unfortunately, in the third trimester there is an increased tone of the uterus in pregnant women. Its causes include a low level of progesterone, which can be aggravated by the development of placental dysfunction, its aging, because it is the placenta that produces the main amount of progesterone. With the appearance of violations, its hormonal function also suffers. Polyhydramnios, multiple pregnancy, infectious factors can serve as a trigger in the development of such complications as the threat of premature birth. Also, at any gestational age, the cause of hypertonicity may be the presence of concomitant pregnancy pathologies, such as uterine fibroids, endocrine diseases, and hematological pathologies.

What is the danger of uterine tone and hypertonicity?

Women quite often do not take the increased tone seriously and do not take any measures to stop it. This is due to the ignorance of the fair sex, which is dangerous for the tone of the uterus. Serious complications of myometrial hypertonicity include:

Methods of treatment of uterine tone and prevention of its manifestation

Due to the development of information technology and the Internet, many pregnant women begin to look for answers to the question "how to remove the tone of the uterus" in the open spaces of the forums. The most frequently discussed topic on such pages is the tone of the uterus, how to remove such a condition at home. This is the most basic mistake that can be fatal. How to remove the tone of the uterus during pregnancy, depending on the etiology, only obstetrician-gynecologists know and only in a hospital setting.

How to remove the tone of the uterus with the help of drug therapy?

Preventive measures in the development of uterine hypertonicity are:

If any symptom of a pathological course of pregnancy occurs, you should immediately seek help from a medical institution!

Consequences and complications of pregnancy with uterine hypertonicity

As can be seen from the above, the main consequences of increased uterine tone are conditions that aggravate the course of this pregnancy and can lead to the death of both the fetus at birth with signs of deep prematurity, and the death of the woman herself, if we are talking about detachment of a normally located placenta or central presentation due to the occurrence of pathological uterine tone.

Serious consequences can result in uterine tone during pregnancy, the symptoms of which every pregnant woman should know in order to protect herself and her unborn child from the complications of this condition