If during pregnancy the stomach gathers in lumps. Hard belly during pregnancy - the main causes. Pathological causes of the appearance of a stone abdomen

Why is the stomach hard during pregnancy

Should the belly be normal during pregnancy? What can be considered a deviation and how dangerous for a child?

The baby develops in his mother's uterus for 9 months. This is a muscular organ, which means it can contract. Doctors call these contractions increased tone, this is the diagnosis that doctors make for women whose stomach becomes hard during pregnancy. Why is he scary? It is believed that such tension of the uterus can provoke the opening of her cervix. So, lead to miscarriage or premature birth. However, if you think logically, only a long and strong tone can lead to such consequences. After all, even the strongest labor pains last for several hours, and only then a child is born. In European countries, a hard belly during pregnancy on early dates, and this phenomenon is very common, is not considered a reason for the diagnosis of " threatened miscarriage".

What to do if the uterus is tense

If at the same time you do not feel pain - just try to relax. You can take a shower. You need to relax somehow. Usually "let go" in just a few seconds. So, a hard belly during late pregnancy may simply be a reaction to the baby moving or the future mother taking an uncomfortable position.

In some cases, especially if this is repeated repeatedly and causes excitement, you can discuss with your doctor taking antispasmodics - No-shpa in tablets or rectal suppositories of papaverine hydrochloride.

When to act

If bleeding occurs. This is already a direct threat of abortion, as it signals a detachment of the chorion or placenta. In addition to the fact that this condition causes acute hypoxia of the fetus, which means it can lead to its rapid death, bleeding, especially at a long gestation period, can be very abundant - life-threatening for the mother. This is a reason to call an ambulance.

Also a relative indication for receiving urgent medical care there may be painful uterine tone. Irregular and painless uterine tension is considered normal. If contractions appear after a certain period of time, and quite noticeable, this can be regarded as contractions.

Someone thinks that a hard belly is a sign of pregnancy - we are talking about the beginning of the journey. In fact, tension at such an early date is more often felt not in the uterus, but in the intestines. Flatulence is a common problem for expectant mothers.

If the lower abdomen becomes hard during pregnancy suddenly. At the same time, the volume of the uterus increased, it became noticeable visually. The skin on my stomach tightened. Perhaps the reason is polyhydramnios. This is also an occasion to visit the doctor unscheduled and find out why the stomach is hard during pregnancy, as well as other symptoms.

If the doctor offers you to be observed in a hospital - do not worry, you will not be “healed” there. But doctors will be able to regularly monitor your and your child's well-being and take timely action if necessary.

Even in the last century, doctors who observed pregnant women believed that any hardening of the abdomen is a pathology that requires urgent treatment. Now much has been rethought and pregnancy is not perceived as a disease, and progressive doctors are trying to find an explanation for such sensations in order to calm the woman, and not scare her. However, a hard belly during pregnancy can mean the onset of premature contractions and the help of doctors will be required to stop the process that has begun.

The main causes of abdominal hardness during pregnancy and related symptoms

The abdomen becomes hard with increased uterine tension

The uterus is a muscular organ, and the muscles respond to external influences. Healthy muscles are always in a certain tone, that is, tension. This is especially true for pregnant women, in whom the fetus develops inside, and the muscles must support it from all sides.

It is impossible to make a diagnosis of hypertension in the early stages. Perhaps local periodic muscle tension. In addition, if there is an increased tone, the woman should feel quite a lot of pain. If she does not feel anything, but the doctor says that there is hypertonicity, most likely he is mistaken and takes natural processes for pathology.

Factors that can affect the condition of the muscles of the uterus during pregnancy, because of which they will begin to contract and harden more often:

• The large size of the uterus contributes to the fact that there is little space for the bladder. In a state of fullness, it presses on the muscles, which react and tighten. After emptying, the muscles relax and the sensations disappear. Women during pregnancy go to the toilet more often because the bladder does not fill completely due to lack of space in the abdominal cavity.
• Constipation. The level of hormones in the body has a relaxing effect on the intestines, as a result of which stagnation of feces can occur. The volume of the colon increases, which also affects the muscles of the uterus, and it contracts. Organization proper nutrition, the use of laxatives can reduce the incidence of abdominal hardening.
• Elevated levels of the hormone oxytocin also help to harden the muscles of the uterus. Oxytocin is released during stressful situations, orgasm. After intercourse, the stomach may temporarily tighten, so you need to lie down and relax, mentally switch to something else.
• Excessive physical activity. Women of a sports warehouse do not consider pregnancy an obstacle to physical education, but during this period the body may react differently, namely, by petrifying the walls of the uterus. For longer periods, it is still worth relaxing and resting more, and transferring physical education to the postpartum period.
• Overwork. If a woman has Small child and she is expecting a second, it affects the state of her body. The first baby needs attention, walks, he can get sick. A woman is forced to deny herself rest in order to help her child. Unfortunately, not all mothers have the opportunity to shift some of the problems to other people - a husband or grandmother.

Many women respond to the news of pregnancy by wanting to always lie down. The lack of movement is also a problem, as stagnation with intoxication begins in the body, which can cause local hypertonicity. But this reason is not a pathology.

The task of a woman is to observe her condition and fix the relationship between lifestyle, nutrition, psychological state and processes occurring in the uterus. If dependence is found, then try to avoid repetition of the situation, since the sensations during hardening of the abdomen are not very pleasant, and sometimes cause fear.

Early dates

Most often, the feeling of petrification of the abdomen appears in the second or third trimester. In the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy, heaviness and pain may appear, as during menstruation.

Often there are pains in the sacral region. This may be due to the work of the hormone relaxin, which affects the bone tissue, which softens during this period to facilitate the process of childbirth. In some women, it begins to be produced earlier, pains appear in the pelvic bones and sacrum.

If you experience such sensations in the early stages, you need to see a doctor and determine the cause. If there were no serious gynecological problems before pregnancy, most likely, this is the normal functioning of the body and there is no need to worry. In the second trimester, the likelihood of a late miscarriage is high. If a woman has already had similar cases, it is necessary to listen to the recommendations of the doctor and prevent a recurrence of the situation.

Hypertonicity is a danger not only for a woman, but also for a fetus. The vessels that deliver blood to the placenta do not function well. The fetus develops hypoxia if the increased tone lasts a long time or appears frequently. This may negatively affect intrauterine development child.

If pain appears and does not go away at rest, you need to call an ambulance and be in a supine position until the doctors arrive.

In the hospital, it is necessary to be tested for infection, especially if the woman was treated for pelvic inflammatory disease before pregnancy, to check the condition of the fetus and the level of hormones in the body. If the pain is a symptom of spontaneous abortion, the doctor will prescribe hormonal drugs that allow you to carry the baby.

Late dates

Starting from the second half of pregnancy, a woman's belly grows faster and this affects the state of health, the condition of the pelvic bones. During this period, the appearance of symptoms of hardening of the abdomen is more likely, especially when multiple pregnancy or overweight child.

The presence or absence of pain matters a lot. If there are painful sensations with bloody discharge, the woman must be urgently taken to the hospital. This may be a sign of rupture of the amniotic sac and the beginning of the birth process. You can test the bubble for strength with the AmniShur test at home. With an accuracy of 99%, it will show the presence of microcracks in the membrane of the fetal bladder.

Up to 38 weeks, a hard stomach can be the result of overwork or stress if a woman continues to work and think about problems. After 35 weeks, many practice contractions begin. Thus, the body prepares for childbirth. This is an absolutely normal natural process that does not require treatment. Usually, women are encouraged to relax more or exercise with the ball so that the sensations pass. From 38 weeks, real contractions can begin at any time, and you will need to go to the hospital.

In the second half of pregnancy, it is more likely that the uterus will respond more often to external influences. The baby is actively moving inside, which also causes uterine contractions. Pain in the back and pelvic region can be added to muscle spasms, which sometimes forces a woman to put a pillow or cushion between her legs while sleeping or relaxing.

anxiety symptoms

If the hardening of the abdomen occurs too often - more than 4 times per hour, you need to see a doctor and be examined. If a woman notices that the baby in the womb does not move as usual, there are sharp cramping pains, bloody fluid or blood is released, you need to urgently call an ambulance and take her to the hospital, regardless of the gestational age.

What should be of concern:

• The presence of tumor or inflammatory diseases before pregnancy - fibroids, polyps, adnexitis, colpitis.
• The presence of chronic hormonal diseases - diabetes, thyroid dysfunction.
• Tendency to high blood pressure.
• The presence of infectious diseases of the genitourinary system.
• Pathologies of the structure of the reproductive system, as well as impaired placental circulation, which is noticeable on ultrasound.
• late toxicosis.
• Smoking or drinking alcohol or drugs.
• Endometriosis.
• Edema.
• Recent viral infections that complicate the course of pregnancy.
• Polyhydramnios or vice versa, a small amount of amniotic fluid, confirmed by ultrasound results.

In the later stages, hardening of the abdomen, which is not accompanied by pain, is not desirable to be eliminated with medication. This disrupts nerve conduction, which at the time of childbirth can weaken contractions and lead to a weakening of labor.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the causes that cause spasm of the muscles of the uterus during pregnancy is carried out only by a doctor. First, he asks the woman about accompanying symptoms- Are there any cramps in the legs, for example. Cramps occur with a lack of B vitamins and magnesium, so spasms can occur in any muscle groups, including the uterus.

A blood sugar test is required. Muscles metabolize protein only in the presence of insulin and glucose, so any dietary restrictions for a woman can cause spasms of the uterine muscles, since they function in the same way as other muscle groups in the body. If a woman during pregnancy tries to fight with extra pounds, this is always reflected in her feelings.

An analysis of hormones - progesterone and estrogen - allows the doctor to determine whether the tension of the walls of the uterus is really hypertonicity. The problem may lie in the following points:

• Low levels of progesterone, the pregnancy hormone, often result in early miscarriages. If in adolescence a girl was diagnosed with uterine dysplasia, then this means a low level of female hormones, which can cause infertility or miscarriages. With the abolition of drugs that are prescribed during the period of bearing a child, there may be a risk of premature birth. Abrupt withdrawal of the drug is also contraindicated.
• An imbalance of estrogen and progesterone.
• Increased levels of androgens - male sex hormones. In this case, the prerequisites for the problem will be excessive hair growth in areas that are not characteristic of the female type of hair growth.
• Insufficient production of progesterone sometimes depends on an excess of prolactin, a pituitary hormone.

Before receiving the test results, it is not desirable and unprofessional to draw any conclusions about the presence of hypertonicity in a woman.

Ultrasound gives a visual representation of the work of the muscles of the uterus in real time. During the examination, the picture of the tone changes - it appears in one place, then disappears and appears in another. If tension is noticeable throughout the procedure, it is necessary to take tests for hormones.

The age of the woman also plays a role. Pregnant women under the age of 18, whose bodies have not yet fully formed, are more likely to complain of strange sensations in the abdomen, which are described as a “lump” or a tight ball.

Therapy Methods

With hypertension, women are shown bed rest, preferably in a hospital. Especially if it is associated with a lack of progesterone, which can result in miscarriage. At the same time, it is necessary to start taking hormonal drugs, the most popular of which are duphaston and utrozhestan. To quickly reduce the tone, magnesia is prescribed intravenously and vitamin B6. Any physical activity and stress are prohibited. If signs of spontaneous miscarriage are found, a woman may be prescribed other drugs that reduce uterine activity - calcium channel blockers, oxytocin receptors, and prostaglandins.

If there are no signs of hormonal deficiency, but the woman experiences unpleasant sensations of petrification of the walls of the uterus, the doctor prescribes antispasmodics - no-shpu, papaverine, drotaverine. It is shown to rest more and not to make sudden body movements.

in stressful situations and elevated level Anxiety of a pregnant woman does not have to take chemical drugs. Homeopathy helps, subject to consultation with a doctor, as well as soothing teas with motherwort, valerian.

Preventive measures

Prevention of hypertonicity and the occurrence of unpleasant stiff sensations in the uterus begins long before the onset of pregnancy. Until the moment of conception, you need to treat everything infectious diseases and pass the control test in 3 months.

Benign tumors are treated based on their location and size. If necessary, apply minimally invasive techniques for removing fibroids, polyps. It is not advisable for nulliparous women to undergo operations that leave a suture on the uterus - this can lead to poor blood supply to the area. If the placenta sticks in place former operation, possibly poor blood supply to the fetus with oxygen, as well as the risk of premature detachment.

Many expectant mothers begin to worry if, during the bearing of the baby, they experience any symptoms that seem dangerous or alarming. Some of the pregnant women may be puzzled by the question of whether it is worth worrying if the stomach becomes hard. In fact, it is worth remembering that if you observe any symptoms that seem threatening to you, then you should consult a doctor who can dispel your doubts. Even if the doctor really discovers some problems, timely diagnosis and treatment will help solve them.

It is known that a hard stomach can be an indirect sign of uterine hypertonicity. Many expectant mothers probably know that uterine hypertonicity is a pathology of pregnancy that must be treated, since it can cause complications that neither mother nor baby needs at all. If you have been diagnosed with this, then calm down and do not panic. Remember that stress and nerves in the first place can affect the condition of the uterus. On the this moment the development of medical technologies, as well as pharmaceutical products, can successfully cope with this problem. A timely appeal to the attending physician can prevent those tragic consequences that are possible if uterine hypertonicity is ignored.

As a rule, hypertension develops during the second or third stage of pregnancy. Among the symptoms that indicate this pathology are the following:

• heaviness in the lower abdomen;
• occasional pain in the uterus;
• pain in the sacrum;
• pain in the lumbar region;
• distension in the lower abdomen;
• pain in the center of the abdomen.

It is possible that these symptoms indicate that you are just tired and need to rest. Doctors report that these symptoms can sometimes be caused by the stress experienced by the pregnant woman. However, if they recur, then a visit to the doctor is mandatory. Feeling the symptoms described above, lie down and try to rest. If you feel that rest does not affect the symptoms in any way, then you should immediately call a doctor. A qualified specialist will determine how to proceed further.

Uterine hypertonicity is dangerous because contractions appear ahead of schedule. This means that potentially a woman with such a diagnosis is at risk of miscarriage. Patients with hypertension should definitely receive increased attention from obstetrician-gynecologists, because they are at risk.

In addition, this pathology is extremely dangerous because blood circulation in the placenta is disturbed, which means that the baby who lives under your heart will most likely not receive enough oxygen. Doctors call this phenomenon oxygen starvation or fetal hypoxia. Among the factors that provoke the development of hypertonicity, doctors usually call:

• endocrine and hormonal disorders;
• underdevelopment of the uterus;
• failure and malfunction of the immune function of the body;
• infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genital organs;
• stress;
• depression;
• polyhydramnios.

In addition, it is worth remembering that hypertonicity can be triggered by too large a fetus, as well as excessive physical exertion. Moderate physical activity is necessary for pregnant women, but you should not get carried away, because the consequences can be the most deplorable. Remember that you should not feel any discomfort from walking or other physical activity that you have chosen. Too zealous physical education can have an exciting effect on the condition of your uterus. Feeling the described symptoms, consult a doctor who will help you save your pregnancy and give birth to a healthy baby.

Pregnancy is a special and exciting period in a woman's life, when any changes and previously unknown sensations cause anxiety about the well-being and health of the baby living in the tummy. As a rule, pregnant women are disturbed by a feeling of heaviness, discomfort in the lower abdomen, as well as a feeling that the stomach becomes stony and becomes hard. Why does the stomach stiffen during pregnancy, is this the norm or evidence of pathology? What to do with frequent hardening of the abdomen during pregnancy?

The feeling that the stomach periodically stiffens during pregnancy is a fairly common phenomenon that expectant mothers face at different stages of bearing a child. The woman experiences discomfort and discomfort. The causes of this condition may be the following processes occurring in the body of a woman:

Stones the stomach with hypertonicity of the uterus

A hard, like a stone, stomach for a short period of time is a sign of muscular hypertonicity of the uterus. An increase in the tone of the uterus in pregnant women is considered a symptom of the threat of miscarriage and requires medical attention. The uterus is a muscular organ, consisting entirely of smooth muscles, has the ability to contract. Uterine contraction is an important function that is necessary for normal delivery. If the uterus is in a normal tone, the woman does not feel any pain or discomfort, the pregnancy proceeds without complications. In the event that a pregnant woman often has a stony stomach, this indicates an excessive tone of the muscles of the uterus - hypertonicity of the uterus. The greatest danger is the increased tone of the uterus in the first trimester, when a pregnant woman can feel a pulling pain in the lower abdomen and lower back. In the later stages, the tension of the uterus can already be not only felt physically, but also seen: the stomach becomes stony and changes its shape. This phenomenon lasts for several minutes, periodically occurring up to 4 times within an hour. A hard and stony abdomen in the lower abdomen requires further investigations to rule out possible complications, which leads to uterine hypertonicity and start treatment on time.

The main causes of uterine hypertonicity are:

• insufficient production of the hormone progesterone in the body of a pregnant woman;
• disruption of the thyroid gland;
• polyhydramnios;
• conflict between the Rh factor of the blood of the mother and the fetus;
• tension, stress, physical overwork;
• poisoning chemicals, the impact of viral diseases.

The stomach turns to stone during pregnancy due to training contractions

Another reason for the feeling of a stone belly is training contractions, which are the main harbingers of childbirth. As a rule, the stomach stiffens and pulls, starting from the 34th week of pregnancy, accompanied by cramping pain. This phenomenon is due to the fact that the uterus, coming into muscle tone, is actively preparing for labor, and the fetus gradually descends into pelvic floor. In medicine, training contractions are called "Braxton Hicks contractions." As future mothers note, the lower abdomen stiffens during pregnancy for only a few minutes, and then relaxation occurs. The fact that training bouts have begun, the pregnant woman must notify the gynecologist.

Stomach in pregnancy due to bladder pressure

The tension of the muscles of the uterus with the pressure on it of a full bladder is a protective reaction of the body. This is how the space for the fetus located in its cavity is preserved from the pressure of the overflowing walls of the bladder. After urination, the abdomen becomes soft again.

The stomach turns to stone during pregnancy due to excessive physical activity

Tension and petrification of the abdomen may be the result of excessive physical exertion, which tone the muscles of the uterus. The last trimester of pregnancy is not the time for active sports in gym. A pregnant woman should reduce physical activity and have more rest, walk in the fresh air. Long walks, overwork can also cause uterine hypertonicity. Often women complain that during pregnancy, when walking, the stomach becomes stony.

The stomach becomes stony during pregnancy due to inflammation in the body

A stone belly during pregnancy can be associated with pathological processes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman. These include:

1. Chronic inflammation of the pelvic organs: colpitis, adnexitis, tumors of the genital organs.
2. Inflammation of an infectious nature in the urinary tract.
3. Endocrine disorders, chronic diseases.

Calcification of the abdomen during pregnancy and symptoms for which you need to seek help

Every woman carrying a baby should carefully listen to all the signals of the body. If the pregnancy proceeds safely, without complications, sometimes the stomach turns to stone, you should not sound the alarm and panic. It is enough to report this temporary phenomenon to the gynecologist, who, after conducting the necessary additional examinations and tests, will assess the condition of the pregnant woman and give necessary recommendations. If the pregnancy is difficult, the stomach constantly hardens and delivers a lot of anxiety and anxiety to the expectant mother, accompanied by a number of symptoms, then a visit to the doctor should be immediate, since the running process can adversely affect the condition of the mother and fetus. These warning signs include:

• the stomach becomes stone more often 4 times within an hour;
• with tension in the abdomen, cramping pain is felt, radiating to the lower part of the spine;
• the appearance of bloody, brownish, pinkish or watery discharge from the perineum;
• the absence or rare movement of the fetus in the womb.

Why is the feeling of a stone belly dangerous in pregnant women?

A stone belly during pregnancy can lead to such undesirable consequences as:

• miscarriage, miscarriage with placental abruption;
• premature birth;
• fetal hypoxia - forced oxygen starvation, which threatens to delay the development of the baby.

The stomach turns to stone at different stages of pregnancy

The belly of a pregnant woman can harden like a stone at almost any stage of pregnancy. How to understand what is the norm, and what symptoms signal a dangerous condition?

The stomach turns to stone at an early stage

The first trimester of pregnancy brings a huge number of changes and new unexplored sensations into a woman's life. Early toxicosis, anxiety, hormonal changes body can lead to nervous tension, and consequently to an increased tone of the uterus. If the feeling of firmness of the abdomen is permanent and is accompanied by pulling, cramping pains in the lower back and lower abdomen, you should consult a gynecologist. If the abdomen is periodically petrified, you should not worry, but it is necessary to inform your doctor about it.

Stomach in the second trimester

The second trimester is considered to be the most calm and favorable in terms of bearing a baby. The abdomen is actively growing and rapidly increasing in volume. Normally, the tummy in the 2nd trimester should be soft and not cause discomfort to the pregnant woman.
If the stomach stiffens from the 27th to the 30th week of pregnancy, and spotting appears, this indicates the threat of its interruption. The pregnant woman must be urgently taken to the hospital to save the life of the baby.

Stomach in the 3rd trimester

At 33-35 weeks of gestation, the abdomen becomes stony due to the hypertonicity of the uterus, in connection with its preparation for childbirth. In addition, the baby has grown significantly by this time and there is no longer enough space for him in the uterus, which reacts to the pressure of its walls with hypertonicity. The petrification of the abdomen is especially felt when urging to the toilet, with an overflowing bladder. As soon as the pregnant woman visits the toilet, the tone of the uterus will return to normal.

The stomach turns to stone at 36-37 pregnancy, especially at night, which means that the woman's body is tuned in to labor. From this moment, the pregnant woman should be prepared for the fact that contractions can begin at any moment and she will have to go to the hospital.

If the stomach turns to stone at 38 weeks of pregnancy and viscous discharge appears, this is a signal of premature birth. The closer the day of meeting with the baby, the more intense and more often the tension of the uterus occurs.

The stomach turns to stone at 39 and 40 weeks of pregnancy - the expectant mother should not worry, childbirth is very soon. Hard, like a stone, stomach, before the birth itself - normal physiological phenomenon the uterus is ready for delivery.

The stomach turns to stone - what to do?

Periodic petrification of the abdomen, which is not accompanied by the threat of interruption associated with an increase in uterine tone, can be quickly removed by assuming a relaxing posture. You need to calm down and lie down. The uterus should quickly return to normal. Excellent help to cope with the tension of the uterine muscles is breathing exercises, which will not only relieve muscle tone, but also saturate the body with oxygen, which is so necessary for the normal development of the baby in the womb. If the uterus becomes tense during a walk, sit on a bench and breathe deeply, relaxing the whole body. To eliminate discomfort, you can take sedatives or antispasmodics - tincture of motherwort, valerian, no-shpu. With hypertonicity, doctors recommend reducing any load that brings the uterus into tone. It is necessary to temporarily abandon the active physical activity and sex. And a particularly important recommendation for all expectant mothers is to avoid nervous and stressful situations as much as possible, to worry and worry less, to radiate positive and good mood, which is transmitted to your baby.

If you experience frequent sensations of a stone stomach, you should undergo a medical examination to determine the extent of the problem. The doctor may prescribe an ultrasound diagnosis, which will allow you to find out the cause increased tone uterus. After diagnosing and identifying the cause of the stone abdomen, the doctor will prescribe medication in the hospital or on an outpatient basis with the appointment of corrective measures: bed rest, sexual rest, reduction in physical activity, elimination of stressful situations, overwork.

As a treatment for hypertension, medications such as:

• antispasmodics - medications that relieve muscle spasms;
• sedatives that normalize the general condition of the pregnant woman;
• preparations with a high content of magnesium.

Uterine hypertonicity can be avoided if, as a preventive measure, a pregnant woman, even before conception, undergoes all medical examinations to identify chronic inflammatory processes in the body, as well as learn the correct breathing technique, which effectively normalizes the psychological state of a woman and helps in the fight against stress.