Contractions are a physiological phenomenon that occurs with varying intensity throughout the nine months of pregnancy. So also in the first months, it is possible to experience sensations of weight in the lower abdomen and cramps similar to menstrual pain. They are caused by the contractions (hence the name) of the uterus, due to the stimulus of oxytocin, which increases the concentration of calcium ions. This boost triggers it actina and miosina which, causing the shortening of the muscle fibers, cause the event.
Contractions: this is how they work
These contractions will occur mainly from the second trimester, sporadically and without much pain, are used by the uterus to train, to prepare for its enlargement (in nine months it increases its capacity from about 5-6 milliliters to 5-6 liters) to adapt to needs of the fetus and to prepare for childbirth.
What makes them unleash? Enlargement of the uterus, the baby's first movements, intestinal disturbances (diarrhea or constipation) or overexertion.
In the last weeks of pregnancy they will become more evident and painful, they are the so-called prepatory contractions that serve to prepare the dilation of the cervix.
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When it comes to sporadic episodes, there is usually no need to worry. However, it is advisable to always notify your gynecologist describing exactly the symptoms and the frequency with which the contractions are felt, especially if accompanied by even slight blood loss, in this case in fact, the contractions can represent the antechamber of an interruption of pregnancy. or a preterm birth.
Fortunately, however, only in a few cases are contractions a warning sign and a little rest is enough to get better.
Rules to follow if you are prone to contractions during pregnancy
- No to the overexertionin fact, with every effort, the uterus receives a solicitation and contracts. So it is good to avoid carrying heavy shopping, get help with housework and, if you have another child, pick him up only when necessary.
- Beware of the stress that fatigues the body
How to distinguish the contractions?
Sporadic:
a small, painless abdominal cramp that recurs from time to time
Preparatory:
a hardening of the belly, like a contracted muscle. The sensation may recur after a few hours or the next day. If they become too regular, even if not very painful, or if they are more and more intense and frequent, you need to go to the emergency room
From labor:
they last 30-40 seconds at the beginning, then they go up to a minute, with increasingly shorter intervals. After reaching the maximum intensity they subside until the resting phase. The pain is severe and reaches up to the back and kidneys
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The vasosuprine
Surely you have heard of it from friends and relatives who took it during pregnancy if they had too many episodes of contractions. Vasosuprine is a drug belonging to the category of beta-mimetic drugs. In obstetrics, vasosuprine is used in
tocolytic therapy of preterm labor
. However, due to its side effects (tachycardia, flushing and flushing of the face, constipation, hypotension, increased glycogenolysis), derived mainly from the stimulation of the Beta 1 receptors, it is used less and less.
Other drugs used with equal success for this purpose but with fewer maternal and fetal side effects are competitive oxytocin receptor antagonists, calcium channel blockers and prostaglandin inhibitors.
