Tight stomach before delivery

If you experience a hard abdomen before delivery, you may consider that it is the uterine contraction caused by uterine contractions, which can also cause the surface of the skin to become very hard. Symptoms like this are normal, and you don't need to worry as long as there are no signs of premature birth, because pregnant women will experience several false contractions in the late pregnancy.

Why is the pregnant woman's belly hard?

A hard belly during pregnancy usually means uterine contractions. Uterine contraction is the contraction force of the uterus, which refers to the contraction of the smooth muscle of the uterine body. It is paroxysmal, with contractions and pauses alternating repeatedly and is not controlled by the will of the mother. It plays a vital role in childbirth. Only through effective uterine contractions can the fetus continue to descend along the birth canal to complete childbirth.

In the middle and late stages of pregnancy, many pregnant women will feel slight uterine contractions from time to time (that is, they feel their abdomen slightly swollen and tight, but the pain is not obvious). This kind of uterine contraction is called false uterine contraction. It is irregular, not only has a long interval, but also lasts for a short time, and will not cause real delivery.

Is it normal to have a hard belly in late pregnancy?

The reason why pregnant women in the late stage feel their stomachs hard from time to time is often due to frequent and irregular uterine contractions: also known as false labor. Starting from the 28th week of pregnancy, false labor will often occur in the abdomen. If the pregnant woman stands or sits in the same posture for a long time, she will feel her abdomen hardening from time to time. This is false labor and is a normal phenomenon.

The characteristics of false labor are that the time of occurrence is irregular and the intensity varies from time to time. Before delivery, that is, in the late pregnancy, false labor contractions will become more and more frequent due to the traction stimulation of the lower uterine segment caused by the descending fetal head. As long as there is no pain, pregnant women do not need to worry.

What to do if a pregnant woman's belly becomes hard

The hardening of the abdomen brings discomfort to pregnant mothers, which can be relieved by the following methods:

1. Change your activity or posture. Sometimes walking can relieve your discomfort, and sometimes resting can relieve false labor (if it is real labor contractions, they will not stop no matter what you do and will gradually increase in intensity).

2. Take a hot bath and relax your body.

3. Drink a few glasses of water, as false labor can sometimes be caused by dehydration.

4. Try relaxation exercises or take slow, deep breaths. While this won't stop your false labor, it may help you cope with the uncomfortable feelings.