Hard belly before childbirth

In the late stages of delivery, many expectant mothers will feel a slight swelling in their belly, which feels hard when touched. This is normal and only temporary, and is commonly known as uterine contractions. Because uterine contractions occur during the process, the belly will become very hard, and then it will be relieved in a short time.

1. Folk saying: A hard belly during pregnancy means you are pregnant with a girl. Does it make sense?

There is a saying among the people: a baby girl is held face to face with her expectant mother, so her buttocks are facing the expectant mother's belly. In this way, when the fetus moves, a big bulge will form on the expectant mother's belly, and it will be very hard. Is this really the case? In fact, a hard belly has nothing to do with whether you are pregnant with a boy or a girl. It is actually a reaction caused by uterine contraction. The scientific explanation is false labor, painless labor. Because the uterus becomes more and more sensitive in the late pregnancy, some stimulation will cause uterine contractions. This type of uterine contraction is different from the uterine contraction before delivery. It is characterized by irregularity, no pain, short duration, and diffuse abdominal hardening. It will not cause real delivery, so it is called false contraction. There are also many people who think that this is a threatened miscarriage and that they need to preserve the fetus, and they are very nervous, but in fact, this is not necessary. Painful and regular uterine contractions may be a sign of threatened abortion, so seek medical attention promptly. If just the stomach is hard, it is not a big deal. If this happens, expectant mothers just need to pay attention to rest. If the pain does not ease after rest and regular pain as mentioned above appears, you need to go to the hospital.

2. Is it normal for a pregnant woman to have a hard belly?

In the middle and late stages of pregnancy, especially after entering the late stage of pregnancy, the reason why expectant mothers feel their stomachs hard from time to time is often due to frequent and irregular uterine contractions, also known as false labor pains. If the expectant mother stands or sits in the same posture for a long time, she will feel her abdomen hardening from time to time. This false labor contraction is a normal phenomenon. 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 it's not accompanied by pain, there's no need to worry.

When you're just a few weeks away from your due date, these contractions may become stronger, more frequent, and uncomfortable. Those painless, occasional false labor contractions in the early stages will not cause noticeable changes in the cervix, but the contractions at this time may help your cervix become "ripe" (the cervix gradually becomes softer and thinner). It may even cause your cervix to start opening slightly. Therefore, this period is also called the pre-labor period. These are all rehearsals and preparations for the expectant mother's future delivery, which is a normal physiological process.

As long as the prenatal check-up is normal, there are not 4-6 consecutive contractions within an hour, and there is no severe abdominal pain, hard stomach and abdominal distension, the expectant mother does not need to panic too much. Just pay close attention to the fetal movement and see if there are any abnormalities.

3. What should pregnant women do if their stomach feels hard and uncomfortable?

The hardening of the abdomen brings discomfort to expectant 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 you're experiencing actual labor contractions, they won't stop no matter what you do, but will get stronger.)

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 the false contractions, it may help you cope with the uncomfortable feelings.