What to do if you have frequent false labor at 37 weeks of pregnancy

We all know that when women reach the second half of pregnancy or the late stage of pregnancy, they may experience uterine contractions due to improper diet. When women reach the 37th week of pregnancy, it is the late stage of pregnancy. At this time, women must pay special attention to their bodies and distinguish between true contractions and false contractions. So, what should you do if you have frequent false contractions at the 37th week of pregnancy?

What is the reason for frequent false labor at 37 weeks of pregnancy?

False labor, also called prolonged labor. Its characteristics are that the time of occurrence is irregular and the degree varies from time to time. Before delivery, false labor will become more and more frequent due to the traction stimulation of the lower uterine segment caused by the descending fetal head. During the 36th to 38th week of pregnancy, the myometrium is in an insensitive state and uterine contractions rarely occur. After this transition period, the refractory period of the uterus ends and a series of physiological changes are completed in preparation for delivery.

The difference between false contractions and true contractions (labor contractions): Labor contractions are more regular and stronger, accompanied by cervical dilation, descent of the fetal head, and possibly a small amount of vaginal bleeding (showing blood). False labor does not have these characteristics, but even for very skilled clinicians, it is difficult to distinguish frequent false labor from labor contractions based on symptoms alone, and further observation, monitoring and obstetric examination are required. Sometimes, labor contractions may occur suddenly, which requires the mother and clinician to be more vigilant and pay more attention.

The contractions of the uterus during labor are regular. Initially, the interval is about 10 minutes, and pregnant women feel abdominal pain, and then the duration of the pain gradually increases to 40 seconds to 60 seconds. The severity increases and the interval shortens to 3 to 5 minutes. When the uterus contracts and abdominal pain occurs, the lower abdomen may feel hard. The contractions come like waves, with waves of pain spreading to the lower abdomen, or there may be backache and a feeling of defecation. This type of contraction is in preparation for the birth of the baby. If true uterine contractions occur before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it marks the beginning of premature birth, which may have serious adverse effects on the newborn and require medical intervention and treatment.

What to do if false labor occurs frequently

Uterine contractions usually begin about a month before delivery, and expectant mothers will feel that the frequency of contractions is increasing. When calculating uterine contractions, if the number of contractions per hour is around 10, it is considered to be relatively frequent. You should go to the hospital in time and have the doctor identify the nature of the contractions to prevent premature birth. If the contractions are not very frequent and there is no abdominal pain, just rest.

It should be noted that you should not take any medication on your own to avoid harming the fetus. Taking medicine generally cannot relieve the symptoms. At this time, pregnant mothers should pay attention to rest, especially avoid stimulating the abdomen. If the contractions are accompanied by severe abdominal pain, such as pain that makes you restless and affects your work and life, you need to go to the hospital immediately.

Pregnant mothers can learn regular breathing techniques to cope with uterine contractions: ① Lie flat on your back, close your eyes, relax your mind, and breathe deeply through your nose. ② Take deep breaths through your mouth to relax your abdomen. ③After inhaling through the nose, hold your breath, and then exhale deeply.