Exercise contractions: When do they start and why do they occur?
From around the 20th week of pregnancy, your uterus begins to prepare for the birth process. Around this time, you may notice a previously unknown feeling of tension or pulling in your belly for the first time. The most likely reason for this is the so-called training contractions. This is when the smooth muscles of the uterus contract and then relax again. These first contractions strengthen the muscles and the baby and placenta are better supplied with blood. The uterus trains for the birth, so to speak.
The first contractions that can be felt are the so-called Alvarez contractions. These short, wavelike training contractions are relatively weak, irregular and uncoordinated. Only small areas of the uterus tense up. As the pregnancy progresses, larger and larger parts of the smooth uterine muscles contract and the contractions become more frequent and somewhat stronger. Experts refer to this as Braxton-Hicks contractions. These are also still training contractions that have no effect on the cervix.
How can you recognize training contractions?
If this is not the case and the contacts occur more than three times an hour or more than ten times a day, you should contact a doctor. The same applies if the pain increases. Exertion and stress also intensify the contractions. Therefore: treat yourself to rest and relaxation!
What are contractions?
Even contractions (preterm labor) do not yet open the cervix. As the name suggests, they ensure that the uterus and baby sink deeper into the mother’s pelvis. In the best case (but unfortunately not always), the baby’s head gradually slides towards the birth canal with a slight twist. This usually only happens from the 36th week of pregnancy. This means that training contractions become noticeable much earlier than lowering contractions. However, the point at which the contractions begin in individual cases depends on whether it is a first birth or not:
Those who have already given birth to a child (or several) sometimes only feel the lowering of the abdomen and the associated contractions a few days before the due date. It is also possible that the head does not move into the pelvis until the onset of labor, so that it is not possible to clearly distinguish between contractions and labor pains. It is therefore not possible to say exactly when the birth will start after the contractions.
What do contractions feel like?
Contractions can occur approximately every ten minutes or with a break of several hours or days in between. Pregnant women experience these contractions differently. Many usually only notice a feeling of tension and rarely complain of real pain. However, a painful, unpleasant pulling sensation that radiates to the back and thighs is also possible.
Like training contractions, lower contractions can also be relieved with warmth. In a warm bathtub or with a hot water bottle on your stomach, the pain usually subsides.
New belly thanks to contractions
Some women do not notice any physical signs of contractions and only notice that something has changed in the shape of their belly. After the contractions, the belly suddenly sits lower, there is a little more space in the upper abdomen and complaints such as heartburn, bloating and shortness of breath are no longer as bad. However, the child’s new position now puts pressure on the bladder, which increases the urge to urinate. If you suddenly have to go to the toilet more often, this may also be a sign that you have already had a contraction.
