Contractions

Contractions are muscle contractions that prepare the uterus for birth. Exercise contractions occur as early as the 20th-25th week of pregnancy (SSW) and are also known as Braxton-Hicks contractions. The pregnant woman can notice this by the fact that the abdomen suddenly becomes hard.
Otherwise, the exercise contractions are usually relatively painless and subside after some time.
From the 36th week of pregnancy onwards, pre-pangs can then occur, which are sometimes associated with severe abdominal pain and pain in the lower back and coccyx area. They occur at irregular intervals and subside again after some time. Although they are a sign of an imminent birth, a few days to weeks may pass before it happens.
The next stage is the so called sink contractions, in which the child’s head sinks into the pelvis. This usually does not happen before the 36th week of pregnancy. They can be painful, but for many pregnant women they also bring relief, as breathing and eating become easier again.
The actual birth phase then begins with the opening contractions.
These come at regular intervals, first at greater intervals and later almost every 2 minutes. If the so-called squeezing contractions occur in the last part of the birth process, the unborn child pushes towards the exit of the vagina. The birth is now almost complete. Afterwards there are still afterpains to push out the placenta. During the birth process, it can happen that the baby presses too hard against the structures of the pelvis, which can also lead to coccyx injuries, which the pregnant woman will notice especially after the birth.

Symphyseal pain

The symphysis (pubic symphysis) together with the sacroiliac joints hold the pelvic girdle together. The joints are made of firm cartilage and connective tissue and allow the otherwise bony pelvis a certain degree of mobility, making activities such as sitting, lying, walking and standing possible. As already mentioned, the hormonal changes during pregnancy and the anatomical changes in preparation for birth cause the tissues in the pelvic region to loosen and dilate.

During pregnancy, important minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are also removed from the bones. All of this can lead to a loosening of the symphysis, which for many pregnant women can be associated with pain in the lower back, pubic bone, groin and hips. The loosening of the symphysis also makes the pelvis more unstable, which can be recognized by the waddling gait of some pregnant women.If symphysis pain occurs during pregnancy, it is advisable to take care of physical rest and avoid activities that cause pain.

If symphysis pain is severe, physiotherapeutic or other therapeutic measures can be decided upon. Symphyseal pain is not usually a contraindication for natural childbirth. Only in the event of complications will a doctor opt for a Caesarean section.

As a rule, the pain disappears completely on its own a few weeks after birth at the latest. The articles Pelvic floor exercises and pelvic floor training may still be of interest to you in this regard. The articles pelvic floor exercises and pelvic floor training might still be of interest to you.