Throughout pregnancy, the muscular activity of the uterus is active. At a certain stage, the uterus contracts rhythmically by means of the descending contractions to bring the baby into the right position for birth.
What are the descending contractions?
Descending contractions push the baby into the right position before birth. Sometimes they are called “preterm” contractions. Click to enlarge. Descending contractions occur in the last part of pregnancy and are used to prepare the pregnant woman’s body for birth. Most often, they are felt in the 36th to 38th week of pregnancy. They ensure that the baby slides further into the pelvis and lies optimally in the birth canal for delivery. Descending contractions occur at irregular intervals and can sometimes be painful. They are a sign that the body is slowly preparing for birth. For many women, they are not easily distinguished from labor pains. However, unlike labor pains, sinking pains disappear again and appear only irregularly.
Function and task
The main function of descending contractions is to bring the baby into the correct birth position, head down in front of the cervix. This also lowers the abdomen lower down. Women who felt pressure on the abdomen during pregnancy, which made it difficult for them to eat or gave them heartburn, notice it because they can eat better again and the heartburn subsides. Shortness of breath during pregnancy also subsides at this time, as the abdomen is no longer pushing up as much. Contractions of the uterus, in which the abdomen becomes hard at irregular intervals, can already occur during pregnancy. The uterus trains for birth in this way. However, unlike preterm contractions, sinking contractions occur more frequently and can last longer, sometimes up to 2 minutes. There may also be a slight opening of the cervix during this time. If it is the first pregnancy, women still have difficulty distinguishing low contractions from opening contractions, which is why there may be more frequent misjudgements about the start of labor. However, descending contractions occur much more irregularly than normal contractions. They may also cause pain that can resemble menstrual cramps, but unlike labor pains, no regularity can yet be detected, so they are not a sure indication of an imminent birth. Proper labor pains come regularly and become progressively stronger. If the contractions disappear again as a result of a warm relaxing bath of about 28 degrees, these are more likely to be sinking contractions. Real labor pains would not decrease due to a bath, but would remain the same intensity or become stronger. Physical exertion can also trigger sink contractions at this time of pregnancy. They indicate to the woman that she had better take it easy so as not to endanger the health of her baby. Some women are unsure, because they don’t feel any sinking pains, whether everything is okay with their child. Descending contractions may or may not occur in every woman. If in doubt, pregnant women should see a gynecologist or midwife to make sure everything is okay.
Diseases and ailments
Generally, sinking contractions do not cause more severe discomfort. During contractions, women have the impression that something is pulling down. In fact, during this time, the abdomen shifts back down a bit after growing steadily upward in the previous months, sometimes causing restrictions on eating and shortness of breath for the pregnant woman. The lowering of the abdomen reduces this discomfort, which women find pleasant. On the other hand, the pressure on the bladder increases again and forces them to empty the bladder more frequently. Descending contractions should not occur more than 3 – 4 times in one hour and also not more than 10 times per day. If they do, a gynecologist or midwife should check to see if they are labor pains. In most cases, discomfort from contractions is harmless. There are natural remedies and relaxation techniques that can ease the discomfort and in most cases sufficiently relieve the pain. Heat relieves cramping and has a pain-relieving effect. Whether it is the good old hot water bottle or a grain pillow is left to the individual preference of the woman. For some women, cold applications are also more pleasant.In childbirth preparation courses, breathing techniques are usually taught that have a pain-relieving effect and help the baby to move gently toward the birth canal. Many midwives recommend raspberry leaf tea, as it loosens the uterine muscles and thus has an antispasmodic effect. However, it should only be drunk in consultation with a midwife, as it can also stimulate labor, which would be counterproductive in this case. Gentle massages are also a pleasant means of relaxation. They stimulate the release of endorphins and in this way bring about pain relief. Women notice for themselves in which areas they find the massages pleasant or unpleasant. If contractions do not subside despite natural remedies and relaxation techniques, it is essential to check whether labor pains have started in order to avoid complications. If sinking contractions occur in connection with overexertion, the woman should take more care.
