Definition
Exercise contractions are contractions that occur sporadically during pregnancy and prepare the uterus for the coming birth. Exercising contractions are also called pre-contractions or Braxton-Hicks contractions and are usually not painful. There are only short contractions of the uterus, which manifest themselves in a short hardening of the abdomen.
The exercise contractions are not accompanied by other symptoms such as bloody discharge, increased pain in the abdomen and/or back. The frequency of the occurrence of exercise contractions usually increases during pregnancy, as does their intensity. In contrast to birth pangs, exercise contractions have no influence on the cervix and therefore do not lead to its opening. Instead, the cervix tends to close up even more during the exercise contractions. Painful contractions, which occur at shorter intervals, should give cause for a clarification by the gynecologist, as they could possibly be premature contractions, which are harbingers of the approaching birth.
At what point can exercise contractions start?
Exercising contractions can occur in the early stages of pregnancy, but they are rather rare there and are not noticed by most women. From about the 20th week of pregnancy onwards, exercise contractions occur more regularly and more frequently, which the pregnant woman notices by a hardening of her abdomen and at best a slight pulling. Finally, these exercise contractions can occur several times a day, usually lasting no longer than one minute and not being perceived as painful. Mild symptoms similar to menstruation are possible. If the exercise contractions occur more frequently than about ten times a day or three times an hour, it is advisable to take the precaution of clarifying whether they are actually only exercise contractions or already “real” contractions.
Duration of the exercise contractions
Exercise contractions are counted among the so-called pregnancy contractions and occur in a normal pregnancy from the 20th week of pregnancy. They have a relatively high intensity, so that the whole abdomen becomes hard, as well as palpable from the outside. However, they last a maximum of one minute, but can also end after a few seconds. These contractions serve to prepare the uterus for the birth and can occur several times in one day or even in one hour. Their occurrence is always irregular.
