During pregnancy, a woman can face many troubles. Some of them can significantly overshadow the bearing of the child. What is uterine hypertonicity? What are its features, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment? What is the danger?
Definition
What is uterine hypertonicity? This term refers to a condition in which there is a contraction of the muscle fibers of the named organ. In normal condition, he is relaxed. Fiber contraction should occur before the baby is born. If the muscles tighten earlier than this period, then hypertonicity is observed, which can harm the child.
What is the danger?
What is uterine hypertonicity, we found out, but what is the danger of this condition? In the first trimester of pregnancy, pathology can lead to such consequences:
- Difficulties attaching a fetal egg to the wall of the uterus.
- Detachment of the placenta, which can lead to a fading of pregnancy.
- Miscarriage.
In the last trimester, the following complications may occur:
- Premature birth.
- Slowing the development of the fetus, which is caused by a violation of blood flow in the placenta, which leads to a limitation of oxygen supply.
This condition is dangerous not only for the fetus, but also for the expectant mother, as it is fraught with serious consequences.
Norms of tone
In the normal state, the uterus should be relaxed and soft, but there are conditions that can be classified as conditionally safe. The tone of the uterus may not harm in such circumstances:
- Reductions occur no more than 6 times a day.
- If the condition is caused by small physical exertion, then it is the norm.
In the second trimester, uterine contractions may occur, which are called "training contractions." This is also a variant of the norm.
Symptoms
Hypertonicity of the walls of the uterus can be determined by the following manifestations:
- aching or cramping pains in the lower abdomen;
- bloody issues;
- a feeling of heaviness in the stomach;
- abdominal tension;
- pain in the lumbar region.
These symptoms can signal many pathological conditions, including uterine tone, therefore it is necessary to consult a gynecologist as soon as possible.
Causes
Uterine hypertonicity in 1 trimester or later can occur for the following reasons:
- Decreased production of the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for the smoothness of the uterine muscles.
- In early pregnancy, the tone can be caused by severe toxicosis, which is accompanied by vomiting.
- Elevated levels of prolactin or male sex hormones.
- Impaired thyroid function.
- Anomalies in the development of the uterus, including its underdevelopment.
- Some infectious diseases.
- Rhesus conflict in parents.
- Inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system.
- Increased stress level or unfavorable psychological situation in the family.
- Active sports or heavy physical activity.
- Regular sleep deprivation and chronic fatigue.
- Air travel.
- Obesity of any degree.
- Multiple pregnancy.
- A history of miscarriages or abortions.
- The age of a pregnant woman is over 35 years old.
Also, indirectly affect the formation of uterine hypertonicity can be problems such as impaired intestinal motility or increased gas formation.
Nutrition nuances
Hypertonicity of the anterior wall of the uterus can also be caused by malnutrition. A pregnant woman should exclude such products from the diet:
- Blue cheese, as it contains a fungus that is harmful to the fetus.
- Coffee and strong tea, as there is a high content of caffeine, which can increase blood pressure.
- Raw eggs, as they may contain a dangerous bacterium - salmonella.
- Spicy spices.
- Poorly fried meat.
- Sushi that include raw fish.
Also, food should always be checked for freshness.
Diagnostics
Hypertonicity of the uterus, its anterior or posterior wall, can be determined independently by symptoms, but it is advisable to consult a gynecologist who will conduct a thorough diagnosis.
It consists of the following manipulations:
- Interviewing a pregnant woman, listening and palpating the abdomen to detect tension.
- Ultrasound diagnosis, with which you can detect a thickening of muscle tissue.
- Tonometry, which is performed using special sensors.
An experienced doctor will be able to correctly diagnose before treatment is prescribed.
Drug treatment
Hypertonicity of the posterior wall of the uterus often requires therapy with the following drugs:
- "Utrozhestan" or "Dufaston" with a lack of progesterone.
- Tinctures of valerian or motherwort, which help relieve stress.
- "No-spa" to relieve spasm. It can be prescribed both in tablet form and in the form of injections.
- "Genipral" - a drug for muscle relaxation. Applicable only in the last trimester of pregnancy.
- Chimes to improve blood circulation.
- "Cicinone" to stop bleeding.
- Candles "Vibrukol", which have an antispasmodic effect.
- Candles "Papaverine" to relieve tension.
- Suppositories "Indomethacin", which are necessary in case of threatened abortion. Appointed from 16 to 32 weeks.
It is very important to adhere to all the doctor's prescriptions, since this condition can be dangerous.
General principles
Therapy for hypertension consists not only in taking medications, but also in other measures. Among them are the following:
- A pregnant woman is shown bed rest if the tone threatens to terminate the pregnancy. In this case, she should be hospitalized.
- With a slight tone, all physical activity, including walking, should be reduced, despite their benefit to the body.
- It is important to take vitamin complexes that are designed for pregnant women, since the tone can develop against the background of a lack of nutrients.
- It is strictly forbidden to engage in self-medication, as the wrong measures can only aggravate a difficult situation.
- In the period of hypertonicity, intimacy is prohibited.
- A pregnant woman may be prescribed special exercises to relieve tone. They must be performed strictly under the supervision of a treating doctor.
Often, with timely access to qualified medical help, specialists manage to stop attacks of uterine hypertonicity in a fairly short time. In this case, the condition does not have negative consequences on the body of the mother and the developing child.
Preventative measures
What is uterine hypertonicity and its causes, we found out. This symptom is dangerous for a pregnant woman, as it negatively affects the child. It is impossible to completely exclude the possibility of a pathological condition, but risks can be significantly reduced. To do this, it is important to follow these recommendations of specialists:
- Reduce stress.
- Maintain a balanced diet.
- Refuse to drink alcohol during pregnancy planning and bearing a baby.
- Observe sleep and wakefulness.
- Avoid physical exertion throughout pregnancy.
In addition, it is very important not to neglect planned examinations and consultations of a gynecologist, since they help to identify pathologies of fetal development in the early stages of development.