When Should You Worry About Uterine Contractions?

The uterus, also known as the womb, is a unique organ shaped like an inverted pear. It is in the pelvic cavity, sitting above the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum. For women who have never given birth (nulliparous women), the average size of the uterus is approximately 7.5 cm (3 inches) in length, 5 cm (2 inches) in width, and 1.75 cm (1 inch) in thickness. From the time you’ve conceived till the last stage of your pregnancy, the uterus undergoes a whole series of changes. The uterus tends to be larger and its shape can vary more significantly from the moment of conceiving the baby to the last stage of pregnancy. As the days and months progress, you may notice the need to count your baby’s kicks and occasionally feel a squeezing or tightening sensation in your abdomen, which is linked to uterine contractions. 

What is Uterine Contraction? 

During a contraction, your uterus hardens, creating an intense, wave-like sensation. After each contraction, it relaxes and softens, showcasing the body’s preparation for labour. Many women describe these contractions as strong menstrual cramps, often starting with tightness in the abdomen. While some contractions are normal in late pregnancy, it’s important to recognize when to seek medical advice for your health and peace of mind. All you need to do is understand the sensations during the transition stage. 

How Does Uterine Contraction Feel in the Early Stage of Pregnancy?

In the first trimester or the first 3 months of your pregnancy, you start understanding the uterine contractions, when you start feeling the foetal development and the uterine ligament is stretching. These contractions are painless and last for not more than 10 to 20 seconds. If they last longer, it should be about a minute or so. Such waves are considered quite normal during the early stages of pregnancy. If it is accompanied by bleeding, it might become a matter of concern for you and your healthcare practitioner. 

How Do Uterine Contractions Feel in the Second Trimester?

The second trimester is from the 13^th to the 18^th week. As soon as you enter the second trimester, morning sickness and fatigue fog ends. 

This stage of pregnancy is often the most comfortable, but it also comes with noticeable changes as the uterus and abdomen expand to accommodate your growing baby.

• Due to the exerting pressure of the baby, you will feel cramps or aches in the lower part of your belly as well as the nearby muscles and ligaments. Minor cramps may be normal, but feeling sharp stabs is also not undeniable during this time. The pressure of the uterus makes your back feel achy too.
  
• You also will feel uterine muscle tightening, during this time for a minute or two due to increasing pressure of the baby in the uterus. This phenomenon is known as Braxton – Hicks contractions. Braxton – Hicks aren’t the real contractions. These are irregular rhythms.

How Do Uterine Contractions Feel in the Third Trimester? 

The third trimester is the last stage of your pregnancy. The third trimester falls in between the 38 and 41 weeks of your pregnancy, but it’s very difficult for you or your healthcare practitioner to know when will labour start. 

• When labour starts cervix dilation happens and contraction of muscles occurs at regular intervals. They are close and can make you feel like (more intense) menstrual cramps.
  
• Signs of Back or pelvis pain, lightning, loss of mucus plug and water breaking come along with the uterus contractions. (Once the water breaks you need to rush to the hospital).
  
• “False labour pains” or Braxton Hicks are also common during the third trimester of your pregnancy.

How Do Uterine Contractions Feel During Preterm Labour? 

Although there is a possibility for you to give birth between the 38th and 41st week, chances of preterm labour cannot be denied on or before the 37th week (between the 20th and 37th week of pregnancy). Preterm labour or premature birth occurs because of:

• being pregnant with twins or more
• history of preterm birth 
• chances of short cervix 
• infections
• being plus-size etc

In this condition, the contractions occur frequently (after every 10 minutes). The cervix opens early due to frequent uterine pain. 

Overall, being physically intimate, dehydration and overexertion (after completing the physical activity) can give rise to uterine contractions. 

How Do Uterine Contractions Feel After Giving Birth? 

After crossing all the stages of pregnancy, your body has done a remarkable job – you’ve given birth to a new human being. 

Whether you have a smooth or complicated delivery, whether it’s vaginal or via caesarean, postpartum cramps in the lower belly are completely normal.

Postpartum cramping is part of recovery after giving birth to your baby. The uterus, after the birth of your baby, contracts and takes its own time to return to its pre-pregnancy size and shape. 

While it takes time for the uterus to get back to shape, the blood vessels become narrow and prevent the uterus from losing too much blood. The after-birth pains may make you feel uncomfortable in the first few days of your delivery. Many of you may feel the discomfort for at least 6 to 8 weeks or more. 

How To Treat Uterine Contractions Naturally?

You needn’t approach the hospital every time you feel the contractions. You can manage contractions at home with these tricks: 

• Take a warm shower 
• Get a back massage done 
• Keep your muscles relaxed 
• Go for slow and deep breathing 
• Put ice packs on your lower back  
• Divert your mind with the help of a movie, or by turning on music

You may have to consult the healthcare practitioner if your water breaks, there is vaginal bleeding or you have a planned C-section. 

Your baby’s birth depends on your contractions, even though labour isn’t the most enjoyable part of it. Consult your healthcare practitioner to know how to time your contractions before you head to the hospital. After all, you’re waiting to hold your little one in your arms.