The tightening and loosening of the uterus muscles are called as contractions. You may feel contractions several times in the third trimester as your uterus prepares itself for delivery i.e. it’s not always labor. In some cases, contractions indicate labor while in other cases, it may be due to some other reasons. Let’s discuss in detail the different causes of contractions in third trimester which are as follows:
EXERTION: Generally it’s suggested to stay active and do light exercises during pregnancy even in your last few weeks. But sometimes due to over-exertion you may feel false contractions i.e. Braxton Hicks Contractions. These are irregular and mild contractions which fade away when you relax and take proper rest. In a healthy pregnancy, there is nothing to worry about, it’s good to do your work and stay active just don’t make yourself too tired, as this can trigger the false contractions. Take more breaks to relax.
DEHYDRATION: During pregnancy, keeping yourself well-hydrated is very important especially in hot and summer days. Because dehydration is another cause of Braxton Hicks Contractions. These contractions go away when you drink water. In some cases, dehydration also increases chances of preterm labor. So make a habit of drinking lots of water and fluids throughout your pregnancy period. Well, it’s also equally important to not hold your urine, as it also becomes the reason of false contractions. These contractions subside when you empty your bladder.
DUE TO SEXUAL INTERCOURSE: Intimacy is also one of the another reasons which trigger Braxton Hicks Contractions. It’s normal to feel mild contractions during or after having sex. Semen has prostaglandins hormone which is responsible for contractions. Even your orgasm (with or without sex) can also cause false contractions. In normal pregnancy, it’s completely safe to have sex even in the third trimester and these contractions may subside within an hour or two (take a rest, relax, and drink water to subside these contractions). But if you have complications in your pregnancy, then it’s suggested to avoid sex as well as orgasm because in some cases it may cause preterm labor.
PELVIC EXAMINATION: Sometimes pelvic examination may cause uncomfortable and mild contractions. This is so appropriate in some cases, when you need to induce labor due to some medical reason than your pelvic examination (i.e. sweeping the membrane releases prostaglandins hormones in your body) by your doctor helps to dilate the cervix. This may cause contractions for several days to start labor. While in other cases like rupturing of the amniotic sac, ripening the cervix and intravenous medication can also cause contractions, because these methods are also used to start your labor by dilating the cervix.
NIPPLE STIMULATION: Nipple stimulation is one of the natural ways to induce labor, as it arouses oxytocin hormone in your body. This helps to start your labor and make your contractions stronger and frequent. Simply massage your nipple or ask your partner for stimulation. This method is used in normal pregnancies to start labor, but always consult your doctor before trying, whether it’s effective in your case or not.
PRETERM LABOR: If you feel regular and strong contractions for more than 6-7 hours before the 37th week of pregnancy, then these contractions indicate preterm labor. Immediately consult your doctor in case of these kinds of contractions. And your doctor may give you a bed rest or other medication to reduce chances of premature birth. If still these contractions don’t subside, this will end up in a premature birth, which may cause low birth weight, vision problem, breathing problem, or other disability in your baby.
COMPLICATIONS: In normal labor contractions, even though contractions are strong but still there are small breaks in between. But if you experience vaginal bleeding and very strong contractions which don’t even take a short break and continue for long, then it’s an alarming situation or some sort of complication (like uterine rupture, placental abruption, incompetent cervix, or any other complication) in your pregnancy. Consult your doctor as soon as possible to diagnose the reason.
TRUE LABOR: After all those false contractions, now are the true contractions which you are waiting for too long. Labor contractions may start from mild and irregular contractions and get stronger and stronger as time passes. These generally start from the back and move to the front and don’t subside while moving, resting, or drinking water. Finally, your baby is on the way. Inform your doctor when you feel these kind of contractions. Make sure you differentiate between true and false contractions after understanding the frequency, timing and length of your contractions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How do contractions feel like?
Contraction is a feeling of pain, cramps, and pressure on your pelvis. In labor contractions, some women describe it as strong menstrual cramps. During contractions, you’ll feel your abdomen gets hard and in-between your abdomen gets soft as uterus relaxes. But the feeling of contraction may vary from person to person and from one pregnancy to another.
How to differentiate between true and false contractions?
When your contractions are irregular, mild, and subside either by movement, taking rest or drinking water, these are called as false contractions i.e. Braxton Hicks Contraction. In this you may feel pain in your abdomen.
When your contractions are regular, strong and more frequent over time, these are called as true contractions or labor contractions. These don’t subside by taking rest or changing positions. In this, the pain starts from the back and moves towards the abdomen.
Do contractions always indicate labor?
No, contractions don’t always indicate labor. They are of different types like Braxton Hicks Contraction, early contractions, preterm contractions, back contractions, labor contractions, etc., and every contraction indicates a different situation of your pregnancy.
When to call your doctor?
When you experience your contractions get stronger and more frequent, pinkish vaginal discharge, your water broke, less movement of your baby, or loosening of the ligaments, then you need to call your doctor, as all these signs indicate true contractions i.e. labor. But if any of these symptoms get too severe and stronger, then maybe your pregnancy has some complication. So immediately consult your doctor.