Patient's question:
I am 26 weeks pregnant and my abdomen is often hard. I have frequent contractions at night, but they are not painful. Can these false labor contractions cause the baby to be oxygen-deprived?Doctor's answer:
Contraction is the feeling of the abdomen getting hard, but it will go away after a while. However, if you experience contractions at this time, it's not good. If they occur frequently, you should go to the hospital, as they can easily cause the baby to become oxygen-deprived. You can feel the hardening and contractions of the uterus, which usually last for about 25 seconds.However, as the due date approaches, some mothers may experience false labor contractions. False contractions, also known as prodromal contractions, are contractions that occur over several days before true labor, happen frequently, are not severe, and are irregular with long intervals. Starting from the 28th week of pregnancy, false contractions may frequently occur in the abdomen. If a pregnant woman stands or sits in the same position for a long time, she may feel her abdomen hardening intermittently—this is a false contraction. Before labor, due to the pulling and stimulation of the baby's head on the lower segment of the uterus, false contractions may become more frequent.
Unlike labor contractions, these contractions are usually painless, although some pregnant women may feel discomfort. If you feel discomfort, sit quietly for a while, and the symptoms will soon pass. As labor approaches, false contractions will become more frequent and intense, helping to dilate the cervix and accelerate the metabolism of the placenta. When you feel false contractions, it's also a good opportunity to practice breathing techniques. Some mothers may mistake false contractions for real ones and rush to the hospital, only to be sent home again. However, if false contractions are frequent, it's recommended to see a doctor at the hospital. Too frequent contractions can affect the baby's normal growth and development, and the doctor may prescribe medication to suppress contractions based on the situation.