Contractions during pregnancy

 It is normal to feel mild contractions during pregnancy, and it is common for you to feel them especially during the second and third trimesters. These contractions are sometimes called Braxton Hicks contractions.

Braxton Hicks contractions during pregnancy are meant to prepare the uterine muscle for labor by strengthening it and stimulating blood flow to the uterus and your baby. These contractions are irregular, last for a short time and are often similar to mild cramping or contractions in a specific area of ​​the abdomen that come and go. Women who have given birth before are more likely to experience increased contractions during pregnancy compared to women who are carrying their first child. They are also more likely to experience contractions earlier in the pregnancy.

Contractions occur as a result of a complex interaction of hormones and other factors. The hormone that most affects uterine contractions is oxytocin, but prostaglandins and progesterone are also involved. Many women feel more activity in the uterus at night than during the day, and this is explained precisely by this interaction of hormones. Increased contractions at night are likely explained by increased melatonin levels at night. Melatonin is an important hormone in the body whose role is to promote better sleep - and melatonin and oxytocin work well together.

The uterus begins to contract from time to time during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, but the contractions gradually increase in strength and length as the pregnancy progresses. In the second half of your pregnancy when the contractions start to increase, it is normal for you to experience ten to fifteen contractions a day or up to four contractions every hour.

Sometimes it's hard to tell if the contractions are Braxton Hicks contractions or if labor is possibly starting. This is especially true towards the end of pregnancy.

At this time, it is good to remember that:

·       Braxton Hicks contractions are always irregular and should not be accompanied by severe pain

·       Braxton Hicks contractions do not increase in intensity, but rather decrease and then disappear completely for a while

·       Braxton Hicks contractions are more common in the front of the abdomen, while labor contractions often start in the back and move from there to the front of the abdomen

Certain conditions can increase your Braxton Hicks contractions, including:

·       If you have been very active

·       If your bladder is full

·       If you are not drinking enough liquids

·       After sex

As mentioned before, mild contractions are a normal part of pregnancy and it is common to feel them, but sometimes contractions can increase and cause pain. If this is the case, it can be useful to:

·       Try changing positions

·       Lie down and relax if you have been very active

·       Go for a walk if you have been sitting a lot

·       Take a bath, practice relaxation such as reading a book or listening to music

·       Drink more fluids

If these tips do not reduce the contractions and they start to increase or intensify or you are worried about the contractions, we advise you to contact your midwife. It may be necessary to check whether you have a urinary tract infection or a vaginal infection because this can increase contractions of the uterus. Moreover, it is not considered normal to have contractions that are regular with pain before the 37th week of pregnancy because it could indicate an impending preterm birth.

Birta Hildardóttir, nurse and student in midwifery at the University of Iceland, in collaboration with the midwives of the Reykjavík Birth Center