False labor

　　Inner causes of uterine contractions:

　　1. Inflammation or infection inside the uterus (the most common cause).

　　2. Abnormal placenta: for example, placenta previa, placental abruption.

　　3. Abnormal uterus: for example, bicornuate uterus, fibroids.

　　4. Enlarged uterus: for example, twins or excessive amniotic fluid.

　　5. Incomplete cervix closure (painless cervical dilation).

　　6. The pregnant woman smokes or drinks alcohol.

　　7. The pregnant woman herself has diseases: such as pregnancy-induced hypertension, thyroid problems, autoimmune diseases.

　　8. The pregnant woman has a history of preterm labor.

　　9. The pregnant woman has excessive or overly strenuous physical activity.

　　10. The pregnant woman has serious injuries or undergoes major surgery.

　　11. The pregnant woman is too young (less than 17 years old) or elderly (older than 35 years old).

　　12. Congenital abnormalities in the fetus itself.

　　13. Unexplained early uterine contractions.

　　Outer factors causing uterine contractions:

　　Some external forces can also cause the pregnant woman's uterus to contract more strongly, for example:

　　1. Lifting or carrying heavy objects, the pregnant woman's waist and lower abdomen need to be exerted, which can cause abdominal compression and stimulate uterine contractions.

　　2. Tension and fatigue, by releasing work pressure or other pressures, the frequency of uterine contractions will naturally decrease significantly.

　　3. Sexual activity causing preterm labor, intense sexual intercourse can cause uterine contractions.

　　4. Avoid vigorous exercise, especially if the pregnant woman is prone to uterine contractions or preterm labor due to risk factors, and try to rest more.

　　5. Is it dangerous to accidentally fall? The fetus is protected by the mother's uterus and amniotic fluid, and generally, the fetus will not be affected if the pregnant woman falls.

　　It will not cause premature labor or early rupture of membranes; unless the pregnant woman's abdomen is subjected to a major impact or the pregnant woman has serious injuries, severe impacts may even cause

　　It can cause early placental abruption, large internal bleeding, and endanger the lives of both the mother and the fetus.

　　In addition to general symptoms, false labor can also cause other diseases. The complications of this disease vary greatly due to individual constitution, and need to be diagnosed by clinical physicians according to the condition. There are no more obvious complications at present. Therefore, once discovered, active treatment should be carried out, and preventive measures should also be taken in daily life.

　　Starting from 28 weeks of pregnancy, the abdomen may often show the phenomenon of 'false labor'. If the pregnant woman stands or sits in the same posture for a long time, she may feel her abdomen harden intermittently (i.e., the symptom of a tight belly), which is 'false labor'. Its characteristics are irregular onset time and varying degrees of intensity. Before labor, due to the traction stimulation caused by the descent of the fetal head to the lower segment of the uterus, the situation of 'false labor' becomes more frequent.

　　If the above symptoms only occur occasionally and do not last long, and there is no vaginal bleeding, there is no need to worry, as they are mostly normal. If the above phenomena occur frequently, with short intervals and obvious symptoms such as abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, one should go to the hospital for treatment in a timely manner to avoid accidents.

　　When uterine contractions occur, it is advisable to immediately lie down on the bed (lying on the left side), and count the number of contractions within an hour. Pay attention to any symptoms of preterm labor and observe the fetal movement at any time. If there is a decrease in fetal movement, eat first or shake the abdomen with your hand to observe; if there are confirmed symptoms of preterm labor or a decrease in fetal movement, one should go to the hospital for consultation. Excessive amniotic fluid is prone to induce uterine contractions. During this period, attention should be paid to moderate diet, drinking a small amount of water, lying down and resting. As long as the contractions are not frequent (once every 4 to 5 minutes), and are painless, it is generally not serious. After 37 weeks of pregnancy, there is no need to worry too much. If there are signs of labor, one can be admitted to the hospital to wait for delivery.

　　If a pregnant woman stands or sits in the same position for a long time, she may feel her abdomen become firm in waves (i.e., symptoms of a tight abdomen), which is characterized by irregular onset time and varying degrees of intensity. Before delivery, due to the traction stimulation caused by the descent of the fetal head, the situation of 'false labor' will become more frequent.

　　Differential diagnosis of false labor:

　　The absence of uterine contraction intervalsThe absence of uterine contraction intervals refers to the situation where, by the time of the expected delivery date, the pregnant woman does not have intervals between contractions. One of the important characteristics of labor is regular uterine contractions, also known as contractions.

      Uterine contractionThe uterus contraction (i.e., uterine contraction) begins irregularly and with weak intensity, gradually becoming regular and stronger, with extended duration and shortened intervals. For example, if the interval is 2-3 minutes, the duration is 50-60 seconds. By the time of the expected delivery date, only uterine contractions accompanied by pain are a sign of labor. In the weeks before delivery, the uterine muscle is more sensitive and irregular uterine contractions may occur, with short duration and weak force, or limited to the lower part of the uterus. After a few hours, they stop and cannot open the cervix, so it is not labor, and it is called false labor. The uterine contractions of labor are regular. During the initial period, the interval is about every 10 minutes, and the pregnant woman feels abdominal cramps, followed by a gradual extension of the duration of cramps, up to 40 to 60 seconds. The intensity also increases, and the interval shortens, about 3 to 5 minutes. When uterine contractions occur with abdominal pain, one can feel the lower abdomen becomes very hard.

　　If a pregnant woman stands or sits in the same position for a long time, she may feel her abdomen become firm in waves (i.e., symptoms of a tight abdomen), which is characterized by irregular onset time and varying degrees of intensity. Before delivery, due to the traction stimulation caused by the descent of the fetal head, the situation of 'false labor' will become more frequent.

　　Self-Examination

　　1. At routine prenatal examinations, one should actively inform the doctor, who will arrange the most appropriate examination and treatment for pregnant women;

　　2. If there is a sudden onset of regular and dense uterine contractions and rest does not improve, it is best to go to the hospital for examination or treatment quickly;

　　Emergency Handling

     In the later stages of pregnancy, false labor contractions are often seen, and pregnant women can handle them according to the following steps:

　　1. Set aside your work and rest, and if possible, lie down.

　　2. Distinguish the frequency, intensity, interval, and location of contractions.

　　3. After resting for 30 to 60 minutes, if it is false labor, it can be re-evaluated. If it is premature labor contractions or labor pains, one should go to the hospital as soon as possible.

　　Key Review

　　If the frequency of contractions is regular and occurs every 5 to 8 minutes, lasting 1 to 2 minutes each time, this situation may be a sign of labor (true labor pains) if the pregnant woman has reached 37 weeks of pregnancy, and she needs to be evaluated at the hospital to determine whether she needs to be admitted for childbirth; if she has not reached 37 weeks, it may be premature labor (premature labor contractions), and she should seek medical attention as soon as possible, as she may need to be treated for fetal distress.

　　False labor contractions generally become more frequent as pregnancy progresses, but they may still be sporadic, irregular, and painless in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish false labor contractions from the early labor contractions of premature labor. If the pregnancy is not yet 37 weeks, if there are 4 or more contractions within 1 hour, or if there are other signs of premature labor, one should go to the hospital for examination immediately.