Today almost every future mother can hear from her obstetrician-gynecologist a frightening diagnosis - "the uterus in a tonus." Unfortunately, doctors do not always explain to the pregnant woman what this means and how dangerous this situation is. We will try to fill this gap.
Uterus in its tonus - what does it mean?
Uterus, as is known, is a muscular organ. Like any muscle, the uterus can be at rest or shrink. If the pregnancy is normal, the muscular fibers of the uterus are in a relaxed state, which doctors call the normotonus. Stresses, overloads, bad habits can provoke a prolonged contraction of the uterus, the tension of her muscles, which, in fact, means the uterus in tone.
What is dangerous for the tone of the uterus?
The tone of the uterus during pregnancy can occur at any time. Short-term muscle tension associated with medical examination, ultrasound procedure, usually passes almost immediately and does not pose a danger to the baby.
Another thing is if the uterus is in a tonus for a long time. Constant contractions of the muscles of the myometrium (middle layer of the uterus) disrupt the placental circulation, which means that the child receives less nutrients and oxygen. As a result, hypoxia (oxygen starvation) and intrauterine growth retardation develop. In the worst case, there is a threat of miscarriage or premature birth.
Signs of the tone of the uterus
In order to recognize the dangerous situation in time and take all measures to eliminate it, you need to know how the tone of the uterus is manifested. How can you understand that the uterus is toned? First of all, the pregnant woman notices the heaviness and tension in the lower abdomen, the uterus is as if stony. If you lie on your back, you can note that the stomach has become firm and elastic. Often there are unpleasant sensations in the pubic area, heaviness and aching pain in the lower back, cramping pains in the lower abdomen.
During a gynecological examination, the doctor may notice a shortening of the cervix - this is one of the signs of the tone of the uterus.
Sometimes the pain can be accompanied by spotting. In this case, urgently need to call an ambulance.