The changes that a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy can be alarming. The growth of the uterus, for example, is one of the main examples of how strange this experience can be for many people with their own bodies. Around the third trimester of pregnancy, external changes become increasingly apparent and happen more rapidly. Because of these changes, we can notice certain things in a woman’s body, such as a hard belly during pregnancy. This is something that often causes concern among parents.
Is it normal for the belly to become hard?
Contrary to what many people think, having a hard belly during pregnancy is normal and happens in almost all pregnancies. This phenomenon occurs for various reasons and is not a cause for concern for parents.
However, there are cases in which it is recommended to see a doctor to make sure everything is fine with the mother and baby. But how do you know when a hard belly during pregnancy is normal? Let’s try to explain more.
Why does a hard belly happen during pregnancy?
After the 20th week of pregnancy, it is common for a woman’s belly to become momentarily hard. This happens because of practice contractions, known as Braxton Hicks contractions1. These are simply contractions the body makes to prepare for labor.
A factor that can also trigger these false contractions is sexual intercourse. Female orgasm stimulates the uterus to contract. However, there is no need to worry. Only pay attention if there is any bleeding along with the contractions and seek medical help.
Braxton Hicks contractions
The cervix may start to change its consistency without necessarily dilating. These changes in the cervix are known as Braxton Hicks contractions. When they feel these, some women may think they are going into labor. In reality, they are just practice contractions, with no dilation.
When should you see a doctor?
Braxton Hicks contractions can happen several times a day and usually do not cause any pain for the woman. But even though it is a common occurrence during pregnancy, there are certain situations in which it is recommended to see a doctor. These include:
- When contractions happen too early
- When there is pain
- When contractions become very frequent
For each of these cases, the reason for visiting a doctor will be different. That’s why we need to discuss each situation individually.
When contractions happen too early
As mentioned earlier, the belly usually becomes hard due to contractions that begin after the 20th week of pregnancy. But there are situations where this phenomenon happens too early, which can be concerning.
In these cases, the doctor will usually prescribe magnesium supplements2 for the woman. Rest is also recommended. The supplement mainly helps the uterus have more controlled contractions.
IMPORTANT: Although many doctors prescribe magnesium for women with these symptoms, every case should be treated on its own. This means you should never self-medicate, as this can endanger your health and your baby’s health.
When there is pain
A hard belly usually does not cause pain. For this reason, a visit to the doctor is recommended if the woman begins to feel excessive discomfort with the contractions and pain, especially in the lower part of the belly.
As pregnancy is coming to an end, doctors usually recommend that the woman rest, since the body is preparing for labor. But in some cases, pain relief medications may also be prescribed. If the pain persists, it is important to have a more accurate assessment of what is causing the pain so the right steps can be taken.
When contractions become very frequent
As mentioned earlier, a hard belly and Braxton Hicks contractions are common phenomena at the end of pregnancy. That’s why it is important to pay attention to contractions as time goes on. When they start to become very frequent, it can be a sign that your baby is about to be born3. To detect labor, a cervical exam and also a test called cardiotocography are needed.
How to tell true contractions from false ones
To distinguish practice contractions from real labor contractions, consider the following factors:
- Are the contractions regular?
- Are the contractions progressive?
- Do the contractions increase in frequency, duration, and intensity?
Each of these factors may indicate that labor is starting. Therefore, extra attention is required, especially as pregnancy nears its end. Many things worry us during pregnancy, especially when we notice something very different happening in our bodies. But it’s important to remember that the biggest hallmark of pregnancy is transformation. That’s why it’s entirely normal for things to happen that might seem unusual.
A hard belly is one of these things. Even though there are situations when medical help is necessary, this is a normal process that every pregnant woman needs to go through so her body can prepare for labor.
See Also: How to Speed Up Labor?
