Uterine Contractions Quiz
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Tummy/abdominal pain comes in waves of 10 minutes or less
Stomachache
Labor-like pain (repeated tummy/abdominal pain) in cycles of 10 minutes or less
Abdominal pain
Tummy/abdominal pain in cycles of less than 10 minutes
Abdominal cramps
Stomach is hurting
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Uterine Contractions?
Uterine contractions are a part of the process of labor and childbirth. When they are painful, regular and getting stronger and closer together, this is typically a sign of labor. If they are irregular or stop on their own, they could be false labor or Braxton Hicks contractions. If regular contractions occur when you are preterm (not close to your due date), it is very important to seek medical care.
Typical Symptoms of Uterine Contractions
- Currently pregnant
- Labor-like pain (repeated tummy/abdominal pain) in cycles of 10 minutes or less
- Feel like water has broken/amniotic fluid is coming out
- Feel my child is moving less. (Decreased fetal movements)
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Stomach or abdominal pain accompanied by a hard abdomen
- Feeling contractions very frequently
- Vaginal bleeding or discolored discharge outside of your period
Diagnostic Questions for Uterine Contractions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Are you pregnant?
- Do you have labor-like pain every 10 minutes or less?
- Do you feel like your water has broken?
- Is your child moving less?
- Do you have any stomach or abdominal pain?
Treatment of Uterine Contractions
Based on your contraction pattern, your obstetric provider (Doctor or Midwife) may tell you to monitor them at home or proceed to the hospital for evaluation.
Reviewed By:
Ravi P. Chokshi, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN), Critical Care)
Current Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow with Dual board certification in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Critical Care Medicine. | 5+ years experience managing a general Ob/Gyn practice and working in the Intensive Care Unit. | Previously Physician Lead of a large single specialty practice with 8 Physicians and 10+ Advanced practitioners. | Member of the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine Patient education committee. | Frequent Medscape Consult contributor.
Seiji Kanazawa, MD, PHD (Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN))
Dr. Kanazawa graduated from the Niigata University Faculty of Medicine and received his Ph.D. from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine. He is working on the front line of the General Perinatal Center, including the Tokyo Tama General Medical Center and the National Center for Research in Fertility Medicine, where he provides maternal and fetal care and undertakes clinical research. At Ubie, Dr. Kanazawa has been designing the Ubie AI Symptom Checker and has taken on the role of general obstetrics and gynecology consultation at FMC Tokyo Clinic by providing fetal ultrasound and prenatal consultation.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Waves of abdominal pain
- I think my water has broken
- My baby isn't moving as much
- False labor contractions
- Leaking fluid followed by contractions
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- I feel like my baby has stopped moving
- Prodromal labor
- Uncontrollable leaking from the vagina
- I have lower abdominal pain
- Severe stomach pain
- Rupture of membranes
- Pelvic pressure
- Feeling of heaviness in pelvic area
- I have left lower abdominal pain
See full list
Symptoms Related to Uterine Contractions
Diseases Related to Uterine Contractions
FAQs
Q.
Pitocin Anxiety? Why Your Labor Stalls & Medical Next Steps
A.
Labor can slow or stall due to weak or irregular contractions, baby malposition, maternal stress, dehydration, epidural effects, or rarely CPD or infection, and Pitocin, a monitored IV form of oxytocin, can safely induce or augment labor but often makes contractions stronger and carries risks like overly frequent contractions and, rarely, uterine rupture. Next steps often include position changes, hydration and rest, possible water breaking, carefully titrated Pitocin with continuous fetal monitoring, and if progress still fails or distress appears, a C-section for safety; there are several factors to consider, so see below for critical details that can shape your decisions and when to seek urgent care.
References:
* Xu, R., Liu, Y., Li, C., Yin, T., Peng, P., Zhao, T., Xu, Y., & Li, S. (2022). The Relationship Between Maternal Anxiety and Prolonged Labor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. *Journal of Clinical Nursing*, *31*(5-6), 601-615. doi: 10.1111/jocn.16010. PMID: 34787038.
* Gizzo, S., Saccardi, C., Patrelli, T. S., Di Gangi, S., Breda, B., Ancona, E., D'Antona, D., Fagherazzi, S., D'Aloja, E., & Noventa, M. (2013). The role of catecholamines in labor arrest: a comprehensive review. *Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics*, *288*(2), 237-243. doi: 10.1007/s00404-013-2815-y. PMID: 23579997.
* Reitter, A., Bakos, J., Wachtler, B., Horn, M., Dola, T., Bancher-Todesca, D., Husslein, P., & Klein, K. (2017). Oxytocin augmentation in labor dystocia: current evidence and future perspectives. *Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics*, *296*(2), 169-179. doi: 10.1007/s00404-017-4402-2. PMID: 28608149.
* Ravidran, E., Ramraj, V., Muthu, R., & Sundaram, B. (2023). Maternal psychological state and prolonged labor: A prospective study. *Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care*, *12*(7), 1534-1538. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_265_23. PMID: 37701556.
* Ghaffari, M., Bahrami, N., Zareban, I., Khorshidi, M., & Ansari-Moghaddam, A. (2022). Fear of childbirth and its relationship with prolonged labour: a systematic review and meta-analysis. *BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth*, *22*(1), 860. doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-05187-8. PMID: 36434407.
Q.
Is it Braxton Hicks? Why Your Uterus is Tightening & Medical Next Steps
A.
Braxton Hicks vs true labor: uterine tightening is often Braxton Hicks if contractions are irregular, short, and ease with rest or hydration; true labor becomes regular, gets closer and stronger, and continues despite rest, and is more concerning if before 37 weeks or with bleeding or fluid leakage. Next steps include resting, hydrating, emptying your bladder, and timing contractions, and calling your clinician urgently for frequent or painful tightening under 37 weeks, decreased fetal movement, bleeding, leaking fluid, severe pain, or contractions every 5 minutes lasting 60 seconds for an hour; there are several factors to consider, so see below for important details that can guide your care.
References:
* Ramin SM, et al. Braxton Hicks contractions: a narrative review. J Perinat Med. 2022 Mar 25;50(3):281-288. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0268. PMID: 34978007.
* Kappler M, et al. Recognizing and Differentiating Between True and False Labor. MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2020 Jan/Feb;45(1):E1-E2. doi: 10.1097/NMC.0000000000000572. PMID: 31834162.
* Abe K, et al. Assessment of signs and symptoms of labor in nulliparous women. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2019 Jan;32(1):154-159. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2017.1368945. PMID: 28836938.
* Young RC, et al. Uterine Activity During Pregnancy and Parturition. Compr Physiol. 2018 Dec 13;9(1):133-146. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c180011. PMID: 30549463.
* American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 171: Management of Preterm Labor. Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Oct;128(4):e155-e169. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001711. PMID: 27661273.
Q.
Still No Labor? Why Your Cervix Needs Dates + Medically Approved Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider. It is common to still be pregnant at 39 to 41 weeks, and evidence suggests eating 6 dates daily from 36 weeks may support cervical ripening, shorten early labor, and reduce induction needs, though those with gestational diabetes should ask their clinician first. Medically approved steps like gentle walking, nipple stimulation, sex, and a provider membrane sweep can also help, while castor oil and similar myths lack evidence; monitoring becomes more important around or after 41 weeks and there are warning signs to act on, so see the complete details below to choose safe next steps.
References:
* Khadem N, Ghaemi E, Kafian A. The Effect of Dates Fruit on Labor Progress and Delivery Outcome: A Systematic Review. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2021 May;34(10):1653-1662. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2019.1643446. Epub 2019 Jul 29. PMID: 31357904.
* Gherman RB, Grobman WA. Inducing labor: A review. Semin Perinatol. 2023 Feb;47(1):151744. doi: 10.1016/j.semperi.2022.151744. Epub 2022 Dec 17. PMID: 36538965.
* Blackwell SC, Gyamfi-Bannerman C, D'Alton ME, Grobman WA. SMFM Consult Series #60: Labor induction with an unfavorable cervix. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Jul;227(1):B2-B14. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.04.018. Epub 2022 May 2. PMID: 35513511.
* Kordi M, Fasanghari M, Asgharipour N, Esmaeili H, Ghavam R. Effect of dates on the process of labor in primiparous women: a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2017 Aug;43(8):1260-1268. doi: 10.1111/jog.13364. Epub 2017 May 17. PMID: 28514125.
* Al-Kuran O, Al-Mehaisen L, Bawadi H, Beitawi S, Amarin Z. The effect of dates on the duration of labor in women with spontaneous labor: a randomized controlled trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2011 Sep;37(9):1825-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2011.01506.x. PMID: 21876159.
Q.
Constant “Ghost” Cramps? Why Your IUD Is Triggering Pain & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Constant ghost cramps with an IUD can result from early uterine adjustment, IUD type, the device being out of place or partially expelled, infection, or conditions like endometriosis; pain that persists beyond 3 to 6 months or gets worse is not typical. Next steps usually include a pelvic exam and ultrasound, symptom control with NSAIDs, and possibly switching or removing the IUD, with urgent care for severe pain, fever, heavy bleeding, string changes, or a positive pregnancy test; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below.
References:
* Rizzuto A, Rizzuto M, Litta P, Saccardi C. Chronic Pelvic Pain Associated with Intrauterine Devices: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 18;12(3):809. doi: 10.3390/jcm12030809. PMID: 36675306; PMCID: PMC9916692.
* Stubblefield, A., Esplin, S., & Trostel, K. (2022). Pain associated with intrauterine devices: a narrative review. Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 34(4), 307–313. doi: 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000813. PMID: 35914757.
* Tepper NK, Curtis KM. Management of common adverse effects of levonorgestrel intrauterine systems. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Apr 1;35(2):161-168. doi: 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000870. PMID: 36830701.
* Wozniak, R. (2020). Diagnosis and Management of Pelvic Pain. Clinics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 63(3), 584–597. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000551. PMID: 32958742.
* Gemzell-Danielsson K, Apter D, Christodoulakis M, Pinter B, Skouby SO. Pain with the levonorgestrel intrauterine system: A review of causes and management options. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2022 Aug;27(4):255-260. doi: 10.1080/13625187.2022.2098663. PMID: 35955079.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Young RC. Mechanotransduction mechanisms for coordinating uterine contractions in human labor. Reproduction. 2016 Aug;152(2):R51-61. doi: 10.1530/REP-16-0156. Epub 2016 May 10. PMID: 27165050.
https://rep.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/rep/152/2/R51.xmlPourshirazi M, Golmakani N, Ebrahimzadeh Zagami S, Esmaily H, Tara F. The relationship between Cormic Index and uterine contractions' pattern in the active phase of the first stage of labour. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020 Jan;40(1):30-36. doi: 10.1080/01443615.2019.1594175. Epub 2019 Jun 20. PMID: 31221038.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01443615.2019.1594175ACOG Patient FAQ
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/how-to-tell-when-labor-begins