What are the signs and symptoms of uterine contractions?

Uterine contractions may occur at different stages of pregnancy, and the manifestations and symptoms of these contractions vary across stages. Details are as follows:

1. In the very early stages of pregnancy, due to embryonic implantation in the uterus, which introduces a foreign body into the uterine cavity, the uterus may involuntarily contract. This can cause mild abdominal pain and frequent urination, which are normal physiological phenomena.

2. In the middle stages of pregnancy, uterine contractions become gradually more apparent. These contractions are characterized by short duration, infrequency, and irregularity. They manifest as intermittent hardness in the abdomen accompanied by mild pain. These are known as false labor contractions and may disappear when changing body position or paying attention to rest.

3. In the late stages of pregnancy, especially close to the time of childbirth, uterine contractions become longer in duration, lasting for more than 30 seconds. The intervals between contractions gradually shorten, potentially from five minutes to two to three minutes, and become very regular. These regular and increasingly prominent contractions are often indicative of labor, warranting full attention.