Pregnancy at over 38 Weeks
If you are more than 38 weeks pregnant and experience tightness and hardness in your abdomen along with a painful sensation in your lower region, it may be due to factors such as false labor contractions or true labor contractions. If the symptoms persist without relief, it is recommended to seek medical attention and follow the doctor's advice. Here are the details:
1. False Labor Contractions: At 38 weeks of pregnancy, false labor contractions typically manifest as tightness and hardness in the abdomen. If the pain is not pronounced and irregular, it usually resolves after rest and is considered a normal phenomenon. This is caused by increased uterine sensitivity due to enlargement and generally requires no special treatment. Adopting a left lateral lying position for rest, avoiding overexertion, and refraining from vigorous exercise are recommended.
2. True Labor Contractions: If you experience persistent tightness, hardness, and increasing pain in your abdomen for an extended period, it may indicate true labor contractions. This situation is considered a sign of impending childbirth, and it is advisable to proceed to the hospital for delivery preparation. Fetuses are mature after 38 weeks of pregnancy, and delivery at this stage generally poses no risk to the fetus, with a high survival rate. However, it is crucial to monitor fetal movements and undergo fetal monitoring to prevent fetal hypoxia in the uterine cavity.
