In Pregnant Mothers, What Symptoms Are Called ‘Hard Belly’?
Hard belly symptoms occur when you touch the belly and feel it as a hard, tight lump that comes and goes intermittently. Each case varies in the degree of hardness, and there may also be cramping or sharp pain in the lower abdomen. Generally, hard belly symptoms can occur 3-4 times a day during the third trimester of pregnancy but are not consistent.
Causes of Hard Belly in Pregnant Mothers
- The mother experiences stress during pregnancy
- The fetus moves a lot and may press against the uterine wall, stimulating the uterus to contract
- The uterus contracts due to lack of blood supply to the uterine muscles, which is another cause of premature labor or miscarriage
- Eating food and having gas in the stomach; whenever overeating occurs, it may press against the uterus causing it to tighten
- Other daily behaviors and activities such as insufficient rest, heavy work, vigorous sexual intercourse, and frequent holding of urine
How Should Pregnant Mothers Take Care of Themselves?
- Reduce activities both indoors and outdoors, especially heavy work or activities that cause fatigue and stress easily
- Avoid risky behaviors that stimulate uterine contractions, such as touching or rubbing the belly, vigorous swinging or sudden movements, and avoid sexual intercourse close to delivery
- After meals, take a walk or rest for a while before lying down to aid digestion and prevent bloating that can cause a hard belly
- Do not hold urine, as holding urine causes the bladder to enlarge and press against the uterus, leading to a hard, tight belly
- Find more time to rest, such as sitting and reading, listening to music, or getting enough sleep to reduce stress, which is a major cause of hard belly symptoms
