In
medicineMedicine is the art and science of healing. It encompasses a range of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
(
obstetricsObstetrics is the surgical specialty dealing with the care of women and their children during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal. Midwifery is the non-medical equivalent...
), a
contraction is a forceful and very painful motion of the
uterusThe uterus is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals, including humans. It is within the uterus that the fetus develops during gestation. The term uterus is used consistently within the medical and related professions; the Germanic term, womb is more common in...
as part of the process of
childbirthChildbirth is the culmination of a human pregnancy or gestation period with birth of one or more newborn infants from a woman's uterus...
. Contractions, and labour in general, is one condition that releases the hormone
oxytocinOxytocin is a mammalian hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain.It is best known for its roles in female reproduction: it is released in large amounts after distension of the cervix and vagina during labor, and after stimulation of the nipples, facilitating birth and...
into the body. Contractions become longer as labour intensifies. At the start of labor, contractions are usually only painful enough to make the mother wince or gasp. This is in contrast with transition labor, where many times the mother is screaming.
Prior to actual labour, women may experience
Braxton HicksBraxton Hicks contractions, also known as false labour or practice contractions are sporadic uterine contractions that usually start around 6 weeks however are not usually felt until the second trimester or third trimester of pregnancy.-Cause:...
contractions, sometimes known as "false labour."
The
uterusThe uterus is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals, including humans. It is within the uterus that the fetus develops during gestation. The term uterus is used consistently within the medical and related professions; the Germanic term, womb is more common in...
also contracts during
menstruationMenstruation is the shedding of the uterine lining . It occurs on a regular basis in reproductive-age females of certain mammal species. Overt menstruation is found primarily in humans and close evolutionary relatives such as chimpanzees...
.
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In
medicineMedicine is the art and science of healing. It encompasses a range of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
(
obstetricsObstetrics is the surgical specialty dealing with the care of women and their children during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal. Midwifery is the non-medical equivalent...
), a
contraction is a forceful and very painful motion of the
uterusThe uterus is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals, including humans. It is within the uterus that the fetus develops during gestation. The term uterus is used consistently within the medical and related professions; the Germanic term, womb is more common in...
as part of the process of
childbirthChildbirth is the culmination of a human pregnancy or gestation period with birth of one or more newborn infants from a woman's uterus...
. Contractions, and labour in general, is one condition that releases the hormone
oxytocinOxytocin is a mammalian hormone that also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain.It is best known for its roles in female reproduction: it is released in large amounts after distension of the cervix and vagina during labor, and after stimulation of the nipples, facilitating birth and...
into the body. Contractions become longer as labour intensifies. At the start of labor, contractions are usually only painful enough to make the mother wince or gasp. This is in contrast with transition labor, where many times the mother is screaming.
Prior to actual labour, women may experience
Braxton HicksBraxton Hicks contractions, also known as false labour or practice contractions are sporadic uterine contractions that usually start around 6 weeks however are not usually felt until the second trimester or third trimester of pregnancy.-Cause:...
contractions, sometimes known as "false labour."
The
uterusThe uterus is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals, including humans. It is within the uterus that the fetus develops during gestation. The term uterus is used consistently within the medical and related professions; the Germanic term, womb is more common in...
also contracts during
menstruationMenstruation is the shedding of the uterine lining . It occurs on a regular basis in reproductive-age females of certain mammal species. Overt menstruation is found primarily in humans and close evolutionary relatives such as chimpanzees...
. These contractions may be uncomfortable or even painful, but they are generally significantly less painful than contractions during labour. Aspirin can help with the pain. Also a hot water bottle or exercising has been found to help.
The uterus and vagina contract during female orgasm to encourage male semen to reach the fallopian tubes. These contractions may not be noticed by all women; pregnant women are more likely to notice these contractions by late 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
Contractions are a form of convulsions.