uterine contractions
Womb muscle tightening
Uterine contractions are the rhythmic tightening and releasing of the muscular walls of the uterus.
During labor, these contractions dilate the cervix and push the baby through the birth canal.
Contractions also occur during menstruation, sometimes causing cramps, and after childbirth to help the uterus return to its normal size.
Her uterine contractions were coming five minutes apart.
- contractionsShortened word forms
- labor painsChildbirth's physical distress
- childbirthInfant's emergence from womb
- active laborChildbirth's intensive phase
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
labor · obstetrics · dysmenorrhea · cervical dilation · birth canal · cervix · labor induction · water breaking · parturition · pain management · fetal monitoring · due date · prostaglandins · cesarean section · epidural anesthesia · false labor · delivery · natural childbirth