What should pregnant women eat to reduce uterine contractions?

Uterine contractions, also known as uterine contractions, are the stretching of the uterine ligaments leading to contractions. Contractions during pregnancy are understood as when the fetus increases in size, the ligaments in the uterus are stretched, causing contractions to appear.

In addition, some causes of uterine contractions at any time during pregnancy include exercise, urinary tract infections, full urine in the bladder, etc.

What do pregnant women eat to reduce uterine contractions?

– Kale: Supports the supply of vitamin A, vitamin C to help ensure the health of the immune system. Kale also contains compounds that have the ability to help absorb bile acids, thereby reducing blood cholesterol levels. Besides, the ingredients of vitamin C, vitamin K, and Omega 3 fatty acids are also effective nutrients that help pregnant women avoid inflammation when having uterine contractions.

– Salmon: Is the food that pregnant women should eat during pregnancy and after pregnancy. Salmon contains high levels of vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and omega 3, which support anti-inflammatory, improve the immune system, and enhance the function of phagocytosis.

Salmon is very good for pregnant women. (Illustration)

– Yogurt: Has the effect of helping to balance vaginal pH, quickly reducing symptoms. In addition, yogurt also adds vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin D and zinc, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and disease-reducing effects.

– Fruit: It is rich in bioflavonoids and vitamin C that have the ability to help hinder the growth of fibroids and can normalize estrogen levels. Bioflavonoids also have the potential to help prevent ovarian cancer and support a healthy reproductive system.

– Lemon: Lemons, as well as berries, are rich in vitamin C and support the immune system. Vitamin C also works to help improve the immunity of the uterus, prevent the uterus from becoming infected and prevent uterine infections.

– Nuts: Some types of nuts such as almonds, cashews, flax seeds…have the effect of helping the body to optimally produce hormones because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and good cholesterol. These omega-3 fatty acids work to help eliminate uterine fibroids as well as prevent uterine cancer. Good cholesterol helps maintain serum cholesterol levels, limiting premature birth and low birth weight babies.

Nuts are rich in omega 3 fatty acids that are good for pregnant women. (Illustration)

– Whole grains: Brown rice, quinoa, and millet remain whole without sacrificing essential nutrients like protein, minerals, and fiber. On the other hand, white rice is a grain that has had its hull, bran and germ removed, thereby taking away its vital nutrients.

Eating whole grains is one of the ways to help keep blood sugar low, reduce your chances of gestational diabetes, and keep you fuller for longer. Whole grains are also rich in fiber, which is good for the digestive system. Eating a lot of whole grains will make it easier for pregnant women to get enough nutrition without eating too much. During pregnancy, women should eat at least 3 servings of whole grain foods per day.

In addition, pregnant women should also apply a high-fiber diet, drink about 8-10 glasses of water a day to help the digestive system work most smoothly.

Foods that cause uterine contractions pregnant women should avoid

For a healthy pregnancy, you should avoid certain foods that can cause uterine contractions:

– Pineapple: Contains bromelain, which softens the uterus and stimulates contractions, leading to miscarriage. Pregnant women should only eat pineapple in moderation, such as a few slices per week. If you eat pineapple in the amount of 7-10 fruits, it can cause bleeding.

– Green papaya: LOTSThis fruit acts as a laxative and can cause uterine contractions. If you accidentally eat papaya seeds, the enzyme present in the seeds causes uterine contractions and easily leads to miscarriage.

Green papaya is similar to pineapple, capable of causing uterine contractions in pregnant women. (Illustration)

– Logan: Eating a lot of longan will make pregnant women hot, constipated, bleeding, abdominal pain, leading to miscarriage if eaten too much.

– Cat apple: Apples have a sour and acrid taste, suitable for pregnant women who are suffering from morning sickness. However, apple cider vinegar can make the uterus more excited, thereby promoting uterine contractions, causing miscarriage and premature birth.

– Sesame: Also known as sesame seeds should only be eaten in small quantities and should not be eaten with honey, which will harm the development of the fetus in the early stages.

– Animal liver: Only eat about 2 times a month. If eaten in large quantities, it can promote the gradual accumulation of retinol which can adversely affect the health of the baby.

– Bitter melon: Although it is a fruit rich in vitamins, manganese, zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins, it helps to strengthen immunity and clear heat. However, the bitter taste of bitter melon can cause strong irritation to the uterus and stomach in women with a tilted uterus, scarred uterus or multiple minor surgeries due to abortion.

– Unpasteurized fresh milk: Or all types of cheese contain bacteria that are harmful to the fetus such as Listeria monocytogene or cause pregnancy complications.

– Caffeine: Not only in coffee but also in tea, chocolate, and some energy drinks. Consumed in small amounts during pregnancy can be quite safe, but too much can lead to miscarriage or low birth weight baby.

Mercury-rich fish: Pregnant women should absolutely avoid fish with high mercury content such as mackerel, swordfish, tuna, and shark. Excess mercury has the potential to adversely affect the developing brain and nervous system of an unborn baby.

– Processed meat: Sausages, stuffed meat, pate, minced meat, sour meat, spring rolls, salami, cold cuts and pepperoni… are not safe during pregnancy because they contain bacteria such as Toxoplasma gondii, listeria or salmonella, which can cause food poisoning food poisoning.

Processed meat is also among the foods that cause uterine contractions. (Illustration)

– Laksa leaves: If eaten raw, it will have the effect of making food, spreading welding, warming the stomach, often used to cook sour soup or served with some other dishes. However, pregnant women in the first 3 months should not eat a lot of laksa leaves because it can cause uterine contractions.

– Wormwood: If eating wormwood in the first 3 months of pregnancy, pregnant women can have a lot of blood, uterine contractions and early miscarriage.

– Spinach: A vegetable known for its health benefits such as clearing heat and detoxifying. However, for pregnant women, purslane is not recommended to eat because it can stimulate uterine contractions in pregnant women.

– Vera: Although it is useful in clearing heat and beauty, if pregnant women drink aloe vera juice, it can lead to miscarriage and pelvic bleeding.

– Sprouted potatoes: As a food that can be harmful to everyone’s health, containing solanin easily interferes with the development of the fetus, so it is best to eliminate it from the daily diet.

– Raw eggs, raw fish: When eating these foods, pregnant women are very susceptible to Salmonella infection with symptoms such as nausea, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps,… In some cases, they will have uterine contractions. cause stillbirth or premature birth.

How to reduce uterine contractions during pregnancy

To reduce the risk of uterine contractions, you can take the following steps until you see your doctor:

Drink enough water because dehydration can also cause contractions.

– Take a warm bath to feel more comfortable.

– Lie on your side and use a pillow behind your back, not on your back.

– Monitor contractions for 1 hour, counting the number of minutes from the start of 1 contraction until the next contraction. If there are more than 4-5 contractions/hour, it could be a sign of preterm labor.

– Practice regular breathing.

– Change in posture or activity level or activity level (from sitting to walking, from active to resting)

– Relax, get a massage, take a warm bath, listen to music, read a book or take a short nap.