How to tell if you're having contractions at 17 weeks pregnant

At 17 weeks of pregnancy, uterine contractions can generally be identified based on symptoms such as abdominal tightness, hardness, sensation of defecation, and pelvic pressure. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Abdominal tightness and hardness

In general, uterine contractions occurring at 17 weeks of pregnancy are usually false (Braxton Hicks) contractions and do not cause significant physical discomfort. If the pregnant woman is overly fatigued or engages in excessive physical activity, mild abdominal tightness and hardness may easily occur.

2. Sensation of defecation

If a pregnant woman experiences large emotional fluctuations leading to strong uterine contractions, these contractions may press against the rectum, often causing a sensation of needing to defecate.

3. Pelvic pressure or heaviness

At 17 weeks of pregnancy, fetal development accelerates, and the enlarging uterus due to fetal growth may affect pelvic blood circulation, resulting in a feeling of pelvic pressure or downward heaviness.

In addition, the presence of uterine contractions can also be assessed by observing whether there is lower abdominal pain. If uterine contractions at 17 weeks of pregnancy are accompanied by other physical discomforts, prompt medical evaluation is necessary to establish a clear diagnosis.