Q&A: What Is Uterine Irritability?

Uterine irritability is kind of hard to define — basically, it’s like having contractions but much milder. These mini contractions ultimately feel a lot like menstrual cramps. They can happen preterm or at term, and they can be confused with false labor. That’s why, if a mom-to-be complains of them, docs usually put her on a monitor to measure whether she’s having real contractions. In most cases, they don’t mean anything, and they go away on their own. But sometimes, they do develop into real contractions and lead to preterm labor or actual labor. So it’s a good idea to tell your doctor if you’re experiencing this symptom.

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