contractions
n. 收缩；缩略形式（contraction 的复数）
例句
The contractions started coming every five minutes.
子宫开始每隔五分钟收缩一次。
《牛津词典》
Movements of the rib cage for breathing are reduced during sleep, making the contractions of the diaphragm more important.
睡觉期间，胸腔所做的呼吸活动会减少，这使得横膈膜的收缩变得更加重要。
The contractions were getting stronger.
宫缩越来越强烈。
《柯林斯英汉双解大词典》
