Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy?

While you are pregnant and carrying a baby in the womb, it puts a lot of pressure on the joints, veins and situated near the womb. This can make you feel extremely uncomfortable specially around the belly area. In addition to this, when the uterus expands, the ligaments and muscles that support it will also stretch. This process can cause pain in the abdomen.

The causes of abdominal pain can be either harmless or serious. Here are some reasons that can cause abdominal pain during pregnancy that are quite common and generally pose no threat to the mother and the baby.

1. Round Ligament Pain

Even though it is considered as a normal part of pregnancy, round ligament pain, which is most often felt during the second trimester is a short, sharp, stabbing pain. It usually happens when the expecting mother suddenly changes her position like getting out of bed or out of a chair or, roll over in bed, or get out of the bathtub.

2. Gas Formation and Bloating

Pregnancy hormone progesterone makes the intestinal muscles to relax. This will increase the time taken by the food to go through the intestines up to 30 percent. Longer the food remains in the colon, more chances of developing gas increases.

[Read : Home Remedies For Gas And Bloating During Pregnancy]

3. Cramping

An abdominal pain can be also be experienced due to cramping, which happens due because of stretching ligaments and muscles that support the growing uterus.

4. Constipation

Constipation, a side effect of pregnancy can also cause abdominal pain in pregnant woman.

5. Braxton Hicks Contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions or false labor can cause abdominal pain in the last trimester of pregnancy.

6. Sexual Intercourse

Some expecting mothers are found to experience abdominal pain after sexual intercourse.

Top 10 Serious Causes of Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

Abdominal pain during pregnancy may also be a sign of other, more serious conditions that require medical attention. Some of the significant serious issues that can cause abdominal pain during pregnancy and that need immediate  are:

1. Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in one of the Fallopian tubes. If between the sixth and tenth week of pregnancy there is Intense abdominal pain and bleeding then it can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy cannot be continued and needs immediate medical attention. If it is not detected and treated on time, an ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening.

2. Vaginal Spotting or Bleeding

Vaginal spotting or bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain can be a sign of some serious issues that affects a normal pregnancy.

3. Miscarriage

Vaginal spotting followed by abdominal pain that is similar to the rhythmic menstrual pain a few hours or a couple of days later can be an indication of a miscarriage.

[Read : What Really Happens When You Have A Miscarriage?]

4. Preterm labor

Abdominal pain accompanied by lower back pain and increased vaginal discharge during the last trimester can be an indication of preterm labor.

5. Placental Abruption

Placental abruption is a life threatening condition in which due to various reasons the placenta gets separated from the uterine wall. Along with other symptoms, severe abdominal pain is a significant sign of placental abruption.

6. Preeclampsia

Intense pain in the upper abdomen can be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication. Preeclampsia can develop any time after the 20th week of gestation.

7. Urinary Tract Infection

Expecting mothers are more prone to urinary tract infections. Lower abdominal pain and burning sensation during urinating are the main symptoms of UTI.

8. Appendicitis

A significant symptoms of a ruptured appendix is sharp pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdominal area, during pregnancy, it may appear higher up. This is because as the uterus expands, the appendix moves up and can remain close to the belly button or liver.

[Read : Signs of Appendicitis During Pregnancy]

9. Food Poisoning

Food poisoning can bring about several gastric issues either mild or severe. Despite the degree of gastric issues, abdominal pain is the main symptom of food poisoning.

10. Gallbladder Disease

During pregnancy, stones in the gallbladder are quite common, especially if the expecting mother is overweight, or is above 35 years, or is prone to developing stones.

Easy Tips to Ease Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

Yes, there are some measures that will help to ease abdominal pain during the pregnancy. Remember that only harmless abdominal pain can be eased by the following measures. Abdominal pain with a significant underlying cause requires treatment. The abdominal discomfort during pregnancy can be eased by:

• Taking a warm bath or hot shower.
• Lying down for a while.
• Gently moving around for some time.
• Bending towards the point of pain.
• Sitting down for a while.
• Increasing the intake of water or fluid.
• Using hot compresses like a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel at the point where the pain is felt.

When to Call the Doctor?

Persisting severe abdominal pain, which is not reduced even after taking rest for a while needs attention. Never hesitate to seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms accompany the abdominal pain:

• If the abdominal pain is severe and if the severity increases
• Severe headache
• Visual disturbances
• Lightheadedness
• Rhythmic abdominal pain (similar to menstrual pain) before 12 weeks of pregnancy
• Discomfort while urinating
• Pain along with chills and fever
• Spotting or bleeding
• Nausea and vomiting
• Unusual vaginal discharge

Read Also: Back Pain During Pregnancy: Reasons, Remedies And Precautions