Pregnancy abdominal pain
While not unusual, abdominal pain during pregnancy can be a stressful experience. The discomfort could be subtle and achy or severe and stabbing.
Determining whether your pain is severe or light might be difficult. Knowing what is typical and when to call your doctor is crucial.
Nausea during pregnancy
Abdominal pain from gas can be incredibly painful. It could spread over your chest, back, and tummy, or it might stay in one spot.
The Mayo Clinic claims that when progesterone levels rise during pregnancy, women have more flatulence. Progesterone lengthens the time it takes for food to pass through the intestines by causing intestinal muscles to relax. Food stays in the colon for a longer period of time, which permits more gas to form.
The strain that your growing uterus puts on your organs as your pregnancy goes on might further impede digestion and cause gas to accumulate.
Treatment
If gas is the source of your abdominal pain, changing your lifestyle should help. Try spreading out your meals over the course of the day and sip lots of water.
Digestion may also be aided by exercise. Foods that cause gas should be avoided. Beans and cabbage are typical offenders, as well as fried and oily foods. Don’t drink any carbonated beverages at all.
There are other benign causes of pain, however, many pregnant women dismiss their abdominal pain as being caused by gas.
Painful round ligaments
From the uterus through the groin, there are two broad, circular ligaments. The uterus is supported by these ligaments. The ligaments also expand to make room for your developing baby as the uterus does.
The abdomen, hips, or groin may experience throbbing or dull pain as a result. Sneezing, coughing, and position changes can all cause round ligament pain. Typically, this happens toward the end of the pregnancy.
Treatment
Practice carefully rising from a sitting or lying position to lessen or eliminate round ligament pain. Bend and flex your hips if you anticipate sneezing or coughing. This may assist in easing the strain on the ligaments.
Regular stretching is another efficient strategy for easing discomfort in the round ligament.
Constipation
Pregnant women frequently complain of constipation. Constipation can be brought on by fluctuating hormone levels, a diet low in fluids or fiber, a lack of exercise, iron supplements, or general nervousness. Serious pain from constipation is possible. People frequently describe it as cramping or as severe, stabbing pain.
Treatment
Consider boosting the fiber in your diet. Fluid intake should be increased as well. Women who are expecting should consume 8 to 10 glasses of water daily at the very least. Prior to using a stool softener, see your doctor. Some stool softeners should not be used when pregnant.
Contractions of Braxton-Hicks
When the uterine muscles contract for up to two minutes, these “practice” or “false” contractions take place. The irregular and unpredictable contractions are not indicative of labor. They might hurt and put uncomfortable pressure on the belly, but they are a typical aspect of pregnancy.
In the third trimester of pregnancy, Braxton-Hicks contractions frequently happen. Contrary to labor contractions, these contractions do not become more painful or frequent as time passes.
HELLP disorder
Hemolysis, increased liver enzymes, and low platelets make up the abbreviation HELLP syndrome, which stands for the condition. It is a potentially fatal pregnancy condition.
Although the origin of HELLP is unknown, some women experience its onset following a preeclampsia diagnosis. The Preeclampsia Foundation estimates that 15% of American women who acquire preeclampsia—who make up 5 to 8% of the population—will also develop HELLP.
It is possible for women without preeclampsia to develop this syndrome. First-time pregnancies are more likely to experience HELLP.
A sign of HELLP is right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Additional signs include:
- Malaise and exhaustion
- Headache
- Nauseous and dizzy
- Hazy vision
- Their blood pressure is high.
- Edema (swelling)
- Bleeding
Consult a doctor right away if you experience stomach pain along with any of these additional HELLP symptoms. If HELLP is not treated right away, dangerous complications or even death may occur.
Additional causes for worry
Additionally, other, graver diseases may be present in pregnant women who experience abdominal pain. These consist of:
- Miscarriage
- Ectopic conception
- Abrupt placentation
- Preeclampsia
- These conditions demand urgent medical care.
- Abdominal pain can also be brought on by illnesses that are unrelated to pregnancy. These consist of:
- Ureteral stones
- Infections of the urinary tract (UTIs)
- Gallstones
- Pancreatitis
- Appendicitis
- Digestive blockage
- Food sensitivities or allergies
- Stomach ulcer illness
- A gastro virus
If any of the following are present together with your pain, contact your doctor right away:
- Cold or fever
- Spotting or bleeding in the vagina
- Vaginal oozing
- Repeatedly contracted
- Dizziness or vomiting
- Lightheadedness
- During or after urination, discomfort or burning
All of this information should be kept in mind while deciding if abdominal pain is caused by gas or something more serious. Although it might be very painful, gas discomfort typically goes away quickly. When you burp or let the gas out, you frequently feel better.
An episode may be linked to a meal or a stressful time in your life. Fever, vomiting, bleeding, or other severe symptoms don’t go together with gas. The duration, intensity, and proximity of gas pains do not increase over time. Probably early labor there.
When in doubt, call your doctor or visit your birthing center to get help. Always err on the side of caution, as they say.