It's no secret that the time when a woman is expecting a child is the most wonderful time in her life. During this period, the body of the fair sex undergoes enormous changes. That is why the sensations in the abdomen in the early stages of pregnancy can be completely different. Some ladies have no signs of conception at all and no complaints about a special condition.
Conception and pregnancy
To begin with, it is worth saying how conception occurs. Around the middle of the female cycle, a woman releases a cell from the follicle. After this, the egg, born and ready for fertilization, begins to move along the fallopian tubes towards the reproductive organ. This is where she can meet the sperm. After the fusion of these two components, continuous cell division begins.
When the new organism reaches the uterine muscle, cells invade its inner layer. From this moment, conception can be considered successful.
How is the pregnancy period divided?
There are different stages of pregnancy. There are three of them in total. These time periods are called trimesters and last on average from 8 to 12 weeks.
At each stage of pregnancy, the doctor prescribes appropriate tests for the woman. They may include an ultrasound examination, taking a smear from the vagina, and a blood test for possible fetal pathologies. Also in the third trimester, the gynecologist examines the pregnancy using a CTG machine. During the procedure, the baby's heartbeat is measured.
The third period of gestation ends with childbirth. After this, the fetus becomes human and can already breathe, hear and see on its own, but it still needs its mother.
Feelings in the abdomen in early pregnancy
Many women experience new sensations during this period. To begin with, it is worth saying which stages of pregnancy are early and which are late. Short term pregnancy is diagnosed before 8 weeks, which is approximately the first two months from the date of the last menstruation. It is during this period of time that the expectant mother may notice new sensations in her stomach. In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman's well-being can change greatly. Let's consider the most common sensations that a woman experiences.
During ovulation
During this period of time, a representative of the fair sex may say that she feels bursting or pressing pain on the left or right. This is due to the growth of the follicle and the enlargement of the ovary. Of course, pregnancy has not yet occurred at this time, but if the result is positive, this time period will be included in the gestation period of the child.
Directly during the rupture of the follicle, the lady may notice a sharp cutting pain on one side. After this, some women note the appearance of bloody discharge from the genital tract.
During the fertilization period
Some representatives of the fair sex claim that sensations in the stomach in the early stages of pregnancy began precisely from the moment the egg was fertilized. Most likely, this is simply self-hypnosis, since no one can say for sure, up to a fraction of a second, when exactly the fusion of two cells occurred.
Usually this process is not accompanied by any special feelings. Human cells are so small that their initial division does not produce any symptoms or signs.
Implantation period
After the male cell meets the female cell, the pregnancy begins to develop and progress day by day. Every day, colossal changes and transformations occur with a new organism.
When the fertilized egg reaches the reproductive organ, it penetrates the endometrium and remains in its place for all subsequent periods of its development. At this moment, a woman may feel that something is happening in her body. Also, this process can go completely unnoticed.
Statistics say that especially those women who planned conception and were waiting for it experience special sensations during this period. Such representatives of the fair sex say that they feel slight nagging pain. Other women admit that they felt a tingling sensation in the uterus. Similar to the period of ovulation, at this moment a woman may notice slight spotting from the vagina. They are explained by the fact that during the implantation of cells into the wall of the uterus, damage occurs to the smallest blood vessels and capillaries.
Lower pain during pregnancy
Many women around the world complain of various pain sensations during pregnancy. Most of them occur in the early stages. As the embryo grows and the pregnancy progresses day by day, the uterus stretches. This is precisely one of the reasons for such complaints. However, it is necessary to know all the reasons why the stomach feels tight during pregnancy (early stages). Similar complaints may also occur in the middle of fetal development or before birth.
Threat of interruption of embryo development
It's no secret that most miscarriages and embryo failures occur in the early stages. This is due to the fact that so-called natural selection occurs during this time period. If the fetus has any abnormalities in genetics or receives the wrong set of chromosomes, then it simply stops its development.
This condition may be accompanied by unpleasant painful sensations that jeopardize pregnancy. The back during this period can also remind itself. During contraction of the reproductive organ, a woman feels heaviness in the lower back.
Deficiency or excess of certain hormones
The pregnancy (hormones) table indicates how much of a particular substance should be contained in a woman’s blood during different periods of gestation. With some deviations from the norm, a representative of the fair sex may experience pain in the lower abdomen and back.
In most cases, expectant mothers face a lack of progesterone. This hormone is produced by the corpus luteum, which is formed in the ovary after the rupture of the follicle. The secreted substance maintains the normal tone of the reproductive organ and prevents it from contracting and rejecting the fertilized egg. With a small amount of this hormone, involuntary contraction of the uterine muscle and detachment of the fertilized egg occurs.
If measures are not taken in time and the necessary treatment is not carried out, spontaneous termination of pregnancy may occur. That is why, when such symptoms appear, it is necessary to undergo the necessary tests and find out the content of certain hormones in the blood of the expectant mother.
The pregnancy and hormone content table will tell you how much of the substance should be in a woman’s blood during a certain period of pregnancy.
Growth of the reproductive organ
Sometimes pain in the lower abdominal cavity can be caused by the growth of the uterus. It is worth saying that during fertilization she is quite small. Pregnancy causes this organ to grow and stretch, changing its usual position.
With the enlargement of the uterine muscle, neighboring organs are displaced: the ovaries, fallopian tubes and intestines. At later stages, a shift occurs in some other structures of the human body: kidneys, stomach, liver and spleen.
This process may be accompanied by nagging pain. It is worth noting that this condition is not a pathology and does not require any treatment.
Also, women who have undergone inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs or any surgical interventions may suffer from pain in the lower abdomen. In most cases, such pathologies do not go away without leaving a trace and cause the formation of an adhesive process. As the uterus grows, the thin films stretch and tear. This leads to quite strong and sharp pain. They can be pulling, pressing or cutting. In this case, the woman is not prescribed any treatment other than rest and taking sedatives.
Ectopic pregnancy
In the early stages (about 4 weeks), it is almost impossible to diagnose pregnancy using ultrasound. However, during this period, a woman may complain of nagging pain on one or the other side of the abdomen. In some cases, this may indicate the development of an ectopic pregnancy. If such a pathology is detected, it must be eliminated as soon as possible, since the consequences can be irreparable and lead to death.
How to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy in the early stages? Quite often, a blood test to determine the hormone hCG helps to find out about this pathology. Also, if a woman does not have severe pain, the doctor may choose a wait-and-see approach. If the sensations increase and the woman feels worse, she undergoes an emergency operation, during which the pathological pregnancy is removed, trying to preserve all the reproductive organs. An ectopic pregnancy can develop in the ovary, fallopian tubes, or abdomen.
Pathological processes
In some cases, unpleasant painful sensations in the lower abdomen during pregnancy can be a symptom of various pathologies that have nothing to do with the woman being in an interesting position.
Intestinal problems
While carrying a baby, a woman relaxes all the abdominal muscles. This is necessary in order to avoid spontaneous abortion. Since the intestine is also a muscle, its peristalsis can be significantly reduced. This leads to constipation and gas accumulation. This condition causes a woman not only discomfort, but also nagging pain in the lower abdomen.
This condition can be easily corrected. The woman is prescribed a suitable diet and a mild laxative, the use of which is allowed during pregnancy.
Inflammatory diseases
While carrying a child, the fair sex's immunity decreases. This happens mainly in the very early stages. Nature did this so that the woman’s body does not perceive the fetus as a foreign body and does not reject it.
During this period, the woman may feel nagging pain in the lower abdomen, which is a symptom of the development of inflammation of the bladder, ovaries or uterus. This pathology must be cured, as it can have a negative impact on the growth and development of the embryo.
Pathology requiring surgical intervention
Sometimes during pregnancy a woman may develop diseases that require surgery. They can also give symptoms such as nagging or aching pain in the back and lower abdominal segment.
A pregnant woman may experience the formation of a large cyst or torsion of her pedicle. A woman can also be affected by appendicitis or peritonitis. All these pathologies are quite rare, especially in the early stages of pregnancy, but they are not excluded.
If a decision is made to undergo surgery, the most gentle method is chosen. In most cases this is laparoscopy. The doctor performs the operation as carefully as possible, trying not to affect the reproductive organ and maintain the pregnancy.
Pain in late pregnancy
If you are quite close to your due date, then nagging pain in the lower abdomen may indicate that you will soon become a mother. If the fetus is already full term, then there is no reason to worry, but it is worth calling your doctor and letting him know how you are feeling.
If the baby is not yet full-term, then you must urgently call an ambulance and go to the hospital. Especially if the pain intensifies and becomes cramping in nature. You may need to be hospitalized for some time until you feel better. All this is necessary in order to maintain pregnancy and carry the baby to term.
Conclusion
If you are in an interesting position and experience pain in the lower abdomen, then you need to visit a specialist managing your pregnancy as soon as possible. It may be that your pregnancy and your health are at risk. It may also become clear that your pain is physiological and does not pose any threat to you and your unborn baby.
Take special care of your health during pregnancy. Visit a specialist regularly and discuss with him all the issues that concern you. Feel free to ask the doctor about anything that interests you. Be healthy and have an easy birth!
Many women complain of pain at the beginning of pregnancy. They are quite understandable: with the birth of a new life, the body of the expectant mother begins to gradually rebuild. Muscle fibers stretch, ligaments swell. A woman usually experiences this kind of discomfort in the first trimester.
Pain is not always the result of the described changes. Any unpleasant sensations should alert the expectant mother, since sometimes they signal pathological problems. This article discusses the main causes of pain in the left lower abdomen during pregnancy. Information is also provided on methods for diagnosing and treating this condition. 
Pain in the left lower abdomen during pregnancy
The left side of the abdominal cavity contains organs, each of which plays a specific functional role. Any discomfort during pregnancy should alert you and be a reason to visit a doctor.
There are many causes of pain, and not all of them are caused by pregnancy itself:
- Physiological (does not require treatment).
- Pathological course of pregnancy.
- Diseases not associated with the birth of a new life.
Pain in early pregnancy is usually caused by stretching of the uterine walls. Such discomfort can be called physiological, and specific treatment is not required in this case. When the fertilized egg attaches, some women feel a slight tingling sensation in the lower abdomen. It goes away on its own in about a day.
From the third month, the uterus begins to gradually extend beyond the boundaries of the pelvis. As a result, the ligaments that fix it are stretched. Usually during pregnancy, the stomach hurts, like during menstruation. Discomfort goes away with rest and intensifies with physical activity. This condition also does not require therapy.
In the third trimester, discomfort occurs due to compression of the bladder by the uterus. Future women in labor note the appearance of a sharp pain that radiates to the perineum. However, the discomfort goes away immediately after the bladder is emptied.
Now let's look at the main causes of pain in the left lower abdomen during pregnancy, which can threaten the life of the child. Otherwise, such pain is called obstetric. 
Miscarriage
A large percentage of spontaneous abortions are recorded at up to 12 weeks. A miscarriage is usually preceded by certain signs that every woman should know. If you recognize the pathology in a timely manner and consult a doctor, in most cases it is possible to save the baby.
Brownish discharge mixed with blood from the vagina, side pain during pregnancy - these signs indicate a miscarriage. A woman with such symptoms should be hospitalized immediately. In the hospital, after a physical examination, the doctor prescribes a series of tests to determine the cause of the pathology. Then they begin treatment.
In this case, a small hematoma often remains behind the fertilized egg, which causes nagging abdominal pain during pregnancy. When it resolves, the discomfort should go away, so there is no need to worry. If there has already been a threat of miscarriage once, a woman should be especially careful and attentive to her situation. It is necessary to regularly do ultrasound to exclude various pathologies. An intrauterine anomaly often causes spontaneous abortion or, conversely, develops as a result of a lack of blood supply.
Ectopic pregnancy
Why does my stomach hurt during pregnancy? In the early stages, doctors often diagnose ectopic pregnancy. This is a condition in which the fertilized egg does not have time to reach the uterus and attaches to the fallopian tube. Rupture of the latter can lead to heavy bleeding. Sometimes an ectopic pregnancy leads to spontaneous abortion.
The first symptoms of the pathology appear at 7-8 weeks, when the growing fertilized egg begins to gradually stretch the tube. An ectopic pregnancy is characterized not only by unpleasant sensations, but also by a whole set of symptoms:
- severe pain in the lower abdomen, radiating to the anus or legs;
- unpleasant sensations appear suddenly and intensify with movement;
- bleeding from the vagina.
This condition is considered extremely dangerous and requires immediate hospitalization of the patient for surgical care. 
Placental abruption
In some cases, the placenta separates from the walls of the uterus prematurely. Doctors list strong blows to the abdominal area, hypertension, and overexertion as the main reasons for the development of pathology. Detachment can be partial or complete. In the first case, the problem is signaled by discomfort in the lower abdomen. In the second case, there is heavy bleeding from the vagina. Weakness and headaches may also appear.
In early pregnancy, placental abruption is treated with medication. In the third trimester, if doctors detect oxygen deficiency in the fetus, they usually decide on premature birth.
Isthmic-cervical insufficiency
This pathology is often diagnosed in women with a complicated obstetric and gynecological history. It is characterized by weakness of the internal os of the cervix, which causes its gradual opening outside of delivery. This condition is very dangerous because it threatens infection of the fetus. The main signs are characteristic pain in the lower abdomen on the left. During late pregnancy, vaginal discharge appears, but contractions are absent. A woman with suspected isthmic-cervical insufficiency is hospitalized. Treatment involves a complex operation during which circular sutures are placed on the cervix.
Hypertonicity of the uterus
Many women complain that during pregnancy their stomach hurts, like during menstruation. This is a common phenomenon, which in medical practice is called uterine tone. Pathology implies involuntary contraction of its muscles, characterized by the appearance of pain. It can radiate to the lower back.
Normally, the uterus is constantly relaxed and calm. That is why, if discomfort occurs, you should visit a doctor. Uterine tone in the first trimester often signals the onset of spontaneous abortion. In later stages, pathology can lead to premature birth. In fact, the problem is not as terrible as it seems at first glance. The main thing is to promptly determine the cause and begin treatment. 
Training contractions
Training contractions usually begin after 30 weeks. In this way, the uterus “prepares” for the upcoming birth. If the 38th week of pregnancy is already over, your stomach hurts and characteristic vaginal discharge is noticeable, you should call a team of medical workers and calmly go to meet your baby.
It is very important for every woman to be able to distinguish training contractions from real ones. The first are characterized by irregularity and short duration. This is discussed in more detail at preparatory courses for expectant mothers.
Non-obstetric reasons
Considering that in addition to the uterus, there are other organs in the pelvis, pain in the lower left abdomen during pregnancy does not always signal a threat to the fetus. Diseases and functional disorders are considered common causes of discomfort. For example, women are often diagnosed with a so-called neurogenic bladder. This is a pathology characterized by frequent urination, but without obvious signs of inflammation. This phenomenon is caused by hormonal changes and goes away immediately after the body adapts to the new status.
Some women are diagnosed with ordinary cystitis. This onset of pregnancy is considered unfavorable, since treatment of the disease involves the use of antibiotics. It is especially bad if the woman did not know about her interesting situation and used illegal drugs for therapy. In such cases, pregnant women should drink plenty of fluids and be treated with medicinal herbs and antispasmodics.
In addition to the bladder, hormonal changes can affect the intestines. Constipation, bloating, and loose stools appear. All this leads to discomfort in the left part of the abdominal cavity, because it is there that the rectum is localized. If for this reason your stomach hurts during early pregnancy, you need to monitor the regularity of your bowel movements and nutrition. The thing is that frequent constipation can negatively affect the development of the fetus. 
Medical examination
In order to identify which organ provoked the occurrence of unpleasant sensations, the pain syndrome should be as detailed as possible. This procedure involves assessing the severity and nature of discomfort, as well as its relationship with body position.
Then, during a medical interview, the doctor determines the presence of accompanying symptoms (fever, vaginal discharge, abnormal stool). For example, if your side hurts during pregnancy, we are most often talking about spontaneous abortion. With isthmic-cervical insufficiency, in addition to discomfort, characteristic vaginal discharge appears.
After examination and history collection, for a final diagnosis, the woman is prescribed a comprehensive examination, which includes laboratory and instrumental methods. 
Why is pain during pregnancy not treated?
After determining the cause of discomfort in the lower abdomen, the woman is prescribed treatment. If there is a risk of spontaneous abortion, medications are prescribed to prevent uterine tone. In case of ectopic pregnancy, surgery is mandatory. In case of placental abruption, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting. The woman is prescribed antispasmodics (Papaverine, Metacin) and hemostatic agents.
When and why is pain during pregnancy not treated? If the discomfort is due to physiological reasons, specific therapy is not needed. This is discussed in detail at the beginning of the article. When pain in the lower abdominal area is due to non-obstetric causes, treatment is also not prescribed in most cases. The exception is cystitis. A disorder such as a neurogenic bladder goes away on its own after the body adapts to a new life inside the womb. Correcting your diet helps relieve constipation, diarrhea, and bloating. A pregnant woman is advised to avoid foods that cause increased gas formation and choose healthy and natural foods. 
Conclusion
Pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy can have different etiologies. In order not to risk the baby’s health, you should not self-medicate and try to diagnose yourself. It is better to contact a gynecologist who can determine the cause of the discomfort and draw up a treatment plan. Be healthy!
Pregnancy changes the way the body works normally. The sleep and rest schedule of the expectant mother is different. There are problems with digestion, pain in the epigastric region. Nausea worries a pregnant woman in the early and late stages.
Stomach pain
Heartburn accompanies stomach cramps no less often than nausea. The growing uterus puts pressure on the internal organs. By the second trimester, pressure on the stomach increases. The stomach is additionally compressed by tight clothes, so pregnant women should choose a comfortable cut of dresses.
Manifestation of pain
The causes of pain in the stomach are associated with stress, gastritis, toxicosis, and other diseases. The pain manifests itself more often in the left hypochondrium. May be localized in the navel area.
Unpleasant feelings in the stomach begin unexpectedly and go away suddenly. The woman experiences discomfort without pain or shingles. The boy or girl inside the mother is safe. Anxiety about the condition of a representative of the fair sex when carrying a baby appears when:
Source of nausea and abdominal pain
Nausea and stomach pain can have deep causes. What precedes the development of pain syndrome:
Frozen or ectopic
When a woman is over 35 years old, an additional threat to the fetus arises - hormonal deficiency, decreased immunity. During a frozen pregnancy, pain can be projected onto any organ, including the stomach, depending on the age of the deceased child. In the later stages, cramps, like during menstruation.
If in the first trimester a woman suffered from nausea and vomiting, then the sudden absence of these signs indicates a threat to the baby’s life. An infection that develops after the death of the fetus causes an increase in temperature. Chills appear and health worsens. Abdominal pain during an ectopic pregnancy occurs as the fetus grows (it is not implanted in the uterus). Delay in seeing a doctor is extremely dangerous!
Poisoning during pregnancy
In case of poisoning, a pregnant woman experiences symptoms:
- Loose stools;
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Temperature;
- Headache.
A woman feels unwell for one to three days. An intestinal infection is also dangerous for a child. Toxins penetrate the mother's blood into the placenta. Food poisoning harms both. When vomiting, the body gets rid of toxins, and gastrointestinal functions are soon restored. Dehydration can be stopped with the drug rehydron after the urge to vomit has stopped.
How to relieve stomach pain during pregnancy
A disease of any etiology during pregnancy requires increased attention and careful treatment. It is very easy to harm a baby during a crucial period. A child’s body systems are formed in the first trimester of pregnancy. Medicines easily pass through the placenta with the mother's blood.
How to relieve pain
Half of pregnant women are familiar with suffering from worsening gastritis. The doctor prescribes an ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs to determine the exact cause of the pain.
Many chemical compositions of medications negatively affect the health of the unborn baby. Therefore, it is not recommended for a pregnant woman to take the pills. Surgical intervention is allowed when the benefit to the mother outweighs the possible harm to the child.
When a pregnant woman is overcome by an unbearable pain in the abdomen, the doctor may prescribe homeopathic remedies in small quantities.
Traditional methods
Herbal infusions normalize the pregnant woman’s condition and temporarily calm her mentally. To treat gastritis with normal and high acidity, brew the herbs St. John's wort, yarrow or chamomile. The infusion should be taken half an hour before meals 2-3 times a day. Ginger works wonders for nausea. If you suffer from gastritis with low acidity, then the first helpers among the herbs are oregano, fennel, caraway, thyme, wormwood. Brew and take the medicinal mixture according to the instructions indicated on the pack.
The absence of an allergic reaction to honey is an indication for taking a natural sweet antiseptic. Mineral table waters will calm a woman’s stomach and replenish the balance of electrolytes. Pain that appears in the stomach as a result of stress is relieved with herbal decoctions of valerian, mint, and motherwort.
Avoid stomach pain
Getting rid of pain in the stomach is often difficult. Pregnant women who did not experience stomach colic before pregnancy suffer from them. A pregnant woman may or may not feel sick. It is possible to reduce painful spasms without the use of drugs. How to prevent troubles and fight spasms:
- When the morning meal is finished, the pregnant woman can lie down in a comfortable position to facilitate the digestion of food.
- If you feel sick after waking up, stay in bed. Eat simple food (banana, for example).
- Avoiding long periods of time between meals. I feel dizzy from hunger.
- Drink plain water instead of sweet drinks, kvass, and juices. Belching is provoked by carbonated drinks. Digestion of protein foods is often accompanied by belching. This effect occurs from meat.
- Measure the amount you eat. Eating small portions will help prevent overeating. A pregnant woman will avoid such a phenomenon as bloating; this will help the proper discharge of bile. Eating before bedtime is excluded.
- To avoid nausea, a pregnant woman should remove foods that are difficult to digest from her diet. Spicy, fatty, fried, smoked foods will cause heaviness and discomfort in the abdominal cavity after eating or with the morning meal.
- Severe shock can cause stomach colic. A woman in this position must be protected from all kinds of nervous situations.
Stomach cramps go away from ordinary soda dissolved in water.
Types of pain during pregnancy
An ordinary person cannot always cope with pain, having the opportunity to undergo prescribed procedures and take medications. What can we say about a pregnant woman, when her head is filled with thoughts about home, work, a child, and then her stomach hurts. Internal organs change location due to the enlarged uterus and are forced to work abnormally.
Symptoms of pain indicate an exacerbation of a chronic or acquired disease. When carrying a baby, a woman suffers, for example, from gastritis. She feels full, her stomach becomes tense and heavy. These signs appear in women with other diseases: cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia, pancreatitis, and so on.
Displacement of the uterus in the second half of pregnancy changes the usual course of food. The bolus of food is compressed, which causes gastric juice to reflux into the upper esophagus. The process is accompanied by bitterness in the mouth and other unpleasant sensations.
At week 4, the fetus puts pressure on joints, muscles, and ligaments. If the pain radiates to the stomach, accompanied by chills with vomiting and nausea, you should consult a doctor. The fourth week of pregnancy is a time when it is easy to lose your baby.
At the 7th month of pregnancy, heaviness is felt in the lower back and abdomen due to stretching of the muscular-ligamentous apparatus. The uterus begins to prepare for childbirth: false contractions can be easily distinguished from real ones by their painlessness. If a spasm occurs in the abdomen during the 8th month of gestation, consult a doctor immediately, as the placenta may detach. Drawing, cutting, spastic pain in any month is a reason to be wary.
How does pain manifest itself?
Gastric spasm in the peri-umbilical region indicates an inflammatory-dystrophic change in the gastric mucosa. Gastritis can be accompanied by colitis and inflammation of the duodenum. The pain is dull and prolonged. Ulcerative processes cause sharp short-term attacks with indomitable cramp-like pain.
In order for a doctor to diagnose the disease and prescribe adequate treatment, a woman needs to track what and when she ate. Pain during gastritis differs from pain perception during cholecystitis. A stomach ulcer will manifest itself within an hour and a half from the start of eating. A duodenal ulcer will respond within no later than two hours.
If the stomach hurts before eating, the woman probably developed duodenitis or a duodenal ulcer during pregnancy. Foods containing acid – pickled vegetables, canned food – provoke colic in the stomach. Uncontrollable pain occurs with the consumption of coarse fibers, cellulose, and grain bread.
Live in peace
Carrying a child will become a pleasant memory for a pregnant woman who listens to her body, does not overeat, rests after eating, and does not overexert herself while bearing the fetus. Chophytol is often prescribed to support the liver and kidneys during pregnancy.
The gender of the child is not important to the expectant mother. The main thing is to lead a healthy lifestyle, expecting a successful birth. A pregnant woman should sleep more, be in peace and quiet, be outside and enjoy fresh air.
During the period of bearing a child, a woman becomes more sensitive and attentive to her health and well-being. However, this does not save many expectant mothers from painful sensations. Almost half of all women in an interesting position experience discomfort in the peritoneal area. This article will tell you about why nagging pain occurs during pregnancy. It is worth noting that such symptoms may appear at different times. In all cases, their reasons will be distinctive. It is also worth talking about why cutting pain in the lower abdomen occurs during pregnancy and what needs to be done about it.
Causes of nagging pain in the earliest stages of pregnancy
If you are early in pregnancy, pain in the lower abdomen may be caused by the attachment of the fertilized egg to the wall of the reproductive organ. Most often, women do not notice this symptom or attribute it to the fact that menstruation will begin soon.
After fertilization, a set of cells begins to continuously divide and descend into the uterine muscle. Here the fertilized egg penetrates into the loose structure of the endometrium and can provoke nagging or stabbing pain in this area. Also, some women experience so-called implantation bleeding, which has insignificant volumes and ends within a few days.
Why does my stomach hurt in the first weeks of pregnancy?
Pulling or cutting pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy can be absolutely normal. Immediately after conception, dramatic hormonal changes occur. Progesterone begins to be produced in large volumes. It slightly inhibits the contraction of smooth muscles and can lead to stool retention.
Expectant mothers also experience flatulence and gas formation in the early stages. This happens due to changes in diet and taste preferences. All this leads to the appearance of cutting and stabbing pain in the intestinal area.
Unpleasant (pulling) sensations in the middle of term
Abdominal pain during pregnancy can occur due to the rapid growth of the uterus. This occurs between 20 and 30 weeks. The ligaments that hold the reproductive organ are stretched and can cause aching pain. Also, when moving suddenly, most pregnant women feel a sharp pulling sensation.
It is worth noting that the growth of the uterus provokes displacement of internal organs, in particular the intestines. Because of this, some women experience constipation and the formation of hemorrhoids.
Severe pain during pregnancy (in later stages)
The appearance of unpleasant sensations at the end of pregnancy may indicate childbirth. In this case, the woman may feel nagging pain in the lower back and lower abdomen. It is worth noting that such sensations are not permanent. They have a certain periodicity. Doctors call this pain contractions.
If you experience such abdominal pain during pregnancy, you should immediately go to the maternity ward of the hospital. Most likely, you will return home with your baby.
Cutting pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy
This feeling occurs much less frequently than a pulling sensation. In most cases, cutting pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy indicates pathology. This is why it is so important to go to the hospital. Perhaps everything will work out, but it's better to be safe. Sharp pain during pregnancy can appear at any stage. However, the reason for such a symptom is always different. Let's look at the main pathologies that cause pain in the peritoneum during pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancy
This pathology makes itself felt from the very first days. In this case, the fertilized egg is fixed not in the uterine cavity, but in another place. Tubal pregnancy occurs most often. As the embryo grows, the walls of the organ stretch. This causes unbearable pain to the woman.
In addition, spotting from the vagina, weakness and fever may occur. Treatment should be carried out immediately. Otherwise, the organ will rupture and internal bleeding will begin, which can be fatal.
Threat of miscarriage
Cutting pain often occurs when there is a threat of miscarriage. Moreover, the causes of the pathology can be absolutely anything: lack of hormones, overexertion, stress, illness, and so on. With timely assistance, there is a high probability that the pregnancy can be saved. To do this, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
In addition to cutting pain, in this case the woman may feel a pulling sensation in the lumbar region and the cessation of toxicosis. Bloody discharge from the genitals also often occurs.
Frozen pregnancy
In some cases, spontaneous arrest of fetal development occurs. After some time, the woman begins to feel cutting pain in her abdomen. They say that the inflammatory process has begun. You shouldn't hope that everything will go away on its own. Treatment of this pathology is carried out only surgically (curettage).
During a frozen pregnancy, the following symptoms are also noted: a decrease in engorgement of the mammary glands, a cessation of toxicosis, and an increase in vaginal discharge. At later stages, a woman may feel a lack of fetal activity.
Placental abruption
In the second and third trimester of pregnancy, another pathology may occur. It is always accompanied by severe cutting pain in the abdominal cavity. In addition, heavy bleeding often occurs. The woman feels weakness, a decrease in pulse and a drop in blood pressure.
Treatment in this case can only be surgical. It is worth noting that the earlier the intervention occurs, the greater the likelihood of saving the baby’s life.
Pathologies that are not associated with pregnancy
Cutting pain in the abdomen can be caused by various processes that are absolutely not related to pregnancy. These include the following:
- rupture of an ovarian cyst or torsion of its legs;
- formation of intestinal obstruction;
- microflora disturbance and dysbacteriosis;
- adhesions due to previous operations or inflammation;
- progression of a sexually transmitted disease;
- poisoning or eating stale food;
- abuse of gas-forming products;
- liver and spleen diseases (lack of enzymes);
- urinary tract diseases (bacteriuria, pyelonephritis).
Most of them do not pose any threat to the baby’s life if treated in a timely manner.
Summing up and concluding the article
Now you know the main causes of pulling and cutting pain during pregnancy. It is worth noting that the sensations can be sharp or aching. In the first case, you should visit your gynecologist or call an ambulance as soon as possible. Remember that pregnancy is a very important period. The health and development of your future baby will depend on what you do now. If you experience unpleasant or unusual sensations, contact a specialist and, if necessary, follow treatment recommendations. Have an easy pregnancy and a painless birth of a healthy baby!
During pregnancy, almost every woman experiences abdominal pain. They arise for various reasons and can cause significant discomfort. Some of them are associated with natural changes in the body, and some can lead to adverse effects.
Why does your stomach hurt during pregnancy?
During this period, from time to time the woman feels pain or discomfort in various parts of the body. As a rule, they indicate changes in hormonal levels or are associated with abdominal growth. But sometimes abdominal pain indicates an exacerbation of previously dormant diseases or the emergence of other problems.
The abdomen does not belong to a single organ; pain in this area can be associated with pathologies in various body systems. If you experience any unpleasant painful sensations, it is best to consult a doctor.
Types of abdominal pain and causes of their occurrence
Abdominal pain during pregnancy is conventionally divided into obstetric and non-obstetric. Obstetric pain includes pain that is directly related to bearing a child and, as a rule, does not require medical intervention. Non-obstetric pain can occur in all people and be a symptom of disease.
The most common obstetric non-threatening pains include the following:
- At 2-3 weeks of pregnancy, the fertilized egg is implanted into the wall of the uterus. This may be accompanied by a slight nagging pain.
- Moderate abdominal pain in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. It is caused by physical changes in the body associated with softening of tissues to support the uterus, as well as stretching of muscles. Pregnant women who have previously had painful menstruation often face this problem. The pain is sharp, but short-lived in the lower abdomen. They intensify with sudden movements and when lifting heavy objects. There is no need to treat them, the woman should just lie down and rest.
- In later stages, abdominal pain may occur due to the baby moving. Also in the 3rd trimester, nagging pain is associated with the growth of the uterus and tension of its muscles
- Digestive problems associated with pregnancy. Due to hormonal changes, a woman may suffer from dysbiosis and bloating, accompanied by painful sensations. The pain is nagging or aching and is accompanied by belching, nausea, vomiting or heartburn
- This problem usually appears in the second half of pregnancy and requires nutritional adjustments.
- Before childbirth, the pelvic bones diverge, which may be accompanied by slight aching pain in the abdomen
- Training contractions appear in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. In this way, the body prepares for the upcoming birth. They do not cause a woman much discomfort and are harmless
It is important not to confuse false contractions with premature birth. If regular contractions occur, especially severely painful ones, you should urgently call an ambulance.
But there are also dangerous obstetric pains that arise from the following problems in the body:
- Threat of miscarriage. At the same time, there is aching and pulling in the lower abdomen and lumbar region. Bloody discharge is also added to the pain. You can avoid an unfavorable outcome only by seeking medical help in a timely manner. If no measures are taken, the pain becomes cramping, bleeding increases and spontaneous miscarriage occurs.
- , in which the fertilized egg is implanted not in the uterus, but in the fallopian tube. In this case, sharp abdominal pain occurs, accompanied by dizziness. An ectopic pregnancy can be detected by ultrasound. Most often, its characteristic symptoms appear at 5-7 weeks.
- Premature placental abruption. It can be provoked by injuries in the abdominal area, a short umbilical cord and other pathologies. In this case, the pain in the abdomen is very severe, internal bleeding may occur without external discharge. In this case, only forced delivery and stopping the bleeding can save the woman and child.
- dangerous at any stage of pregnancy, since in this case nutrients and oxygen are poorly supplied to the fetus. It is often accompanied by sharp pain in the lower abdomen of a cramping nature. In this case, the stomach and uterus become hard, and over time they relax again.
Among non-obstetric abdominal pains during pregnancy, surgical pathologies or certain diseases most often occur:
- Appendicitis is quite rare. With this pathology, severe pain appears in the navel, right side and right hypochondrium. Accompanied by pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. In the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, there are cases of acute appendicitis, which requires urgent surgical intervention. Abdominal pain appears suddenly and is paroxysmal in nature, after some time turning into a constant aching sensation.
- Pancreatitis is characterized by acute pain in the upper abdomen. It is accompanied by vomiting and bowel dysfunction.
- manifests itself as nagging painful sensations and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen. They intensify when the bladder is full, becoming cutting. At the same time, urination becomes more frequent and becomes painful.
- Exacerbation of chronic cholecystitis or chronic gastritis is also manifested by painful sensations in the abdomen. In the first case, they appear in the right hypochondrium, in the second - in the upper abdomen. The pain is aching in nature.
- In case of intestinal infection or poisoning during pregnancy, pain in the navel and indigestion occur.
The danger of intestinal infections during pregnancy is that, together with intestinal tone, they cause uterine tone.
What measures to take for abdominal pain during pregnancy
As you can see, abdominal pain during pregnancy can occur for various reasons. Some of them can threaten the health of both the expectant mother and the child. During the normal course of pregnancy, there may be minor pain in the abdomen without dynamics. In this case, the body simply adapts to a new physical state.
You should not self-medicate abdominal pain during pregnancy, as you can harm yourself and your baby. It is best to consult your doctor first.
Physiological pain during pregnancy can be relieved by staying in the knee-elbow position for 10 minutes several times during the day. Taking a warm shower, chamomile tea or aromatic relaxing oils (rose, mint, jasmine, lavender) will also help. After your doctor's permission, you can drink a glass of mint infusion or lemon balm decoction at night. The product will help you relax, eliminate pain and fall asleep quickly.
For pain caused by digestive problems, normalizing your diet and including a large amount of fresh vegetables, fruits and dairy products in your diet will help. You need to try to stick to the regime and eat food at the same time every day. It is important to avoid fatty, fried and spicy foods.
In case of inflammatory processes in the body that cause abdominal pain, the woman is prescribed pregnancy-compatible antibiotics, as well as acceptable antispasmodics. If there is a threat of miscarriage, uterine hypertonicity and initial placental abruption, bed rest and sedatives are indicated. Antispasmodics, which also reduce the tone of the uterus, help relieve pain in the abdomen.
If surgical intervention is necessary, they try to postpone it until the end of pregnancy, relieving the symptoms of the pathology. In emergency cases, they try to resort to laparoscopy rather than strip surgery.
Prevention of abdominal pain during pregnancy
The following recommendations will help reduce physiological pain during pregnancy:
The bandage should only be worn while lying down and should not be tightened too much.
Infectious diseases, stressful situations, injuries and sudden movements can provoke the risk of various pathologies, so it is better to avoid them. Timely consultation with a doctor, as well as compliance with all his recommendations, will help reduce the risk of atypical abdominal pain during pregnancy.
Stomach hurts during pregnancy - Video:
Premature birth
It is considered if contractions begin earlier than 37 weeks of pregnancy. Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Increased amount or type of vaginal discharge (may be watery, mucous, or bloody.)
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding
- Abdominal pain, including pain that resembles menstrual cramps
- More than six contractions per hour (even if they are painless)
- Increased pressure on the pelvis
- Lower back pain, especially if this has not been observed before
- A trickle or stream of fluid from the vagina
Placental abruption
Is a life-threatening condition in which the placenta separates from the uterus, partially or completely, before the baby is born. Symptoms can vary. Sometimes placental abruption causes sudden and obvious bleeding. But in other cases, there are no obvious signs at first, or the condition manifests itself as mild spotting/bleeding. When your water breaks, you may notice bloody amniotic fluid leaking out.
Placental abruption can also cause back pain or frequent contractions. Your uterus may contract and harden (as in a cramp or contraction that doesn't go away) or become tender. You may also experience a decrease in your child's activity. At the first detection of any of the mentioned symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor. Placental abruption is a medical emergency.
Preeclampsia
It is a serious pregnancy complication that causes changes in blood vessels and can affect internal organs, including the liver, kidneys, brain, and placenta. A diagnosis of preeclampsia is made if a patient has high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy, protein in the urine, liver or kidney abnormalities, persistent headaches, or vision problems.
- Swelling on the face and puffiness around the eyes
- More than mild swelling in the arms
- Sudden and severe swelling in the legs or ankles
- Sudden rapid weight gain (from water retention)
- Severe pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen or shoulder
- Severe headache that won't go away
- Vision problems (such as blurred vision or "spotting"), nausea, and vomiting
- Labored breathing
If you experience similar symptoms, contact your doctor immediately for medical attention.
Urinary tract infections
Pregnancy makes a woman more susceptible to all types of infections, including kidney infections. It is important to see a doctor immediately if you suspect a bladder infection, as it can lead to a kidney infection and premature birth if left untreated.
Symptoms of bladder infection in pregnant women
- Pain, discomfort, or burning when urinating
- pelvic discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen (often just above the pubic bone)
- A frequent or uncontrollable urge to urinate, even when there is little urine in the bladder
- Cloudy urine with an unpleasant odor and/or blood
Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following signs that the infection may have spread to your kidneys:
- Fever, shaking, chills, or sweating
- Pain in the lower back, abdomen, or side, under the ribs
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pus or blood in urine
Many other illnesses can cause abdominal pain, both during and without pregnancy. Some of the most common causes of abdominal pain include:
- Stomach virus
- Food poisoning
- Appendicitis
- Stones in the kidneys
- Hepatitis
- Gallbladder diseases
- Pancreatitis
- Myoma
- Intestinal obstruction
Gallbladder disease and pancreatitis are often the result of gallstones, which are more common during pregnancy. Fibroids can grow during pregnancy and cause discomfort. And the pressure of the growing uterus on previously injured intestinal tissue can lead to intestinal obstruction, which is most likely to occur in the third trimester.
How can you relieve abdominal discomfort?
If you have minor pain and no symptoms of more serious problems, try following these tips to reduce abdominal discomfort during pregnancy:
- Move around or do some light exercises to reduce the pain of gas.
- Take a warm (not hot) bath or shower.
- Lean toward the pain as it occurs to relieve it.
- Drink plenty of fluids. (Dehydration can lead to Braxton Hicks contractions.)
- Try to lie down. This may relieve the pain caused by Braxton Hicks contractions.
If you are pregnant, you should know by heart all the symptoms that may accompany it. This is necessary in order to be able to recognize the nature of abdominal pain in time and take the necessary measures.
Physiological causes of pain
It is generally accepted that if your stomach hurts during pregnancy, this is a serious cause for concern associated with a threat to the unborn child. We dare to reassure you, pain in the abdomen while expecting a baby does not always indicate fetal pathology or an exacerbation of the disease.
Minor nagging pains can accompany you throughout your pregnancy, and this does not mean at all that there is something wrong with you or your baby. The cause of abdominal pain can be banal physiology.
Strain of the muscles that support the uterus
During your first pregnancy, pain in the pelvic floor muscles, which hold the pelvic organs and the uterus itself, will torment you from the second trimester until childbirth. They can be localized on the left or right in the lower abdomen and above the pubis. But if such pain bothers you in the early stages, you should be wary.
Sprain of the round ligaments of the uterus
Along with the muscles, the ligaments also have to stretch, which is why you may periodically feel short-term, but sharp or stabbing pain. It is felt especially strongly during sudden movements or after intense physical activity.
A sprain causes pain on the left or right side of the lower groin, or completely covers the lower abdomen.
Flatulence
Hormonal surges slow down the functioning of the intestines, which can cause excessive gas formation. With this problem, you will periodically feel a nagging or sharp pain in the intestinal area.
Constipation
Constipation is caused by slow digestion, as well as pressure from the daily growing uterus. Pain in the lower abdomen due to constipation can occur not only during daytime work, but also directly during bowel movements.
Divergence of the bones of the pubic symphysis (symphysis)
The separation of the bones is a natural process in preparing a pregnant woman's body for the birth of a child. If the pelvic bones remain in the same position as before pregnancy, the fetus simply will not be able to squeeze into it or will be born with injuries.
Therefore, as you approach the 40th week, you may feel discomfort in the pubic area or lower uterus. But keep in mind that if unpleasant sensations develop into unbearable pain, you should not ignore them.
Training (false) contractions
You can feel weak contractions of the abdominal muscles already in the second trimester, as soon as your stomach begins to gradually increase. This phenomenon is normal for pregnancy and does not mean that you will soon experience premature labor.
But keep in mind that false contractions should occur periodically and last only a few seconds. If they repeat more than 6 times within 1 hour, cause pain or appear in the early stages, you should go to the hospital.
Pain from baby kicking
Between 16 and 24 weeks, you will be able to feel your baby's first movements in your stomach (this will happen later with your first pregnancy). The bigger your baby gets, the harder he will hit his stomach, so some of his kicks may be quite painful.
Orgasm
Pain or short-term contractions in the lower abdomen or groin may bother you during or after orgasm. If such symptoms remain short-lived and do not recur some time after sex, there is no reason to worry.
Birth pains
Once your body and baby are ready for labor, you will begin to experience training contractions (usually after 37 weeks of gestation). As a rule, they cause noticeable pain, the intensity of which will increase with each passing hour.
If you observe such a symptom, immediately go to the maternity hospital. Soon you will become a mother!
When is the cause of pain a disease or pathology?
Although soreness is normal during pregnancy, you should still be wary of it. If minor discomfort begins to give way to constant and severe pain, this may be a signal of pathology.
Risk of miscarriage
At the beginning of pregnancy, absolutely all women are at high risk of miscarriage, which, according to statistics, ends in 10 to 20% of confirmed pregnancies (80% of them in the first months of pregnancy).
A miscarriage is an abortion that occurs spontaneously before 20 weeks. If the pregnancy ends later, it will be considered premature birth.
Why does miscarriage happen? Most often due to the fact that a woman’s fertilized egg is formed with anomalies that are incompatible with life.
If there is a threat of miscarriage, you may observe:
- the presence of scanty or copious bleeding,
- periodic pain, as before menstruation.
Placental abruption
Normally, this process should occur only after the baby leaves the uterine cavity. But in some cases, placental abruption begins during pregnancy, thereby increasing the threat to the baby’s life.
The risk of developing such a pathology increases with multiple pregnancies, as well as if the expectant mother has complex diseases associated with blood pressure or gestational diabetes.
Do not ignore the following symptoms that detachment may cause:
- Periodic pain in one part of the abdomen.
- Minor bleeding.
- Severe weakness and dizziness.
- Sweating.
- Decrease in temperature.
- The appearance of a painful protrusion on the abdomen.
Sometimes problems with the placenta can develop without any symptoms, and they can only be determined by ultrasound examination. Therefore, it is extremely important to make regular visits to your obstetrician-gynecologist.
Ectopic pregnancy
A peculiarity of such a pregnancy is that after conception, the fertilized egg does not move into the uterus, but gets stuck in the fallopian tube.
Because this part of the female reproductive system is not suitable for fetal development, you may experience:
- pain on one side of the abdomen,
- a sharp increase in temperature,
- discomfort while walking.
If you suspect an ectopic pregnancy, contact your doctor immediately. This condition can even have fatal consequences.
Poisoning or intestinal infection
If your stomach hurts and not your uterus, there is a chance that you have been poisoned or caught an infection. In addition to pain, you may feel dizzy and nauseated, and you may have severe diarrhea and a fever.
There is no point in dealing with this problem at home, since abdominal pain during pregnancy caused by poisoning can have negative consequences for the fetus.
Chronic gastritis
If you have chronic gastritis, it may get worse during pregnancy. In the first trimester of pregnancy this will occur due to changes in hormone levels, and in the second and third trimester due to an enlarged uterus.
If your stomach hurts and you suffer from gastritis, talk about the problem with your obstetrician-gynecologist. He will prescribe you safe medications to relieve your symptoms.
Cystitis
This is an inflammation of the bladder that can manifest as:
- frequent urge to urinate;
- pain when going to the toilet;
- soreness in the area above the pubis;
- the appearance of cloudy, bloody or mucous urine.
During the inflammatory process, a pregnant woman's temperature may rise, which can negatively affect the child's health (especially in the initial stages of pregnancy). Therefore, it is important to carry out treatment only under the supervision of doctors.
Cholecystitis
Again, we are talking about an inflammatory process, only this time it is localized in the gallbladder. The disease manifests itself in the form of a dull or sharp pain in the right side.
Sometimes cholecystitis can be accompanied by nausea, a bitter taste in the mouth, and even jaundice. It worsens after eating fatty or spicy foods and requires medication.
Pancreatitis
An increase in the load on the female body during pregnancy can cause pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas. Please note that complications of the disease often provoke miscarriages or premature birth.
To recognize the disease, remember the following symptoms:
- Regular disruptions in the digestive tract, including flatulence and nausea.
- Painful attacks localized in the upper abdomen and gradually moving to the back.
- Aggravated allergic reactions.
Pancreatitis should only be treated with the assistance of a doctor.
In what cases should you urgently consult a doctor?
Are you pregnant, your stomach hurts, and you don’t know what to do: stay home or go to the hospital? If you have even the slightest doubt about the normality of your condition, be sure to call an ambulance. It is better to make several false calls than to leave the problem completely unattended.
You should consult a doctor as quickly as possible if:
- “Petrification” of the abdomen.
- Change in urine color.
- Bleeding.
- Unusual vaginal discharge.
- Chills.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Rising temperature.
- Vomiting.
- Severe pain that resembles contractions.
Be attentive to your condition. If you just have pain in your lower abdomen, and the pain is almost imperceptible, there is no need to worry. But if, in addition to this, you observe at least one of the symptoms listed above, contact your doctors as soon as possible!
Since the baby is located and develops in the woman’s abdominal cavity during pregnancy, it is not surprising that she may experience pain in this area. During pregnancy, abdominal pain can vary in nature and severity. The root cause of these sensations may also vary. In this article we will look at why pregnant women have stomach pain and how to deal with it.
Pain in early pregnancy
With the onset of the most pleasant period in a woman’s life, moments also appear that can overshadow it. Most often, at the beginning of bearing a child, women encounter various pain sensations. And, of course, they immediately ask the question: “Why do pregnant women have stomach pain?” The answer to this question will be many different factors and reasons.
Initially, it is worth noting that the pain that a woman experiences at this moment may not be associated with conception. In this case, specialists talk about non-obstetric pain. These are the symptoms that do not relate to the woman’s reproductive system, but affect her other organs and indicate the presence of pathology.
However, there are also obstetric pains that are directly related to conception. They may occur due to the physiological characteristics of the body, or may indicate an ectopic pregnancy or a threatened miscarriage.
Nature of pain
Before answering the question of why a pregnant girl has a stomach ache, you need to understand how it hurts. This is of great importance in determining the cause of pain. So, the nature of the pain experienced by a woman may be as follows:
- pulling, inconsistent, weak intensity - this indicates that the muscles that hold the uterus begin to stretch, and the localization of sensations can be either on one side or throughout the abdomen;
- spastic, constant, non-intense - such pain occurs against the background of hormonal changes in the body;
- spasmodic, weak intensity, with a small amount of blood mixed in the discharge - this pain should not be regarded as the beginning of menstruation, it means that the fertilized egg has attached to the wall of the uterus and has already begun its development, this phenomenon is called “implantation bleeding”, however, if it lasts more than a day, this indicates a threat of interruption, a miscarriage or the onset of menstruation;
- unstable, pulling, wavy - give rise to chronic inflammatory diseases of internal organs (cystitis, adnexitis, pyelonephritis, etc.), it is worth remembering that exacerbation of chronic diseases of this kind is never accompanied by bleeding;
- pain syndrome can be caused by intestinal disturbances, accompanied by constipation and gas formation.
The nature of the pain can be very intense, which makes you wonder why pregnant women have severe stomach pain and what it could mean. Severe pain, especially if accompanied by bloody discharge, may indicate an ectopic pregnancy. If it occurs, the fertilized egg is not fixed in the uterus, as it should be, but in the fallopian tube. As the embryo develops, it grows and this can lead to a rupture of the pipe and can be fatal to the woman.
Pain syndrome during ectopic pregnancy will have the following features:
- stabbing pain that permeates the entire abdominal area;
- the pain is paroxysmal, like contractions, severe and frequent;
- accompanied by bleeding or brown discharge (the color depends on whether the pipe has broken or just ruptured);
- a concomitant symptom may be spasms in the lower back;
- The duration of pain ranges from several days to a month.
Spontaneous abortion
Another problem in the lower abdomen of a pregnant woman is spontaneous termination of pregnancy, that is, miscarriage. In this case, the woman will experience severe nagging pain in the groin, which can radiate to the lower back. Bloody discharge is also observed. If this happens, you need to urgently call an ambulance and take a horizontal position until it arrives.
If strange pieces or clots begin to come out along with the blood, this indicates that a miscarriage has already occurred. In this case, you still need to visit a gynecologist to determine whether the fertilized egg has completely come out or not. Its remains can cause purulent and inflammatory processes in a woman’s body.
Frozen pregnancy
The most common reason why pregnant women have a stomach ache is also considered to be frozen pregnancy. During the 1st trimester, fetal development, for various reasons, may stop. As a result, he dies. In this case, a feeling of heaviness in the groin is added to the painful sensations.
After some time, the dead fruit begins to rot, which is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- unpleasant odor from a woman’s vagina;
- bloody issues;
- painful condition in the lower abdomen.
All this suggests that the uterus itself is trying to expel the dead fetus. If you ignore this, septic intoxication may develop. It is very dangerous to the life and health of a woman.
In such a situation, the only option is to remove the dead embryo. But if this is done on time, then undesirable consequences will be avoided and in the future the woman can become pregnant again and carry a child to term.
Physiological causes of pain in late pregnancy
Why pregnant women have pain in the lower abdomen in late pregnancy is a fairly common question. There can be many reasons. For example:
- Disturbances in the functioning of the intestines include constipation, increased gas formation, and disturbances in the diet and meal schedule. All this causes discomfort in the lower abdomen. The intestines have a hard time during pregnancy, because the growing uterus puts pressure on it. And also the effect of hormones makes its work sluggish, food moves slowly, causing constipation. If a woman, in addition to all this, neglects the basic rules of nutrition, then the pain caused by intestinal problems will be constant.
- Sprained ligaments are one of the main causes of pain. It is already difficult for the ligaments to support the grown uterus, therefore, the closer the moment of birth, the more often the stomach may hurt and ache. Such pain is also characterized by irradiation to the lower back and intensification with sudden movements, coughing or sneezing.
- Tension of the abdominal muscles also occurs due to the growth of the uterus and fetus.
Pathological conditions in later stages
In the last months of pregnancy, abdominal pain may also mean the development of any pathological conditions that threaten the mother and child. It could be:
- Exacerbation of chronic inflammatory processes. They can be localized in the pancreas (pancreatitis), kidneys (pyelonephritis) or bladder (cystitis). The nature of the pain in this case will be sharp, prolonged and pressing. Very often, in addition to pain, there is an increase in body temperature, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and weakness.
- Premature birth. In this case, the pain will be pulling, aching, moving to the lower back. This process is also accompanied by a change in the nature of the discharge: it becomes watery or, conversely, viscous, pinkish, scarlet, or streaked with blood. All this indicates the passage of the mucus plug, the opening of the cervix and the possible leakage of amniotic fluid.
- Placental abruption. Normally, it comes out after the birth of the child, so its premature detachment is fraught with the death of both mother and fetus. This requires urgent surgical intervention. This is usually accompanied by severe pain and bleeding. Causes may include abdominal trauma, physical overexertion, late toxicosis and hypertension.
- Uterine rupture. Occurs when there is a scar on it from abdominal surgery or a cesarean section in the past.
Pain in the upper abdomen
Painful sensations can occur not only in the groin area, but also affect other parts of the peritoneum. Let's figure out why a pregnant woman has pain in her upper abdomen.
The enlarging uterus puts pressure not only on the organs that lie below, but also on those located above. In particular, the liver and gall bladder are affected, which may be the cause of pain.
When the baby in the womb is already large enough that the mother can feel him, this can also cause pain. They depend on the position of the fetus in the uterine cavity. Fetal activity can also cause discomfort for the mother. In addition, this may also be accompanied by lack of appetite, heaviness, bloating, bitterness in the mouth and heartburn.
What if there is appendicitis?
During pregnancy, the risk of inflammation of the appendix increases. For the same reason, many people wonder why a pregnant woman has pain on the right side of her abdomen? What if it's appendicitis? You shouldn’t immediately blame the vermiform appendix, it may have nothing to do with it. For example, if sensations arose in the early stages, then this may only mean that the embryo has attached on the right side. However, a completely different picture will be in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
To distinguish appendicitis from other causes, you need to pay attention to the accompanying symptoms:
- hyperthermia;
- increased pain when the abdominal muscles are tense;
- nausea, vomiting;
- diarrhea.
What to do?
Along with the question of why pregnant women have stomach pain, many people wonder what to do in such a situation? The best option would be to see a doctor. He will diagnose the condition and determine a set of necessary measures. It is important that a pregnant woman does not stress herself out and does not assume the worst of options. Modern medicine can do a lot.
You also need to determine what could be causing the pain. If it is not strong, then the possible cause is a gastrointestinal disorder, bloating, or consumption of a certain product.
It is also important where the painful sensations are localized and what their nature is. If the pain is nagging, not severe and not long-lasting, then most likely you can do without immediately visiting a doctor. But you still need to report any unpleasant sensations during a routine examination.
Traditional medicine and proper nutrition
When wondering why a pregnant woman has pain in her lower abdomen, you should not resort to traditional medicine. While carrying a child, this can only do harm. Many procedures, without knowing the true cause of pain, can worsen the condition of a woman and, especially, a child.
It is also important for pregnant women to adhere to proper nutrition. It is recommended to limit the consumption of heavy, fatty, spicy and salty foods. Excessive consumption of sweet and flour products will also not be beneficial. It is necessary to exclude foods that provoke flatulence. For normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, moderate physical activity is necessary, so lying down after eating is highly undesirable.
When should you contact a specialist?
We figured out why pregnant women have stomach pain. But one more question remains: “When is it necessary to visit a doctor as an emergency, and when can you just be patient?”
If the pain does not cause much inconvenience and disappears, you just need to lie down, then this is just a concomitant symptom of an interesting situation and it should soon go away.
But, if you observe the following, then you need to urgently visit a gynecologist:
- Pain in the form of contractions, tending to intensify. He may be talking about a miscarriage, but here you can’t hesitate. Perhaps the baby can still be saved.
- Heaviness in the groin area. An indirect sign of a frozen pregnancy.
- Sharp, constant pain, especially if it is localized on one side. It may mean improper attachment of the fertilized egg, and, consequently, an ectopic pregnancy.
- Bleeding. By the way, it may not be accompanied by discomfort, but normally this should not be the case.
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