Stomach pulling in the first week of pregnancy: causes and treatment

The beginning of pregnancy is often accompanied by various new sensations for a woman, and many of these sensations can significantly worry the expectant mother. For example, should you worry if your stomach hurts a little in the first week of pregnancy? Is everything okay, or is it necessary to urgently run to the doctor?

On the Internet, you can find a lot of information that nagging pain is one of the signs of a threat of spontaneous termination of pregnancy, or, simply put, a miscarriage. This statement is not without meaning. However, a qualified doctor will not frighten a woman with such predictions, but will conduct the necessary research to accurately determine the cause of the unpleasant sensations.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ]

Epidemiology

There are no special statistics regarding pulling sensations in the lower abdomen in the first week of pregnancy. However, it is assumed that at least one woman out of 50 may feel minor discomfort in the early stages. In one woman out of 150, the pain may be associated with an ectopic pregnancy.

[ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Causes Tensive abdominal pain in the first week of pregnancy

A doctor should determine the causes of pulling sensations in the lower abdomen, since it is almost impossible to do this on your own. It is very important to maintain the pregnancy in the early stages and prevent any disorders associated with the beginning of this period.

Pulling sensations in the lower abdomen can be associated with physiological and pathological causes.

The following can be named as physiological reasons:

• natural tension of the uterine muscles, similar to that experienced during menstruation;
• increased blood flow in the uterus, accompanied by enlarged mammary glands and mood swings.

All the above reasons are natural and are considered a normal variant. However, there are other, pathological, reasons that should be distinguished from physiological ones and responded to in a timely manner.

Pathological causes of pulling sensations in the lower abdomen:

• threatened spontaneous abortion;
• ectopic pregnancy.

Sometimes pulling sensations in the lower abdomen may not be related to gynecology. For example, such symptoms often accompany dyspepsia, intestinal spasms, which can become symptoms of early toxicosis of pregnancy.

Risk factors

Risk factors that may contribute to the appearance of pulling sensations in the lower abdomen in the first week of pregnancy may include:

• multiple pregnancy;
• diabetes mellitus;
• polycystic ovary syndrome;
• infectious diseases in the pelvic area;
• abdominal trauma;
• diseases of the reproductive system;
• imbalance of sex hormones;
• anomalies in the appendage area;
• presence of endometriosis, adhesions;
• smoking and drinking alcohol.

[ 7 ]

Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of pulling sensations in the lower abdomen in the early stages of pregnancy has not been fully studied: only a few theories have been voiced. The most well-known of them is the generally accepted version, according to which tissue stretching and increased blood circulation in the pelvic organs stimulate pain receptors. If, simultaneously with these symptoms or against their background, there is any pathology of the reproductive system, then the pain in the lower abdomen has a different etiology.

[ 8 ]

Symptoms Tensive abdominal pain in the first week of pregnancy

If we consider pulling sensations in the lower abdomen as a normal variant, then other symptoms are usually absent. Such sensations are usually insignificant, transient, inconstant and not too painful. Many doctors agree that the first signs that a woman is pregnant are precisely such pulling sensations, as well as weakness (or, conversely, an energy boost), mood swings, and breast enlargement.

If the stomach is constantly pulling, severe pain appears on one side or throughout the entire stomach, pathological vaginal discharge is observed (pale, pinkish, brown, bloody), the temperature rises, or other painful symptoms are present, this is a very serious reason for urgent medical attention, including calling an ambulance.

Complications and consequences

If you have a pulling pain in your stomach during the first week of pregnancy, then in most cases this is a physiologically normal phenomenon. However, you should not forget about other, possible negative consequences of pulling pain:

• threat of termination of pregnancy;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• frozen pregnancy.

As a rule, the first week of pregnancy is not critical, since complications of abnormal pregnancy are detected somewhat later. But many doctors advise seeking medical help at any first negative symptoms: often, it is an early visit to the doctor that allows you to prevent many adverse consequences.

[ 9 ]

Diagnostics Tensive abdominal pain in the first week of pregnancy

Women in early pregnancy who complain of a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen are prescribed the following diagnostic tests:

• Tests:

1. conducting a general blood test (white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit);
2. ESR assessment;
3. conducting a general urine analysis;
4. Conducting a blood test for hCG.

• Instrumental diagnostics:

1. Ultrasound of the pelvis (abdominal, vaginal);
2. a color Doppler mapping technique for diagnosing ectopic pregnancy and monitoring the condition of the ovaries and tubes (used in cases where other types of research are not as informative: for example, in obesity).

Sometimes, a simple bimanual examination is enough to make a diagnosis. For example, in the case of an ectopic pregnancy, pain is detected in the ovarian area on the affected side, which also manifests itself when the cervix is displaced.

[ 10 ], [ 11 ]

Differential diagnosis

If you have abdominal pain in the first week of pregnancy, then differential diagnostics are carried out, first of all, with an ectopic pregnancy and the risk of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).

[ 12 ], [ 13 ], [ 14 ]

Treatment Tensive abdominal pain in the first week of pregnancy

Before consulting a doctor, it is not recommended to take any medications for pulling sensations in the lower abdomen. In extreme cases, it is permissible to take such drugs as No-shpa (Drotaverine) or suppositories with papaverine.

	Dosage and methods of administration of the drug	Side effects	Special instructions
No-shpa	Take 20-40 mg 1-3 times a day.	Heart palpitations, feeling of heat, dizziness.	If the drug does not have the desired effect after taking it twice, you should consult a doctor.
Papaverine	It is used rectally, 20-40 mg up to 3 times a day.	Nausea, constipation, increased sweating, decreased blood pressure.	The drug should not be used more than 2 times without a doctor's prescription.

You should not take medications that affect intestinal peristalsis, as they can lead to muscular contractions of the uterus.

If the above medications do not bring relief, it is better to stop experimenting and consult a doctor.

If the doctor does not detect any gynecological problems in the pregnant woman, he/she may prescribe preventive medications that will prevent uterine tone and support the normal course of pregnancy. Such medications include, for example, Magne-B6 (Magnikum), Hofitol, etc.

	Dosage and methods of administration of the drug	Side effects	Special instructions
Magne-B6	Take 3-6 tablets per day.	Diarrhea, bloating.	The duration of treatment with the drug is determined by the doctor.
Hofitol	Take 1 capsule 3 times a day before meals.	Sometimes – diarrhea.	The drug is not used for cholelithiasis.

Vitamins

For early stages, in order to maintain and ensure normal pregnancy, it is recommended to take multivitamins containing primarily folic acid, vitamin E, B vitamins and ascorbic acid. In pharmacies, you can buy special multivitamin preparations intended specifically for the period of pregnancy: such preparations contain all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the body.

• Elevit Pronatal is an extremely popular drug that is useful even in the presence of a threat of miscarriage, as it contains magnesium and folic acid. Elevit prevents increased uterine tone and improves blood flow in the pelvic organs. Take 1 tablet of the drug per day.
• Vitrum prenatal or Vitrum prenatal forte are complex products with increased content of B vitamins, iron and other useful substances. Vitrum prenatal forte, among other things, also contains iodine. Standard use of the drug is 1 tablet per day.
• Alphabet "Mom's Health" is a complex preparation with an increased content of B vitamins. Recommended for use 1 tablet three times a day.

Physiotherapy treatment

In some cases, if you have abdominal pain in the first week of pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe safe physiotherapy procedures:

• hydrotherapy;
• balneotherapy;
• heliotherapy;
• electrophoresis;
• acupuncture;
• electrorelaxation;
• light, gentle massage.

The listed physiotherapeutic options for influencing the body are considered the safest and most popular for maintaining pregnancy.

Physiotherapy may be contraindicated:

• in oncology;
• in case of psycho-emotional disorders in women;
• when blood is released from the genital tract.

Physiotherapy sessions are carried out only after a doctor’s appointment and only under his supervision.

Folk remedies

If you have stomach pain during the first week of pregnancy, you can use folk methods to alleviate the woman’s condition.

Aromatherapy is good for relieving pain and relaxing muscles. You can spray aromatic oils in the room, use aroma lamps or special aroma medallions. For pulling sensations in the lower abdomen, the following will be especially useful:

• jasmine oil;
• lotus oil;
• rose oil;
• vanilla aroma;
• lemon balm, valerian, geranium oils.

It is also useful to eat a handful of hazelnuts or almonds daily, starting from the early stages and throughout the entire pregnancy.

If you feel a pulling sensation, you need to calm down and relax if possible. It is advisable to sit down at this point, or, even better, lie down. You should not worry. You need to breathe evenly, controlling the depth of each inhalation and exhalation. You can take a bottle of valerian or motherwort alcohol tincture and inhale the medicinal aroma several times. Remember: the mood and well-being of the expectant mother directly affects the course of pregnancy.

[ 15 ], [ 16 ]

Herbal treatment

Sometimes, freshly brewed lemon balm tea, which should be drunk 2-3 times a day, can help relieve the pulling sensation in the lower abdomen. Melissa oil can also help if you rub it into the temple area at night.

Some herbalists recommend making plantain juice: fresh leaves of the plant are ground in a blender or meat grinder and the juice is squeezed through cheesecloth. Take 1 tbsp. a quarter of an hour before meals, three times a day.

In addition, prepare a berry-herbal decoction from 20 g rose hips, 20 g lemon balm leaves, 20 g oat grains, 10 g centaury and 10 g barberry. One tablespoon of the mixture is poured with 250 ml of water, boiled for 1 minute, infused for 1 hour under a lid and filtered. Drink 1/3 cup three times a day before meals.

The use of herbal recipes is possible only after the doctor has determined the physiological cause of the pulling sensations in the lower abdomen. If a pathology is detected, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's instructions and not self-medicate.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is one of the effective and safe ways to cure a particular disease, including during pregnancy. The main mechanism of action of homeopathic remedies is to create conditions in the body so that it can cope with the problem or disease on its own.

Of course, before you start taking any medication, you need to consult your gynecologist. Self-medication is unacceptable both during pregnancy and at any other physiological period of life.

For your information, here is an example of a number of homeopathic remedies that can be used by pregnant women if they experience abdominal pain in the first week of pregnancy.

• For strong pulling sensations in the lower abdomen and lower back, use:
  • Aesculus
  • Kali carbonicum
• For nagging pain and threat of miscarriage:
  • Belladonna
• For nagging pain associated with early toxicosis:
• Causticum
• For pulling sensations accompanied by nausea and vomiting:
  • Ipecacuanha
  • Arsenicum album

The dosages of the listed drugs are prescribed individually, taking into account all the features of the female body. Of the side effects of homeopathic drugs, the development of allergies is rarely possible: in general, the listed medications are well accepted by the body.

Surgical treatment

Sometimes, if the stomach is pulling during pregnancy, the cause may be a cyst. In such a situation, the doctor may decide to perform an operation to remove it.

The operation during pregnancy is performed using the laparoscopic method, that is, a gentle and least painful surgical method.

It is ideal to perform such an operation in the second trimester, when the baby's organs are already formed and the uterus is relatively small. However, laparoscopy can be performed at almost any time.

Surgical practice shows that with proper preoperative planning and the correct tactics of the doctor, laparoscopic surgery can be safely performed during pregnancy without any risk for the expectant mother and her baby.

Prevention

Women who have already experienced pulling sensations in the lower abdomen can give the following advice to other expectant mothers to avoid discomfort:

• at least during the first trimester, you should avoid any vigorous activity: do not drive a car on a bad road, do not ride a bicycle, do not run or jump, etc.;
• try to lie down more, rest;
• take folic acid tablets both before and during pregnancy;
• do not take any medications not prescribed by your doctor;
• dress according to the weather, avoid colds, hypothermia, try, if possible, not to visit crowded places where you can catch the flu or acute respiratory viral infection;
• avoid unnecessary anxiety, stress, fears;
• wear comfortable shoes, avoid falls and injuries.

Remember: a pregnant woman is responsible not only for her own health, but also for the health of her future baby.

[ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 19 ]

Forecast

If you have a stomach ache in the first week of pregnancy, then, of course, it is better to see a doctor, despite the fact that the period is still very, very short. As a rule, a woman can be put "on bed rest" only from the fifth week of pregnancy. Nevertheless, if the child is long-awaited, then it is worth worrying about it from the first days - when the woman finds out about her "interesting situation". Any qualified gynecologist will never refuse to help the expectant mother, will assess her condition and chances of bearing and giving birth to a healthy baby.

[ 20 ]