Abdominal pain in pregnancy

Many pregnant women experience abdominal pain, and in most cases, these pains are very severe. There are many possible causes of such pain, which indicate the most complex diseases.

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Causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy

Sometimes abdominal discomfort is a common complaint during pregnancy, but it can also be a sign of a serious problem. Severe or persistent abdominal pain during pregnancy may not be normal. The moment a person experiences abdominal pain or cramping along with spotting, bleeding, fever, chills, vaginal discharge, and weakness, it is imperative to visit a doctor. Symptoms such as discomfort while urinating, nausea and vomiting, or pain that does not subside after a few minutes of rest also require a doctor's consultation.

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Complex Causes of Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

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Ectopic pregnancy

This is one of the possible causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy, when the fertilized egg implants in the abdominal cavity outside the uterus, it usually gets stuck in one of the fallopian tubes.

The problem is usually detected within the first three months of pregnancy, or before a woman even knows she is pregnant. If an ectopic pregnancy is not detected and treated promptly, it can lead to uterine rupture and become life-threatening. Therefore, a woman should call an ambulance immediately if she experiences any of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Pelvic pain
• Vaginal spotting or bleeding (this may be red or brown, heavy or light, continuous or intermittent)
• Pain that worsens with physical activity or during bowel movements
• Cough, shoulder pain
• Any sign of shock, sweating, pale, clammy skin, dizziness or weakness

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Miscarriage

Bleeding is considered the first symptom of a miscarriage, followed by abdominal pain that can last from a few hours to a few days. The pain may be crampy, similar to menstrual cramps. Some women feel it as a mild backache, others as a dull ache in the abdomen or a pressing pelvic pain, but both types of pain refer to the same problem - miscarriage.

It is important to know that a pregnant woman should immediately call an ambulance if she has any signs of a miscarriage, such as severe pain or heavy bleeding.

Premature birth

A woman may experience severe abdominal pain if she begins having contractions, which dilates the cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Any pain symptom in the second or third trimester of pregnancy that is accompanied by vaginal discharge is a danger sign and should be reported to a doctor. If the discharge is particularly watery or bloody, and even if it is pink or just blood-tinged, it should be considered a potential sign of preterm labor.

Additionally, vaginal spotting or bleeding, abdominal pain, menstrual cramps, more than four uterine contractions per hour, increased pelvic pressure, or lower back pain, especially if not previously experienced, should be checked by a doctor.

Placental abruption

Placental abruption is the partial or complete separation of the placenta from the uterus. This means that the woman has a serious problem, especially if the condition bothers her before the baby is born. There are significant differences in the symptoms of placental abruption. Sometimes placental abruption can cause sudden bleeding, but in other cases there may be no bleeding.

Some women experience only light bleeding or spotting. A woman may experience uterine tenderness, back pain, or frequent contractions, or a woman may experience cramping or tightening of the uterus that does not go away. In these cases, the woman needs immediate medical attention.

Other Causes of Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

Abdominal pain during pregnancy may be accompanied by other symptoms that a woman should definitely be aware of.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a common condition during pregnancy that causes spasms and other changes in the blood vessels. It can also affect a number of organs, including the liver, kidneys, brain, and placenta. Preeclampsia is diagnosed if a woman has high blood pressure and protein in her urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The condition is usually accompanied by swelling of the face or puffiness around the pregnant woman's eyes.

Mild swelling of the hands or extreme or sudden swelling of the legs or ankles may also occur with preeclampsia. Water retention may also cause rapid weight gain. In severe preeclampsia, a woman may experience severe pain in the upper abdomen, severe headache, blurred vision, or nausea and vomiting. As with any problem in pregnancy, preeclampsia requires medical attention.

Urinary tract infections

During pregnancy, a woman is more susceptible to urinary tract infections of all kinds, including kidney infections. Symptoms of a bladder infection include pain, discomfort, or burning when urinating, pelvic discomfort or lower abdominal pain, and a frequent and urgent urge to urinate, even when there is very little urine in the bladder. Foul-smelling urine can also be a sign of a bladder infection.

A bladder infection that is not detected in time can also lead to a kidney infection and premature labor. These are symptoms that a woman should not ignore. Signs that the infection has spread to the kidneys and that it is time to see a doctor may include a high fever, chills, or sweats. Pain in the lower back or side just below the ribs, on one or both sides, nausea and vomiting, and possibly blood in the urine are symptoms that should definitely be addressed by a doctor.

Many other conditions can cause abdominal pain, whether a woman is pregnant or not. Some of the most common causes of abdominal pain are a virus or food poisoning, appendicitis, kidney stones, hepatitis, gallbladder disease, or pancreatitis. These symptoms are often the result of gallstones, which are most common during pregnancy. Intestinal obstruction is also common, and can be caused by the growing uterus pressing on the intestinal tissue. This is most likely to happen in the third trimester of pregnancy.

What are the harmless symptoms of abdominal discomfort during pregnancy?

Not all abdominal pain is a sign of serious problems. For example, a pregnant woman may experience mild cramps from time to time. However, if they do not last long, this is completely normal and should not worry the woman. Below are some of the most common causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy that you should not worry about.

• Gas and bloating occur during pregnancy due to hormonal changes that slow digestion and the pressure of the growing uterus on the stomach and intestines.
• Constipation is another common cause of abdominal discomfort during pregnancy, caused by hormones that slow the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract and the pressure of the growing uterus on the rectum.
• The pain from a round ligament strain is usually either short-lived, sharp, or a stabbing pain, or a longer, dull pain. Pregnant women may feel pain in one or both sides of the lower abdomen or a deep pain in the groin.

This pain usually begins in the second trimester, when the ligaments that support the uterus in the pelvis thicken to accommodate its growing size. A woman may also feel pain when changing positions, such as getting out of bed or a chair, or when coughing, turning over in bed, or getting out of the bathroom. It is important to note that this sensation does not go away even after rest.

Treatment for abdominal pain during pregnancy

The best advice a woman can follow when she feels abdominal pain is to sit down and relax. Rest should quickly relieve any pain symptoms. Other things a woman can do to avoid pain include walking, doing light housework, or changing positions when lying down. This can help relieve some symptoms, such as abdominal pain during pregnancy.

Stomach problems during pregnancy

It is well known that a stretched round ligament can cause mild to moderate lower abdominal pain during pregnancy. The round ligament is a small, thin band of connective tissue made up of fibers. This ligament is attached to the uterus on both sides, connecting the uterus and the labia. As the uterus enlarges, it becomes heavier, and the round ligament can stretch.

A pregnant woman should differentiate between what is a cramp and what is not a cramp. Cramps can easily be confused with minor muscle contractions that occur from time to time and are not a cause for alarm. They are simply a signal that the uterus is preparing for the upcoming birth.

There are several possible causes of cramping and pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy, but for the most part, it is nothing serious. So it is still a question of whether it is normal for pregnant women to experience abdominal pain, and what problems can cause abdominal pain?