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At the beginning of pregnancy, the stomach aches. Threat of miscarriage due to hormonal changes. Abdominal pain in pregnant women

Pain in the abdomen during pregnancy worries every woman, literally drives her into a panic. But gynecologists assure that there are many physiological factors that can provoke pain in the abdomen during pregnancy. Doctors differentiate pain according to the duration of pregnancy - in the first or second trimester and in the later stages.

Table of contents:

Abdominal pain during early pregnancy

The lower abdomen during pregnancy hurts most often in the early stages, while obstetric and non-obstetric pains are distinguished. In the first case, the syndrome under consideration can be caused by the physiological characteristics of the body, ectopic pregnancy, premature detachment of the placenta, spontaneous abortion. Non-obstetric pains are those that are the result of pathologies that develop in organs that are not related to the reproductive system.

A woman should not worry if, in the early stages of pregnancy, the lower abdomen hurts as follows:

  1. Pulling, non-intense, recurring pain in the lower abdomen, localized either on one side, or captures the entire abdomen - this indicates a sprain that holds the uterus.
  2. The pains are spasmodic in nature, they are characterized by constancy and lack of intensity - this is due to hormonal changes in the body.
  3. Spasms of very low intensity with the release of a minimal amount of blood from the vagina - this usually occurs 10-15 days after conception and only means that the fertilized egg has attached to the wall of the uterus, and the embryo is already beginning to develop. note: spasms can be only on the left or only on the right side of the abdomen, the localization of pain depends on which wall of the uterus the fetal egg is attached to.

If a woman has an ectopic pregnancy, then the pain syndrome will have characteristic features:

  • pain stabbing, piercing the entire abdominal cavity;
  • attacks of pain appear according to the principle of contractions - they are strong and frequent;
  • there is bleeding or brown spots on the underwear - it depends on whether the uterine (fallopian) tube has ruptured or is limited to an anguish.

note: with an ectopic pregnancy, some women, in addition to abdominal pain, experience severe cramps in the lower back. The pain can last for several days, up to a month, but an ectopic pregnancy always ends with the death of the ovum, rupture of the fallopian tube and surgery.

In the early stages of pregnancy, abdominal pain may appear due to disturbances in the functioning of the intestines - due to hormonal changes in the body, it begins to function "sluggishly", waste products move slowly through the intestines, hardening and provoking constipation. In addition, a woman may be disturbed by increased gas formation and, as a result, bloating of the intestine - this also causes pain.

Pregnancy is a rather serious “test” for the body, and in the case of previously diagnosed inflammatory processes of a chronic nature of the internal organs, abdominal pain will certainly occur. With adnexitis (inflammation of the ovaries), pyelonephritis (pathology of the kidneys), cystitis (inflammatory process in the bladder), the pain syndrome will be characterized as unstable, pulling and undulating. note: abdominal pain during pregnancy due to chronic inflammatory diseases is never accompanied by bleeding.

Diagnosis of abdominal pain in early pregnancy

With the appearance of pain in the abdomen, even of a non-intense nature in the early stages of pregnancy, a woman should immediately consult a doctor for examination, consultation and treatment, if necessary. The gynecologist will definitely refer the patient with such complaints for a deep examination:

  • ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs - will help identify pathological changes in the structure of the uterus, detect neoplasms (for example, fibroids) and ectopic pregnancy;
  • computed tomography is a more accurate diagnostic method that not only gives an idea of ​​the clinical picture, but also differentiates pathologies, determines the benign / malignant nature of tumors;
  • laboratory analysis of blood and urine - it is possible to identify inflammatory processes outside the reproductive system.

Naturally, at the first appointment, the gynecologist collects data on the woman's sexual development (when the first menstruation went, whether there were menstrual irregularities) and on previously diagnosed diseases. Of no small importance in the diagnosis of abdominal pain during pregnancy are data on previously performed instrumental and / or vacuum abortions, spontaneous miscarriages and surgical interventions for ectopic pregnancy.

Treatment

If abdominal pain during pregnancy in its first or second trimester has an exclusively physiological etiology, then the gynecologist will not prescribe any treatment. But dynamic monitoring of a woman's health should be mandatory - any pain syndrome can result in bleeding and miscarriage / spontaneous abortion.

In case of detection of chronic inflammatory or infectious diseases, therapy will be prescribed that will not affect the intrauterine development of the fetus.

When diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy, surgical treatment and a long course of rehabilitation with the use of hormonal drugs, the passage of spa treatment are indicated.

In case of pain due to bloating or constipation, a woman will be advised to adjust her diet, replacing fatty, “heavy” foods with more easily digestible ones.

Abdominal pain in late pregnancy

If the stomach hurts during pregnancy in the later stages, then this may indicate some physiological reasons:

  1. Constipation, increased gas formation, violations of the diet and meal schedule. The intestines are already under pressure during pregnancy from the growing and increasing weight of the uterus, and if a woman neglects the simple rules of nutrition, then the pain will be constant. A characteristic feature of the pain syndrome with intestinal dysfunction is short-term spasms that appear 20-30 minutes after eating and disappear after the end of the digestion process (maximum hour).
  2. Stretching of the ligaments that support the uterus in the desired position. At the very beginning of pregnancy, the ligaments are just beginning to stretch, but in the later stages they experience more severe pressure. For such pains, there is a certain characteristic: aching, radiating to the lower back, aggravated by sudden movements and coughing / sneezing.
  3. Too much tension in the abdominal muscles. This is also due to the growing uterus and the increased weight of the fetus.

But often the pain syndrome that appears in late pregnancy can signal the development of pathological conditions:

  1. There is an exacerbation of chronic inflammatory processes in the pancreas (pancreatitis), kidneys (pyelonephritis), bladder (cystitis). But in this case, the pains will be sharp, prolonged and pressing, they are always accompanied by hyperthermia (fever), signs of intoxication of the body (nausea, dizziness, vomiting, weakness) may appear.
  2. Premature birth begins. A similar development of events is possible at any stage of pregnancy, but if in the first trimester a miscarriage is first manifested by blood discharge, then in the third trimester it all starts with abdominal pain. It will be pulling, aching and girdle (goes to the lumbar region). Immediately after the onset of pain, a woman also notes vaginal discharge, which can have a different structure and shade - from pink-transparent to scarlet, viscous or watery.
  3. Premature detachment of the placenta. In the process, the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus - the vessels are torn, which causes severe pain and bleeding. Early placental abruption can occur due to abdominal trauma, after excessive physical overstrain, with diagnosed late toxicosis or persistently high blood pressure.
  4. There was a stagnation of bile in the gallbladder. This pathology develops due to increased production of the hormone progesterone - it is responsible for relaxing the uterus, preventing miscarriage or premature birth. But one of the "side effects" of such exposure is the relaxation of the smooth muscles of nearby organs - the gallbladder suffers most often. The muscles of this organ are relaxed, the release of the required amount of bile when food enters the stomach does not occur, and the result is stagnation of bile, pain in the abdomen with localization on the right. The pain syndrome is unstable, has a spasmodic character, is accompanied by nausea and a bitter taste in the mouth.
  5. Rupture of the uterus. This can happen with an existing scar on a hollow organ - for example, an abdominal operation was previously performed or a previous birth ended with a caesarean section.

Diagnostics

If in late pregnancy a woman experiences abdominal pain, then this is a reason to visit a gynecologist outside the schedule of examinations. The doctor begins the diagnosis with a deep study of the history of the life and diseases of a woman - for example, if there are chronic pathologies in the anamnesis, then it is worth immediately conducting a profile examination. The next step is an ultrasound examination of the uterus and fallopian tubes. The doctor will be able to detect problems in the uterus, with timely treatment, it will be possible to diagnose the onset of untimely placental abruption or the onset of premature birth.

In case of an emergency (a woman is in severe pain, there is blood discharge, the patient's condition deteriorates sharply, she loses consciousness), a pregnant woman is shown surgical intervention without a preliminary examination. By performing a caesarean section, it becomes possible to save the life of the fetus and the health of the mother.

Treatment

note: in case of sharp, intense pain in the abdomen during pregnancy, accompanied by bloody discharge from the vagina, you should immediately seek professional help. You should not go to the gynecological clinic or maternity hospital on your own - from the first minutes of this condition, medical support is necessary.

If the stomach hurts for physiological reasons, then the following measures can be taken:

  • adjust the diet, eliminating too fatty, spicy dishes, giving up spices, sauces;
  • set a clear meal schedule - snacking, eating cookies / cakes / chips in front of the TV or reading a book should be excluded;
  • get rid of constipation - eat prunes, dried apricots, drink fat-free kefir at night;
  • lead an active lifestyle - passivity in late pregnancy leads to stagnation of bile.

Abdominal pain during pregnancy should not lead to panic - just calm down, visit a gynecologist to find out the cause of the syndrome and follow all the recommendations and appointments of specialists. According to statistics, the stomach hurts more often during pregnancy due to physiological changes in the body that are not a pathology and do not threaten the life of the fetus and woman.

You can get more information about abdominal pain during pregnancy by watching this video review:

Tsygankova Yana Alexandrovna, medical observer, therapist of the highest qualification category.

Many expectant mothers are wondering: can the stomach hurt in the first days of pregnancy? Yes, for many reasons. Some pains are natural and are not a cause for concern, but there are symptoms in which you need to urgently consult an obstetrician. In any case, it is almost impossible to accurately determine the cause of the pain on your own, it is better to consult a doctor you trust.

So, pain in the first days of pregnancy are:

  • physiological;
  • pathological;
  • non-gynecological nature.

Pain at the beginning of pregnancy is physiological. They resemble menstrual ones when the stomach pulls. The lower back area can also hurt. In addition, bleeding is possible. If the pain does not increase, only a few drops of blood are released, there is no need to worry.

What causes physiological pain in pregnant women?

The fact is that within a week after fertilization, the embryo purposefully moves through the fallopian tube, striving for the uterus, which is preparing to receive it. The uterus at this time, due to the influence of hormones, swells, becomes more voluminous. The ligaments that serve to secure it in the small pelvis also swell and stretch a little.

It will take only a week after conception, and the fertilized egg will penetrate the endometrial layer. As a result of this natural process, microdamages of the mucosa (sometimes blood vessels) appear. It is because of this that it pulls. Implantation pain is characterized by the onset of pregnancy.

In addition to all this, in a pregnant woman, the hormonal balance changes in the direction of increasing the level of progesterone in the blood. It can also hurt the lower abdomen.

Pregnancy is a fundamental restructuring of the whole organism from the first weeks after conception. A change in the vital activity of all organs and systems leads to a shake-up, which cannot but cause some discomfort.

Therefore, there is no reason to panic, but it is better not to lose vigilance and still consult a doctor.

There are pathological pains. From the moment the embryo enters the uterus and the associated implantation manifestations, one should observe oneself very carefully. Subsequent pain in a pregnant woman can be an alarm signal.

Pain of a cramping nature, which may indicate uterine contractions and, therefore, the threat of miscarriage, should alert a woman at an early stage.

If there is a sharp pain and spotting, smearing pinkish or bright scarlet, as during menstruation, it is urgent to call an ambulance. This condition is a real threat of miscarriage. Of particular concern should be the allocated fragments of the endometrium, i.e. active detachment of the fetal egg.

Before the arrival of the ambulance team, strict bed rest is shown. Do not take self-medication measures: do not apply ice or a warm heating pad, do not take medications. You can only take an anesthetic pill (No-shpa).

Threat of miscarriage due to hormonal changes

One of the likely causes of a threatened miscarriage is a lack of the hormone progesterone, produced by the ovaries and actively supporting pregnancy during the first trimester. Progesterone is designed to suppress uterine muscle contractions. Assign artificial analogues of progesterone (most often Duphaston or Utrozhestan).

The hormonal balance can be disturbed and lead to the threat of miscarriage if a woman secretes an excessive amount of male hormones - androgens. They suppress female sex hormones (progesterone and tarragon) and can provoke repeated miscarriages.

In the early stages of pregnancy, laboratory tests are prescribed, including tests for hormones, in order to regulate the hormonal background.

Mutational changes in the embryo

Another reason why the fetus can be rejected is the mutational changes in the fetal egg. They can occur for hereditary reasons or due to a single external influence. A non-viable fetus dies due to the natural laws of selection. It will not be possible to prevent such a miscarriage.

Hereditary problems and genetic disorders that can affect the course of pregnancy are investigated by modern genetic centers.

Incompatibility, structural features of the uterus and changes in the corpus luteum

Another common situation is the threat of miscarriage due to female and male genetic incompatibility or a mismatch between the Rh factors of the parents. In this case, the uterus will perceive the fetus as a foreign body and, therefore, reject it.

Some women have their own characteristics: the uterus can be bicornuate or saddle-shaped. This is observed as a result of its improper development and can lead to the fact that it is quite difficult for the fetal egg to implant and stay in the endometrium.

The reason why the stomach pulls at the beginning of pregnancy is also a cyst of the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum is a formation that temporarily arose on the site of the former follicle and is designed to produce the same progesterone until the placenta is fully formed. The process of its development may go with deviations: fluid may accumulate in the corpus luteum, which will lead to an increase in its size.

It must be borne in mind that such a cyst in itself is not a dangerous pathology and does not threaten pregnancy. Only its rupture can lead to bleeding and acute pain. To prevent this from happening, women with this education are advised to avoid intense and prolonged exercise already in the early stages of pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy can also cause early pain in the lower abdomen.

Unfortunately, in some women, a fertilized egg, for some reason, does not reach the uterus and is fixed halfway (in the fallopian tube). Increasing, the embryo begins to burst the pipe, thereby provoking pain. Bleeding starts when the tube breaks. This is accompanied by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fainting.

With an ectopic pregnancy, it is practically impossible to avoid surgery (only in the very early stages it is possible to have a medical abortion). Timely detected pathology will save the fallopian tube from rupture and complications. Thus, it is necessary to carefully monitor your condition, especially if pregnancy is suspected.

Pain of a non-gynecological nature

Bloating can also provoke pain, because intestinal disorders during pregnancy are not uncommon.

More serious non-gynecological causes may also appear. For example, appendicitis, pyelonephritis, cystitis are also manifested by pain symptoms. This must be remembered and monitored for the localization and nature of pain in a pregnant woman.

You need to visit an obstetrician-gynecologist on time, talking about everything that worries you. The doctor will help you deal with pain and provide timely assistance or refer you to the right specialists.

The state of a woman during pregnancy changes in an unpredictable way. Girls in position can experience a lot of unusual sensations, and quite often the lower abdomen hurts in pregnant women. Do not be afraid and panic, this will only aggravate the condition of the expectant mother and baby.

It is worth remembering that in most cases this condition is physiological in nature and does not pose a danger. But sometimes such pain can warn of the development of pathologies during pregnancy, so a young mother should know all the subtleties of this unpleasant sensation. And it is very important not to hide this condition from the specialist who leads the pregnancy, since it can indicate very serious violations and even indicate the possibility of losing a child.

Firstly, there are different types of pain, and secondly, the week of pregnancy in which the girl encountered this sensation is important. This is what the doctor evaluates during consultation in cases of such complaints.

When pain in the lower abdomen is a safe symptom

Since from the very beginning of the conception of a baby in the body of a woman there are many changes that are imperceptible at first glance, pain can be observed, which should not be considered a pathology at all.

Thus, the body simply signals an unusual state.

Harmless causes of pain may include:

  1. In the early stages, this sensation may be a sign that a fertilized egg is being introduced into the tissues of the uterus. This process is called implantation of the fetal egg, and after a few days the pain disappears.
  2. Unstable functioning of the digestive system that occurs due to pregnancy. In this case, the girl often experiences a feeling of bloating in the abdomen and difficulty defecation (constipation). The consistency and color of the stool also change. These symptoms also go away without treatment after the body gets used to the presence of the embryo.
  3. At the end of the first trimester, the uterus becomes larger and changes its position. This is what causes pain. Stretching of the muscle tissue can cause this condition.
  4. Increased production of the hormone progesterone, which helps form the birth canal during pregnancy, can also cause abdominal pain because it makes the ligaments and joints more elastic. The action of the hormone extends to the uterus, which causes characteristic pain.
  5. At a later stage of pregnancy, somewhere in the third trimester, the cause of this phenomenon may be the impact of the baby's legs or arms. When the baby has grown up, his movements can cause pain if he sharply pressed on any internal organ. This happens especially often when the mother's bladder is full.

Only a specialist after examination and examinations can affirmatively say that the cause is harmless. A woman should not wait and hope that everything will pass by itself. If you remain silent at the first sign of violations, you can provoke a lot of complications that are unsafe for the health of the mother and child. Therefore, it is better to immediately tell the doctor about the discomfort than to ignore the problems and bring the situation to a critical one.

Abdominal pain as a signal of the development of pathologies during pregnancy

Carrying a baby is a rather long and difficult process for the body of any woman. And, unfortunately, not everyone goes through it without pain and various deviations. If a pregnant woman has a pain in the lower abdomen, then you should immediately assess the possibility of the presence of such disorders as:

  1. Uterine hypertonicity is the most common cause. This condition is quite dangerous, it requires monitoring by doctors and treatment. The uterus becomes inelastic, which makes it difficult for the baby to fit properly in the womb and can lead to miscarriage. Pain in the abdomen in this case is also accompanied by a pulling pain in the lumbar region.
  2. Frozen pregnancy, when the baby loses viability in the womb. Often in this case, there is an increase in body temperature, nausea and vomiting, and the symptoms that accompany pregnancy disappear.
  3. An ectopic pregnancy is also accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen. This means that the embryo does not develop within the uterus and in the tubes. If you do not see a doctor in a timely manner, this can lead to rupture of the tubes, which has quite serious consequences for the woman's body and can greatly complicate further attempts to become pregnant.

Such conditions are often accompanied by smearing discharge of various colors and consistency, this is a sure sign that you need to immediately contact a specialist. Such conditions can lead to irreversible consequences, so you can not hesitate, you must immediately fix the problem under the strict supervision of doctors.

Exacerbation of chronic diseases

In the first stages of pregnancy, a woman's immunity decreases so that the body does not reject the embryo. This can lead to an exacerbation of chronic diseases. Also, this phenomenon may occur as a result of an increased load on all organs and systems, since during this period a woman needs to cope with ensuring the vital activity of two organisms.

In this case, the intensity and type of pain can be very diverse. Despite the fact that these conditions do not directly affect the girl’s ability to bear a child, they can indirectly cause a violation of the development of the baby or a sharp deterioration in the mother’s condition and her inability to fully spend the period of pregnancy and childbirth.

Conditions that can cause abdominal pain include:

  1. Cholecystitis is a disease of the gallbladder, which is accompanied by sharp pains in the right side of the abdomen. Also, the girl's body temperature rises sharply and vomiting appears. In addition, bitterness in the mouth may occur.
  2. Gastritis can also worsen during pregnancy, since squeezing the stomach during the birth of a new life in the uterus can make it difficult to remove gastric juice, which provokes a relapse of the disease. In this case, in most situations, the pain spreads to the upper abdomen, and only sometimes it is transferred to its lower part.
  3. Pyelonephritis, inflammation in the kidneys, often occurs due to the fact that the excretion of metabolic products from the organs is difficult. The condition is characterized by aching pains, as during menstruation, which are given to the lower back. Inflammation can pass without an increase in temperature, but simple tests will immediately show the presence of this pathology.
  4. Cystitis is a disease of the bladder, dangerous for the spread of infection through the reproductive tract, which can lead harmful microorganisms directly to the child. This disease is accompanied by painful and frequent urination. Blood impurities in the urine may also be observed.
  5. Acute appendicitis. The situation occurs when the organ is inflamed, and this requires emergency medical attention, often surgery. In a woman, such an ailment is accompanied by a prolonged attack of pain, which changes intensity, while the temperature rises and vomiting begins.

All these diseases are considered severe and dangerous for both the mother and the baby. They need serious attentive therapy, which is mainly carried out in a hospital. Often doctors have to use drugs that are strong enough to keep a woman's ability to bear a baby. But it is not worth hoping that it will be possible to recover from these diseases on your own.

Without the attention of a doctor, ailments will develop and provoke new deviations.

At the time of bearing a baby, the proper functioning of each organ is important, so it is necessary to monitor the general state of health. In preparation for pregnancy, a woman needs to be examined qualitatively and, if possible, solve health problems.

These tips can only be used after consulting a doctor and a clear understanding that there are no pathologies and chronic diseases, since if there are any, the doctor prescribes a certain treatment and gives specific recommendations on nutrition and lifestyle. In some cases, for example, it is necessary to minimize movements throughout the pregnancy and follow a strict diet in order not to provoke an exacerbation of diseases.

But if abdominal pain appeared due to non-dangerous physiological causes, then several important recommendations should be remembered:

  1. You shouldn't overeat.
  2. You need to spend at least 4 hours a day outside.
  3. It is important not to forget about measured walking in the morning and evening.
  4. It is necessary to eat light foods that reduce the burden on the digestive organs, kidneys and liver.
  5. No need to take any drugs, even vitamin complexes, without a doctor's prescription.

All this will help strengthen the body and give it the resources to cope with such a difficult task as bearing a child. If there are no pathological factors at the heart of the pain, then it will pass within a few weeks.

After giving birth, a woman can completely forget about these unpleasant sensations. The main thing is to carefully monitor your health and changes in the body. It is worth listening to your body, and it will tell you what violations it has. Modern gynecology and obstetrics, in turn, have a large arsenal of tools to make pregnancy as comfortable and painless as possible.

During pregnancy, almost every woman experiences abdominal pain. They occur 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 my stomach hurt during pregnancy

During this period, from time to time a woman feels pain or discomfort in various parts of the body. As a rule, they indicate a change in the hormonal background or are associated with the growth of the abdomen. But sometimes abdominal pain speaks of an exacerbation of previously dormant diseases or the appearance 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 discomfort, it is best to consult a doctor.

Types of abdominal pain and their causes

Abdominal pain during pregnancy is conventionally divided into obstetric and non-obstetric. Obstetrics include pain that is directly related to the bearing of a child and, as a rule, does not require medical intervention. Non-obstetric pain can occur in all people and be a symptom of diseases.

The most common obstetric non-dangerous pains include the following:

  • At 2-3 weeks of pregnancy, the fetal egg is implanted in the wall of the uterus. This may be accompanied by a slight pulling 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 the muscles. Often this problem is faced by pregnant women who have previously had painful menstruation. The pain is sharp, but short-lived in the lower abdomen. They are exacerbated by sudden movements and heavy lifting. They do not need to be treated, the woman should just lie down to rest.
  • In the later stages, abdominal pain may occur due to the movement of the child. Also in the 3rd trimester, pulling pain is associated with the growth of the uterus and the tension of its muscles.
  • Digestive problems associated with pregnancy. Due to hormonal changes, a woman can be tormented by dysbacteriosis and bloating, accompanied by painful sensations. The pain is pulling or aching and is accompanied by belching, nausea, vomiting, or heartburn.
  • Such a problem appears, as a rule, in the second half of pregnancy and requires dietary adjustments.
  • Before childbirth, the pelvic bones diverge, which may be accompanied by a slight aching pain in the abdomen
  • Training contractions appear in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Thus, the body prepares for the upcoming birth. They do not cause a woman much discomfort and are not dangerous.

It is important not to confuse false contractions with preterm labor. With the appearance of regular contractions, especially severely painful, you need to urgently call an ambulance.

But there are also dangerous obstetric pains that occur with the following problems in the body:

  1. The threat of abortion. At the same time, it aches and pulls in the lower abdomen and in the lumbar region. Also, bleeding is added to the pain. You can avoid an unfavorable outcome only by seeking medical help in time. If no action is taken, then the pain becomes cramping, bleeding increases and spontaneous miscarriage occurs.
  2. in which the fertilized egg is fixed not in the uterus, but in the fallopian tube. In this case, there are sharp pains in the abdomen, accompanied by dizziness. An ectopic pregnancy can be determined by ultrasound. Most often, the symptoms characteristic of it occur for a period of 5-7 weeks.
  3. Premature detachment of the placenta. It can be triggered by injuries in the abdomen, a short umbilical cord and other pathologies. In this case, the pain in the abdomen is very severe, internal bleeding may open without external discharge. In this case, only forced delivery and stopping bleeding can save a woman and a child.
  4. It is dangerous at any stage of pregnancy, since at the same time nutrients and oxygen are poorly supplied to the fetus. Often it is accompanied by sharp pains in the lower abdomen of a cramping nature. At the same time, the stomach and uterus become hard, and over time they relax again.

Of non-obstetric abdominal pain during pregnancy, surgical pathologies or some diseases most often occur:

  • Appendicitis is quite rare. With this pathology, severe pain appears in the region of the navel, right side and right hypochondrium. Pain is accompanied by nausea, vomiting and fever. In the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, there are cases of acute appendicitis, which needs urgent surgical intervention. Abdominal pain appears suddenly and is paroxysmal in nature, after a while turning into a constant aching.
  • Pancreatitis is characterized by severe pain in the upper abdomen. It is accompanied by vomiting and violation of the stool.
  • manifested by pulling painful sensations and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen. They intensify when filling the bladder, becoming cutting. At the same time, urination becomes more frequent, it becomes painful.
  • Exacerbation of chronic cholecystitis or chronic gastritis is also manifested by pain 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.
  • With an intestinal infection or poisoning during pregnancy, there is pain in the navel and indigestion.

The danger of intestinal infections during pregnancy is that, together with intestinal tone, they cause uterine tone.

What to do for stomach 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. In the normal course of pregnancy, there may be slight 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 with your doctor first.

Physiological pain during pregnancy can be alleviated by being in the knee-elbow position for 10 minutes several times during the day. Taking a warm shower, chamomile tea or aromatic relaxing oils (roses, mint, jasmine, lavender) will also help. After the permission of the doctor at night, you can drink a glass of mint infusion or lemon balm decoction. The tool will help to relax, eliminate pain and fall asleep quickly.

With pain caused by digestive problems, normalization of nutrition, the inclusion of a large amount of fresh vegetables, fruits and dairy products in the diet will help. You should try to stick to the regimen and eat every day at the same time. It is important to avoid fatty, fried and spicy foods.

In inflammatory processes in the body that cause abdominal pain, a woman is prescribed antibiotics compatible with pregnancy, as well as acceptable antispasmodic drugs. With the 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, stopping the symptoms of the pathology. In emergency cases, they try to resort to laparoscopy, and not band surgery.

Prevention of abdominal pain during pregnancy

The following recommendations will help reduce physiological pain during pregnancy:

The bandage should only be worn in the supine position and should not be tightened too much.

Infectious diseases, stressful situations, injuries and sudden movements can provoke the risk of various pathologies, so they are best avoided. 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 ache during pregnancy - Video:

Why does it hurt, ache, prick the stomach, lower abdomen during pregnancy. Why do pregnant women have a stomach ache like during menstruation.

Pregnancy is, in any case, stress for the female body. His reaction is hard to predict. Some people tolerate their new condition perfectly, while others may experience various problems, including pain in the abdomen.
The reasons for the appearance of such pains in expectant mothers are different, and if they arise, you must, of course, consult a specialist who will help establish their true cause.

The first month of pregnancy and in the early stages, the stomach hurts like during menstruation: causes

From the moment of fertilization of the egg and up to the birth itself, processes occur in the body of the expectant mother that can give painful sensations. And although these feelings are not very pleasant for the expectant mother, neither she nor the baby is in danger.

  1. The fertilized egg moves towards the uterus and settles in it. A fertilized egg, penetrating into the endometrium, irritates or slightly damages the mucous membrane of the uterus or even a small blood vessel. This causes slight pain, similar to those that occur before the onset of her menstruation.
  2. Later, in the first month of pregnancy, the hormonal background of a woman changes dramatically. In particular, progesterone is actively synthesized, which is responsible, among other things, for preparing the endometrial layer so that the fertilized egg is fixed in it, and the pregnancy is carried out normally. It may also cause some pain in the uterine area.
  3. In the same period, the woman's ligaments gradually stretch in anticipation, the state of the spine changes, as changes in the center of gravity of the body occur. After all, the uterus, together with the embryo in it, not only becomes larger, but also changes its position in the nutria of the body. Its bottom rises higher relative to the organs, respectively, the ligaments holding the uterus are stretched
Pain over the pubic bone shortly after conception may accompany the attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus.

Ectopic pregnancy

If a woman in the early stages constantly hurts under the navel, pains that increase in intensity, radiating to the leg, hypochondrium, rectum, the gynecologist, first of all, will send her for an ultrasound scan to make sure that the fetal egg is where it should be, in uterine cavity.

Necessary exclude ectopic pregnancy, which happens if the fertilized egg has not completed its passage to the uterus, but has attached itself outside its cavity - in one of the fallopian tubes, the cervix, etc. The fetal egg grows and develops, bursting the fallopian tube. Pain develops. In the end, if this process is not stopped at the start, an overgrown fetal egg, exceeding the diameter of the fallopian tube, can break it.



An ectopic pregnancy is a serious obstetric and gynecological problem and threatens a woman's health with organ rupture and internal bleeding.

The threat of miscarriage

IMPORTANT: A future mother can also get sick in the lower abdomen due to the threat of a miscarriage

  1. The tone of the uterus increases, which provokes detachment of the fetal egg and its expulsion
  2. At the same time, the pregnant woman aches and pulls over the pubic bone, gives to the lower back. She develops bloody discharge - from slight, pinkish, to bright red-scarlet
  3. If there is a suspicion of a threat of spontaneous abortion, the only solution here is an ambulance and hospitalization. While waiting for the arrival of an ambulance, the woman should be at rest


Cyst of the corpus luteum

Pain in the internal genital organs in a pregnant woman may appear due to a cyst of the corpus luteum.



The corpus luteum is a temporary organ that produces progesterone, its function is to maintain pregnancy, the formation of the placenta.
Sometimes it happens that the corpus luteum grows, its dimensions do not correspond to the norm.

This condition is called a corpus luteum cyst. The cyst of the corpus luteum does not pose a particular threat to the pregnant woman, however, it can give not strong and not sharp, but pain localized in one place. With a corpus luteum cyst, a pregnant woman is recommended to rest and some changes in the behavioral regime, which the gynecologist will tell her about.

Relapses of chronic diseases

There is a tendency that during the period of bearing a child, expectant mothers exacerbate those diseases that they chronically suffered from before pregnancy, and from which the lower abdomen hurts.



Chronic diseases of the abdominal organs during pregnancy often relapse.

For example, if before she became pregnant, a woman had diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or the genitourinary system, then they can become aggravated during pregnancy or due to violations of the regimen.

Appendicitis

IMPORTANT: Appendicitis is another possible cause of abdominal pain in a woman who is expecting a baby.

Improper nutrition

Uncomfortable sensations are not necessarily associated with an "interesting position." Everyone knows the whims of future mothers in food when you want a cake, and after it - half a jar of pickles, then - sweets, and after them - shrimp. Such sharp jumps in nutrition provoke a violation of intestinal motility, flatulence, and the onset of pain. In order for the discomfort to go away, a woman needs to more or less balance her diet.

VIDEO: Why does my stomach hurt in the early stages of pregnancy?

Why does my stomach hurt at night during pregnancy, like during menstruation?

If the expectant mother does not have chronic diseases and does not have any pathologies associated with bearing a child, in principle, she should not have pain, especially such aching and cramping as during menstruation.



Pain can occur due to the reasons described above, or when:

  • overwork
  • prolonged stay of a woman in one position

    • However, there is a real reason to call an ambulance or at least call your doctor if:

    • a woman painfully feels like a shrinking, pulling and aching lump in the lower abdomen
    • if the discomfort increases both at rest (at night) and after physical overload

    The cause of such sensations may be a cramping contraction of the uterus during an impending or initiated spontaneous abortion.

    IMPORTANT: If the uterus is in hypertonicity, it is tense and hurts, regardless of the time of day. Women often experience similar sensations in the first days of menstruation. Starting from the second half of pregnancy, such a pathological preliminary condition must also be monitored by a doctor.

    Why does the lower abdomen hurt during pregnancy?

    Discomfort in the lower abdomen in a woman who is expecting a baby often occurs when:

    • the uterus grows with the embryo in it
    • tense abdominal muscles
    • the growing uterus changes its position relative to other internal organs - the muscles and ligaments that support it can stretch
      violation and changes in the diet of a pregnant woman
    • disruption of the digestive tract, constipation occurs
    • there is a threat of spontaneous abortion or premature birth
    • the embryo implants outside the uterus
    • extragenital inflammation occurs

    Why does the stomach hurt on the left during pregnancy?



    If a pregnant woman has pain on the left side of her abdomen, an urgent consultation with a doctor is needed.

    In the abdominal cavity and pelvic area of ​​a woman, there are a large number of internal organs held by a corset of muscles and ligaments. This explains the fact that if pain occurs, it can not only spread over the stomach, but also be localized in one place or another.

    If it hurts on the left, then it is most likely given by one of the overstretched ligaments that support the grown uterus. Often enough to rest or change the position of the body to feel good.

    There is a possibility of pain syndrome due to inflammation of the organs in the pelvis and abdominal cavity:

    • left ovary
    • left appendage
    • Bladder
    • left kidney

    If the embryo inside the uterus is attached to the left, this sometimes leads to some pain discomfort in the woman due to spasms.

    IMPORTANT: In any case, it is best to ask your doctor about your specific individual reason for such pain.

    Why does the stomach hurt on the right during pregnancy?

    Pain on the right side of the abdomen during pregnancy should be taken more seriously.
    The reasons for it may be:

    1. The fertilized egg is attached to the uterus on the right side, which causes painful spasms in the pregnant woman
    2. Overstretching or pinching of the muscle and ligaments that support the pregnant uterus
    3. The child moves in the uterus on the right side, his tremors for the mother can sometimes be painful for her
    4. The fertilized egg implanted in the right fallopian tube (some symptoms of this: pain in the right abdomen, bleeding, weakness of the woman)
    5. Appendicitis
    6. Infringement of muscles and ligaments, adhesions
    7. Right cyst rupture
    8. Inflammatory processes in the internal organs


    Why does the stomach hurt like during menstruation during pregnancy at 15-16 weeks?

    At 15 - 16 weeks from conception, toxicosis, if it was, disappears. The fruit is actively developing. In a pregnant woman, in the absence of pathologies, it can hurt in the lumbar spine due to the increased load on it. The natural cause of pain, similar to menstrual, may be the growth of the uterus and the restructuring of the musculoskeletal apparatus associated with it.

    Why does the stomach hurt during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester at 20-21 weeks?

    In the middle of pregnancy, the belly of the expectant mother may hurt, again, due to natural causes. But it can also signal varying degrees of serious problems with bearing a baby.

    Physiology can be explained if the lower abdomen of a woman is slightly ill and hurts:

    • occasionally
    • when changing the position of the body
    • overexertion of the abdomen, back or legs

    Perhaps there is a threat of placental abruption or spontaneous abortion if:

    • pain syndrome increases
    • the pain doesn't go away for a long time
    • it radiates to the lower back
    • discharge appeared


    In the second trimester, the expectant mother can be tormented by painful uterine hypertonicity.

    Why does the stomach hurt during pregnancy at 30-31 weeks?

    At 30 - 31 weeks of pregnancy, the weight of the baby in the womb, and, accordingly, of the woman, increases. The load on her spine, organs and joints also increases.
    During this period, the stomach should not hurt, except perhaps if a woman ate something wrong and irritated the intestines, causing flatulence.

    Why does the stomach hurt like during menstruation during pregnancy at 33 weeks?



    Overwork, physical overload and training contractions are the causes of abdominal pain in expectant mothers in the last two months before giving birth.

    Perhaps the uterus began to shrink and there is a risk of premature birth.
    Also, training contractions can give some soreness. To make sure that everything is fine, it is better to contact the gynecologist leading the pregnancy, or call an ambulance.

    Why does the stomach hurt during pregnancy at 35-36 weeks?

    If during this period the stomach not only hurts, but also there is a feeling of its petrification, then the tone of the uterus increases, which can lead to premature birth.

    Why does the stomach hurt during pregnancy at 37-38 weeks?

    At 37 - 38 weeks, the expectant mother's stomach may hurt for quite understandable reasons. Her body is preparing for childbirth, the cervix begins to gradually open. This process is accompanied by cramping aching pains. At this point, you need to relax, take a comfortable position or take a shower.

    Drawing pains in the lower abdomen at 38 weeks means that the uterus is preparing for childbirth, coming into tone and relaxing.

    Why does my stomach hurt during pregnancy at 40-41 weeks?



    The pregnancy period has come to an end, and if a woman has a stomach ache, she may have contractions. Contractions may be minor at first, with significant intervals of time between them. Then they become more frequent, and the period of time between them is reduced. Giving birth soon!

    VIDEO: Signs of the beginning of childbirth. When is it time to go to the hospital?