Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

Is it normal to have Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy?

Abdominal pain and other Abdominal discomforts are common during pregnancy. It is usually harmless but sometimes it can be a sign of serious problem. The severe and the continuous pain should not be ignored.

If the Abdominal pain is experienced along with the spotting, discharge of Blood, Fever, sweating, Vaginal discharge, faintness, vomiting, Nausea or discomfort while Urinating consult a doctor as soon as possible. These can be signs of danger.

Some Serious Problems that can Cause Pain During Pregnancy

Following are some serious problems that can cause pain during pregnancy

1. Ectopic Pregnancy
2. Miscarriage
3. Preterm Labor
4. Placental Abruption
5. preeclampsia
6. Infection in Urinary Tract

1. Ectopic Pregnancy

   An Ectopic Pregnancy is diagnosed when a fertilized Egg is set outside the Uterus. It is mostly found in the 1 of the Fallopian Tubes. This condition can also cause Abdominal pain and other suspicious symptoms in the early pregnancy.

   If Ectopic Pregnancy is not treated in time, it can lead to life threatening conditions. If you are suffering from this condition, immediately consult your doctor.

   

   Image by : chrismar

   Source by : Flickr
   

   Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

   Following are the symptoms of this condition

   • Abdominal pain
   • Pelvic pain
   • Vaginal spotting
   • Vaginal bleeding
   • Bleeding can be Red or Brown in color.
   • Pain while doing physical activities
   • Coughing
   • Pain in shoulders
   • Pain while moving Bowels
   • Racing Pulse
   • Fainting
   • Pale Skin
   • Clammy Skin
   • Weakness

2. Miscarriage

   Miscarriage is basically loss of Pregnancy in first 20 weeks.

   Symptoms of Miscarriage

   Symptoms of miscarriage are

   • Abdominal pain
   • Vaginal Spotting
   • Bleeding
   • Low back pain
   • Pelvic pressure

   The Bleeding can be heavy or light.

   The pain may continue for many hours and it can be mild or sharp.
   
   Doctor should be quickly consulted in case of signs of miscarriage. Sharp pain and heavy bleeding can be life threatening.

3. Preterm Labor

   Preterm labor is also known as premature labor. Premature labor starts, when you contractions expand your Cervix before 37 weeks of Pregnancy.

   Symptoms of Preterm Labor

   Immediately consult a Gynecologist or midwife in case of following symptoms experienced in second or third trimester

   • Increase in Vaginal discharge
   • Change in the kind of discharge like Watery, Mucus-like, Bloody or Pink discharge etc.
   • Vaginal spotting
   • Vaginal bleeding
   • Abdominal pain
   • Cramping
   • More than 4 contractions in an hour
   • Pressure in Pelvic region
   • Low back pain

4. Placental Abruption

   It is the condition, in which the Placenta is completely or partially separated from the Uterus before the birth of baby. It is a life-threatening condition.

   There are various symptoms of this condition. Placental Abruption can cause bleeding.

   In some cases, the bleeding is not obvious at first; it gets heavier within few days. The Bloody fluid just like Water breaks may also be experienced.

   Symptoms of Placental Abruption

   Following can be the symptoms of Placental Abruption

   • Uterine softness
   • Back pain
   • Continuous contractions
   • Cramps in Uterus
   • Decrease in baby’s movement

5. Preeclampsia

   It is condition that is one of the main disorders of Pregnancy that can cause change in Blood Vessels and can have harmful effects on the other organs of body like Kidneys, Brain, Liver and Placenta.
   

   Diagnosis of Preeclampsia

   An individual is diagnosed with this condition, if she has High Blood Pressure and presence of Protein in Urine after about 20 Weeks of Pregnancy.

   Symptoms of Preeclampsia

   The symptoms of Preeclampsia may include

   • Swelling on Face
   • Puffiness around Eyes
   • Swelling on Hands
   • Swelling on Feet
   • Swelling on Ankles

   The Water retention in body can cause speedy weight gain.

   Severe Preeclampsia can lead to following symptoms:

   • Severe pain in Upper Abdomen
   • Softness in upper Abdomen
   • Headache
   • Visual disorders
   • Nausea
   • Vomiting

6. Infection in Urinary Tract

   Urinary tract infections and Kidney infections are common in pregnant women.

   Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

   Following are the symptoms of Infection in Urinary Tract

   • Pain
   • Uneasiness
   • Burning in Urination
   • Pelvic distress
   • Pain in lower Abdomen
   • Out of control urge to urinate
   • Bad smell of Urine
   • Blood in Urine
   • High Fever
   • Sweating
   • Pain in back
   • Pain under Ribs
   • Nausea
   • Vomiting
   • Pus in Urine

These symptoms extend to the Kidneys and can affect Kidneys too. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, contact your doctor because Bladder Infection can sometimes lead to premature labor too.

Other Causes of Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

Some other conditions that may lead to Abdominal pain during pregnancy are

• Stomach Virus
• Food Poisoning
• Appendix
• Stones in Kidney
• Hepatitis
• Disease of Gall Bladder
• Pancreatic diseases
• Fibroids
• Difficulty in Bowel movement

Diseases of Gall Bladder and Pancreatitis are usually caused due to the Stones in Gall Bladder. Stones in Gall Bladder are very common during Pregnancy. This is due to the fact that Fibroids develop in Pregnancy and cause uneasiness.Growth of Uterus increases the pressure on Intestinal tissues and it ultimately results in difficulty of Bowel movement. This condition mostly occurs in the third Trimester of Pregnancy.

Some Harmless Causes of Abdominal Pain

All the Abdominal pains during Pregnancy are not sign of serious health conditions like cramping is felt after an Orgasm.

This pain is for short time, normal and not something to be worried about.

Here are some causes of Abdominal pain that are not harmful for a pregnant woman.

1. Gas Trouble
2. Constipation
3. Ligament pain
4. Braxton Hicks Contractions

1. Gas Trouble

   Women may suffer from Gas trouble and bloating during pregnancy. It is due to the hormones that slow down the process of digestion and the pressure of grown Uterus on Intestine and Abdominal area.

2. Constipation

   It is 1 of the cause of Abdominal distress during Pregnancy. It is due to the Hormones that reduce the movement of food through the digestive tract and pressure of enlarged Uterus on the Rectum.

3. Ligament Pain

   Ligament pain is concise severe pain that is felt on sides of Abdomen that mostly occur in the 2nd trimester.

   It occurs when Ligaments supporting Uterus in Pelvis broaden and become thick to support the growing size of Uterus.

   You may feel this pain if you change position abruptly rising getting up from bed, chair, changing side on bed, getting out of bath tub while taking bath or incase of cough etc.

   Mild pain is felt during doing work and even walking.

4. Braxton Hicks Contractions

   After mid-pregnancy, many women feel tightening in Uterus after short intervals. These contractions occur infrequently and at irregular intervals. If you feel lower back pain, more than 4 contractions per hour or any other symptoms of premature labor, immediately consult your doctor.

   If your due date is near, cramping can be a sign of labor.

Tips for Treating Abdominal Pain

Here are few useful tips that are good for Abdominal pain

• Walk slowly for at least 10 minutes.
• Do some easy exercise.
• Take bath with warm Water.
• Bend your back for at least 5 minutes; it will give you relief from pain.
• Drink warm Water.

Abdominal pain is common with or without pregnancy. Proper treatment should be taken in order to take relief from pain.