It is perfectly normal to experience low belly pain when pregnant. The body goes through many changes as the fetus grows, and this can cause various types of discomfort throughout the pregnancy. Show
There may be several explanations for lower belly pain. Most are harmless and perfectly normal. However, severe pain or cramping that does not go away might be a sign of a serious issue. This article will look at some of the most common causes of lower belly pain during pregnancy, how to treat them, and when to see a doctor. During the first trimester, the following are potential causes of low belly pain: Early pregnancyIn the early stages of pregnancy, many women experience period-like pain or cramps, usually low down in the belly. This is normal, as the egg settles into the uterus. Ectopic pregnancyEctopic pregnancy is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. It occurs when a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. As the egg develops, it can burst the tube, which can cause serious internal bleeding. Early signs of ectopic pregnancy include:
These symptoms can worsen as the egg grows. Signs of a ruptured fallopian tube include:
A ruptured tube is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Doctors will normally use a combination of medication and surgery to treat an ectopic pregnancy. Treatments will aim to trigger the body to reabsorb the egg, and repair the ruptured fallopian tube. Learn more about ectopic pregnancy here. The following causes of low belly pain are more common during later pregnancy: Braxton-Hicks contractionsA potential cause of belly pain later on in pregnancy are Braxton-Hicks contractions. Doctors sometimes call this false labor. Braxton-Hicks contractions are part of the body’s preparations to give birth, and usually occur in the week before delivery. They help make the cervix softer and thinner. Many women will find the pain goes away if they go for a walk, or change position. Learn more about Braxton-Hicks contractions or false labor here. Pre-term laborBelly pain that does not go away when the woman moves around may be a sign of pre-term labor. This means giving birth before week 37 of pregnancy. Signs and symptoms of pre-term labor include:
Anyone who experiences any labor symptoms too early should call a doctor straight away. Mild belly pain during pregnancy will usually go away on its own. Women can also try taking acetaminophen to ease discomfort. UTIs, ectopic pregnancies, and pre-term labor all require medical attention. Home remediesThere are several home remedies to ease mild cases of lower belly pain. These include:
Pregnant women should see a doctor if they have any of the following:
Anyone who thinks they may be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy should call 911. It is common to experience lower belly pain during pregnancy. This discomfort is usually mild and will go away on its own, or with the over-the-counter medicine, such as acetaminophen. If the pain is severe and lasts for more than a few hours, it could indicate a more serious condition. In these cases, people should speak to a doctor.
It’s completely understandable to worry about stomach pain in pregnancy and be anxious about this being a sign of miscarriage. But stomach pains or cramps are common in pregnancy and usually nothing to worry about. Mild stomach pain in early pregnancy (during the first 12 weeks) is usually caused by your womb expanding, the ligaments stretching as your bump grows, hormones constipation or trapped wind. It may sometimes feel like a ‘stitch’ or mild period pain. It’s is probably nothing to worry about if the pain is mild and goes away when you change position, have a rest, do a poo or pass wind. You may also feel light period-like discomfort or cramps at the end of your pregnancy. This is nothing to worry about, but call your midwife if you have any concerns. When should I report stomach pain in pregnancy?Stomach pain can be very worrying for pregnant women. Pain can make you fear the worst, such as a miscarriage. It’s important to listen to your own instincts. If you are worried about any pains you’re having, or you just feel like something is wrong, contact your midwife. Don’t be concerned about wasting anyone’s time. It’s always best to get things checked out. If you are having persistent stomach pain (pain that won’t go away) or cramping, or if the pain comes on suddenly it should be checked by a doctor or midwife immediately. What stomach pain and cramps should I look out for in pregnancy?Most stomach pain and cramps in pregnancy are nothing to worry about. But there are some symptoms you should know about as they could be a sign of something more serious. If you feel any of the following pains, even if you're not experiencing any of the other symptoms listed, call your midwife, doctor or hospital immediately. Severe pain on one side of the lower stomach in early pregnancy Severe cramps in your stomach with or without bleeding that lasts for several hours Regular painful contractions/cramps before 37 weeks
Severe pain in your stomach that doesn’t go away
Pain in the upper stomach Pain just under the ribs is common in later pregnancy because your baby is growing and the uterus is pushing up under the ribs. But if this pain is bad or persistent, particularly on the right side, it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia. Other symptoms may include:
Pre-eclampsia usually develops in the second half of pregnancy (from around 20 weeks). Lower stomach pain or dull back pain Call your midwife if you have this pain and one or more of the following:
These are symptoms of an urinary tract infection. It's not an emergency but should be treated as soon as possible. What other kind of stomach pain should I expect?Braxton Hicks contractionsBraxton Hicks contractions are a sign that the muscles of your womb are tightening. This can happen from as early as 16 weeks, but are more common in later pregnancy. Braxton Hicks’ contractions are:
You do not need to contact your maternity unit or midwife unless your contractions become painful and regular (less than 10 minutes apart). Contractions/cramps after 37-40 weeks could be a sign of the early stages of labour. This is called latent phase of labour.
Often when you expect to receive some good news about pregnancy, you spontaneously start assuming and expecting a lot of change that is about to occur in your daily lifestyle, body and health. Some of these changes will be communicated to you by new moms, some by your own mom and some of the information will be flooded through the internet. One of the daily problems may be pregnancy cramps. Pregnancy cramps can bring you anxiety. So, it is important to know the common reasons for their occurrence. In this blog, we will see 10 causes of cramps in pregnancy. What could be the possible reasons of feeling lower abdominal pain during pregnancy? Here are 10 causes of cramps and lower abdominal pain during pregnancy.
Take AwaySo, these were some reasons that could be prominent and unavoidable causing cramps while you are going through your pregnancy period. Although you should see your doctor as soon as possible if you experience vaginal discharge, fever, chills, severe persistent pain, spotting or bleeding, light-headedness, discomfort or persistent burning while urinating, vomiting and nausea that doesn’t go away. These symptoms could be of concern if they accompany abdominal pain and cramps. This might need medical attention at the right time. Else, you need not worry about subtle symptoms of pregnancy. Those will persist and will be harmless! Consult online for expert advice from an experienced gynecologist. Also read: Tips for a healthy pregnancy |