Stomach Pain During Pregnancy: What’s Normal & What’s Not

Pregnancy is a fulfilling experience. But it comes with its share of aches & discomfort. From swollen ankles to tender breasts, a lot goes on during those 9 months. But a sudden twinge in your stomach might leave you wondering if something is wrong with your baby. Stomach pain during pregnancy can be experienced due to several reasons. While some of these are harmless, others might need immediate attention.

This blog will help you understand the possible causes of stomach pain or cramps during pregnancy. And you’ll also learn how to tell apart the serious & not so serious causes of these stomach pains.

So keep reading!

Common Causes Of Stomach Pain During Pregnancy

There are some common reasons why you might experience stomach or abdominal pain in pregnancy. Generally considered harmless, these reasons include:

Baby’s Development

During the first trimester, your growing baby will likely put some pressure on your abdomen. You might feel a pulling sensation on either or both sides of your belly. This type of stomach pain during early pregnancy is both natural & normal & generally an accompanying sign of pregnancy. Though usually not something to worry about, you must monitor it closely if it worsens.¹

Digestive Problems

Bloating, gas, constipation & heartburn are all common problems during pregnancy. The changing hormone levels at this time have a slowing effect on your digestive system. This affects the way you tolerate your food & also how your food moves down your digestive tract. Another reason for this could be your growing uterus which puts pressure on the abdominal region causing more flatulence.²

Sex

Unless advised otherwise by your doctor, vaginal sex is considered safe during pregnancy. But sometimes, the stimulation or orgasm can cause some discomfort or cramping in your abdominal region. This could be due to fluid buildup, changes in vaginal anatomy, and reduced lubrication.³

Round Ligament Pain

Round ligaments support the sides of your uterus. And when the uterus grows, this tension causes lower abdominal pain during pregnancy. Women usually experience this pain in their second trimester during sudden movements.⁴

Braxton Hicks Contractions

Also sometimes called practice contractions, these are like false labour pains. These contractions are uncomfortable, unpredictable and irregular pains that women start to feel in their second trimester. But it is more common in the third trimester. Their intensity does not increase. Rather it tapers off and goes away altogether.⁵

Now, let’s read about some serious causes of stomach pain during pregnancy.

When Is Stomach Pain During Pregnancy A Serious Concern?

In a few cases, stomach pain during pregnancy might be serious. These include:

Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a medical condition when the implantation happens outside your womb. This type of pregnancy cannot continue and must be medically terminated. Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include:

• Stomach pain & bleeding
• Pain in shoulder tips
• Difficulty during urination & pooping

These symptoms start to appear between the first and third months of pregnancy.⁷

Miscarriage

When a mother loses her baby in the womb before the 20th week, it’s called a miscarriage. The typical symptoms of a miscarriage include:⁸

• Lower stomach pain
• Discharge of fluid & tissue from the vagina
• Loss of pregnancy symptoms

Preeclampsia

It’s a condition in which the expectant mother experiences high blood pressure & passes protein along with the urine. Preeclampsia can cause lingering pain that’s felt in the right side of your abdomen. Its other symptoms include:⁷

• Severe headache
• Problems with vision
• Swelling in feet, hands and face

Preterm Labour

Sometimes the labour pain might start before the actual due date (i.e. 37 weeks of pregnancy). This could feel like a regular tightening of the abdomen and requires immediate medical attention.⁷

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

UTIs are quite common during pregnancy but you can easily get them treated. UTIs also cause pain in the abdominal region & sometimes during peeing.⁷

Placental Abruption

The placenta is the organ connecting you & your baby during pregnancy. During the placental abruption, the placenta breaks off from the uterus even while the baby is still inside your womb. Its symptoms include a constant severe pain & accompanying bleeding.⁷

HELLP Syndrome

HELLP stands for Hemolysis, Elevated liver enzymes & Low platelet count. It's a rare but serious condition that usually affects women in their latter half of pregnancy or soon after they’ve given birth. The common symptoms of HELLP syndrome include: 

• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Swelling
• Quick weight gain
• Pain when taking deep breaths

In rare cases, uncontrolled bleeding or seizures might occur.⁸

In the next section, we’ll tell you about the typical symptoms that warrant a doctor’s intervention.

When Should I Call My Doctor?

While it’s important to trust your gut in such situations, here are a few telltale signs that call for immediate medical attention. These include:⁶

• Severe persistent pain
• Pain & contractions in your lower belly
• Vaginal cramps, bleeding or discharge
• Gastrointestinal symptoms and dizziness

Summing Up

Stomach pain during pregnancy can be hard when you’re expecting. But as mentioned earlier, you don’t have to worry about every stomach pain that comes your way. That said, you need to carefully monitor any such pain during pregnancy and consult your doctor right away if you find anything fishy.

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