Causes of Stomach Pain During Pregnancy, which are Mild and Dangerous
There are conditions that make pregnant women feel uncomfortable during pregnancy, one of which is stomach pain. Pregnant women will feel unusual pain and different from ordinary stomach pain. There are various causes of stomach pain during pregnancy that you need to know. The following is a complete explanation along with how to deal with stomach pain during pregnancy.
Is abdominal pain during pregnancy normal to occur?
Quoting from American Pregnancy, stomach pain during pregnancy is a normal thing to happen. This condition is included in the body’s changing process due to the growth of the fetus in the uterus.
As the uterus continues to expand to make room for the fetus, this can put pressure on the muscles, joints and blood vessels. This can cause discomfort or pain around the stomach.
Of course, abdominal pain during pregnancy is nothing to worry about and will not endanger the health of the mother and the fetus.
Pregnant women often feel upper abdominal pain, especially when the uterus is getting bigger. In addition, stomach cramps are also the most common complaint for pregnant women.
However, under certain conditions, there are several causes of stomach pain during pregnancy that need to be watched out for because they can be a sign of a serious problem.
Causes of mild abdominal pain during pregnancy
Stomach pain when pregnant young or old can be caused by both mild and severe conditions. Here are some causes of mild abdominal pain during pregnancy:
1. Gassy stomach
Gas that accumulates in the stomach during pregnancy can make pregnant women feel uncomfortable and painful in the stomach.
Stomach gas is usually caused by increased levels of the hormone progesterone, which causes the muscles in the digestive tract to rest.
The more this hormone is released by the body, the slower the digestive tract will work. This makes the time that food spends in the large intestine and leads to gas.
In addition, a pregnancy that is getting bigger can also cause stomach gas.
Why? This is because the growing uterus can put additional stress on the organs which makes the digestive system run slower as well.
2. Constipation
Abdominal pain during pregnancy can also be caused by digestive problems due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. Besides that, the causes of constipation during pregnancy are:
- Not drinking enough
- Lack of eating fibrous foods
- Less active
- Side effects of iron pills or blood boosting pills,
The above conditions can cause constipation in pregnant women. Constipation this can then cause pregnant women to feel stomach pain or cramps.
3. Braxton-Hicks contractions
These are the most common false contractions pregnant women feel, but calm because they are different from the contractions when you want to give birth.
Braxton-Hicks contractions feels like tightening in the abdominal muscles so that the stomach feels tighter or harder. Meanwhile, the contractions during labor are stronger and more painful, and last longer.
When pregnant women feel Braxton-Hicks contractions, try to drink more water. This method might help calm you down.
4.Round ligament pain during pregnancy
This is a sharp stabbing pain in the lower part of the stomach to the groin. Usually felt for only a few seconds and experienced by pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy.
There are two ligaments that extend from the uterus to the groin. The function of these ligaments is to support the uterus. When the uterus enlarges and stretches, the ligaments also stretch.
This condition makes pregnant women feel sharp pain in the abdomen, pelvis, or groin. Body movements of pregnant women, such as when changing positions, sneezing and coughing can make you feel round ligament pain.
Serious causes of stomach pain during pregnancy
Apart from minor causes, there are several serious things that trigger stomach upset during pregnancy. as:
1. Ectopic pregnancy
This is a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus and is unsustainable and requires medical treatment.
When pregnant women experience ectopic pregnancy, may experience pain in the stomach that is unbearable. You can also experience heavy bleeding between weeks 6-10 of pregnancy.
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience this because an ectopic pregnancy needs fast treatment.
2. Miscarriage
Miscarriage usually happens because the baby is not developing properly. At the time of having a miscarriage, pregnant women will experience abdominal pain and cramps, bleeding, and pain in the middle of the lower abdomen at certain times.
Some of the other signs of a miscarriage are back pain, contractions every 5-20 minutes, and heavy bleeding.
Quoting from NHS, miscarriage can occur before 24 weeks of gestation.
3. Placental abruption
This is when the placenta detaches from the uterus before the baby is born. Abdominal pain that is very long and painful can be a symptom of abruptio placenta or placenta abruption.
Some other symptoms of placental abruption, namely the rupture of the amniotic fluid accompanied by blood and back pain.
4. Urinary tract infection
This problem can be experienced during pregnancy and could be the reason why stomach upset during pregnancy.
If you experience pain or pain in the lower abdomen followed by pain when urinating, you may experience it urinary tract infections in pregnant women.
You should immediately consult a doctor if you experience this, because if left untreated it can cause complications.
5. Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia characterized by abdominal pain during pregnancy at the top (below the ribs on the right side).
Another sign of, namely hypertension in pregnancy, nausea,throw up, blurred vision, swelling of the hands and face. Usually this problem occurs after 20 weeks of gestation.
6. Premature birth
If a pregnant woman experiences unusual abdominal pain when she is under 37 weeks pregnant, this could be a sign of a premature baby.
You need to go to the hospital immediately if you have unbearable stomach pain that lasts very long.
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