Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : October 9, 2014 5:11 PM IST
During pregnancy, any unexplained sign or symptom is regarded as a cause for concern. Abdominal pain during pregnancy is a very common symptom that can indicate a host of problems. In most cases, abdominal pain is just another symptom but at times it could be a warning of something more serious, which is why it should never be ignored.
Here we tell you about the seven reasons for abdominal pain during pregnancy and when you need to seek medical attention.
Constipation or bloating: This is a very common pregnancy symptom and is often the cause for abdominal discomfort, especially during the first trimester. With the increased levels of the hormones progesterone and relaxin in the body, bowel movements tend to slow down and metabolism becomes sluggish. Nausea and vomiting can also accompany constipation and bloating, exacerbating the problem.
What you can do
Increase your fibre intake through dietary changes by including foods such as brown rice, figs or anjeer and chickpeas or chana.Do not attempt to self-medicate with any OTC drugs at any time during your pregnancy, instead ask your doctor for laxatives if needed.
Have approximately eight glasses of water throughout the day, along with other liquids such as fruit juices and milk shakes.
Pile your plate with more veggies and raw fruits.
Indulge in some light exercise, as increased physical activity aids the digestive process and can provide relieve from some of the symptoms of constipation.
Miscarriage: A common symptom of miscarriage or loss of pregnancy is intense abdominal pain. This kind of pain is nothing like the dull ache associated with constipation but it is a sharp abdominal pain along with severe cramps. A miscarriage is more common during the early weeks of pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Abdominal pain due to a miscarriage will be followed by spotting or vaginal bleeding. This type of bleeding might be light, heavy or with clots.
What you can do
Spotting at any time during your pregnancy isn't a good sign. If you experience abdominal cramps along with vaginal bleeding contact your doctor immediately. Read more about reasons for spotting during the first trimester.
Urinary tract infection: Urinary tract infections are fairly common during pregnancy. With a urinary tract infection, you might experience lower abdominal pain in the midline. An infection of the urinary tract can also increase the frequency of urination, give rise to a burning sensation while urinating and cause localized itching. In severe cases, there may also be traces of blood in the urine.
What you can do
Keep yourself hydrated to help ward off urinary tract infections. You should also know why it is important to drink water during pregnancy.
A urinary tract infection can also spread and move to the birth canal, so get help as soon as you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above.
Make sure that you follow up with your health care provider and adhere to instructions with regard to any prescribed medications.
Placental abruption: In this condition ,the placenta peels away from the walls of the uterus before the birth of the baby. Since the placenta is responsible for the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, this can have adverse consequences on the baby and the mother alike. In addition to severe abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding is also commonly associated with placental abruption. You may also notice frequent contractions and a decline in fetal movement.
What you can do
Rush to the doctor if you experience any of the symptoms of placental abruption. Fetal distress due to placental abruption can necessitate a medical emergency in some cases.
Ligament pain: You might experience some sort of dull ache in the lower abdomen, either towards one or both sides, usually just after you enter your second trimester. This happens because your bulging belly exerts considerable pressure on the ligaments that hold it in place. After a while, the uterus also starts to put pressure on the sciatica nerve that lies just behind the uterus and runs the entire length of the legs. This pain is normal and with many women it lasts for the entire duration of the pregnancy.
What you can do
Make it a point to exercise regularly right from the time of conception or better still, before your pregnancy! Strengthening your muscles around your core and back can help you deal with pregnancy-induced ligament pains.
Make sure that you get adequate rest and avoid lifting weights or doing any strenuous activity that can aggravate the pain.
To counter the pain that radiates to your legs, use a stool to prop up your feet if you have to sit at work for long hours. For the same reason avoid sitting or standing in one position for too long.
Ectopic pregnancy: Abdominal pain due to an abnormal pregnancy like an ectopic pregnancy is very common. In such cases, the pain develops towards one side of the abdomen and usually begins as a dull ache. This condition develops when the fertilized egg gets implanted outside of the uterus, most often in the fallopian tube. As the fetus grows, it can rupture the tube leading to bleeding and a sharp shooting pain in the abdomen.
What you can do
You should keep in mind that an ectopic pregnancy will lead to a spontaneous termination. It is best to get an ultrasound done soon after your pregnancy is confirmed to determine the position of the fetus and to rule out the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy.
If you experience heavy bleeding with abdominal pain, rush to your doctor for an evaluation. In case of a diagnosis confirming an ectopic pregnancy, laproscopic surgery is the most common line of treatment.
Preterm labour: A frequent tightening of the uterine muscles along with spotting and abdominal pain can be a sign of preterm labour. With preterm labour, the contractions would be frequent and recur at regular intervals.
What you should do
The obvious thing to do is to rush to your hospital and get the required attention.
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