Abdominal pain during pregnancy | Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain during pregnancy

Most women are plagued by abdominal pain during their pregnancy. Usually these are only expressed by a slight to moderate pulling, but in some women they increase to abdominal cramps. The abdominal pain is usually an expression of the increasing strain and usually manifests itself in the first trimester of pregnancy.

As a rule, these abdominal pains are harmless to the welfare of the child. However, if the abdominal pain becomes more and more severe, the cause should be clarified by a doctor. Especially if the pain is accompanied by accompanying symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, pain when urinating or bleeding, a doctor should be consulted.

The most common cause of mild to moderate abdominal pain is the growth of the child and the uterus, which places increasing strain and strain on the mother’s muscles, ligaments and organs and increases the blood supply to the abdomen. The pain is mainly caused by the increased tension on the uterine ligaments, which ensure that the uterus remains in a stable and upright position. In the course of the pregnancy, the uterine ligaments are increasingly strained, resulting in abdominal pain on both sides and back pain.

These pains occur at an early stage of pregnancy and can be very severe. Often the pain is a little more pronounced on the right side, as the uterus increasingly tilts towards the right side of the body. The movements/kicks of the baby can also cause pain.

About half of all women suffer more from constipation during pregnancy, especially in the first months of pregnancy. The hormone progesterone, which is mainly produced during pregnancy, causes the muscles of the organs and blood vessels to relax, which in turn relaxes the muscles in the intestine and prevents the intestine from working properly. This usually manifests itself as flatulence, a feeling of fullness and abdominal pain.

A lot of drinking and a diet rich in fibre, for example in the form of cereal products, helps against constipation. Laxatives are not recommended. Some pregnant women also suffer from stomach aches after eating.

This is because the growth of the child means that the stomach no longer has so much room to expand. This can be prevented by eating several small meals spread over the day and eating slowly. For these harmless abdominal pains, relaxation, a change in position and the application of heat, for example with hot water bottles, cherry stone pillows or a hot bath, are the most effective remedies.

If the pain is unbearable, paracetamol can be taken as an analgesic. Preparations such as ibuprofen and aspirin must not be taken. It is best to discuss the use of painkillers with the doctor.

In rare cases, abdominal pain, especially abdominal cramps, during pregnancy is a sign of complications. If they occur in an early phase of pregnancy, they can indicate an early miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. If one of these two complications occurs, vaginal bleeding usually occurs in addition to the abdominal cramps.

An early miscarriage can occur up to the 12th week of pregnancy and is unfortunately relatively common. In most cases, medical measures can no longer be taken to prevent them. An ectopic pregnancy usually makes itself felt in the eighth to tenth week of pregnancy through bleeding and abdominal cramps.

In this case, the pain starts on the side where the embryo has nested and later spreads to the entire abdomen. If abdominal cramps occur between the 13th and 23rd week of pregnancy (2nd trimester of pregnancy), a late miscarriage may be present. Abdominal pain can also be a sign of premature birth.

These then occur between the 24th and 37th week of pregnancy. In addition to the abdominal pain, there is usually pain in the pelvic and back area. Sometimes they occur in conjunction with diarrhoea.

If a premature birth is suspected, transport to hospital should be undertaken immediately. If the amniotic sac has not yet burst, the birth may be delayed. In the second half of pregnancy, severe abdominal pain can also be caused by HELLP syndrome, which is a dangerous pregnancy complication.

The pain occurs in the right upper abdomen and is usually accompanied by nausea, flickering eyes, double vision and increased sensitivity to light. As a rule, however, abdominal pain is harmless pain that usually occurs in connection with growth. But in case of doubt they should always be clarified for safety’s sake. Of course, the pain can also occur quite independently of pregnancy, for example in connection with kidney stones or a bladder infection.