Pain during pregnancy

Pregnancy (synonym: gravidity, gestation; Latin: graviditatis) represents an absolute state of emergency for the woman’s body, even if it is a completely natural one. In a period of 9 months (288 days) the fertilized egg cell matures into a child. Pregnancies can take many different forms.

While some women spend the time until the birth largely free of complaints, others complain about a number of problems. These problems range from moderate nausea (hyperemesis) to high blood pressure (hypertension) and rib pain. But what causes pain during pregnancy and what kind of pain is it anyway?

Pain can be caused by the ovaries, for example. During pregnancy, abdominal pain can be quite physiological. Just think about the fact that the body is put under quite extreme conditions.

The unborn child grows over time and there is a space requirement in the abdomen. Other organs are compressed and the uterus expands and adapts to the new conditions. This stretching can be painful under certain circumstances, it is a normal muscle pain.

The child also starts kicking and moving after a certain time. This is clearly felt by expectant mothers, and under certain circumstances the baby may also draw attention to itself in a painful way. Such complaints can usually be alleviated by a relieving posture.

The pregnant woman can put her feet up or lie on her side. Hot-water bottles or warm baths also help. However, a doctor should be consulted if the pain is long lasting or very severe. Burning when urinating, bleeding or severe nausea are also a cause for concern. These can be indications of more serious complications and require medical attention.

Pregnancy myomas

Myomas are benign tumors of the uterus. They can be described as benign muscle tumors that develop in the muscle layer of the uterus (myometrium). They consist of smooth muscles.

Approximately one in four women will have at least one myoma after the age of 30, and about 25% of these women have symptoms. If there are many fibroids and the uterus is enlarged as a result, this is called the uterus myomatosus. Myomas can grow up to 20 cm in size and thus simulate a pregnancy.

The symptoms that myomas can cause include heavier menstrual bleeding or intermenstrual bleeding, the need to urinate, pain and constipation. During pregnancy, fibroids can cause additional discomfort between the third and sixth months of pregnancy. They can be the cause of severe pain isolated in the area of the fibroid.

This pain is caused by the fact that the tissue of the fibroid perishes (infarcts) when there is a lack of blood supply. This is known as red degeneration. It causes very severe pain, especially when it stretches the peritoneum.

The increased hormone production during pregnancy can promote the growth of fibroids and thus lead to complications in the case of fibroids that were previously painless. In rare cases, very large fibroids located at the base of the uterus may require a caesarean section. This is always the case when the position of the fibroid obstructs the birth canal.

In addition, intrauterine (in the uterus) fibroids increase the probability of miscarriage or premature birth only slightly. Above a certain size, contractions can be induced prematurely. It can also put the child in an abnormal position, such as a breech presentation.

In very rare cases, they cause bleeding or premature detachment of the placenta. So-called subplacental myomas are responsible for this. Such fibroids may impede the implantation of the embryo due to their location, thus leading to ectopic pregnancies.

What can be done about it? There are numerous therapies, ranging from conservative medication to surgical intervention. The type of therapy depends on the situation, the general condition of the woman, the symptoms and, of course, the desire to have children.

With pregnant women, care must be taken not to endanger the pregnancy. As a general rule, untreated fibroids should nevertheless be examined at regular intervals. In this way, the growth of the myoma can be observed and complications can be avoided at an early stage.The breasts and nipples also change during pregnancy and can cause problems.