Stomach cramps during pregnancy

Introduction

The occurrence of stomach cramps can also have a variety of causes during pregnancy. Although most causes of stomach cramps are completely harmless, such complaints should always be taken seriously during pregnancy. Even a normally uncomplicated stomach flu, which in addition to stomach cramps also leads to diarrhoea and vomiting, can become problematic during pregnancy.

The reason for this is the fact that prolonged diarrhea can dry out the body of the expectant mother much faster. As a result, a life-threatening circulatory collapse can occur in the pregnant woman. But even during pregnancy it can be assumed that stomach cramps are in most cases only a harmless side effect.

Particularly during early pregnancy, the change in hormone balance can cause the gastrointestinal tract to react hypersensitively to various stimuli. For this reason, many women suffer from severe nausea and vomiting during the first 12 to 13 weeks of pregnancy. In addition, constipation, flatulence during pregnancy and a pronounced feeling of fullness can occur during early pregnancy.

The occurrence of stomach cramps is also not uncommon in this phase of pregnancy. In general, it can be assumed that about every third woman in early pregnancy suffers at least once from mild to moderate stomach cramps. At the end of pregnancy, the stomach cramps can also be caused by the growing child itself.

Especially when the organs of the upper abdomen are displaced by the adolescent, stomach cramps are often the result. In addition, it must be noted that the first contractions are also sometimes felt as cramps in the stomach area. However, the origin and severity of the underlying circumstances can only be reliably clarified by a specialist. For this reason, a woman who develops stomach cramps during pregnancy should urgently consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Causes

Although stomach cramps that occur during pregnancy are completely harmless in most cases, there can also be serious causes for such complaints. Especially in the first few weeks of pregnancy, an appointment with a specialist in gynecology should be made urgently to determine the pregnancy. In the case of a positive pregnancy test (e.g. Clearblue®) it can be assumed that fertilization of the egg occurred, but the place of implantation of the egg is not yet guaranteed.

Only with the help of an ultrasound examination can it be determined with certainty whether the fertilised egg has nested in the uterus (intrauterine pregnancy). In these cases, a small amniotic cavity can already be found in the uterus in the first weeks of pregnancy. Until the position of the foetus is confirmed, stomach cramps may be a sign of a so-called extrauterine pregnancy.

This means that the egg has not nested in the uterus after fertilization, but has already nested in the fallopian tube (a so-called ectopic pregnancy). Affected women typically develop severe pain, which is often misinterpreted as simple stomach cramps. Ectopic pregnancy is a serious clinical picture.

Depending on where exactly the egg cell has made its nest in the fallopian tube, the fallopian tube may tear during the growth of the fruit (tube rupture). However, the risk of a fertilized egg implanting in the fallopian tube is only about 1-2%. Nevertheless, if stomach cramps are unclear in early pregnancy, especially if the position of the fetus has not yet been clarified by a doctor, a doctor should be consulted urgently.

In addition, stomach cramps during pregnancy may be associated with inflammation of the uterus. The inflammatory processes can rise up to the ovaries and cause severe pain. This cause of stomach cramps during pregnancy is also in urgent need of treatment.