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Intestinal colic during pregnancy: symptoms
Expectant mothers are sometimes worried about colic during pregnancy. They can occur in different parts of the body – in the abdomen, in the side, in the groin area. To cope with discomfort and exclude any diseases, consider the causes and symptoms of such spasms.
Why does intestinal colic appear during pregnancy?
Periodic pain cramps caused by swelling of the muscles of the large intestine or its strong tension – this is what colic is.
Colic during pregnancy does not bother all expectant mothers
The main causes of unpleasant and painful sensations are:
- untreated diseases of the gastrointestinal system;
- disruption of the digestive process and malfunctioning of the intestines;
- changes in the hormonal background of a woman;
- the pressure of the constantly growing uterus and a slight displacement of some organs of the abdominal cavity;
- fermentation processes in the intestine.
Intestinal colic can appear as early as the first month after conception and cause a lot of inconvenience to the expectant mother. Most often, they occur against the background of stress, the use of heavy, fatty foods and a sedentary lifestyle.
Symptoms of intestinal colic during pregnancy
Bowel cramps can be short, slightly tingling, or prolonged and quite painful. During pregnancy, intestinal colic is distinguished by a number of characteristic symptoms:
- rumbling, fullness and bubbling in the abdomen;
- periodic sharp pains in the area of the large intestine;
- too frequent urge to use the toilet or constipation;
- feeling bloated after every meal;
- flatulence, accompanied by a pungent unpleasant odor;
- heaviness in the stomach or intestines;
- attacks of nausea and vomiting;
- decreased or complete lack of appetite and aversion to any food.
Another symptom that can accompany intestinal colic is the appearance of mucous tubes or ribbons in the stool.
If cramping pains are rare and pass quickly, avoid fried, spicy and heavy foods, as well as carbonated drinks.
In case of constipation, drink plenty of clean water. Do not use enemas without your doctor’s approval. This can cause termination of pregnancy.
If colic begins to bother you, do not self-medicate. In order not to aggravate the situation, contact your doctor and get tested. In most cases, a special diet for pregnant women helps to get rid of colic, but sometimes you need to drink a course of medicines that are safe for the fetus.