Lower abdominal pain in pregnancy. What does it mean?

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Lower abdominal pain in pregnancy is not unusual. It is often associated with hormonal changes in the female body that slightly disrupt the functioning of individual organs. However, there are situations that may lead to serious health problems for a pregnant woman.

Lower abdominal pain in pregnancy – is it normal?

Lower abdominal pain in pregnancy is quite common. However, it is not always the same pain. Some situations of this type are associated with the course of pregnancy, others with certain ailments of the body, e.g. the digestive system. Lower abdominal pain in the first month of pregnancy, similar to the pain accompanying menstruation, may be associated with the implantation of the embryo in the uterine wall.

However, there are situations where medical intervention may be necessary. Vigilance should arouse lower abdominal pain during pregnancy, which is accompanied by:

  1. bleeding or spotting
  2. vaginal discharge
  3. chills and fever
  4. fainting and dizziness
  5. nausea and vomiting
  6. pain when urinating.

Harmless causes of abdominal pain in pregnancy

Most often, abdominal pain during pregnancy is not a threat and is associated with a change in the functioning of the woman’s body dictated by the growth of the fetus and pressure on other organs. This is the case with lower abdominal pain with simultaneous gas and gas. In pregnancy, digestion slows down and the fetus puts pressure on the intestines and stomach. In turn, with constipation, pain in the lower abdomen results from the compression of the intestines and anus. Mild pain may occur during or shortly after orgasm, which is perfectly natural.

The very course of pregnancy is associated with a sharp, short pain in the lower abdomen on both sides or deep in the groin. This is because the ligaments that support the uterus in the pelvis stretch to accommodate the growing fetus. It usually appears in the second trimester. However, between 2 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, rare and short-term Braxton-Hicks contractions in the lower abdomen may appear. If they happen too often or if the pain is severe, consult your doctor as it may be a symptom of premature labor.

Abdominal pain in pregnancy – when to see a doctor?

Serious causes of lower abdominal pain in pregnancy may be directly related to the course of pregnancy. It is about:

  1. ectopic pregnancy – this happens when a fertilized egg implants outside the womb, usually in the fallopian tube; In the first weeks, there are cramps, followed by pelvic pain, vaginal spotting or bleeding, tenderness or pain in the lower abdomen due to exercise, coughing or having a bowel movement; ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening,
  2. miscarriage, that is, the loss of the fetus in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy; lower abdominal pain radiating to the lower back preceded by vaginal bleeding,
  3. premature labor, which is also accompanied by cervical dilation and contractions,
  4. premature detachment of the placenta – apart from pain in the lower abdomen, there are also frequent cramps, bleeding, back pain, as well as hardening and tenderness of the uterus.

Lower abdominal pain in pregnancy may also appear in connection with:

  1. pre-eclampsia – a complex disorder that causes changes in the blood system,
  2. urinary tract infection – abdominal pain in pregnancy and cystitis is a problem popular among pregnant women, it is accompanied by an unpleasant smell of urine and burning,
  3. digestive system ailments – gastric flu virus and food poisoning, appendicitis, intestinal obstruction,
  4. inflammation of the pancreas or liver
  5. kidney stones.

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