Is it normal to have abdominal pain during pregnancy?
Occasional aches throughout the abdomen are a common symptom of pregnancy, and although they are generally harmless, it is best to consult your doctor if they are accompanied by other symptoms.
If you experience pain or cramping along with spotting, bleeding, fever, chills, vaginal discharge, fainting, discomfort when urinating, or nausea and vomiting — or if the pain does not subside after several minutes of rest — contact your doctor.
What can intense and persistent abdominal pain mean?
Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. If left untreated, it can be life-threatening. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms: severe pain or tenderness that worsens during physical activity, heavy bleeding or rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting.
Miscarriage
A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks. Vaginal spotting or bleeding is generally the first symptom, followed by abdominal pain a few hours to several days later. Bleeding may be light or heavy. The pain you may feel can be persistent cramping, mild or sharp. Call your doctor if you have symptoms of miscarriage. If you have severe pain or heavy bleeding, you should be seen immediately.
Preterm labor
Preterm labor can occur before the 37th week of pregnancy when contractions begin or the cervix starts to dilate. Contact your doctor or midwife immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms in your second or third trimester (before 37 weeks):
- Increased vaginal discharge or a change in its appearance (mucus that appears pink or blood-tinged)
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Abdominal pain similar to menstrual cramps, or more than four contractions in one hour.
- Increased pressure in the pelvic area
- Lower back pain, especially if you don’t usually have back pain
- Placental abruption
Placental abruption is a life-threatening condition in which the placenta separates from the uterus, partially or completely, before your baby is born.
There is a wide range of possible symptoms. Placental abruption may cause sudden bleeding, but in some cases you may have only light bleeding or spotting. You may also notice bloody fluid. You may experience back pain, frequent contractions, or the uterus may contract and remain firm like a cramp.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a complex pregnancy disorder that causes changes in your blood vessels and can affect a range of organs, such as the liver, kidneys, brain, and placenta. Symptoms may include swelling in the face or around the eyes. You may also notice slight swelling in your hands, and excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles. (This fluid retention can lead to rapid weight gain.) In cases of severe preeclampsia, you may experience intense pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen, a severe headache, vision disturbances (such as blurred vision or seeing spots), nausea, and vomiting. If you have symptoms of preeclampsia, call your doctor or midwife immediately.
Urinary tract infections
Pregnancy makes you more susceptible to all types of urinary tract infections, including kidney infections. Symptoms of a bladder infection may include pain, discomfort, or burning during urination, pelvic discomfort or lower abdominal pain (often just above the pubic bone), and a frequent or uncontrollable urge to urinate, even when there is very little urine in the bladder. Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, because a bladder infection that is not monitored and treated can lead to a kidney infection and preterm labor.
Signs that the infection has spread to your kidneys — and that you need medical help immediately — include high fever, chills, sweating, pain in the lower back or just under your ribs on one or both sides, nausea, and vomiting. Another concerning sign is the presence of pus or blood in your urine.
Other causes
Many other conditions can cause abdominal pain. Some of the most common causes your doctor will consider include a stomach virus, food poisoning, appendicitis, kidney stones, hepatitis, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, fibroids, and bowel obstruction. Gallbladder disease and pancreatitis are often the result of gallstones, which are more common during pregnancy. Fibroids can grow during pregnancy and typically cause discomfort. The increasing pressure in the uterus can lead to bowel obstruction, which is more likely to occur in the third trimester.
What are the most common causes of harmless abdominal discomfort?
Abdominal discomfort is not always a sign of a serious problem during pregnancy. For example, you may notice cramping during or right after orgasm. As long as it is mild and short-lived, it is completely normal and nothing to worry about.
Here are some other common causes of abdominal discomfort.
Gas and bloating
It is very likely to experience gas-related pain during pregnancy due to hormones that slow down digestion and the increasing pressure of your uterus on your stomach and intestines.
Constipation
Constipation is another common cause of abdominal discomfort throughout pregnancy, again due to hormones that slow the movement of food through your digestive system and the increasing pressure of the uterus on your rectum.
Braxton Hicks contractions
At some point after the second trimester, you may begin to notice your uterus tightening. Before 37 weeks, Braxton Hicks contractions should be infrequent, irregular, and essentially painless.
Call your doctor if the contractions are accompanied by lower back pain, if you feel more than four contractions in an hour (even if they don’t hurt), if they come at regular intervals, or if you have any other symptoms of preterm labor.
Is there anything I can do to ease abdominal pain?
Here are some tips for managing abdominal discomfort that is not caused by something serious:
- Move around or do some gentle exercises to relieve pain caused by gas.
- Take a warm (not hot) bath or shower, or place a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel on the painful area.
- Lean toward the side of the pain for relief.
- Drink plenty of fluids because dehydration can trigger Braxton Hicks contractions.
If Braxton Hicks contractions cause the pain, it may help to lie down and rest.
