Guide | Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy: Common Causes and When to Seek Care
Pregnancy brings major physical changes and sometimes unexpected discomfort. Abdominal pain ranges from normal physical responses to serious conditions requiring urgent treatment.
Common Causes
As the fetus grows, added weight and pressure on other organs may cause manageable pain that often resolves:
Digestive problems
Pressure on the stomach and intestines, especially later in pregnancy, can cause gas, bloating, or constipation. Water and fiber may help.
Muscle strain
Weight gain of about 25-35 pounds and looser muscles and ligaments can strain the back, sides, or abdomen.
Uterine cramps
Rapid uterine growth can cause menstrual-like cramps, especially early and mid-pregnancy. They often resolve or improve with warmth.
Braxton Hicks contractions
These “practice contractions” are usually milder and less regular than labor and often stop after changing position or activity.
Causes Requiring Attention
Some pain needs prompt medical assessment:
Appendicitis
Symptoms may include right-sided or periumbilical pain, nausea, poor appetite, vomiting, fever, and fatigue.
Gallstones
Symptoms include sharp upper-right pain, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, and fever.
Preeclampsia
This pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder may damage the liver and kidneys. Symptoms include upper-right pain, blurred vision, severe headache, shortness of breath, nausea, and reduced urination.
Miscarriage
Severe lower-right pain with spotting may indicate miscarriage. Contact a doctor immediately.
Guide | Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy: Common Causes and When to Seek Care
Guide | Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy: Common Causes and When to Seek Care
Pregnancy brings major physical changes and sometimes unexpected discomfort. Abdominal pain ranges from normal physical responses to serious conditions requiring urgent treatment.
Common Causes
As the fetus grows, added weight and pressure on other organs may cause manageable pain that often resolves:
Digestive problems
Pressure on the stomach and intestines, especially later in pregnancy, can cause gas, bloating, or constipation. Water and fiber may help.
Muscle strain
Weight gain of about 25-35 pounds and looser muscles and ligaments can strain the back, sides, or abdomen.
Uterine cramps
Rapid uterine growth can cause menstrual-like cramps, especially early and mid-pregnancy. They often resolve or improve with warmth.
Braxton Hicks contractions
These “practice contractions” are usually milder and less regular than labor and often stop after changing position or activity.
Causes Requiring Attention
Some pain needs prompt medical assessment:
Appendicitis
Symptoms may include right-sided or periumbilical pain, nausea, poor appetite, vomiting, fever, and fatigue.
Gallstones
Symptoms include sharp upper-right pain, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite, and fever.
Preeclampsia
This pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder may damage the liver and kidneys. Symptoms include upper-right pain, blurred vision, severe headache, shortness of breath, nausea, and reduced urination.
Miscarriage
Severe lower-right pain with spotting may indicate miscarriage. Contact a doctor immediately.
When to Be Concerned
Seek care promptly for:
Persistent or severe abdominal or back pain
Pain worsening at night or while lying down
Abdominal redness, swelling, or fever
Painful urination
Contractions every 10 minutes before 37 weeks
Markedly reduced fetal movement after 28 weeks
Persistent vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
Severe or persistent headache
Vaginal bleeding or fluid leakage
Fever or blurred vision
Contact a doctor if any symptom concerns you.
Source:
Collected online