When is abdominal pain serious during pregnancy

During your first and second trimester, your body is busy working overtime to prepare for your new baby. The muscles in your uterus will soon begin to stretch and expand.

This can cause a pulling feeling on both sides of your stomach. Very early in your pregnancy, you may even feel aches that are similar to those during your period. Typical early-pregnancy side effects , such as constipation , can cause cramping. You may also experience cramps while keeping up with your normal exercise routine. This can place additional stress on your muscles. Cramping during exercise is a signal for you to stop and take a well-needed rest. Yeast infections or urinary tract infections UTIs may also cause cramping.

UTIs can quickly lead to an infection in your kidneys. This increases your risk of going into preterm labor.

Your doctor should test your urine at every appointment to make sure that there are no signs of infection. Sexual intercourse can also lead to cramping. Many women who are lucky to have a healthy, normal pregnancy can continue to have sex right up until they deliver, according to the nonprofit HealthyWomen. But during pregnancy, you may find that sex feels somewhat different. It may feel less than pleasurable, due to your expanding tummy.

Later in your pregnancy, orgasm can possibly cause you to feel mild contractions. If you feel any of these symptoms after having sex, talk to your doctor.

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy Some abdominal aches and pains during pregnancy are quite common and generally pose no threat to you and your baby. Round Ligament Pain: This can be characterized by a sharp stabbing pain when you change positions, or it can also be an achy, dull, lingering pain. Round ligament pain is caused by the two large ligaments that run from your uterus to your groin.

As the uterus grows, these ligaments are stretched and create discomfort. This pain is generally reported in the second trimester, and considered to be harmless. Read the full Round Ligament Pain article. Gas and Constipation: Gas during pregnancy is caused by increased levels of progesterone. As more of this hormone is released, your gastrointestinal tract slows down, which makes food travel more slowly.

Drinking plenty of water, eating fiber-rich foods, exercising, and using stool softeners are excellent ways to combat excessive gas and constipation. Learn more about Constipation during Pregnancy. Many women report that Braxton Hicks feel like a tightening of the stomach muscles so your stomach feels firm or hard. It is important to differentiate Braxton Hicks from true contractions.

The true contraction will be closer together, last for a longer period of time, and are painful. True contractions will take your breath away, so a general rule of thumb is that if you are able to carry on your normal activities, then it is most likely Braxton Hicks.

Also, doctors report that Braxton Hick can be caused by dehydration, so drinking plenty of water can help eliminate this problem. Read more on Braxton Hicks Contractions. Common Discomforts: In addition to those listed above, there are several other common abdominal discomforts that can be experienced during pregnancy and are generally non-threatening.

Your growing uterus, stomach viruses, kidney stones, fibroids, and food sensitivities are all valid forms of harmless abdominal pain. If you experience these symptoms before 37 weeks, you could be experiencing preterm labor.

These tips can relieve the most common causes of abdominal cramps during pregnancy:. When should you be concerned about cramps during pregnancy? What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations.

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Back to Top. In This Article. Continue Reading Below. More About Stomach Upset. Bloating and Gas During Pregnancy. Diarrhea During Pregnancy. Constipation During Pregnancy. View Sources. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, Associations between hydration state and pregnancy complications, maternal-infant outcomes: protocol of a prospective observational cohort study , February Mayo Clinic, Ectopic Pregnancy , February Shifting your position, sneezing, or coughing can trigger round ligament pain.

This usually occurs in the last half of the pregnancy. If you feel a sneeze or cough coming on, bend and flex your hips.

This can help to reduce the pressure on the ligaments. Constipation is a common complaint among pregnant women. Constipation may cause severe pain. Try increasing the amount of fiber in your diet. Increasing fluids may also help. Pregnant women should drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. Talk to your doctor before taking a stool softener.

Braxton-Hicks contractions often occur in the third trimester of pregnancy. HELLP syndrome is an acronym for its three main parts: hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets. Women without preeclampsia may also acquire this syndrome. HELLP is more common in first-time pregnancies.

If you have abdominal pain accompanied by any of these additional HELLP symptoms, seek medical advice right away. Abdominal pain during pregnancy may also be a sign of other, more serious conditions. These include:. When considering if abdominal pain is gas or something more serious, keep all of this information in mind.

Though at times severe, gas pain usually resolves itself within a short period of time.