Abdominal pain during pregnancy is among the most common complaints. This complaint, which does not usually indicate any serious problem, may sometimes be a sign of a serious illness, so care should be taken. When the causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy are examined, these conditions can be grouped into two groups as lower abdominal pain and upper abdominal pain. It is a normal condition. Hormonal changes in the body and the growing fetus can cause various discomfort in the abdomen as pregnancy progresses. There are many conditions that can cause lower abdominal pain during pregnancy and these conditions are generally considered harmless. If the severity of the pain increases and does not go away, it is useful to consult specialist physicians as the underlying condition may be a sign of a serious illness. Although urinary tract infections are among the common conditions in pregnant women, they can be easily treated by obstetricians after applying to health institutions. Urinary tract infections occurring at any time during pregnancy may cause the following complaints in the expectant mother:
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Pain and burning sensation while urinating
- Fever
- Feeling extremely tired
- Frequent urination
- Bad-smelling urine
- Foamy or red-colored urine
- Moderate pain in the lower abdomen and groin area
- Vaginal bleeding
- Low back pain
- Unilateral cramping in the groin
- Sudden onset, persistent abdominal or groin pain
- Shoulder pain
- Weakness
- Drowsiness
What Causes Pain in the Upper Abdomen During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy During this period, expectant mothers may feel pain in the lower part of the abdomen, as well as a feeling of discomfort in the lower parts. This is particularly evident in the last trimester. With the emergence of Braxton-Hicks contractions, expectant mothers remain undecided as to whether these contractions are real labor contractions or whether the pain is caused by simple causes such as tension on the skin. they are. Pain in the upper abdomen during pregnancy is generally considered normal. Upper abdominal pain in some women may be stinging or may be felt as a blunt pain. The occurrence of pain in the upper abdomen during pregnancy is generally harmless, but if the severity of the pain increases and does not go away, it is recommended to seek support from specialist physicians by applying to health institutions.
Constipation is a common complaint during pregnancy. Constipation due to hormonal changes in the early stages of pregnancy results from the pressure on the intestines of the growing fetus towards the end of pregnancy and restricting the movement of these organs. A feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen may be a sign of the development of severe constipation. Apart from the feeling of fullness, other complaints such as gas and difficulty in defecation are also among the symptoms of constipation. A diet rich in fiber is one of the most important steps that can be taken against this problem. The pregnancy hormone called progesterone is the chemical that is mainly blamed for the formation of complaints such as reflux. The pressure on the internal organs with the growth of the uterus is another cause of reflux. Reflux discomfort caused by these reasons during pregnancy has a more pronounced course, especially when the expectant mother is in a lying position. Pain in the upper abdomen due to reflux may also be felt in the esophagus and chest region in some people. In some pregnancies, the pain in the abdomen may be caused by excessive stretching of the skin in this part. In these cases, applications such as gently massaging the affected area with a lotion suitable for pregnancy and taking a warm bath may be beneficial. Tensions in the muscles in the abdominal region are also among the causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy. The pressure created by the growing uterus in the lower abdomen reaches dimensions that make it difficult for some expectant mothers to move; It may cause a predisposition to muscle damage. Problems with the gallbladder should come to mind. Care should be taken as upper abdominal pain in the form of attacks accompanied by complaints such as nausea and vomiting may be associated with the formation of stones in the gallbladder. Gallstones that are not treated correctly can cause problems with the liver by creating obstructions in the channels connected to this organ. Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can cause a condition called intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. When this condition develops, the first complaint of expectant mothers is usually itching. Apart from itching, some women may also experience other symptoms such as pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, or yellowing of the skin. Physicians follow these people closely in women who develop intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. If the discomfort progresses, initiation of labor may be necessary to prevent harm to the baby in this situation.
When Does Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy Start?
Abdominal pain during pregnancy can occur at any time during pregnancy. Pain in the abdomen during pregnancy is considered normal, especially for the first trimester, when hormonal changes occur intensely. During this period, symptoms such as morning sickness, which are experienced at the same time, usually begin to regress towards the middle of the second trimester, when the 20-week pregnancy process is completed. During the third trimester, abdominal pain may reoccur due to the enlargement of the uterus and pressure on the surrounding organs. Some expectant mothers may also feel abdominal pain due to conditions such as stretching of the skin in the abdomen or reflux. Care should be taken as the abdominal pain may have some characteristics for the third trimester may indicate a serious underlying condition. The characteristics of third trimester abdominal pain, which should be considered in general and the underlying cause should be clarified by applying to health institutions, are as follows:
- Occurring with other complaints such as itching
- Sudden and intense onset
- Failure to regress
- Concentration in a certain area
- Other symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting Accompanying it
- It occurs after vaginal bleeding
Is Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy Normal?
Low-intensity abdominal pain and cramps occur during pregnancy arrival is considered normal. However, it is very important to apply to health institutions in case of a change in the severity of these complaints. Conditions such as ectopic pregnancy, abruptio placenta (separation of the placenta from the uterus) or miscarriage are among the causes of severe abdominal pain. Therefore, knowing the symptoms of these disorders is important for distinguishing between normal and abnormal abdominal pain during pregnancy.
Does Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy Harm the Baby?
If the complaint of pain is present and of low severity, no damage is expected in the baby. Abdominal pain during pregnancy may harm the baby under some conditions, depending on the underlying cause. In particular, the presence of complaints such as nausea, vomiting, back pain and vaginal bleeding in pain in the groin and lower abdomen may indicate a low state, so it should be conscious. Abdominal pain symptoms that may require emergency intervention can be summarized as follows:
- Unbearable pain, especially on the right side,
- Accompanied by vaginal bleeding,
- Contractions at regular intervals,
- Adding fever symptom to abdominal pain,
- The occurrence of symptoms such as high blood pressure, dizziness, shortness of breath, headache and extreme tiredness,
- Development of itching, yellowing and vomiting of the skin.
What Is Good for Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy?
It is not possible to prevent abdominal pain, which occurs especially in the last stages of pregnancy, in general. The reason for this is that the main mechanism in the emergence of pain is due to the physical changes brought about by pregnancy. The best step to take in determining the conditions that may be good for abdominal pain is to consult specialist physicians about which method is most appropriate.
Mild abdominal pains that occur during pregnancy are usually of a temporary character. emergency medical
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