Is Upper Abdominal Pain Normal During Pregnancy
Stomach pain is a common pregnancy complaint. Some people report pain in the upper stomach or upper abdomen during their third trimester. This pain may be sharp and shooting or a dull ache. Many of the causes of upper abdominal pain are harmless, but feeling intense pain here can signal a serious problem.
Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy
Normal vaginal secretions increase during pregnancy due to greater blood supply and hormones. Normal vaginal discharge is white or clear, isn’t irritating, is odorless, and may look yellow when dry on your underwear or panty liners.
Recommendations:
- Wear low-heeled shoes.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects.
- Squat down with your knees bent when picking things up instead of bending down at the waist.
- Don’t stand on your feet for long periods. If you need to stand for long periods, place one foot on a stool or box for support.
- Sit in a chair with good back support, or place a small pillow behind your lower back. Also, place your feet on a footrest or stool.
- Check that your bed is firm. If needed, put a board between the mattress and box spring.
- Sleep on your left side with a pillow between your legs for support.
- Apply a hot water bottle or heating pad on low setting to your back, take a warm bath or shower, or try massage.
- Perform exercises, as advised by your health care provider, to make your back muscles stronger and help relieve the soreness.
- Maintain good posture. Standing up straight will ease the strain on your back.
- Contact your health care provider if you have a low backache that goes around your stomach and does not go away within one hour after you change position or rest. This might be a sign of premature labor.
Continued
Bleeding And Swollen Gums
Discomfort
The increase in your volume of circulation and supply of certain hormones might cause tenderness, swelling and bleeding of your gums.
Recommendations
- Take proper care of your teeth and gums. Brush and floss regularly.
- Get a dental checkup early in your pregnancy to make sure your teeth and mouth are healthy. See your dentist if you have a problem.
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Pregnancy: Whats Normal And What’s Not
No one said thered be days like this, when your whole body seems out of control. Is this a normal part of pregnancy? Or should you call the doctor?
You will have some uncomfortable symptoms during pregnancy, says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Some are caused by changes in your hormones. Others can be traced to the pressure and weight of your growing baby.
How Can I Get Better Sleep While Pregnant
Youre pregnant and always tired. Yet, somehow you cant seem to get a good nights sleep. It seems like theres always something keeping you up, no matter how tired you are. Growing a baby is hard. Your changing body can make it difficult to get comfortable. You may even be dealing with morning sickness or heartburn. Understanding the barriers to good pregnancy sleep is a good place to start if you want more shut-eye.
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When Does Your Uterus Start To Hurt During Pregnancy
You get these pains when your uterus starts to stretch and your body starts to get more and more adjusted and ready to deliver. By you being 16 weeks, its the perfect time for your pains to start. I know because I am 18 weeks pregnant myself, and I started dealing with my abdomen pain about 2 weeks ago. Theres nothing to be worried about.
When To See A Health Care Provider About Your Early Pregnancy Cramps
Although early pregnancy cramps are usually normal and not life threatening, its also important to see your health care provider if the cramps become severe. Your health care provider can rule out any conditions such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or infectious diseases that may affect you or your baby. Here are a few signs and symptoms to watch out for. Make sure to see your health care provider if you experience any of these:
- Bleeding If your cramps are accompanied by any amount of blood, consult your health care provider as soon as possible.
- Severe pain If you experience severe cramps that dont go away and are getting worse, head to the hospital immediately.
References
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Remedies For Stomach Pain During Pregnancy
If you are experiencing any symptoms that indicate a serious complication, it is best to consult your doctor or gynaecologist immediately. However, pregnant women feeling mild pain in the abdomen can try out any of the following remedial treatments at home:
- Resting or lying down for some time can provide relief immediately, particularly if it is because of Braxton-Hicks contractions.
- Taking a warm water bath can help provide relief from lower abdominal pain and cramping.
- Applying a hot water bottle or bag on the painful areas can help provide relief from the pain.
Additionally, you can try out the following remedies too to get rid of abdominal pain:
- Gentle exercises such as stretching and yoga, particularly in the first trimester, can treat gas problems. You can speak to your midwife or any other specialist regarding the antenatal exercises that are suitable for you.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Dehydration is among the primary causes of the Braxton- Hicks contractions.
- Have small, but more frequent meals. Follow a healthy diet that is rich in fibre, such as fruits and vegetables.
- Urinate often and empty your bladder. Do not control your urge to urinate.
- Create a habit of standing up or sitting more gradually, instead of sudden movements. This will help you in reducing your spasms.
How To Tell If Youre Pregnant Right Away
The only way to tell if youre pregnant right away is by taking a home pregnancy test according to its instructions. Waiting can be difficult, but you can usually take a test three to four days before a missed period though youre more likely to get a false negative if you test too soon. If its negative, wait a couple more days and test again if Aunt Flo doesnt come to visit.
Be sure to test first thing in the morning, when your urine and the hormone that the test is measuring are most concentrated. If you see a line indicating a pregnancy, youre almost certainly pregnant . Pregnancy tests with false positives are rare.
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Symptoms Of Stomach Pain During Pregnancy
The location, severity, and intensity of your stomach pain can all help determine its cause. It is also important to know how far along in your pregnancy you are.
Normal pregnancy cramps may start as early as implantation. After that, they are most common during the first trimester as your body begins to change. You may experience occasional cramps later in the pregnancy. It can feel like an aching or pulling feeling on either or both sides of the abdomen. They often resemble menstrual cramps and are rarely severe.
Starting in the second trimester, many women experience sharp pain in the uterus, groin, or either side of the lower abdomen. This may or may not be accompanied by a dull ache in the lower abdomen or sides.
As your uterus grows, it can stretch the supporting ligaments, creating what is known as round ligament pain. The pain is often described as sharp or shooting. Sudden movement or exercise may make it worse. It should go away after a few minutes of rest.
Is It Normal For Right Side Of Stomach To Hurt During Pregnancy
However, discomfort from cramping can be a normal part of pregnancy. Cramps can sometimes cause right side pain in your lower to mid stomach.
During an ectopic pregnancy, a woman will experience mild cramping on one side of her pelvis, followed by nausea, lower back pain, and abnormal vaginal bleeding. If you are experiencing 6 weeks pregnant cramping accompanied by these symptoms, see you doctor immediately.
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When To See A Doctor
Although most stomach pains during pregnancy shouldnt be concerning, others may have serious or even fatal consequences. If you experience unusual pain or bleeding, dont hesitate to get help. Obstetricians often have after-hours nursing hotlines, staffed with trained professionals to assess your needs. Remember, its always better to be safe than sorry.
How Is Ectopic Pregnancy Treated
Unfortunately, the only way to treat an ectopic pregnancy is to end the pregnancy. This can be very distressing, and you may need support afterwards to come to terms with what has happened.
Your healthcare team will talk to you about your options and what this means for you. Not all these options will be suitable and will depend on:
- how many weeks pregnant you are
- your symptoms
- if there is a lot of bleeding in your stomach
- your hCG levels
- what is available at your local hospital.
Its important that you understand all your options and what this may mean for you and your ability to get pregnant again . Dont be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to and raise any concerns you have about what is happening.
There are 3 treatment options for an ectopic pregnancy.
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Symptoms Of A Rupture
In some cases, an ectopic pregnancy can grow large enough to split open the fallopian tube. This is known as a rupture.
Ruptures are very serious. Surgery to repair the fallopian tube needs to be carried out as soon as possible.
Signs of a rupture include a combination of:
- a sharp, sudden and intense pain in your tummy
- feeling very dizzy or fainting
- feeling sick
- looking very pale.
A rupture can be life threatening, but fortunately they are uncommon and treatable, if dealt with quickly. Deaths from ruptures are extremely rare in the UK.
Stomach Cramps During Early Pregnancy
Most pregnant women also experience stomach cramping in the early stages of their pregnancies. Experiencing mild stomach cramps is normal and not a cause of worry. Listed below are some of the common causes of stomach cramps in the early days of pregnancy:
- A woman may have cramps after sexual intercourse.
- A woman may experience cramps along with a little bleeding if the embryo is implanted within the walls of the womb.
- After 12 weeks, a pregnant woman may experience sharp pains on both sides of the groin, particularly while standing up, stretching, or twisting her body. This is primarily due to the stretching of the ligaments supporting the womb.
In case you experience stomach cramps in the early stages of your pregnancy, you are advised to report this to your gynaecologist or midwife.
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When To Consult A Doctor
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned below during any stage of your pregnancy, it could be indicative of a more serious complication. In this case, you must consult your doctor:
- Bleeding or a burning sensation while peeing
- Abdominal pain before the completion of 12 weeks of your pregnancy
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding in the early stages of your pregnancy
- Having more than 4 contractions in an hour
- Severe or unbearable abdominal pain
- Severe headaches
- Unusual swelling in face, legs, or hands
- Any unusual vaginal discharge
In some instances, these symptoms may not be related to your pregnancy and may be caused due to some other medical condition such as an ovarian cyst, kidney abnormalities, urinary tract infections, or gallbladder problems. While stomach cramps are not a serious cause of worry, it is advisable to see a doctor if they are very severe and unbearable for you.
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Muscle Pain And Strain
The abdominal muscles must stretch to accommodate the growing fetus. The pressure of the uterus on the lower body can also change the way a person walks or moves, increasing the likelihood of sustaining an injury.
Feeling pain when bending or lifting may mean an injury to the stomach or chest muscles. Resting and stretching can help with minor injuries. People can see a doctor about injuries that do not go away on their own.
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Discomfort When Going To The Toilet
You may have pain when going for a wee or poo. You may also have diarrhoea or constipation.
Some changes to your normal bladder and bowel patterns are normal during pregnancy. These symptoms can be caused by urinary tract infections and stomach bugs. But it’s still a good idea to get medical advice.
Is There Anything I Can Do To Prevent Pre
Theres no guaranteed way to prevent pre-eclampsia. The best thing to do is go to all your antenatal appointments and follow your healthcare professionals advice.
You may be prescribed low-dose aspirin once a day from 12 weeks of pregnancy until you give birth if you have more than 1 risk factor for pre-eclampsia.
Youll also be given the same advice as every pregnant woman about exercise and eating well.
There is specific advice for women with pre-existing diabetes or gestational diabetes.
Following this advice will help you have as healthy a pregnancy as possible.
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Is Cramping During Pregnancy Normal
Most cases of abdominal cramping in pregnancy are normal. It occurs because the uterus expands to accommodate the growing embryo. Expansion of the uterus causes stretching of its supporting ligaments and muscles. The pain may be more apparent when the mother sneezes, coughs, or keeps her body in an incorrect or strained posture.
Some women experience leg cramps with or without abdominal cramps. Leg cramps are normal and may occur suddenly as a sharp pain in the calf muscles or feet. They are more common in late pregnancy and at night. Your doctor may prescribe vitamin or mineral supplements along with stretching exercises to relieve the cramps.
How Soon Can You Get Symptoms And Signs Of Pregnancy
Most pregnancy symptoms will start to appear around five or six weeks after your last menstrual period. Usually symptoms wont appear immediately, as it takes a few weeks to develop them. Having symptoms a few days after sex isnt usually a sign of pregnancy, and can actually be due to something else such as PMS.
However, a missed period, fatigue or morning sickness before this five-week mark could indicate pregnancy, Lesley Gilchrist, registered midwife and co-founder of My Expert Midwife, says. The most common early signs are missing a period and feeling out of sorts and not yourself- often feeling overwhelmingly tired and needing to sleep a lot.
Morning sickness is also common and can take on several forms for different people, such as feeling nauseous at certain times of the day or all day, vomiting, dizziness or a combination of all these. The need to wee a lot can also be common and is caused by changing hormones in the early days, as are tender, swollen breasts which are sensitive when touched.
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Stomach Pain During Pregnancy: Causes And Treatment
Upper stomach pain pain during pregnancy can be a normal part of the process as your body changes to accommodate your growing baby. While there are many harmless causes of this abdominal pain, some may be more serious. As an expectant mother, it is important to educate yourself on all potential causes so you are able to recognize symptoms that may cause concern.
When Should You Call Your Health Care Provider
While some pain or achiness is normal, severe abdominal pain or cramps could be a sign of a serious problem. Many conditions can cause this type of pain, like ectopic pregnancy, urinary tract infection or preterm labor .
Contact your provider if you have:
- Severe pain
- Lightheadedness or faintness
Last reviewed: December, 2013
Some short-term pain in the belly is normal during pregnancy. But severe cramping or pain never is. Call your health care provider when you show signs of severe pain.
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Severe Abdominal Pain In Pregnancy That Does Not Go Away
Severe abdominal pain could be a sign of placental abruption. Other symptoms may include:
- Stomach tenderness
- Severe back pain
- Vaginal bleeding
Abdomen or stomach pain can be very worrying for pregnant women. Most of the women who are pregnant for the first time are unfamiliar with this pain and often misjudge the abdominal pain as a miscarriage. Its important to stay positive and calm.
Normal abdominal pain in pregnancy is likely to be mild and goes away on its own. But, if a female has persistent stomach pain or cramping that wont go away, or if the pain comes suddenly, visit your doctor immediately.
Constipation And Trapped Wind
You probably know what constipation and trapped wind feels like. Unfortunately, it can get worse during pregnancy – the culprit is usually hormonal changes that slow down the whole digestive process. To combat wind and constipation, try drinking lots of water, eating fibre-rich foods, or talking to your doctor or midwife about taking something to get things moving again.
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Why Would A Dog Bark At A Baby
It is hard to say without more details, but your puppy may be barking just to play or they may be barking because they are nervous or protective over a toy. Try having your child feed the puppy. They should also give them any new toys or chews. Make sure your child isnt roughhousing with your puppy.