According to old women and medical experts, stomach pain (abdominal pain) and cramps are normal during pregnancy. If it is mild and lasts for a few days (1-2 days), you need not to worry about it. However, you need to worry or be anxious about it as it could be a sign of miscarriage, which is a loss of pregnancy that can happen to you at any time before 20-24 weeks.
What causes abdominal pain or cramps drawing pregnancy?
As a pregnant woman, you have mild stomach pain due to the expansion of your womb, trapped wind, hormone constipation, and ligaments stretching your baby bump. It may make you feel a stitch or mild pain that you have during periods. Having enough rest and doing a pass wind or pooing can make you feel relaxed.
When should I consult my doctor for stomach pain during pregnancy?
As a pregnant woman, you can be anxious about your abdominal pain. Your pain can make of fear the worst things like miscarriage. Here, you should be careful of your instincts. You should consult your doctor or midwife if you worry about your pain or you think something is wrong with you. Immediately see your doctor if you experience constant pain or cramping.
What stomach pain or cramps I need to look out for in my pregnancy?
Most of the time, you need to do nothing with your abdominal pain and cramps during your pregnancy. However, some symptoms could be serious. You need to keep a close watch on your cramping or stomach pain and get in touch with your doctor or midwife if you notice:
- Pain in the shoulder tip
- Bleeding
- Feel dizziness or faint
- Brown vaginal discharge
- Discomfort while peeing or pooping
- Severe cramps with or without bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage
- Constant and regular painful cramps or contraction before 37 weeks could be a sign of preterm labour
Severe stomach pain that lasts longer and does not go away could lead you to have placental abruption. It can make you have tenderness while pressing your stomach or back pain with/without bleeding.
Upper stomach pain is common in later pregnancy due to your baby’s growth and push up of the uterus under the ribs. Such a pain on the right side is bad and could lead you to have preeclampsia. When it occurs, you can experience:
- Severe or dull headache that does not go away easily
- Vision problems like flashing or blurring lights
- Sudden increase in your hand, face, or feet swelling
- Discomfort or vomiting
Dull back pain or lower stomach pain could make you experience:
- A frequent requirement to wee
- Discomfort or pain while urinating
- Bad smelling urine
- Increased body temperature
- Nausea and vomiting
Other stomach pains I can expect
During your pregnancy, you could have Braxton Hicks contractions that indicate the tightening of your womb. It can happen to you in or around 16 weeks of your pregnancy. However, it is more common in later pregnancy. It is irregular and more uncomfortable in comparison with pain. Furthermore, it lasts for a very short period.
What should you do?
You need to be careful during pregnancy and keep a close watch on every change taking place inside or outside of your body. If you notice anything abnormal and unbearable, consult your doctor immediately. At Mannat Fertility Clinic, we have a gynaecological program under which we take proper care of pregnant women and respond quickly to their queries and needs.
