Pregnant women can experience various situations that, in some cases, may or may not be expected. Many couples go through different concerns when a woman who finds her child growing inside her experiences some discomfort or peculiar sensations, so it is always important that the process is controlled by a professional during the nine months and any disorder that is is presented, as well as the concerns that future parents may have.
Episodes of abdominal or pelvic pain, whether of small or moderate intensity, can be expected due to the anatomical and physiological changes experienced during it, but in other cases, it may be a more serious situation that must be addressed by a doctor soon as possible. If you have any doubts, in the following FastlyHealarticle, we detail everything about belly pain in pregnancy: causes and treatment.
Table of Contents
Ectopic pregnancy
While an ectopic pregnancy is not usually that common, as only one woman in 50 experiences it, it can be one of the causes of belly pain in pregnancy. It is known as pregnancy, in which the fertilized egg implants anywhere other than the uterus and generally occurs in the fallopian tube.
Specific medical treatment must be carried out on these occasions and under strict control. This is because said alteration can be a significant threat to the lives of future mothers since, as the fetus develops, the sector where it was housed could break.
In these few cases, women who go through an ectopic pregnancy may experience severe pain in the belly and bleeding between the 6th and 10th week of gestation. Although any woman can suffer this alteration, those most at risk of having an ectopic pregnancy have already had one of the same characteristics before or have suffered tubal ligation, endometriosis, or injuries to the fallopian tube.
Placental abruption
Premature placental abruption can be another cause of abdominal pain in pregnancy. This condition can be dangerous because the placenta separates from the uterus before the woman gives birth to her child. Although the most characteristic symptom of this alteration is severe pain in the stomach, there are also other signs such as vaginal bleeding and contractions.
Although the exact cause is not known, several factors can increase the risk of suffering a premature detachment of the placenta, for example, suffering from chronic high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, an injury sustained by the future mother such as a blow to the abdomen, consume alcohol, tobacco, cocaine or be over 40 years of age.
Suppose you want to prevent this disorder that can cause stomach pain during pregnancy. In that case, you must keep it under control with strict medical rules and carry out the treatment that it indicates if you suffer from any of the pathologies mentioned above.
Braxton Hicks contractions
Although, in some cases, belly pain during pregnancy may indicate a severe pathology that must be urgently controlled, other times, it may be a more common factor that all women go through during their child’s pregnancy.
Braxton Hicks contractions are considered a nuisance rather than a severe condition for the mother or child. These usually appear during the second half of pregnancy and are sporadic contractions of the uterus, which can cause discomfort or a little pain.
These contractions are different from the true ones when you are about to give birth since the Braxton Hicks ones last a short period and do not usually have many contractions in a row. In addition, you will be able to carry out your activities usually. At the same time, if it were real contractions, breathing would be difficult, and you would be able to move normally, although if you doubt, no matter how minor, you must consult your doctor.
Spontaneous abortion
Miscarriage occurs between 15 and 20% of pregnancies and can be one of the causes of lower belly pain in pregnancy. It is the most common way pregnancy is lost today and is often called a miscarriage, which usually occurs during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.
Common signs of miscarriage include belly pain, back pain, bright red or brown bleeding, cramps, and true contractions that happen every 5 to 20 minutes.
The cause of miscarriages can vary between changes in the woman, such as abnormalities in her uterus, suffering from certain conditions such as severe diabetes, having a significant infection or injury, or the fertilized egg containing an odd number of chromosomes.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a condition in pregnant women with high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine after 20 weeks of gestation. Also, belly pain is widespread and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and increased pressure in the abdomen.
The most common causes of preeclampsia are that the woman suffers from autoimmune disorders, has vascular problems, her diet is not adequate, or may simply be her genes. It is not a condition that can be prevented. Still, greater attention should be paid to the various risk factors, such as whether the woman is over 35 years old, suffers from obesity, has a history of this pathology, has suffered from kidney disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, and whether it is a first or multiple pregnancies.
Other possible causes of belly pain in pregnancy
- A urinary tract infection.
- You have round ligament pain.
- You suffer from constipation and gas.
- It can be joint discomfort during pregnancy.
Treatment for pain in the belly during pregnancy
As detailed in the article, there are numerous causes of belly pain in pregnancy, which can be severe and put the baby or mother at risk or become harmless without significant worries and treatments.
The treatment will depend exclusively on the cause causing the abdominal discomfort, so it is essential to consult a doctor for any pain and concern that may appear during the child’s pregnancy.
It is important to remember that if the correct treatment is carried out on time, the significant complications diminish, and the pregnancy can continue as usual, even if the cause of the belly pain is a severe pathology.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Belly pain in pregnancy: causes and treatment, we recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.