Abdominal Pain In Pregnancy – Causes and Treatment
Pregnant women occasionally experience abdominal pain. Usually abdominal discomfort is a natural outcome of physical changes that occur during pregnancy. Nonetheless, intense and persistent pain could be a sign of a serious pregnancy-related complication, which should not be overlooked.
The common causes of abdominal pain in pregnant women are associated with slow digestion that occurs when the growing womb presses the stomach and the intestines. Hormonal changes further slow down movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract.
Slow digestion speed increases gas formation and bloating, leading to abdominal pain. It even slows down bowel movement, causing constipation. In addition, the growing uterus exerts pressure on the rectum, making defecation painful. Constipation is one of the major causes of abdominal stomach pain.
The above causes of abdominal pain could be treated by modifying the eating habits. Breaking large meals into several smaller meals could ease digestion. Remember to chew your food properly. The saliva blends with the food contents and makes them easily digestible. Avoid carbonated drinks and chewing gum. Add adequate dietary fibers in the diet to ease bowel movement.
In the second trimester of pregnancy, the ligaments supporting the pelvis stretch to support the growing womb. This leads to a sharp and persistent ache in the lower abdomen or in the groin, known as the round ligament pain. Pregnant women often experience the round ligament pain when they change their position suddenly. Physical activities for a prolonged period tend to worsen the pain.
However, abdominal pain accompanied by bleeding, spotting, vaginal discharge, nausea, vomiting and fever should not be ignored. Pain that occurs in early pregnancy might be a symptom of ectopic pregnancy. Abdominal pain and mild to heavy bleeding that occur within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy might be symptoms of miscarriage. Abdominal pain during the second half of pregnancy, before the 37th week of pregnancy could be a sign of preterm delivery.
Severe preeclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension could cause tenderness and pain in the upper abdomen. Lower abdominal pain along with painful urination and pelvic discomfort might be symptoms of urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections during pregnancy should be treated to prevent preterm delivery and kidney infections.
