Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

What should I do about my abdominal pain?

The majority of women will experience some form of abdominal pain during their pregnancy. While some abdominal pain signals a serious complication, some symptoms are harmless and require no medical treatment. You should call your healthcare provider if, at any time, abdominal pain is accompanied by spotting, fever, nausea and vomiting, vaginal discharge or if the pain is severe.

Abdominal pain during pregnancy is not uncommon. Below are common circumstances in which women would experience pain in their abdomen, although the condition generally requires no medical treatment.

Implantation cramping: Generally experienced in the early weeks of pregnancy and feels similar to menstrual cramps.
Gas and bloating: Due to hormones and the pressure of a growing baby, pregnant women are more prone to abdominal discomfort caused by gas and bloating.
Constipation: Caused by hormones slowing the digestive process and a growing uterus.
Round ligament pain: Caused by the stretching and thickening of the ligaments that support the growing uterus. The pain is usually sharp and brief and felt on one or both sides of the lower abdomen.
Braxton Hicks contractions: Irregular and painless contractions of the uterus, occurring in the second and third trimester.
Stomach virus and other non-pregnancy related illnesses, including food poisoning, gallstones, appendicitis and pancreatitis.

Although some forms of abdominal pain are completely harmless, there are many complications that are signaled by abdominal pain. Below are potential causes for abdominal pain that would require medical treatment.

Ectopic pregnancy: A life threatening complication in which the embryo implants itself outside of the uterus. Additional symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include vaginal spotting or bleeding, pelvic pain and pain that gets worse with activity.
Miscarriage: Threatened and complete miscarriages can be signaled by abdominal pain, in addition to vaginal spotting. Cramps, low back pain and pelvic pressure may be present.
Urinary tract infection: Pregnant women are at an increased risk of developing urinary tract infections and kidney infections. Symptoms may include pain, burning during urination, lower abdominal pain, a frequent urge to urinate and cloudy urine.
Preterm labor: Labor that begins before week 37. Preterm labor is signaled by vaginal spotting, abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping, pressure in the pelvic area, low back pain, leakage of vaginal fluid or vaginal discharge and contractions of the uterus.
Placental abruption: A life threatening condition in which the placenta detaches from the uterus before delivery. Symptoms include bleeding, uterine tenderness, contractions, abdominal pain and back pain.

Comments: Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

Comments 1 to 17 of about 17.
1

Daneisy - 262 days ago.
Hey girl im glad i found this website. Im really concern because i did 2 pregnancy test 2 weeks ago and they both came back possitive. 1 week ago i started having pain like period pain but i waited. THis past monday i went to the hospital because the pain still here. they did my blood test and it came back possitive, but when they did my ultrasound they didnt find anything no sac, no baby. seems i have a history of one m.c the doctor send me home with bed rest and drink alot of water, and prenatal vitamins. the doctor said i might be close to 5 weeks and thats the reason why they cant see the baby, but im really worry and scare about it, im scare of going back on friday how the dr. told me nd finding that my hornome levels went down or still nothing on my ultrasound. Wondering if this has happen to anyone else ''/

ajacksonabner@gmail.com - 600 days ago.
I think the baby has dropped. Sharp pains that last all day at work. Painful and uncomfortable really. My baby laying on my pelvic bone, uncomfortable when i sit down even. I am only 34 weeks along now.

lesleyLDN - 727 days ago.
I'm just short of being five weeks pregnant and I just turned 35. My first pregnancy went without a hitch and I now have a healthy three year old. Last year I had two early miscarriages, 7.5 wks and 4.5 weeks. This morning I started bleeding bright red blood which is now barely there, but what I can see is brown. I pretty much stopped feeling pregnant yesterday and suspect I'm miscarrying again. I previously had tests to rule out blood disorders, but I do have Hypothyroidism. Anyone else experiencing a third miscarriage or have had bleeding that then led to a normal pregnancy?

newmom22 - 749 days ago.
hi im new to the site and im a little over 16 weeks i have been havin slight menstrual like cramps and pain in my lower abdomen mainly after being active or work (im a waitress so alot of walkin around bending etc.) any advice or thoughts would be great :)

phinanj - 883 days ago.
Cinderella-i also lost at 27weeks and it began with her activity being reduced-she wasnt kicking regularly as she was used to and after five days there was no heart beat...pls see your doctor to make suure every thing is ok and pls make sure its a speacialist cos my lost was doctors carelessness. best of luckks with the remaining weeks ahead.

Snooks - 905 days ago.
At the end of 5 weeks and into week 6, I've been having twinges and cramping too. Pretty normal?

cinderella*~** - 906 days ago.
hello ladies, sorry if what im about to post is in the wrong area i couldnt find one that fitted, i'm 22 weeks pregnant and the last few days my cramping has increased in pain and longer, it seems everytime i move its very painful. i know u get ligament pains but they have gotton worse recently. this is my first pregnancy after one mc earlier this year. im also worried as i usually feel my baby move every night between 9-10:30. but didnt last night, is this somthing to be concerned about, its usually only a few kicks.i think im being paranoid.

RedRaven - 957 days ago.
Thanks, that's good to know. I need to get back in yoga.

Tryingfor1more - 957 days ago.
RedRaven--it could be your joints loosening up some.

RedRaven - 957 days ago.
I've noticed mild abdominal pains for the last week or so, which should be the uterus stretching, ( 6 weeks now) but today I noticed my hips have started to ache a bit too. Is that normal?

heathermichelle - 963 days ago.
Since early on in my pregnancy I have had terrible stomach pains. Sometimes just standing up causes sharp pains in my lower stomach, however I do have PCOS. My doctor has assured me that everything is ok and I've had 5 scans which shows the baby is healthy and growing. I've discovered that the pain has been lessening and most of it seems to just be gas pain. I knew I was pregnant at 4 weeks and this is my first baby so til I was 8 weeks any pain I had I called the doctor. Better to be safe then have something happen. Now 10 weeks and the dr says if there is no bleeding I really shouldn't worry.

johnsonbaby1 - 1010 days ago.
Nixinoodle....I have also been having abdominal pain, it's most of the day. I called my midwife but she just thought I had a UTI (urinary tract infection) but I've had one of those before and that's not what the pain feels like. Anyway, If I lay down it helps a lot. Maybe it's just the baby pushing down on my pelvic bone. I hope you feel better you're not the only one who is having abdominal pain!

Nixinoodle - 1031 days ago.
Hi Guys, i am new to this but so many people have recommended this site to me. I just wanted to know if anyone else is experiencing abdominal pain, i have it after i eat in the evening and then in the morning i wake up and have to go to the loo. It's really sore and worrying. Thanks

bubblimummi - 1052 days ago.
jamie, no i didn't have that sort of pain in my two prior pregnancies, you should go and get checked out by the doctor to make sure everything is okay. Good luck hun.

chickinlil - 1068 days ago.
Hi I am 6 weeks pregnant with my second and I seem to be having a lot of stomach pain this time. It has made me worry and I try not to because I haven't had any spotting or anything but I swear I think because of how early it is I just can't help being paranoid I am so glad to know it is something that other people are having too although I wouldn't wish it on anyone lol.

bubblimummi - 1070 days ago.
kate13, thanks for the reassurance =) It's funny how you can be so foreign to things your body does, when I would have experienced much the same thing with the other two!! my hubbie was very nice and brought me home some pancakes and orange juice this morning, even though he is scared about becoming a dad again, I know that's his little way of doting on me and reminding me that he is making an effort. :) best of luck with your pregnancy kate =D are you going to find out the sex of bubs?

bubblimummi - 1070 days ago.
We only just found out we're pregnant again with our third child less than a week ago and at this very moment my stomach muscles are pulling so badly on each side of my distorted belly button LOL, it is worse when I stand up and I have to hold my tummy in so it doesn't sag and pull!! Is this meant to happen this early on (4 weeks 1 day) and is it because of having the two previous pregnancies?? Please let me know if this is normal!! :D