It’s normal to experience pain and cramps in the abdomen during pregnancy. These are signs that it could be something more serious.
You will experience some discomfort during pregnancy, such as tender breasts or achy back.You should be concerned if you feel any abdominal pain or cramps while you are pregnant.
Although abdominal discomfort is common during pregnancy, it could indicate a serious problem and warrant medical attention. These are the signs that cramps in pregnancy are not something to be concerned about.
Are cramps during pregnancy normal?
It is not uncommon to experience stomach cramps and abdominal pain during pregnancy. Many common pregnancy symptoms such as constipation and increased blood flow to your uterus can cause early pregnancy cramps.
Pregnancy pains can be related to other symptoms, such as Braxton Hicks contractions and round ligament pain. Sometimes, however abdominal pain can occur during pregnancy and may be an indication of a medical condition such as a miscarriage or a urinary tract infection. It is always best to contact your doctor if you have any concerns.
These are some common causes of cramps and abdominal pain during pregnancy. They can happen at any time during the trimester.
Gastric distress
Progesterone is a hormone that relaxes your digestive system’s smooth muscles. This can lead to gas and bloating.
As a result, your digestion slows down. This can cause pregnancy-related constipation and pregnancy-related belly bloating . Both can result in crampy feeling in your abdomen.
If you feel some discomfort, it is likely that your digestive problems are to blame. You can prevent digestive issues by eating fiber-rich food, eating several smaller meals per day, taking your time while eating, and drinking lots of water.
Your doctor may recommend a stool softener to help constipation if these changes fail.
Cramps after orgasm
Cramping after and during orgasm is common in low-risk pregnancies. This is due to normal uterine contractions and increased blood flow to your pelvic area during an orgasm.
Are you worried about the effects of orgasm on sex ? It won’t. It is absolutely fine to enjoy sex after sex cramps, provided you feel up to it and your doctor has given you permission. You can relieve cramps by lying down or taking a break.
Blood flow to uterus
Your body may send more blood to your uterus during pregnancy than normal. The area may feel pressured. These pregnancy pains can be relieved by lying down or taking a warm bath.
Urinary tract infections (UTI)
A urinary tract infection may not cause symptoms, but can often cause pain or pressure in your pelvic area. Other symptoms include a foul-smelling, bloody, or cloudy urine, burning sensations when you urinate, and fever.
If left untreated, a UTI could become very serious. A quick round of antibiotics is usually enough to treat the problem.
Dehydration
Dehydration can cause Braxton Hicks contractions. These are practice contractions that typically occur mid-term and are quite normal. Although it is not a problem to be thirsty, some research suggests that extreme dehydration could increase the likelihood of preterm labor.
You should aim to drink eight to ten glasses of water per day during pregnancy. If your urine is pale yellow or colorless, and you frequent the bathroom, you will know that you are hydrated.
Avoid crammping in the first trimester of pregnancy
Implantation
Menstrual cramping can occur very early in pregnancy. These implantation cramps occur around the time you have your period, and before you know for certain that you have conceived.
A fertilized egg attaching itself to the uterine wall can cause mild twinges or light implant bleeding. This happens between 6 and 12 days after fertilization. It usually lasts for a few hours. The discomfort is usually relieved by a little R&R.
Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnant is when a fertilized eggs implants somewhere else than the uterus. This can lead to first trimester cramps. Usually, they are in the lower abdomen.
It can start as a dull ache, and then progress to cramps or spasms. This may get worse over time. Ectopic pregnancies can also lead to vaginal bleeding and shoulder pain.
You should consult a doctor immediately if you suspect you might be having an ectopic baby. Around week 5-6 of pregnancy, ultrasounds and blood tests are used to diagnose ectopic pregnancies.
If your first trimester ultrasound was clear, then an ectopic pregnancy may not be the reason for your cramping.
Miscarriage
How do miscarriage cramps actually feel? A miscarriage in the first trimester can cause cramping that is similar to period cramps. This is usually felt in the pelvic, abdomen, and/or lower back. It can also be accompanied with bleeding. Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester. However, they can also occur in the second.
It can be hard to determine if early pregnancy cramps are caused by a miscarriage, implantation, or if your uterus is expanding. Bleeding is the most important sign of miscarriage. Miscarriage cramping is different from implantation cramping. It usually comes with bleeding that lasts several days and gets heavier over time.
It’s always a good idea for you to consult your doctor if you are concerned about miscarriage.
Cramping in the second trimester
Round ligament pain
The uterus is held in place by round ligaments, which are bands of tissue. These ligaments can become stretched as pregnancy progresses. This can lead to aches, cramps, or sharp pain on one or both of the lower abdomens.
Round ligament pain is most common in the second trimester, but it can also occur in the second half. This can occur after exercise, when you sneeze, laugh, or get out of bed. These cramps can occur during pregnancy and last anywhere from a few seconds up to a couple of minutes. Get plenty of rest and change your position slowly to get relief.
Braxton Hicks contractions
These “practice contractions” are your body’s way to prepare for real labor. They can start around 20 weeks into your pregnancy. Braxton Hicks contractions can be irregular and short, lasting only a few minutes.
Change your position if you feel Braxton Hicks cramps in the second trimester. It should stop if you are standing or sitting, and vice versa.
Remember that preterm labor, placental abruption and preeclampsia can also occur in the second trimester. Continue reading for more information about these conditions.
Cramping in the third trimester
Placental abruption
When the placenta is separated (partially, or completely) from the uterine wall prior to a baby’s birth, it can cause severe and persistent abdominal pain along with back pain and vaginal bleeding.
Although most likely to occur in the third trimester of pregnancy, placental abruption can also occur in the second. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you experience abdominal pain and bleeding during the second half or later.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia occurs in the second half or third trimester of pregnancy. It is characterised by high blood pressure and increased protein levels in the urine.
It can lead to upper abdominal pain, severe headaches, severe swelling in your face and hands, sudden weight loss that isn’t related to eating, vision changes and nausea, shortness of breath, and severe headaches.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to immediately see your doctor. Preeclampsia can be dangerous for you and your baby if it is not treated. It can reduce the amount of nutrition and oxygen that flows to the fetus, and increase the chance of placental abruption. Preeclampsia can be treated early to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Labour contractions
The labor contractions occur at regular intervals and last between 30 and 70 seconds. They get stronger and closer together over time, and they don’t disappear when you move around. Other signs and symptoms of labor are feeling pressure in your pelvic area (like your child is pushing down), changing in vaginal flow (leaking fluid, or light bleeding), and feeling pressure in your stomach.
If you feel that your doctor has advised you to call when you feel cramping in the third trimester, it could be labor contractions. If you experience bleeding, water breaking or signs of preeclampsia such as blurred vision or sudden swelling, be sure to contact your doctor immediately.
These symptoms could indicate that you are experiencing preterm labour. You should contact your doctor immediately if you suspect you are in preterm labor.
How to relieve cramps during pregnancy?
The cause of your pregnancy cramps will determine how to relieve it. These are the top causes of abdominal cramps in pregnancy.
- Relax for a while and lie down. This can help relieve pregnancy cramps due to implantation, orgasm and increased blood flow to your uterus.
- Get plenty of water to ease cramping due to constipation, dehydration, or bloating.
- You can use warm baths to ease cramps that may result from increased blood flow to the uterus.
- Wear a belly band to relieve the pain of round ligament pain and abdominal cramps in the second half.
- If you feel you are experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions, you can change your position (either lie down or stand)
When should you call your doctor?
What should you do if cramps occur during pregnancy? If you are concerned about cramping or other pregnancy symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to contact your practitioner immediately.
- A severe lower abdominal pain that persists in the middle or on either one or both sides and doesn’t subside (even though it’s not accompanied by bleeding).
- Sudden increase in thirst, with a decrease or complete absence of urination.
- Preeclampsia is characterized by severe headaches that don’t go away, vision problems, sudden swelling, and/or unexplained weight loss (which are all symptoms of preeclampsia).
- Chills or fever
- Heavy bleeding or bleeding with cramps, severe pain or swelling in the lower abdomen
- Bloody diarrhea
- Urinary problems, pain or burning sensations, blood in the urine or difficulty urinating
- Feeling dizzy or faint
- It is possible that you are experiencing more than four contractions per hour, especially if this happens before 37 weeks.
Most likely, cramps during pregnancy will be normal. It is important to know about more serious causes of cramping in pregnancy. This will allow you to get the medical attention you need.