All you need to know about abdominal pains in woman during the period of pregnancy

Abdominal pains in women sometimes are usually typical because the woman’s organs are shifting, the uterus is expanding, while the ligaments are stretching. Most women experience what is called “Morning Sickness”, but abdominal pain is usually more severe and sometimes needs an urgent response from the doctor.

Some research has listed some harmless causes of abdominal pain in women during pregnancy, and they are as follows:

1. Pain in round ligament: When a woman is pregnant, the uterus will enlarge, causing it to stretch around the ligaments (the two significant ligaments that travel in front of the uterus and down into the groin). According to Dr Duff’s saying, “the woman will witness this at the lower abdomen which radiates into the groin” the feelings can stabbing and sharp or dull and achy when she changes position. This usually occurs during the second trimester and will resolve on its own without any medical attention, but if the pains resist you contact your ob-gyn to know if you can take acetaminophen.

• Growing of uterus: Uterus tends to increase during pregnancy and displaces your bowel and give you the sense of feeling full every time, or distention in your abdomen, it also leads to nausea says by Dr Patrick Duff. These can be solved by frequently eating, eating smaller meals, resting enough, exercising regularly and trying to empty your bladder, especially before sleeping in the night.

• Braxton Hicks Contractions: They are usually associated with dilation of the cervix, according to Dr Patrick Duff the MD., professor of ob-gyn at the University of Florida at Gainesville. He says that “the feeling can be annoying, but mild” the only trick here is to be able to differentiate the “Practice contractions” from “real premature labour” because True contractions tend to draw closer together. Dr Duff also stated that dehydration might be the cause of Braxton Hicks contractions. So it is advisable to drinks more fluids/water, incase if the contractions persist, and you have the thought if it could be Braxton Hicks or True contractions, call your obstetrics and gynaecology.

• Constipation and gas: This is often part and parcel of pregnancy in women. The hormone “Progesterone” that increases during pregnancy in woman tends to slow down the entire gastrointestinal tract and cause food to move more slowly through it. It is advisable to drink plenty of water and eat fibre-rich food to be able to fight constipation, but if the problem persists your midwife or ob-gyn may recommend a stool softener or fibre supplements.

Some serious abdominal cases during pregnancy; bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fever, and visual disturbances could be witnessed during pregnancy and immediate medical attention from ob-gyn, but even at these some women usually have healthy pregnancies.

• Miscarriage: Abdominal experienced during the first trimester, unfortunately between 15 to 20 percentage pregnancies usually end in miscarriages according to Dr Patrick Duff. The most recorded symptoms of miscarriage include cramping that can be rhythmic and bleeding or resemble menstrual cramps.

• Ectopic Pregnancy: Ectopic has also known tubal pregnancies usually occurs when eggs planted in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus, it usually occurs in 1 in 50 pregnancies according to the March of Dimes. When this happens, the woman experience intense pain and bleeding between 6^th and 10^th weeks of the pregnancy as the tube becomes distended. The women who usually have such issue are the ones that once had fallopian tube surgery, abdominal pelvic, endometriosis, tubal ligation and pelvic infection.

•  Preterm labour: When you are experiencing regular contraction before 37 weeks of pregnancy or having a persistent backache which simply means having of preterm labour, don’t waste time in calling your ob-gyn right away. The contraction may or may not be accompanied by blood or leaking vaginal fluid and a decrease in fetal movement. Experienced pros might not be able to tell if contractions are just Braxton Hicks or actual preterm labour.

• Preeclampsia: this can develop after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Hypertensive disorder and preeclampsia are usually experienced by 5 to 8 percentage of pregnancy which is the main reason why your doctor checks your blood pressure at every appointment, and it is known by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. The baby’s growth may be slowed because high blood pressure constricts the vessels in the uterus which gives the fetus oxygen and nutrients. Preeclampsia dramatically increases the risk of placental abruption because the placenta is separated from the uterine wall before delivery. The difficult situation of preeclampsia can lead to pain in the right portion of abdomen, nausea, headaches, swelling and visual disturbance (example flashing light). The attention of ob-gyn is to be called when preeclampsia is suspected.

• Abruption of Placental: Placenta is the source of oxygen and nutrients for the baby; it is usually located at the uterine wall and doesn’t detach until after baby’ birth. The dangerous complications of placenta separating from the uterine wall typically occur in 1 out of every 200 births, and it is most common in the third trimester. Placenta abruption cases can sometimes lead to early labour in some women when the placenta separates and the ob-gyn usually deliver the baby through emergency cesarean section. Still, if the abruption is mild, a doctor may allow the pregnancy to continue or may include vaginal delivery.

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): This is usually very common among women, especially during their pregnancy, according to the March of Dimes. Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection Includes pain or burning with urination, sudden urge to urinate, abdominal pain in some patients and bloody urination.

• Gallstones: Stones in the gallbladder are very common in women, and it occurs more in overweight women that are at the age of 35. According to Dr Chambliss “, the pain from gallstones is also called (cholecystitis), and it is usually severe and occurs more on the upper right quadrant of the abdomen or sometimes at the radiate around the back and under the right shoulder blade.

• Appendicitis: According to Dr Duff, during pregnancy, it is usually difficult to diagnose since the uterus enlarges, the appendix pulls up and can get up near the belly button or liver. Diagnosis often delays in the woman and is at higher risk that can lead to death caused by appendicitis during pregnancy. The symptoms include lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting  

      When is the right time to call my ob-gyn?

Is advised to call your doctor or ob-gyn immediately any of these signs occur during pregnancy

1. Severe headache
2. Visual disturbance
3. Abdominal pain with bleeding or not without before 12 weeks
4. Strong cramping or bleeding
5. More contraction in an hour for two hours
6. Severe swelling of the face, legs or hands
7. Blood in urine, difficulty urinating or pain during urinating

Common remedies to ease abdominal discomfort during pregnancy

1. A proper intake of water
2. Often empty your bladder
3. Having enough rest
4. Eat small and frequently
5. Eat more of fibre-rich foods (Example bran, vegetables and fruits)

Some severe symptoms you shouldn’t ignore during pregnancy

• Vaginal Bleeding: Bleeding during the first trimester is relatively common; approximately 25 per cent of women experience some spotting or more massive bleeding in the early 13 or more weeks and still have perfect and healthy babies. Bleeding during pregnancy in the second and third trimester is usually are more severe and worrisome, especially when it is accompanied by cramping, it can lead to miscarriage. The most common cause is when the implantation is done at the lining of the uterus.

• Extreme Vomiting: Morning sickness is the most common and annoying symptoms during pregnancy, but it is normal. But if you are throwing up so much and can’t keep liquids down or you are not urinating, call the doctor because it can lead to severe dehydration which is not healthy for the baby.

• Having a severe headache: Having a severe and persistent problem, especially when it is accompanied by dizziness, fainting, or having a blurred vision – you should call your doctor immediately. Look for a comfortable place to sit down if feeling faint and have someone chatting with you while you wait for your doctor. Try to drink more water since most at times dehydration is the cause of these symptoms. These severe headaches during second and third trimester might be a signal of preeclampsia.

• Having Intense Abdominal pain: this sign is showing that the egg has implanted its self at the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. If your pregnancy is less than 12 weeks, you will be having double over with sharp cramp on one side of her stomach. These required immediate attention or have an ultrasound. Abdominal pain during late pregnancy is usually normal growing of uterus, round ligaments stretching or gas, unless pains are unrelenting and associated with bleeding.

• Itching of the body: if you have a mild itching all over your body, most notably in your hand and feet it is common, but having a severe itching could be pointing out cholestasis of pregnancy.

 Some symptoms you should ignore

1. Sleeping more and exercising less (Fatigue)
2. Having a vivid and even a scary nightmares or dreams
3. Mood swing, for example, changing the eating and sleeping pattern
4. Forgetfulness or confusion
5. constipation