Dealing with Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

If you're experiencing discomfort in the abdomen during the early months of your pregnancy, then rest assured that you are not alone. Among the long list of small annoyances pregnant women have to put up with are abdominal cramps. Abdominal discomfort is extremely common during pregnancy, especially early on. This is often a source of concern for first-time pregnant women. But your pain is likely due to natural, normal causes, so most likely there is nothing to be alarmed about. Of course, if you think there is something more serious going on, please consult with your doctor as soon as you can.

Most pregnant women complain of a dull, sporadic abdominal pain. This is sometimes similar to the cramps women feel during menstruation. On occasion, this pain can be quite alarming because the woman may fear that she is going to have a miscarriage. This is usually not the case. There are many reasons for abdominal pain, most of them completely benign.

Very early in the pregnancy, a woman may feel abdominal cramping as the embryo adheres to the uterine wall. This happens as the uterus and embryo are getting ready for the long period of gestation. After the embryo starts to grow, the uterus will stretch to allow enough room. This can be a cause of discomfort in the abdomen.

Sometimes the pain is due to the buildup of gas or constipation. This is because the digestive system is slowed down by the changes in hormone activity that normally accompany pregnancy. The extra gas takes up space in the abdomen and causes discomfort. Heartburn is also common in pregnant women, and can cause discomfort in the chest and abdomen.

Round ligament pain is often more sharp and shows up very briefly. If this is a problem then adjust your position to allow more room in the area where you are experiencing pain. This should quickly alleviate the discomfort. You only need to consult a doctor if the pain is severe and constant, or if it is coupled with other symptoms. Since you will likely be seeing your doctor several times during your pregnancy anyway, take the opportunity to bring up your cramps. Your doctor will know if this is something to be worried about.

That being said, there are also some more serious causes for abdominal pain during pregnancy. One is an ectopic pregnancy. Normally, the embryo fixes itself to the wall of the uterus. However, in an ectopic pregnancy, the embryo finds some other place to adhere, usually the fallopian tube. Symptoms are generally more severe than those discussed previously and include cramps, spotting, dizzy spells, and pain in the lower back and shoulders. This is a problem that can be treated if caught early on, but it can become very serious later. If the problem is not treated, there is a danger of causing a rupture of the fallopian tube as the embryo grows.

Finally, there is the possibility of a miscarriage. Don't panic, because this is probably NOT the cause of your pain. As we mentioned before, most abdominal discomfort early on in the pregnancy is perfectly normal. However, pay attention if the abdominal pain is accompanied by a lot of bleeding or if the pain tends to gradually build over time. These could be indications that you are going to have a miscarriage. If you experience these symptoms it is best to check with a doctor to make sure that your pregnancy is developing normally.

Also keep in mind that miscarriages are not the only issues that can cause these symptoms. The cause could be something entirely unrelated to your pregnancy such as kidney stones or a disorder of the gallbladder or pancreas. These situations are also serious and need to be seen by a doctor. But keep in mind that these types of problems will not affect the health of your baby.

So if you're feeling abdominal pain, don't panic. Most likely, the discomfort you're feeling is normal and probably caused by natural, benign processes. Take steps to make yourself as comfortable as you can. If you're worried that something more serious is occurring, then check with your doctor to set your mind at ease. At the end of your pregnancy, of course, your body will use abdominal cramps to tell you that you are about to deliver. These will be extremely severe pains that show up repeatedly a few minutes apart. Again, these pains are not to be feared but are just a normal part of giving birth. And later, when this is all over, you will have a beautiful new baby to take your mind off the discomfort and pain that you went through!

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