Stomach (abdominal) pains or cramps are common in pregnancy. They're usually nothing to worry about, but they can sometimes be a sign of something more serious that needs to be checked. It's probably nothing to worry about if the pain is mild and goes away when you change position, have a rest, do a poo or pass wind. But if you have stomach pains and are worried, call your midwife or maternity hospital. Harmless stomach pains, which can be dull or sharp, may be caused by: Urgent advice: Call your midwife immediately if you have stomach pain and:
Any of these could be the symptoms of something that needs to be checked or treated urgently. Possible causes of serious stomach painSome conditions that can cause stomach pain need to be checked urgently. Ectopic pregnancyThis is when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb, for example in a fallopian tube. The pregnancy cannot survive and needs to be removed with medicine or surgery. Symptoms typically appear between 4 and 12 weeks of pregnancy and can include:
Find out more about ectopic pregnancy MiscarriageCramping pains and bleeding before 24 weeks of pregnancy can sometimes be a sign of miscarriage or threatened miscarriage (when you bleed but the pregnancy normally continues). Pre-eclampsiaPain just under the ribs is common in later pregnancy due to the growing baby and uterus pushing up under the ribs. But if this pain is bad or persistent, particularly on the right side, it can be a sign of pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy) which affects some pregnant women. It usually starts after 20 weeks or just after the baby is born. Other symptoms of pre-eclampsia include:
You'll need to be monitored in hospital. Find out more about pre-eclampsia Premature labourIf you're less than 37 weeks pregnant and are having regular abdominal cramps or tightenings, call your midwife. This could be a sign of premature labour, and you'll need to be monitored in hospital. Placental abruptionThis is when the placenta starts to come away from the wall of the womb, usually causing bleeding and constant severe pain that does not come and go like a contraction pain. It's sometimes an emergency because it means the placenta may not be able to support your baby properly. You should go to the hospital so you and your baby can be checked. Find out more about placental abruption UTI (urinary tract infection)UTIs are common in pregnancy and can usually be easily treated. They can cause tummy pain and sometimes, but not always, pain when you pee. Find out more about UTIs
Stomach Tightening During Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings with itself a lot of strange symptoms – a tightening sensation in the stomach being one of them. If you are pregnant, on some days, you may feel a tightening sensation in your stomach, which can be a troublesome experience for you. Sometimes, a woman may experience a tightening sensation in her stomach from the first trimester of pregnancy itself, and it could be a sign of miscarriage in the early weeks, premature labour, or normal contractions. But this tightening sensation may persist towards the last few months of pregnancy too. Read on to know what it is and why you might experience abdominal tightening during pregnancy. Also Read: Stomach Pain During Pregnancy What Is Abdominal Tightening During Pregnancy?Abdominal tightening is absolutely normal during pregnancy. As pregnancy advances, the abdomen tends to feel stiff and tightened. As days pass, the discomfort may escalate as the stomach becomes hard like a rock. With tight stomach in the second trimester, you may experience round ligament pain or sharp pain in your abdomen. In the 3rd trimester, abdominal tightening could be a sign of labour. Abdominal Tightening in Early Pregnancy (the First Trimester of Pregnancy)Abdominal tightening during early pregnancy or in the first trimester could be because of various reasons that are explained below. 1. Stretching of the UterusIn the first trimester of the pregnancy, a woman’s uterus stretches rapidly to make space for the growing or expanding foetus. This could lead to sharp pain or abdominal cramps. In the first trimester of your pregnancy, you may also experience sharp shooting pain on the sides of her abdomen due to the stretching and lengthening of the muscles, which is also called round ligament pain. 2. MiscarriageIn the first trimester of pregnancy, if you experience a tightening sensation in your stomach and pain too, then it could be a sign of a miscarriage. If the tightening sensation in the stomach is, in fact, a symptom of a miscarriage, it will be accompanied by other symptoms like pain and cramping in the lower back, spotting or bleeding, and passing of tissue or fluid from the vagina. Look out for these signs especially if you are less than 20 weeks pregnant. However, it is most common before the 12th week. 3. Constipation/GasConstipation and gas is a common problem in pregnancy and most women experience it. During pregnancy, if you have a tightening sensation in your abdomen, it could be because of gas or constipation. You may also have abdominal pain, which can be very distressing. Abdominal Tightening in the Second Trimester of PregnancyAs your body continues to grow in the second trimester, the stabbing pain along the sides of the uterus will continue too, this is round ligament pain. As your uterus expands, the round ligaments located along the side of the uterus will stretch, which can cause pain. You might experience it even more if you try to bend down or try to stand after sitting for long. In the second trimester of your pregnancy, chances are that your stomach may feel tight and uncomfortable due to Braxton-Hicks contractions. Braxton-Hicks contractions or practice contractions can start as early as the fourth month of pregnancy. These contractions are not as painful as actual labour and are very common but they may cause some discomfort and pain. They may even occur when you have sex or when you exercise. Abdominal Tightening in Late Pregnancy (the Third Trimester of Pregnancy)The growing foetus and its movements are responsible for abdominal tightening during late pregnancy. Since the abdominal space is shared by the foetus and the internal organs, the abdomen bulges and stretches. The fat deposited under the skin also stretches it further. The gastric problem during the last trimester is also the reason behind the tightening of the stomach. However, if the tightening persists longer than usual, it could be a sign of labour. Common Causes of Tightness in Stomach During PregnancyA woman experiences physical uneasiness during pregnancy. It could be because of endless reasons. If you have a tightening sensation in the stomach, it could be because of the following reasons. 1. Detached PlacentaThe placenta is the life support for the growing foetus. It is through the placenta that the baby gets its food and nutrients. However, in some cases, even before the delivery, the placenta may detach from the uterus wall. In times like this, the uterus starts getting firmer than usual. This results in the tightening of the belly and is also accompanied by acute pain. 2. Pressure on the AbdomenWhen the baby in the uterus starts growing big, the uterus puts pressure on the abdomen. It is then that the belly expands, making it stiff. In the 2nd trimester, as the baby grows the amniotic fluid also automatically increases which expands the abdomen. 3. Gas and BloatingA balanced and healthy diet is a must during pregnancy. Eating the wrong kinds of food can lead to gas which could bloat your stomach making you feel more uneasy and uncomfortable. 4. Baby’s MovementsYour baby’s kicks and movements could make you ticklish and giggly. You may feel good and relieved on knowing that your baby is doing fine but with his every movement, your belly may get tighter from the outside. 5. Braxton-Hicks ContractionsBraxton-Hicks contractions are similar to labour contractions, but NOT the same. These contractions may make your stomach very tight and stiff. And for some women, Braxton-Hicks Contractions may start as early as in the second trimester. 6. Pregnancy-related ProblemsStiffness in the belly can be caused due to pregnancy-related complications like a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (a condition in which the fertilized egg implants itself in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus). 7. Nearing Delivery TimeContractions and stiffness in your belly during your estimated delivery date could be tricky. You may feel that you are going into labour but it can be a false alarm too. You must learn to differentiate between Braxton-Hicks contractions and actual labour. For that, time your contractions – Braxton-Hicks contractions mostly last for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Moreover, they come only once or twice an hour all through the day. With the change of position, the stiffness of the belly also goes away. However, that is not the case during labour. The time gap between two consecutive contractions during labour isn’t much and they last for a longer period of time. 8. OvereatingMany women think that during pregnancy, they should follow the old notion of ‘eating for two’. But that is not true! If you eat for two during pregnancy, you will end up overeating. This, in turn, might make your belly tight and stiff. 9. ConstipationConstipation is very common during pregnancy. It is not due to an unhealthy diet. It is because of the uterus pressing on the bowel. Moreover, the added release of progesterone in the body slows down the gastrointestinal tract and thus a pregnant woman may feel constipated. Constipation can make your stomach stiff and hard. If your stomach feels tight and stiff during pregnancy, here is what you can do.
These home remedial measures will relieve the stiffness in your belly. If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and notice symptoms of preterm labour like bleeding, increased pressure in the pelvis, or continuous fluid leakage from the vagina, contact your doctor immediately. Apart from these symptoms, you should also talk to your doctor if you have had 4-6 contractions in an hour. When Should You Call a Doctor?A hard belly during pregnancy could be because of numerous reasons. However, you should call the doctor if:
FAQs1. How Can You Tell the Difference Between True Labour and Braxton- Hicks Contractions?True labour or real labour contractions start after the 37th week (it can start early in case of preterm labour). The contractions come at regular intervals and with time, become very painful. There may also be other signs of labour like the leaking amniotic fluid (known as the breaking of water) and the release of mucus plug. On the other hand, during Braxton-Hicks contractions, the time interval is large and irregular. They are also not as painful as real labour. The pain and contractions may reduce and even go away if you move or change your position. Stomach tightening during pregnancy can be painful and scary but it’s part and parcel of most pregnancies. If you experience stomach tightening during pregnancy, try and understand the reason for it in the first place. However, if it lasts for a few days, consult your doctor. Also Read: False Labour vs Real Labour – How to Tell the Difference
How does lower stomach feels early in pregnancy?Lower abdominal pain is normal during pregnancy and is most common between 18 and 24 weeks. Your growing uterus is pulling and straining the muscles that support it. You may feel sharp pains or just a mild pulling sensation. It often occurs when you cough, sneeze, stand up, sit down, roll over, or during sex.
What does your belly feel like in early pregnancy?Early pregnancy (first trimester) abdominal symptoms include nausea/morning sickness, cramping, constipation, heartburn, bloating, and gas. Pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus, and pregnancy symptoms may begin in some people as early as a week after implantation.
Why is my stomach hard at the bottom early pregnancy?Generally, you expect a hard stomach when you're pregnant. Your hard-feeling stomach is caused by the pressure of your uterus growing and putting pressure on your abdomen. The hardness of your stomach while pregnant can be more pronounced if you eat a low-fiber diet or drink a lot of carbonated beverages.
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Does your lower stomach feel tight in early pregnancy
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