Causes and Symptoms of Abdominal Pain during Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Guide

March 12, 2024

During pregnancy, the fetus in the abdomen is relatively stable. However, some pregnant women may experience abdominal pain. So what causes abdominal pain during pregnancy? What are the symptoms of abdominal pain during pregnancy? Let me explain them to you one by one.

What causes abdominal pain during pregnancy?

Many pregnant women do not know what causes abdominal pain during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the baby is more stable and not as fragile as in the early stages of pregnancy. However, some pregnant women may experience abdominal pain. So let me explain what causes abdominal pain during pregnancy.

Abdominal pain during pregnancy refers to the stretching of the uterus and the round ligaments around the fourth month of pregnancy, causing discomfort for many expectant mothers. In the early stages of pregnancy, pregnant women often experience mild lower abdominal pain. If the pain is mild and can be relieved by rest, it is generally not a problem. However, if the pain comes in waves or persists with lower abdominal pain similar to premenstrual or menstrual pain, accompanied by vaginal bleeding, it may be a pathological condition and should be promptly examined by a doctor.

Important note:

Abdominal pain during pregnancy can be easily confused with the following symptoms:

1. Late pregnancy abdominal pain: In the late stages of pregnancy, as the fetus grows, the burden on the abdomen and the whole body of expectant mothers increases. Therefore, the frequency of abdominal pain increases significantly compared to earlier stages of pregnancy.

2. Early pregnancy abdominal pain: Refers to the symptoms of abdominal pain in the early stages of pregnancy. If abdominal pain occurs in the early stages of pregnancy, especially lower abdominal pain, you should first consider whether it is a complication of pregnancy. Common complications include threatened miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.

3. Lower abdominal pain in pregnant women: During pregnancy, due to obstruction or malnutrition of the uterine artery, poor circulation of Qi and blood can lead to lower abdominal pain, known as "pregnancy abdominal pain." The main pathogenesis of this condition is blood deficiency, Qi stagnation, and cold deficiency, resulting in obstruction or malnutrition of the uterine artery, leading to poor circulation of Qi and blood, resulting in abdominal pain. The lesion is only in the uterine artery and has not yet affected the fetus, but in severe cases, it can also affect the fetus due to uterine artery obstruction and poor blood circulation, leading to fetal malnutrition. ...

Symptoms of abdominal pain during pregnancy

Some pregnant women may experience abdominal pain during pregnancy. But do you know what the symptoms of abdominal pain during pregnancy are? Only when we know the symptoms of abdominal pain during pregnancy can we quickly and effectively take treatment measures to ensure the health of the fetus in the abdomen. Let me tell you the symptoms of abdominal pain during pregnancy.

Physiological abdominal pain:

1. Around the fourth month of pregnancy, as the uterus enlarges and the round ligaments are stretched, many expectant mothers may feel some abdominal pain. This pain is often located on one or both sides of the lower abdomen, and it may feel like a pulling pain, dull pain, or hidden pain. The pain may become more obvious when walking long distances or changing positions.

2. If pregnant women exert too much force during sexual intercourse, it can also cause abdominal pain.

Pathological abdominal pain:

During the middle stage of pregnancy, as the baby grows, the intra-abdominal pressure of expectant mothers increases. If the esophageal hiatus (the opening through which the esophagus passes down to connect with the stomach) widens, it may cause "hiatal hernia" and abdominal pain. At this time, the abdominal pain is often accompanied by chest tightness, shortness of breath, chest pain, acid reflux, and belching. Hiatal hernia has an incidence rate of 30% to 50% during pregnancy, and the symptoms may be more pronounced in the late stages of pregnancy.

Treatment methods for abdominal pain during pregnancy

Abdominal pain during pregnancy always causes distress to pregnant women because of the physical pain and psychological torment. At the same time, they are also afraid that the abdominal pain may cause a series of diseases that could harm the life of the fetus in the abdomen. At this time, pregnant women are eager to know the treatment methods for abdominal pain during pregnancy. So let me tell you what the treatment methods for abdominal pain during pregnancy are. Pregnant women must pay close attention to ensure the healthy growth of their babies.

1. Resting in bed can relieve the pain.

When you feel backache, heaviness in the abdomen, or a sense of heaviness in the abdomen, stop activities, rest more, and observe carefully. If the pain cannot be relieved, seek medical attention promptly. Avoid excessive fatigue and strenuous activities. The first three months of pregnancy are a high-risk period for miscarriage, so sexual intercourse should be avoided as much as possible.

2. Suggestions for pregnant women:

Eat small meals and avoid eating foods that are too sweet, spicy, or sticky. After meals, avoid lying flat on the bed or lying too low. Try to avoid bending over too much to reduce acid reflux in the stomach and keep bowel movements regular. If you experience symptoms of gastric reflux, try to elevate the upper body by about 20°. If abdominal pain is accompanied by coffee-colored or brownish vaginal bleeding, seek medical attention promptly and follow the doctor's advice for maintaining pregnancy.

What to eat for abdominal pain during pregnancy

As the saying goes, "Food is the best medicine." Pregnant women should avoid taking medication during pregnancy because all medicines have some degree of toxicity. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of the baby, pregnant women should try to avoid taking medication. However, what should pregnant women do when they experience abdominal pain during pregnancy? Pregnant women should pay special attention to their diet. So what should pregnant women eat for abdominal pain during the middle stage of pregnancy?

Eat foods with high collagen protein content. Eat foods that have a lubricating effect on the intestines and promote bowel movements. Eat foods that have a nourishing effect:

1. Pickled vegetables

They contain rich insoluble dietary fiber, which helps increase gastrointestinal motility, promote gastrointestinal emptying, and relieve symptoms of hiatal hernia.

How to eat: Stir-fry 100g with eggs.

2. Beeswax

It has a good lubricating and laxative effect, which can promote bowel movements and reduce the retention of stools, preventing damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa.

How to eat: Cook 25g with jujube.

3. Honey

It contains abundant fructose, especially lactose, which is metabolized in the intestine to produce lactic acid, promoting gastrointestinal emptying.

How to eat: Mix 25g with beeswax and consume.

Important precautions for abdominal pain during pregnancy

The term "pregnancy" refers to the period from the 13th to the 28th week of pregnancy. During this period, the abdomen of pregnant women begins to enlarge, and they may experience headaches, abdominal pain, and back pain. Pregnant women need to pay attention to more precautions at this time. Do you know what precautions to take for abdominal pain during pregnancy?

Many pregnant women often complain of abdominal pain during pregnancy or occasional discomfort in the abdomen. Although abdominal pain during pregnancy may not be a major problem, it may also indicate the presence of a serious issue. For severe or persistent abdominal pain during pregnancy, do not take it lightly!

If your backache is relatively mild, you can do home massage exercises. This is also a perfect opportunity for expectant fathers to take care of their beloved wives. Quickly learn some professional and authentic massage techniques to give your wife sweet massages every day. In addition, local hot compress can also be done using a hot towel, gauze, or hot water bag. Apply hot compress for half an hour every day to alleviate the feeling of pain.

During pregnancy, the appetite of expectant mothers gradually improves. At this time, the embryonic development is completed, the placenta has formed, and the risk of miscarriage is greatly reduced. Early pregnancy symptoms disappear, and both the mother and the fetus enter a stable period.

This is also a period of rapid fetal development. The weight of expectant mothers increases rapidly during pregnancy, requiring them to consume sufficient calories and nutrients to meet the needs of their own rapid growth and the fetus. It is worth noting that pregnant women should not eat excessively without restriction. Overeating can not only cause excessive burden on expectant mothers but also increase the risk of gestational diabetes.

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