What causes abdominal cramps in pregnant women?

Various problems will be encountered during pregnancy, which bring a lot of trouble to pregnant women. The most common symptom during pregnancy is abdominal cramps. Although this is the most common condition for pregnant women, severe abdominal cramps may cause miscarriage, so abdominal cramps during pregnancy should be taken seriously. What causes abdominal cramps in pregnant women?

Ectopic pregnancy causing abdominal pain during pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy (also called "ectopic pregnancy") refers to the implantation of the fertilized egg outside the uterus. The most common is fallopian tube pregnancy, which means that the fertilized egg "implants" in one of the fallopian tubes. The symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are usually lower abdominal pain and a small amount of vaginal bleeding, which often appear 6 to 7 weeks after fertilization, but may also appear as early as the 4th week. However, at that time, you may not even realize that you are pregnant.

If an ectopic pregnancy is not treated promptly, the fallopian tube may rupture and endanger the life of the pregnant woman. See your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: abdominal pain or pelvic pain or tenderness; vaginal spotting or bleeding, which may be red or brown and heavy or constant or intermittent; pain that worsens with movement, bowel movements, and coughing; pain in your shoulder or elbow.

Abdominal pain during pregnancy due to miscarriage

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy. The first symptom is usually vaginal spotting or bleeding, followed by abdominal pain a few hours or days later.

The degree of bleeding may vary. Abdominal pain may be cramping, aching, or constant and may be mild or severe. It may feel more like lower back pain or pelvic pressure, or a feeling of needing a bowel movement.

If you experience signs of miscarriage, see your doctor. In addition, if you feel severe abdominal pain or heavy bleeding, you need to go to the hospital immediately.

Premature labor causes abdominal pain during pregnancy

If you start having contractions that thin or dilate your cervix before you are 28 to 37 weeks pregnant, you may be experiencing threatened preterm labor.

If you have any of the following symptoms during your second or third trimester (before 37 weeks), contact your doctor:

An increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the nature of your discharge (becoming thin, mucousy, bloody, or even just light red or streaked with blood).

Vaginal spotting or bleeding.

Abdominal pain or a period-like feeling of abdominal distension or heaviness, or more than 4 contractions in an hour (even if they are not painful).

· Increased pressure in the pelvic area.

Lower back pain, especially if you have never had back pain before.

Abdominal pain during pregnancy caused by placental abruption

Placental abruption is a serious condition in which your placenta partially or completely separates from your uterus before your baby is born.

Symptoms of placental abruption vary, sometimes causing sudden, significant bleeding. However, some people do not have obvious bleeding symptoms at the beginning, or only have slight bleeding or spotting, and even slight bleeding may be a sign of more serious placental abruption. If your water breaks, you may see bloody fluid.

You may experience uterine tenderness, back pain, frequent contractions, or your contractions may continue without a break. You may also notice a decrease in your baby's movements in your tummy. If placental abruption occurs, you must seek treatment right away. This disease is common in pregnant women with complications of pregnancy-induced hypertension or trauma.

Preeclampsia causes abdominal pain during pregnancy

Preeclampsia is a complex condition that occurs during pregnancy and causes changes in your blood vessels. This affects the blood supply to many of your organs, including your liver, kidneys, brain, and placenta. If you develop high blood pressure and protein in your urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy, you will be diagnosed with preeclampsia.

Early symptoms of preeclampsia may include rapid weight gain over a short period of time due to water retention and severe or sudden swelling in the feet and ankles. In more serious cases, the swelling of the lower limbs will extend upward to the thighs, and even cause abdominal wall edema, facial swelling, swelling around the eyes, and more obvious swelling of the hands.

If preeclampsia is severe, you may experience severe pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen, severe headache, visual disturbances (such as blurred vision, spots or stars in front of your eyes), nausea and vomiting, etc. If you have symptoms of preeclampsia, go to the hospital right away.

Urinary tract infection causing abdominal pain during pregnancy

After pregnancy, you are more likely to get various urinary tract infections, including nephritis.

Symptoms of a bladder infection often include discomfort, pain, or burning when urinating; pelvic discomfort or lower abdominal (belly) pain, usually just above the pubic bone; frequent, hard-to-control urination, even though there is very little urine in the bladder; and cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody urine. If you experience any of the above symptoms, please notify your doctor. If a bladder infection is not treated, it may lead to pyelonephritis and premature birth.

Signs that the infection has spread to the kidneys include a high fever, often with chills or sweats; pain in the lower back or on the side of the body below the ribs (on one or both sides); abdominal pain may also occur; nausea and vomiting; and pus or blood may appear in the urine. If this happens, seek medical attention immediately.

Other serious causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy

Many other conditions can also cause abdominal pain, whether you are pregnant or not. Some of the most common causes of abdominal pain that your doctor will consider include: gastrointestinal viral infection, food poisoning, appendicitis, kidney stones, hepatitis, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, intestinal obstruction, etc.

Gallstones are common during pregnancy, and gallbladder disease and pancreatitis are often caused by gallstones. Pressure from the growing uterus can cause scarred intestinal tissue to develop into an obstruction, which usually occurs during late pregnancy.

Although pregnant women must take abdominal pain during pregnancy seriously, the fetus is undoubtedly fragile and sometimes a small move can affect the whole body. Simple abdominal pain may also cause serious consequences if the appropriate measures are not taken. However, as long as you understand the causes of abdominal pain and then adjust or seek medical treatment according to different symptoms, you can avoid a series of inconveniences caused by abdominal pain to pregnant women, and at the same time promote the healthy development of the fetus.