What are the causes of abdominal pain in early pregnancy?

There will be many subtle changes in women's bodies in the early stages of pregnancy, and abdominal pain is the most common symptom in women in the early stages of pregnancy. Generally speaking, long-term abdominal pain will have a certain impact on the lives of pregnant women. Therefore, it is extremely important to find and deal with the causes of abdominal pain in early pregnancy. So, what are the causes of abdominal pain in early pregnancy? Let me introduce it to you below.

This kind of abdominal pain is directly related to pregnancy, and most of it is caused by special physiological and pathological changes in the body after pregnancy.

1. Early pregnancy reaction abdominal pain

It manifests as some not very severe abdominal pain and discomfort in the early stages of pregnancy, but it does not last long and is often accompanied by vomiting. This is a manifestation of early pregnancy reaction.

Pain in the upper abdomen is mostly caused by the physiological increase in gastric acid secretion in early pregnancy; occasional cramps in the lower abdomen are related to the enlarged uterus pulling upward on the ligaments that support the uterus. These pains and discomforts will naturally disappear as the early stages of pregnancy pass.

2. Uterine enlargement and pressure pain

It manifests as lower abdominal pain during the 3rd to 4th month of pregnancy. During this period, the uterus grows rapidly and the organs around the uterus are squeezed, causing lower abdominal pain. As the pregnancy progresses, the symptoms of uterine compression gradually improve, and the pain will be alleviated or disappear completely.

3. Uterine round ligament pain

It manifests as persistent dull pain in the lower abdomen without any cause during the 5th to 6th month of pregnancy. At this time, the uterus grows fastest, and the round ligaments supporting the uterus also stretch, lengthen, and increase in tension. The uterine wall where the round ligament is attached is pulled, causing pain.

4. Hiatal hernia

It manifests as upper abdominal pain during the 4th to 7th month of pregnancy, often accompanied by chest tightness, shortness of breath, chest pain, feeling of fullness, acid reflux, hiccups and other symptoms.

During this stage, as the uterus grows, the intra-abdominal pressure increases, and about 30%-50% of pregnant mothers experience widening of the esophageal hiatus, leading to the formation of esophageal hiatal hernia. When the esophagus is compressed and spasmed, it can cause upper abdominal pain, which is sometimes more obvious in the late stages of pregnancy.

5. Early Uterine Contractions

The symptoms are occasional abdominal tightness starting from the third month of pregnancy, sometimes accompanied by mild pain, with irregular occurrence and no vaginal bleeding. This is caused by irregular uterine contractions during the development and growth of the fetus in the uterine cavity. Exercise, tension and fatigue can also cause protective uterine contractions. It is a physiological phenomenon and there is no need to worry.

From the above, we can see that the dull abdominal pain that occurs in pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy is generally related to the presence of factors such as early uterine contractions, hiatal hernia, round ligament pain in the uterus, pressure pain caused by uterine enlargement, and abdominal pain caused by early pregnancy reactions. Therefore, pregnant women who have the above factors should take measures to prevent them from inducing abdominal pain symptoms on a daily basis.