Why does my stomach hurt during late pregnancy?

When pregnant women reach the late stage of pregnancy, it is usually very close to the time of delivery. However, for different pregnant women, the body's feelings and reactions in the late stage of pregnancy are usually different, which increases the physical pressure in the late stage of pregnancy. So what is the reason for the downward pain in the abdomen in the late stage of pregnancy?

What is the reason for the abdomen to drop downward in late pregnancy?

It is common to feel a sinking sensation in the abdomen during late pregnancy. Generally, the feeling of a downward movement in the abdomen is due to the enlargement of the uterus in the late pregnancy. The uterine ligaments will be involved, and the increasing movement of the fetus will cause discomfort to the body. If there are no other discomfort symptoms, it is normal to have a downward movement in the abdomen in the late pregnancy. If other symptoms such as bleeding or stomach pain occur, you should consider whether the body is feeling uncomfortable, and it is best to go to the hospital for a check-up immediately. In the later stages of pregnancy, pregnant women should pay attention to rest, avoid physical exercise, and stop doing housework. If the feeling of falling is more obvious, it is recommended to stay in bed to protect the fetus.

Experts suggest that the fetus should enter the pelvis before the onset of full labor pains at 36 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnant women who are giving birth for the first time usually enter the pelvis in the first half of the month after delivery, while pregnant women who have had children usually enter the pelvis before the onset of pain, but some pregnant women will complete the process of entering the pelvis within a few days. When the fetus enters the pelvis, the expectant mother's abdomen will look different from before. The chest will not easily touch the abdomen anymore. The abdomen will look very much like a red-heart grapefruit, and it will feel more relaxed than when the abdomen is in a larger stage. When the fetus enters the pelvis, many pregnant women will always feel a tightness and a heavy pain in the abdomen, and feel that the baby in the belly has descended. The pelvis indicates that the pregnant woman is about to give birth. Pregnant women can make preparations in all aspects according to this signal to welcome the arrival of the baby.

Physiological causes of abdominal pain in late pregnancy

1. The enlarged uterus compresses the ribs and causes abdominal pain

As the baby grows, the mother's uterus also slowly expands. The enlarged uterus constantly stimulates the outer edge of the ribs, which can cause rib pain in pregnant women.

Solution: This is physiological and does not require special treatment. Sleeping on the left side during pregnancy can help relieve pain.

2. Abdominal pain caused by false labor

In the late pregnancy, false labor may cause mild distension and pain in the lower abdomen. It often occurs in the dead of night and disappears at dawn. The frequency of labor contractions is inconsistent, the duration is unstable, the intervals are long and irregular, the intensity of labor contractions is not easy to increase gradually, and there is no feeling of falling. The symptoms are relieved during the day.

Solution: False labor is a sign that pregnant women will soon give birth, so they should be fully prepared, such as getting enough rest, eating more high-energy foods such as chocolate, and being cautious. In addition, you need to understand the fetal movement pattern before delivery: the uterine contractions during labor are regular, and each contraction goes from weak to strong, lasting for a period of time, generally 30-40 seconds, and then subsiding and entering the chronic phase, which is 5-6 minutes.

3. Abdominal pain caused by fetal movement

The baby's fetal movements are most obvious between 28 and 32 weeks. At 20 weeks, the average frequency of fetal movements per day is about 200 times, which increases to 375 times at 32 weeks. The number of fetal movements per day may be close to 100 to 700 times. After 32 weeks, the fetus gradually occupies the space of the uterus, and his (her) activity space will become smaller and smaller, but he (she) will sometimes still kick very hard. When his (her) head hits the muscles of the pelvic floor, it will suddenly feel like a heavy blow.

The late stage of pregnancy is very important. The baby's growth and development are basically complete and it is about to be born. Therefore, there will be some symptoms at this time. Abdominal pain may be caused by the baby's fetal movement being too strong, which is physiological pain. But there is another possibility that it is physiological pain. In this case, you need to see a doctor.