Lower abdominal pain during pregnancy is a fairly normal condition experienced by pregnant women and is often unavoidable. Several factors contribute to this condition.
Do you often feel pain in the lower abdominal area during pregnancy? Sometimes the pain can radiate to the pelvis, thighs, and groin. Don’t worry; this is a normal condition for pregnant women in their second trimester. However, lower abdominal pain can also occur in early pregnancy.
In some cases, lower abdominal pain can also be experienced by pregnant women in the third trimester. The pain may occur on one side or both sides of the abdomen.
Causes of Lower Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, a woman will experience some unusual conditions as her body undergoes several changes. Lower abdominal pain is normal and generally not harmful. However, in some cases, it can signal a more serious condition.
For pregnant women, the increasing size of the uterus can strain the ligaments, causing pain in the lower abdomen. The pain can become more noticeable when making sudden movements, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, standing up, or rolling over in bed.
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Here are some possible causes of lower abdominal pain during early pregnancy:
1. Hormonal Changes
When you are pregnant, your body undergoes hormonal changes, including an increase in hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human placental lactogen (hPL), estrogen, and progesterone.
These hormonal changes are normal during pregnancy and may cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and even abdominal pain in early pregnancy. These symptoms are generally considered normal.
2. Increased Gas Production
Lower abdominal pain during pregnancy can also be caused by increased gas production in the stomach. This occurs as progesterone levels rise during pregnancy. Progesterone, a pregnancy hormone, helps maintain the uterine lining and relaxes the muscles.
As progesterone levels increase, the digestive process slows down, leading to gas buildup in the stomach. This can cause bloating and abdominal pain.
3. Increased Stomach Acid
For some pregnant women, an increase in stomach acid can occur, especially in the second and third trimesters. Abdominal pain due to stomach acid often comes with symptoms like heartburn after eating, bloating, burping, and a bitter or sour taste in the mouth.
This condition is often triggered by hormonal changes, causing stomach acid to rise into the esophagus.
4. Molar Pregnancy
One cause of lower abdominal pain during early pregnancy is a molar pregnancy. This condition occurs when there is an issue with the development of the fertilized egg, resulting in an abnormal pregnancy.
Although rare, you should be cautious if you experience symptoms like abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, brownish discharge, grape-like clots, severe nausea and vomiting, or pelvic pain.
5. Ectopic Pregnancy
In a normal pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine wall. However, in an ectopic pregnancy, the egg implants and grows outside the uterus.
Ectopic pregnancies are not viable and need to be terminated through medication or surgery to prevent risks to the mother’s life.
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy between 4–12 weeks include abdominal pain radiating to the shoulder, vaginal bleeding, and pelvic pain. Seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms occur.
6. Miscarriage
Another cause of lower abdominal pain during pregnancy is miscarriage, often accompanied by vaginal bleeding before the 20th week of pregnancy.
The bleeding can range from bright red to brownish in color and is usually accompanied by severe back pain and the passage of tissue clots from the vagina.
Miscarriages may occur due to chromosomal abnormalities in the egg or sperm, preventing normal fetal development. Other factors, such as lifestyle, maternal age, or side effects of certain medications, may also contribute.
How to Relieve Lower Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy
Lower abdominal pain during pregnancy can result from various conditions. Here are some ways to alleviate it:
Get plenty of rest
Reduce heavy physical activities
Avoid lying on your back
Apply a warm compress to the painful area
Avoid sudden movements while changing sleeping positions
Engage in light exercises
Eat more fruits and vegetables
Stay hydrated
These are some of the causes of lower abdominal pain during pregnancy and how to address them. If you experience accompanying symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.
