Stomach pain during pregnancy oftentimes is normal. However, pregnant women need to be careful if stomach pain is followed by other symptoms or if the pain is very severe. So as not to be mistaken, pregnant need recognize difference stomach ache when pregnant normal and dangerous.
As the gestational age increases, the uterus will continue to enlarge to make room for the fetus to grow. Enlargement of the uterus can put pressure on the muscles, joints, and blood vessels around the uterus, causing pain in the abdomen of pregnant women.
Abdominal pain due to this condition is normal and will not harm the health of pregnant women and fetuses. Even so, abdominal pain during pregnancy can also be caused by serious conditions, so medical treatment is needed.
Stomach ache saat a harmless pregnancy
In addition to the increasing size of the uterus, abdominal pain which is categorized as harmless can be caused by:
1. Excess gas in the stomach
Gas that builds up in the digestive tract during pregnancy can make pregnant women feel sick to the stomach. This happens because the increase in the hormone progesterone causes the muscles in the digestive tract to relax and digest food more slowly.
The longer food stays in the large intestine, the more gas it produces. In addition, the growing uterus can also put additional pressure on the digestive tract, so that gas in the digestive tract accumulates.
Symptoms that appear when gas builds up in the intestines are abdominal pain, chest pain, bloating, more frequent bowel movements, and cramps.
2. Ligament pain
There are two main ligaments or connective tissue that stretch from the uterus to the groin and both serve to support the uterus. When the uterus stretches, the ligaments also stretch. This is what makes pregnant women sometimes feel a sharp pain in the abdomen, hips, or groin.
The appearance of pain that usually occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy can be triggered by changes in body position, sneezing, or coughing.
3. Constipation
Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can trigger constipation. Lack of fiber intake, lack of exercise, or anxiety can also be a cause of constipation during pregnancy. If you experience this, pregnant women may feel abdominal pain, bloating, and have to strain during bowel movements.
4. Fake contractions
When experiencing contractions, pregnant women will feel the uterus, lower abdomen, or groin tighten, then relax on their own. There are two types of contractions during pregnancy, namely false and genuine contractions. The difference between these two types of contractions is in their intensity.
False contractions will not become more severe over time. While the original contractions will feel heavier and more frequent, followed by signs of labor.
False contractions are a normal part of pregnancy and are common in the last trimester of pregnancy. Usually this condition is painless. But in certain cases, these contractions may also be painful.
Stomach Pain that Needs to be Watched for During Pregnancy
Although normal, abdominal pain during pregnancy should not be taken lightly, especially if it lasts for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Bloody discharge in the vagina
- vaginal discharge
- Chills and fever
- Headache
- Pain when urinating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain in the lower back
Following are some of the dangerous pregnancy complications that are characterized by abdominal pain:
1. Miscarriage
Miscarriage is the sudden death of the fetus before 20 weeks of gestation. This condition can be characterized by bloody discharge from the vagina accompanied by tissue clots, as well as pain or cramping in the abdomen and lower back.
2. Premature labor
If you experience abdominal pain due to contractions (more than five contractions in an hour) or cramps such as menstruation that occur before 37 weeks of pregnancy, you may be experiencing premature labor.
Other signs of preterm labor are vaginal bleeding, premature rupture of membranes, and pain in the pelvic area or lower back.
3. Preeclampsia
Pregnant women are said to have preeclampsia if their blood pressure continues to increase after 20 weeks of pregnancy and there is an increase in protein levels in the urine.
Symptoms to watch out for are swelling in certain body parts, rapid weight gain, headaches, visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
4. Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infections are characterized by pain in the lower abdomen, pain when urinating, frequent urge to pee, and foul-smelling or bloody urine.
If not treated immediately, this condition can increase the risk of pregnant women experiencing kidney infections or giving birth prematurely.
5. Chorioamnionitis
Chorioamnionitis is a bacterial infection of the placenta and amniotic fluid that causes the amniotic fluid to become pus and smelly. Usually these bacteria come from the vagina or urinary tract and spread to the amniotic sac.
Chorioamnionitis is characterized by pain in the uterus or abdomen, fever, and increased pulse rates in both mother and fetus. If not treated properly, this condition can cause serious health problems for the mother and fetus.
6. Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that develops outside the uterus. This condition may be asymptomatic. However, if it is problematic, an ectopic pregnancy can cause severe pain such as stabbing. This pain often appears on one side of the lower abdomen, accompanied by bleeding from the vagina.
Pain usually gets worse after physical activity or when coughing. In addition, sufferers of ectopic pregnancy can also experience sudden fainting.
This condition needs to be treated as soon as possible because there is a risk of shock that can endanger the life of pregnant women.
7. Placental abruption
Placental abruption is a condition in which the placenta is partially or completely separated from the uterus before the baby is born. This very dangerous condition can cause symptoms in the form of abdominal cramps or contractions that do not go away, bleeding from the vagina, and ruptured membranes accompanied by blood in the amniotic fluid.
If pregnant women have difficulty distinguishing whether the abdominal pain they are experiencing is normal or not, or if the abdominal pain during pregnancy is accompanied by other symptoms and is getting worse, it is advisable for the pregnant woman to immediately go to the obstetrician for examination and treatment.