If you experience these symptoms before 37 weeks, you could be experiencing preterm labor. These tips can relieve the most common causes of abdominal cramps during pregnancy:. When should you be concerned about cramps during pregnancy? What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations.
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Back to Top. In This Article. Continue Reading Below. More About Stomach Upset. Bloating and Gas During Pregnancy. Diarrhea During Pregnancy. Constipation During Pregnancy. View Sources. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, Associations between hydration state and pregnancy complications, maternal-infant outcomes: protocol of a prospective observational cohort study , February Mayo Clinic, Ectopic Pregnancy , February Your doctor will check your blood pressure and urine at every appointment until you deliver your baby.
Protein found in your urine can be a sign of preeclampsia. This is quite common, as your baby is growing very quickly now. Your little one presses down on the nerves that go from your vagina down to your legs. You may feel more pressure and cramping as you walk, as the baby is bouncing around in your belly. Lying down on your side for a while can ease your discomfort. But contact your doctor right away if you feel increasing, steady cramping.
Bond added that if a mom-to-be is experiencing this, she should always seek out advice from her doctor as soon as possible. Especially if your back pains go along with changes in vaginal discharge.
There are several simple things that you can do to get some relief. Try scaling back on physical activity and avoid cramp-inducing positions.
Enjoying a warm bath nightly before bed, and taking moments in the day to rest quietly and comfortably, should also ease your belly. Wearing a maternity belly band may also offer some comfort from cramping, said Bond. She recommended wearing a simple, Velcro elastic belt under the belly. Gas pain is common during pregnancy. Sometimes, though, your stomach pain could be a sign of something more serious.
Here's what to look out for. We explain what causes stomach tightening during the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Round Ligament Pain: This benign pain occurs around week 13 when the ligaments that support the uterus stretch as the uterus grows upward. Round ligament pain is usually quick, sharp, and one-sided. Urinary Tract Infections. Mild UTIs can also cause cramps during pregnancy in the second trimester.
Other symptoms include painful urination, the frequent need to pee, and lower abdominal discomfort. Contact your doctor if you think you have a UTI. Uterine Fibroids: A more serious, but rare, cause is uterine fibroids. These harmless overgrowths of tissue can start breaking down in the second trimester usually between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy because there's not enough blood to sustain their growth.
The pain is pretty severe. Any woman who has a history of uterine fibroids should watch for pregnancy cramps at this point, because she may need hospitalization to manage the pain effectively until it passes. It's very common for women to experience cramping in the third trimester—often in the form of Braxton Hicks contractions. These "false contractions'' don't actually progress into labor, but they help prepare your body for delivery.
While Braxton Hicks contractions only last between 30 seconds and two minutes, you can relieve symptoms by drinking some water and resting. Of course, if third trimester cramping doesn't quickly subside, you could be experiencing preterm labor. Call your doctor right away and express your concerns; they might want to evaluate you right away.
Other serious causes of cramps during the third trimester include placental abruption when placenta separates from the uterine wall and preeclampsia a condition characterized by sudden high blood pressure. Call your doctor for cramping accompanied by bleeding, severe headaches, shortness or breath, swelling, or vision changes.
Sometimes cramping is normal during pregnancy. According to experts, you shouldn't worry about cramping after sex. That's because semen contains prostaglandins that stimulate the uterus. She adds that it's completely fine to have sex, and if you have cramps afterwards, try getting off your feet and hydrating.
It's also a good sign if changing position makes cramps better or worse. This generally means you're experiencing cramps related to stretching of the uterus or its supporting ligaments, which is completely normal during pregnancy. Finally, if you feel better after passing gas, the pain is likely related to a gastrointestinal problem instead of the uterus, says Dr.
Other times, it could be non-pregnancy related issues like a bladder infection or constipation which are quite common in pregnancy. You can find a Banner Health specialist near you by visiting bannerhealth. By Regan Olsson , Contributing Writer. Aug 28, Teach Me. Some of these activities include: Rest: Try to sit, lie down or change positions.
Soak in the tub: Take a warm soak in the tub or a warm shower. Take some acetaminophen: Products like Tylenol are commonly used by pregnant women for pain and fever but talk to your health care provider first.
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