Stomach pain at the beginning of pregnancy or cramping in the first month of pregnancy looks similar to period cramps, and you may think so if you are not aware of your pregnancy.
Stomach pain in the first months of pregnancy is normal, and it affects many women in the early stages of pregnancy, for several reasons related to the changes that happen in the body as a result of pregnancy. Some types of stomach pain are of psychological origin, and others are sometimes caused by feeling cold, and you should know that there is no need to be afraid to consult a doctor when you’re having stomach pain during pregnancy.
Non-serious causes of stomach pain during pregnancy
As mentioned previously, stomach pain during pregnancy is a natural thing, and it has many causes, including:
- Stomach pain with the attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterine wall, and this cramp is usually after the first week of fertilization.
- Increasing the size of the uterus with the progression of pregnancy, and the pressure it places on the intestines, stomach, and bladder, may lead to having some stomach pain, as the pregnant woman feels permanent bloating and speed of satiety, and to relieve it, you should eat small meals more frequently, instead of eating 3 fatty meals during the day, as well as maintaining to move, and do some light exercises, and try going to the bathroom frequently and regularly.
- Increasing the level of progesterone hormone during pregnancy leads to slow bowel movement in general, and causes constipation and lots of gas, and thus a feeling of stomach pain, To relieve this situation, you have to maintain a good amount of water and liquids and try to increase foods that contain fiber, such as vegetables and fruits.
- The pressure of the uterus and fetus on the abdominal ligaments, as pregnancy progresses, maybe cause colic and pain in the lower abdomen.
Serious causes of stomach pain during pregnancy:
In some cases, having stomach pain during pregnancy is an indication of a serious problem or pregnancy complications that require seeing a doctor, including:
- Ectopic pregnancy, which means the implantation of the fertilized egg in a place outside the uterus, usually implanted in the fallopian tube, and this causes severe pain accompanied by bleeding between the sixth and tenth week of pregnancy, and ectopic pregnancy is one of the cases that require treatment directly.
- Abortion, when a pregnant woman suffers from stomach pain during the first month of pregnancy, she should be concerned about the possibility of a miscarriage, especially since 15-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and one of the indications of its occurrence is the feeling of contractions and pain similar to period pain, with vaginal bleeding.
- Premature labor, feeling successive and regular contractions before the 37th week of pregnancy, may be an indication of premature birth and here you should see a doctor immediately.
- In other cases, having stomach pain during pregnancy may be a sign of preeclampsia, urinary tract infections, gallstones, or appendicitis.
Reducing stomach pain during pregnancy:
Taking a rest when having stomach pain or abdominal pain during pregnancy, helps relieve it, and try to follow the following tips for a faster result:
- Take a sitting position for a while.
- Lie on the side opposite the side where you feel pain, with your feet up.
- Take a warm bath.
- Use a bag of warm water and place it on the painful side.
- And the most important things that reduce stomach pain during pregnancy, eat small meals frequently, avoiding fatty meals, increasing the number of liquids and drinking water, increasing fiber-rich foods, maintaining exercise, emptying the bladder regularly throughout the day, and keep taking Enough sleep and rest every day.
Situations that require seeing a doctor:
Although having stomach pain and abdominal pain during pregnancy is normal and does not cause concern, you should be consulted a doctor if you’re having any of the following:
- If the pain is severe or persists for long periods and does not go away with rest.
- The occurrence of more than four contractions in one hour and for two hours.
- Feeling pain and burning when urinating, or the appearance of blood in the urine is an indication of the presence of infections in the urinary tract.
- Abnormal vaginal discharge.
- If the pain is followed by heat or chills.
- Vision disturbances or severe headaches, along with the pain.
- swelling in the hands, legs, and face.
In conclusion Stomach pain “Abdominal pain” in the first month of pregnancy is very normal and infrequently occurs in pregnant women, but you must consider all that was mentioned above and eat small meals frequently, avoid fatty meals, increase the number of liquids and drink water, increasing fiber-rich foods, maintaining exercise to take care of your safety and there for the safety of your baby.
