Overview
You may not know when you’re in pain, and not just discomfort in your lower belly. This pain can happen during the day, but it can also be worse at night. Pain in abdomen commonly seen in all pregnant women.
In some cases, you may notice that you have a pattern of symptoms during your pregnancy. You may feel the pain when you bend over, sit down, or lie down. It may hurt when you sneeze, or even laughing. It’s important to go to the doctor if this pain lasts for more than few weeks. It may be your body’s way of preparing you for labor.
Symptoms of pregnancy gas pain
Many women describe it as a dull ache, or it may be more severe. Pregnancy gas can also cause a pressure sensation in your lower abdomen or pelvis. The sensation may be sharp or dull. Sometimes it can feel as if you have to pee, and other times it is like indigestion.
Women may have a short or long-lasting symptom. It can last for up to 15 minutes. Some women may experience more severe symptoms.
Causes
There is not much research done on why some women experience more severe gas pain during pregnancy. However, one possible cause is that the pregnant stomach may become a thinner, less solid surface that moves differently.
A person may also be more prone to gallbladder and small bowel obstruction during pregnancy. They are the most common causes of pregnant women experiencing severe gas pain. Causes might be, due to indigestion, irregular eating habits, no proper exercise like required walking, etc.
The natural irritants in the stomach are also more easily exposed. The mucus membranes of the stomach and intestine are more sensitive to the physical pressure and bacteria that can trigger gas.
Risk factors for severe symptoms include
The risk of gas during pregnancy increases the weight a woman carries. The higher the weight, the more severe the symptoms.
Pregnancy complications
Gastroschisis is a digestive condition that affects the lower digestive tract.
However, it is important to note that a few factors do not appear to affect or increase the risk of gas during pregnancy.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
GERD is a chronic condition in which a person experiences symptoms of heartburn and indigestion. People with GERD usually have problems with, regularity of their digestion. Whether they produce enough acid or process the amount of acid they consume
Treating GERD may reduce symptoms during pregnancy.
Pregnant women with a history of GERD are less likely to experience symptoms during pregnancy. However, some women have problems during their first pregnancy, with symptoms persisting after the first trimester. However, these symptoms do not usually affect the baby’s development and growth, as is seen in people without GERD.
Heartburn
Heartburn is the pain with burning sensation caused, just behind the breastbone. It often occurs after a meal. A doctor can diagnose heartburn during pregnancy if the symptoms last longer than four hours.
Symptoms of heartburn include:
- Burning sensation in the throat and chest area
- Sense of hunger, as if the stomach is empty
- Urge to burp
- People usually feel heartburn more in the evening
However, some people may experience heartburn throughout the day. This is a sign that the person is already producing more acid in their digestive system than their body can break down.
People should seek medical treatment if they experience
- Pain during an attack
- Persistent or frequent attack of heartburn
Symptoms of GERD during pregnancy can be treated with medications such as proton pump inhibitors. Heartburn during pregnancy can cause serious problems for the baby. As the baby begins to move, the acid in the digestive system can damage the delicate organ. Proton pump inhibitors work in the same way to relieve symptoms and reduce the levels of stomach acid in the stomach.
Some cases of heartburn during pregnancy may also be due to stress. There are no proven natural remedies to ease heartburn during pregnancy.
Preventing heartburn
Certain lifestyle changes can help to prevent heartburn during pregnancy. These include:
- Avoiding foods that cause heartburn
- Drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
- Avoiding spicy foods
- Keeping hydrated by drinking plenty of water, tea, and other non-caloric drinks.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) during pregnancy
In most cases of GERD during pregnancy, there are no symptoms. However, some women may experience a burning sensation in the chest, a temporary change in the color of the baby’s skin, and swollen upper abdomen.
Women with GERD should see a doctor if the symptoms become too severe or are affecting daily life. If the condition is not managed, heartburn during pregnancy may cause permanent damage to the baby.
What is Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy?
It is very common during pregnancy to experience some symptoms of abdominal pain. These usually appear during the second and third trimester and around the time of delivery. The pain may or may not be associated with the uterus but mainly the lower abdomen. The pain is usually severe. In some cases, it may be a sign of ectopic pregnancy or even a developing baby on its way out of the womb. A lot of people get abdominal pains when they stand up quickly. There are other causes for this too.
Spotting during pregnancy is when you have vaginal bleeding. It can be heavy bleeding or it can be spotting. The spotting is usually light and usually goes away on its own. Spotting can be confusing because it is not always linked to a miscarriage. Sometimes, spotting during pregnancy is actually a sign that the baby is fine.
Painful periods – For some people, the pain associated with periods is extreme. Periods are a normal part of the menstrual cycle. Some women don’t have any menstrual pain while others experience intense pain. If the pain gets so bad that you cannot concentrate or sleep, it may be a sign that you are pregnant. There are many causes of painful periods including fibroids, endometriosis and infertility.
Causes
Bunched up urine
Urinary tract infections are a common problem during pregnancy, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some unusual symptoms associated with them. One symptom of an Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is having more than the usual amount of urine in your bladder.
It’s not clear why this happens, but many women do notice that their urine is very concentrated and easily separated from their body fluids. It’s likely that this washes away the organisms that cause the infection. If you’re experiencing this, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor about treatment.
Stomach pain
You know how you feel when you’re nauseous? The same thing can happen to your stomach, but in reverse. When you have a stomach ache, there’s an uncomfortable pressure in your stomach that feels like someone is squeezing the muscles there.
It’s easy to mistake this as gas or indigestion. But if your stomach aches persist for a long time, it could be a symptom of a more serious condition. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about this, as it could be a sign of appendicitis, diverticulitis, or gastroenteritis.
Sleep problems
Not getting enough sleep can make it hard for your body to cope. You may feel groggy during the day and find it difficult to concentrate on anything. This can make it hard to achieve your daily goals, and increase your stress levels. It’s possible that your problem isn’t so much that you’re getting too little sleep, but rather than you’re not getting enough sleep for the correct amount of time.
You should get the recommended amount of sleep, as long as you get a proper eight hours every night. You should try to avoid napping during the day if you can help it, as this is a common cause of insomnia and a big drain on your energy levels.
Overactive bladder
An overactive bladder is an embarrassing problem that can take hours or even days to treat. Sometimes, the best treatment is prescription pads, for those who can’t afford to take time off work.
Treatment for abdominal pain
Consult a doctor for treatment options and suggest a diet plan if gas is persistent. Your doctor may recommend antacids or a stool softener to treat gas.
An X-ray may be needed to rule out other conditions that can cause abdominal pain.
Prevention
Stress can worsen gas or make it worse. Try to relax and stay stress free by avoiding overthinking.
Lifestyle changes
There are certain lifestyle changes that may help to prevent or relieve heartburn during pregnancy. These include
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Avoiding spicy foods
- Increasing the amount of fiber in the diet
- Getting plenty of rest
- Following a heart-healthy diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Ensuring that the pregnant woman does not smoke.
Treating heartburn with over-the-counter (OTC) medication- keeping abdominal or pelvic floor exercises to maintain the health of the pelvic floor muscles.
Baby’s gender and heartburn
Some studies suggest that women with a history of GERD have more babies with heartburn than those who do not. However, it is not clear why this is the case. There is a chance that the condition may be inherited from a family member. In these cases, it is vital to see a doctor to discuss treatment options and risk factors.
Treating foods that cause gas
It may help to try reducing or avoiding foods that are known to cause gas. This includes:
- High-fiber diets
- High-sugar diets
- Cholesterol-rich foods
- Alcohol
- Processed foods
- Smoking
Bottom Line
Many people experience gas after eating or drinking. If this condition is more painful and does not respond to home remedies or lifestyle changes, a person should consult a doctor or health care professional.
The best way to prevent gas or ease bloating is to avoid the foods that cause gas. A person can reduce or eliminate symptoms of gas by improving their diet and eating less carbonated drinks and chewing gum.
Sirisha B