Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of Upper Stomach PainCauses of Lower Stomach PainComplications and Risk FactorsDescribing SymptomsRelieving Mild PainsWhen to Check In With a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes of Upper Stomach Pain
Causes of Lower Stomach Pain
Complications and Risk Factors
Describing Symptoms
Relieving Mild Pains
When to Check In With a Provider
There are different types of stomach pain during pregnancy. Some pain comes from gas, constipation, or heartburn and is to be expected as your body changes to accommodate a growing fetus.Braxton Hicks contractionscan also cause harmless discomfort.
However, there are many serious conditions associated with pregnancy pain including ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage or pregnancy loss. Knowing the differences between types of pain can help you determine what the next best steps are for relieving pain and when to seek immediate medical care.
In this article, we’ll go over the causes of stomach pain in pregnancy, including potential pregnancy complications and risk factors. We’ll also share some expert tips for relieving different types of stomach pain, and list the symptoms that signal immediate medical attention is necessary.
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Pregnancy
Causes of Upper Stomach Pain in Pregnancy
Many causes of upper stomach pain in pregnancy are considered “normal” or harmless and non-threatening. For example, people may experience upper stomach pain in the first trimester as their body changes to accommodate the growing fetus.However, there are some situations in which upper stomach pain in pregnancy is cause for concern.
Dangers of Untreated Preeclampsia
What Is HELLP Syndrome?
Causes of Lower Stomach Pain in Pregnancy
Signs UTI Is Spreading to Kidneys
UTIs: Causes and Risk Factors
While some pain and cramping can be considered normal during pregnancy, severe pain requires immediate medical attention.
Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopicpregnancy is when the embryo is implanted anywhere but the uterus. It occurs in about one in 50 pregnancies.Ectopic pregnancies cannot continue to termbecause the egg cannot develop, and they can damage the structure they attach to. Signs of ectopic pregnancy include severe, intense abdominal pain between six and ten weeks of pregnancy.
When Pain Could Mean Ectopic Pregnancy
Miscarriage
Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any bleeding during pregnancy.
How to Tell If You’re Having a Miscarriage
Placental Abruption
Risk Factors for Pregnancy ComplicationsRisk factors for pregnancy complications include:Existing health conditions, including uncontrolled diabetesAge at pregnancyLifestyle factors like smokingPregnancy conditions like pregnancy with twins or previous pre-term birthGenetic conditions in the fetus
Risk Factors for Pregnancy Complications
Risk factors for pregnancy complications include:Existing health conditions, including uncontrolled diabetesAge at pregnancyLifestyle factors like smokingPregnancy conditions like pregnancy with twins or previous pre-term birthGenetic conditions in the fetus
Risk factors for pregnancy complications include:
Preparing for a High-Risk Pregnancy
Describing Stomach Pain Symptoms in Pregnancy
Not all stomach pain during pregnancy is the same. Some pain is severe, intense, and unrelenting while other sensations are more accurately described as discomfort. Some ways of describing different stomach pain symptoms in pregnancy include:
Round Ligament Pain
When you move around while sleeping, sitting, or standing, there is potential for a sharp, stabbing pain sensation. This pain is coming from thestretching of your round ligaments as the uterus grows. Round ligaments are the two large ligaments running from your uterus to your groin.
Round ligament pain is most commonly reported in the second trimester and affects between 10-20% of pregnancies.
What Can Cause Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy?
Digestive Pain
Braxton Hicks Contractions
What Do Contractions Feel Like?
How to Relieve Mild Pregnancy Stomach Pains
If you’re experiencing mild pregnancy stomach pains from upset stomach or heartburn, there are several ways of getting relief.
Try these tips for relieving digestive pain:
What Is Lower Back Pain in Pregnancy?
Try these tips for relieving Braxton Hicks discomfort:
If you experience abdominal pain or discomfort and any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:
What Do Different Colors of Discharge Mean During Pregnancy?
Summary
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Pregnancy Association.Stomach pain in pregnancy.American Pregnancy Association.Preeclampsia.Preclampsia Foundation.HELLP syndrome.Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.American Pregnancy Association.Urinary tract infections during pregnancy.Office on Women’s Health.Pregnancy complications.American Pregnancy Association.Symptoms and signs of miscarriage.Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are some factors that make a pregnancy high risk?American Pregnancy Association.Round ligament pain during pregnancy.Zachariah SK, Fenn M, Jacob K, Arthungal SA, Zachariah SA.Management of acute abdomen in pregnancy: Current perspectives.International Journal of Women’s Health. 2019;11:119-134. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S151501Minnesota Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program.Heartburn and upset stomach during pregnancy.American Pregnancy Association.Braxton Hicks contractions: Causes, symptoms and pain relief.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Pregnancy Association.Stomach pain in pregnancy.American Pregnancy Association.Preeclampsia.Preclampsia Foundation.HELLP syndrome.Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.American Pregnancy Association.Urinary tract infections during pregnancy.Office on Women’s Health.Pregnancy complications.American Pregnancy Association.Symptoms and signs of miscarriage.Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are some factors that make a pregnancy high risk?American Pregnancy Association.Round ligament pain during pregnancy.Zachariah SK, Fenn M, Jacob K, Arthungal SA, Zachariah SA.Management of acute abdomen in pregnancy: Current perspectives.International Journal of Women’s Health. 2019;11:119-134. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S151501Minnesota Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program.Heartburn and upset stomach during pregnancy.American Pregnancy Association.Braxton Hicks contractions: Causes, symptoms and pain relief.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Pregnancy Association.Stomach pain in pregnancy.American Pregnancy Association.Preeclampsia.Preclampsia Foundation.HELLP syndrome.Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.American Pregnancy Association.Urinary tract infections during pregnancy.Office on Women’s Health.Pregnancy complications.American Pregnancy Association.Symptoms and signs of miscarriage.Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are some factors that make a pregnancy high risk?American Pregnancy Association.Round ligament pain during pregnancy.Zachariah SK, Fenn M, Jacob K, Arthungal SA, Zachariah SA.Management of acute abdomen in pregnancy: Current perspectives.International Journal of Women’s Health. 2019;11:119-134. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S151501Minnesota Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program.Heartburn and upset stomach during pregnancy.American Pregnancy Association.Braxton Hicks contractions: Causes, symptoms and pain relief.
American Pregnancy Association.Stomach pain in pregnancy.
American Pregnancy Association.Preeclampsia.
Preclampsia Foundation.HELLP syndrome.
Office on Women’s Health.Urinary tract infections.
American Pregnancy Association.Urinary tract infections during pregnancy.
Office on Women’s Health.Pregnancy complications.
American Pregnancy Association.Symptoms and signs of miscarriage.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are some factors that make a pregnancy high risk?
American Pregnancy Association.Round ligament pain during pregnancy.
Zachariah SK, Fenn M, Jacob K, Arthungal SA, Zachariah SA.Management of acute abdomen in pregnancy: Current perspectives.International Journal of Women’s Health. 2019;11:119-134. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S151501
Minnesota Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program.Heartburn and upset stomach during pregnancy.
American Pregnancy Association.Braxton Hicks contractions: Causes, symptoms and pain relief.
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