While it could be overlooked,it can also be a sign of a serious problem in pregnancy

Emobileclinic Trending Topic: Abdominal pain in pregnancy

Occasional abdominal discomfort is a common pregnancy complaint, and while it may be harmless, it can also be a sign of a serious problem. Here are some of the conditions that may suggest serious problem like:

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in one of the fallopian tubes. It may cause some cramping and other symptoms in early pregnancy. If left untreated, an ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening. 

Miscarriage

Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks. Vaginal spotting or bleeding is generally the first symptom, followed by abdominal pain a few hours to a few days later.

The bleeding may be light or heavy. The pain may feel crampy or persistent, mild or sharp, and may feel more like low back pain or pelvic pressure.

Preterm labor

You are in preterm labor (also known as premature labor) if you start to have contractions that efface or dilate your cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy. An increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody 

Placental abruption

Placental abruption is a life-threatening condition in which your placenta separates from your uterus, partially or completely, before your baby’s born. A placental abruption can sometimes cause sudden and obvious bleeding, but in other cases there may not be any noticeable bleeding at first, or you might have only light bleeding or spotting. 

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious condition of pregnancy that causes changes in your blood vessels and can affect a number of organs, including your liver, kidneys, brain, and the placenta. You are diagnosed with preeclampsia if you have high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy and protein in your urine, liver or kidney abnormalties, persistent headaches, or vision changes.

Symptoms may include swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling in your hands, and excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles.

Urinary tract infections

Being pregnant makes you more susceptible to urinary tract infections of all kinds, including kidney infections. Symptoms of a bladder infection may include pain, discomfort, or burning when urinating; pelvic discomfort or lower abdominal pain (often just above the pubic bone); a frequent or uncontrollable urge to pee, even when there’s very little urine in the bladder; and cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody urine.

Other causes of abdominal pain

Food poisoning, appendicitis, kidney stones, hepatitis, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, fibroids, and bowel obstruction.