Twisting the belly during pregnancy: causes and treatments

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The feeling of discomfort in the abdomen is an unpleasant, but natural phenomenon that accompanies the expectant mother all the while carrying a child. During pregnancy, the stomach twists, presses, pulling, cutting pains may appear. If pain rhythms are short-term, as a rule, even experienced specialists advise women not to worry and not pay attention to this manifestation.

Heaviness in the stomach during pregnancy is not dangerous. But if the pain is cutting, sharp, continues to intensify, then such a symptom should not be ignored. It is necessary to seek help from specialists as soon as possible. Perhaps the life of both mother and child is in danger.

In the article, we will take a closer look at why the stomach twists during pregnancy. Let's consider whether it is dangerous at early and late terms, what are the causes of this phenomenon, how it manifests itself, in what way it can be eliminated.

Causes of the phenomenon

Why does the stomach twist during pregnancy? The following main reasons stand out:

1. System failuredigestion caused by compression of the digestive tract, restructuring of the woman's body. This can lead to pregnancy gas, colic, and bloating.
2. Diarrhea, food poisoning, intestinal infection (e.g. stomach flu).
3. Features of the location of the fetus. In some cases, he strongly pinches the internal organs of the mother. Such exposure can lead to unpleasant symptoms.

Why do pregnant women have digestive problems?

Many expectant mothers note that they often twist their stomach during pregnancy, as with diarrhea. Let's figure out why this is happening.

During pregnancy, a woman's body produces increased amounts of the hormone progesterone. Its role is to soften the muscles of the uterus for its painless increase. Along with it, the muscles of the stomach also relax. From the production of the same hormone.

Having lost their usual flexibility, the stomach, intestinal tract can no longer cope, as before, with the usual load. The food is not excreted in its entirety, which causes the intestines to fill with gases. The consequence of this is flatulence, colic, bloating, etc.

If the stomach twists during pregnancy, this is one of the consequences of increased progesterone production.

Early dates

If the problem is observed in the early stages, then, as a rule, its main cause is the pregnancy itself. The body goes through a whole environment of changes - modification of the shape of the uterus, restructuring of the hormonal background, displacement of organs in the abdominal cavity. Bloating during early pregnancybelly is a natural, though not particularly pleasant, occurrence.

Diarrhea, various manifestations of intestinal imbalance in the first weeks - manifestations that do not pose a danger to either the baby or the mother herself. This is the expected reaction of the body.

If bloating during early pregnancy is accompanied by mild pain, then it is enough just to take a horizontal position. The discomfort will pass within a few minutes.

If the pain in the abdomen is strong, intense, acute, and even more so accompanied by copious vaginal discharge, you should immediately inform your doctor about this. This may indicate an ectopic pregnancy or the possibility of a miscarriage. Timely provision of medical assistance will help save the life and he alth of the mother and child.

Experts advise pregnant women in the early stages to learn, first of all, to listen to their body, determine the nature, intensity of pain, their dependence on some conditions, actions.

Danger early on

Severe abdominal pain in the first weeks of pregnancy may indicate the threat of spontaneous abortion. It occurs in several stages, each of which is accompanied by pains of a certain nature:

• At the first stage, there is a strong heaviness in the lower abdomen. Pain may radiate to the sacrum.
• If spontaneous abortion has already begun, bloody discharge from the vagina is added to the pain syndrome. Unpleasant sensations become incessant and intense.
• If the stomach hurts and pulls the lower back at the same time, then the pregnant woman should contact the doctors as soon as possible.

It is important to pay attention to one more factor. If before pregnancy a woman complained of painful menstruation, then during it she may feel severe pain in the lower abdomen. And they will not testify to the pathological development of the fetus. But it is important to monitor their frequency and intensity. If the pain is cutting, sharp, does not stop within half an hour, turns into cramping, the only solution is to seek qualified medical assistance.

Late dates

We figured out why the stomach twists during early pregnancy. As for the last trimeter, this unpleasant symptom may recur. But his reason will be different.

The point is the intensive growth of the fetus, the rapid increase in its mass, the change in the position of the child inside the womb. In the second, third trimester, the uterus of a woman, the baby increases every day. This tendency leads to squeezing, propping up the mother's abdominal organs.

In particular, with constant pressure on the gallbladder, this organ is not able to fully produce bile (it is needed for the rapid disposal of food). Because it functions at half strength, there is a stagnation of food taken in the digestive tract. It begins to ferment, in such an environment intestinal bacteria multiply rapidly. Their activity leads to the development of colic and flatulence. After all, this condition resembles the poisoning of the body.

If you often feel sick,twists the stomach during pregnancy, experts advise the expectant mother to reconsider her diet. In particular, remove food that causes gas. Switch to protein foods. Do not forget to drink as much liquid as possible - unsweetened tea, decoctions of berries, herbs. This will help alleviate the condition if the stomach twists during pregnancy in the second trimester.

But that's not all the reasons. If the stomach twists during late pregnancy (starting from the 36th week), then this may be due to both false and real contractions.

To be sure of the nature of the symptom, the expectant mother needs to put aside all her affairs, lie down to rest. A woman observes the strength of these pain sensations, determines their intensity.

If these are "training" contractions, then the symptom will completely subside in 15-20 minutes. If the time has come for real contractions, then such pain will only begin to gain momentum over time.

Drawing pains

In addition to the sensation that the stomach is twisting, a pregnant woman often experiences pulling pains in this area. Not strong, but causing discomfort. Are they dangerous for the life and he alth of mother and baby?

Such pains are the result of a natural process - the stretching of the uterus as the child grows and develops. You can reduce such unpleasant sensations on your own, just lie down on your side (preferably on the left), relax and lie down a bit in this position. The discomfort will go away on its own.

In addition, nagging pains canaccompanied by pink, creamy discharge, usually in the earliest stages of pregnancy. Already on the 5-7th day of ovulation. There is no need to be afraid of such a symptom either. It only confirms the beginning of pregnancy. The pain here goes away on its own after 3-4 hours.

Pregnant women at a later date may also experience pulling pains from time to time. This happens around the 20th week of gestation. Such pains are inherently "training" contractions. They have nothing to do with real fights. This is part of the body's preparatory process for childbirth.

In the continuation of such false contractions, the uterus "learns" to contract for proper functioning already during childbirth. Here, pulling pains are felt by a pregnant woman for 30-40 minutes. Then they go away on their own. They weaken, not grow, which distinguishes them from real fights. To alleviate her condition, a woman just needs to sit down or lie down.

Cutting pains

But a pain in the abdomen of this nature should alert the expectant mother. This is a reason for urgent medical attention! As a rule, cutting, sharp, severe pain indicates that the condition of a pregnant woman is not normal.

The reasons for it are very different, including the threat of miscarriage, placental abruption. Therefore, it is very dangerous to delay contacting a medical institution with such a symptom.

In addition, cutting pains in the abdomen may also indicate an exacerbation of any chronic diseases of the expectant mother. Often they accompany a jump in blood pressure. Cansimilar signs can be observed with severe toxicosis.

You should not self-diagnose in this condition. Only a doctor will be able to determine what exactly is wrong with the body of a pregnant woman, that she can help.

Causes of gas formation

A pregnant woman needs to know which foods make her puffy so she can avoid or minimize her consumption:

1. Food high in starch. These are white bread, buns, corn, potatoes, beans, rice, pasta.
2. Fiber. Yes, in small amounts it has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive tract. But the use of foods rich in fiber in large quantities causes increased gas formation. These are raw berries, fruits and vegetables.
3. Dairy products. With individual lactose intolerance, kefir, milk, sour cream, fermented baked milk also cause flatulence. This unpleasant effect is enhanced by the combination of dairy products with cereals - muffins, cereals.
4. Carbonated drinks, kvass. Moreover, the abuse of such products can lead to more serious problems with the intestines.
5. Protein food. Flatulence causes the consumption of large quantities of fatty meat and fatty fish, saturated broths.

What foods make you puffy? Flatulence is also caused by a combination of individually harmless dishes for the intestines:

1. Milk, sour-milk drinks and products, if you ate them with other food.
2. Eating freshfruits, berries, vegetables immediately after eating.
3. Pairing legumes with other dishes.

Gas control

We continue to analyze the causes and treatment of increased gas formation in women. To fix the problem yourself, you can refer to the following measures:

1. Eat only in a calm environment, chew food thoroughly.
2. Avoid foods that cause bloating.
3. Eat small meals often.
4. Steam food, bake in the oven, boil.
5. Reduce s alt and spices.
6. Try not to talk while eating, because this leads to the swallowing of air.
7. Refuse to drink drinks containing all kinds of acids: coffee, fruit juices, tea, alcohol.
8. Stop chewing gum.
9. Turn to morning exercises, walks in the fresh air.
10. Drink decoctions of chamomile, mint, valerian.
11. Relieve yourself of various stressors.

Before using the following methods, a pregnant woman should definitely consult her doctor:

1. Reception of adsorbents: from activated carbon to enterosgel.
2. Take a warm bath.
3. Massage the abdomen (circular movements clockwise).
4. Do exercise "bike".

Constipation

Constipation in early pregnancy is not uncommon. What should a mom-to-be do?

Constipation is a dysfunction of the intestin altract, manifested by an increase in the intervals between acts of defecation (compared to the individual norm for a particular person), difficulty in the act of emptying the intestines, periodic sensations of insufficient release of the intestinal system from feces.

In early pregnancy, constipation can be caused by the following:

1. Violation of the diet.
2. Changes in hormonal levels.
3. Taking iron and calcium supplements.

Causes of constipation in late pregnancy are already different:

1. Decreased physical activity of a woman.
2. Change in the position of the fetus in the mother's womb.
3. Change of emotional background.

Constipation is not something to be ignored. With systematic delays in the acts of defecation, food accumulates in the rectum. She wanders, rots. And such an environment is the most suitable for enhanced reproduction of bacteria.

The consequences of frequent, periodic constipation may be as follows:

1. Violation of the microflora of the intestinal tract.
2. The occurrence of hemorrhoids.
3. Development of inflammatory diseases of the female reproductive system.
4. Putrid processes in the intestines, accompanied by the production of toxins that negatively affect the well-being of the mother and fetus.
5. Premature onset of labor due to heavy straining.
6. Increased risk of miscarriage - a full colon begins to press on the uterus.

If constipation in early pregnancy, what to do? Experts advisenext:

1. Include as many fiber foods in your diet as possible. In particular, raw (or steamed) vegetables and fruits, as well as dried fruits - prunes and dried apricots.
2. Refuse (or minimize) coffee, black tea, cocoa, blueberries, semolina, chocolate, flour products.
3. Drink more fluids - at least 1.5 liters per day.
4. Do not forget about physical activity - walks in the fresh air, yoga, gymnastics for pregnant women.

As for drugs, they can only be taken with a doctor's prescription. Well-known medicines that help with constipation may contain components that are harmful to the fetus.

What to do with diarrhea?

When the stomach twists during pregnancy, what should I do? First of all, you need to determine the cause of the symptom. In some cases, it is caused not by pregnancy, not by changes in the body that occur against its background, but by a disease. Most often they are diarrhea.

The difficulty here is that for many expectant mothers, loose stools during pregnancy become habitual. Therefore, they take it as the norm, not distinguishing that this is already a manifestation of diarrhea. The disease can be "diagnosed" by the following additional warning signs:

1. Increased bowel movements - up to 4-5 times a day.
2. Vomiting.
3. High body temperature.

When observing such symptoms, you should contact your attending gynecologist, therapist, infectious disease specialist. After all, these are symptoms not only of diarrhea, but also of more serious diseases, infections, poisoning, intoxication of the body. Perhaps the woman's condition will require her urgent hospitalization. Unpleasant sensations in the stomach can also indicate infection with the intestinal flu.

During such diseases, a pregnant woman, first of all, needs to adjust her diet. First of all, give up fried, spicy, s alty foods, dairy. Expectant mother needs to pay attention to diet food:

1. Meat steamed.
2. Oven-baked fruit.
3. Boiled vegetables.

Poisoning is also fraught with dehydration, which is especially alarming for a woman carrying a child. Therefore, in case of intestinal infections, she should take care of the timely replenishment of the water balance.

Of course, in such cases, self-therapy is not only not desirable, but also dangerous. Be sure to see a doctor!

During pregnancy, women have many problems with the gastrointestinal tract: twisting the stomach, increased gas formation, pulling pains in this area, bloating. As a rule, they are caused by pregnancy itself - hormonal changes in the body, the development of the fetus. But such harmless manifestations should be distinguished from truly alarming factors that signal that the life and he alth of a mother and baby are in danger.