Clicking in the abdomen during pregnancy: causes, norms and deviations, medical advice

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

A woman may experience new sensations at different stages of pregnancy. They are not always pleasant. Sometimes it's just not clear, is this normal? This makes the woman in position even more uncomfortable. Many feel clicking in the abdomen during pregnancy. In this article, we will try to understand the causes of this phenomenon and find out if this is a norm or a pathology.

What do stomach clicks mean?

Hearing incomprehensible sounds in the form of clicks, a pregnant woman begins to worry and worry that something is wrong with the baby. However, there is no cause for concern at all. This is the safest symptom that accompanies a woman's pregnancy. It usually does not portend any threats to the he alth of the baby and the course of pregnancy.

A woman may begin to experience clicking in the abdomen from the 31st week of pregnancy. In the third trimester, the fetus becomes already quite large, taking up more and more space in the mother's stomach. At this time, this one is already relativelyan independent little man can make all sorts of sounds.

Usually, in addition to clicks, the expectant mother can hear other sounds. For example, gurgling, rumbling, popping and other sounds. They are produced by mother and baby and are a normal physiological process.

Possible causes of clicks

There is still no unanimous opinion about the causes of abdominal clicks during pregnancy. Experts agree on only one thing: it is not dangerous.

It is likely that these sounds are due to the fact that the baby just releases gas, burps or hiccups. If you observe such sounds rarely enough, then this may mean that your child, for example, bites his fist or sucks his finger.

Fetal mobility can cause gurgling in the abdomen. When the baby is active, bubbles with amniotic fluid burst. This is what causes these sound effects.

Some pregnant women experience a kind of twang in their stomachs. It could be the child's joints. But do not panic, this is also a normal process. After all, the skeletal system of the crumbs has not yet strengthened. By the way, you can hear such crackling until the child is one year old.

It also happens that all these sounds have nothing to do with the child. They are produced by the mother's body, for example, accompanying the process of digestion. It may also be due to the divergence of the pelvic bones. In this case, clicking in the abdomen at the 39th week of pregnancy may already mean an approaching birth. And if they are accompanied by leakage of water ordischarge of the mucous plug, then you need to urgently go to the hospital.

Should something be done?

If you hear clicking in the stomach at the 35th week of pregnancy, then this is not a reason to worry. Initially, it is recommended to calm down so as not to cause other unwanted symptoms that may already have negative consequences. Once again, we draw your attention to the fact that this is an absolutely normal phenomenon that every pregnant woman experiences.

However, if you are very concerned about these symptoms and are worried about the he alth of your baby, you can visit your gynecologist unscheduled. He will examine you and find out what caused these sounds and sensations. You can also get additional checkups to make sure your little one is doing well.

Click locations

Sounds of clicks a woman can hear anywhere in the abdomen. Often, clicks in the abdomen during pregnancy are localized in the navel. They are best heard there, as the skin is much thinner there.

You can often feel the baby's jolts along with the sound. Since the baby is constantly moving, the place and nature of the sound will depend on what position he takes. A woman can hear him clearly or, on the contrary, as if from afar.

Some of the expectant mothers hear these sounds in the chest area, someone in the navel, and someone even from the uterus.

Gurgling or clicking?

These two feelings must be clearly separated. If the clicks are notcarry a threat, then gurgling can just mean pathology.

At the 8th week of pregnancy, clicking in the abdomen can be easily confused with gurgling. This is because the embryo at this time is still very tiny and cannot make such sounds.

At the beginning of pregnancy, a woman's body changes dramatically. This can cause the following conditions:

• digestion disorders;
• constipation;
• bloating;
• rumble or gurgle;
• increased gas formation.

Such symptoms can appear in anyone, and to get rid of them, you just need to review your diet.

Often gurgling in the stomach means a violation of the intestinal microflora. In this case, there is also pain in the navel. Here it is recommended to contact your gynecologist and, if necessary, visit a gastroenterologist.

Possible deviations

Since the body of each woman is individual, then clicks in the abdomen during pregnancy at 36 weeks or at any other time may indicate the presence of pathology. Therefore, it is recommended that you always report your feelings to your gynecologist.

Among the possible deviations signaled by clicks are:

• premature rupture of amniotic fluid;
• symphysiopathy;
• high water;
• umbilical hernia.

Premature rupture of amniotic fluid

This means that the fetal bladder burst before the onset of laboractivities. In such a situation, you should immediately call an ambulance. Usually a woman experiences a sharp click, pop or crack at this moment, which indicates a rupture of the fetal bladder. There is also a simultaneous outpouring of a large amount of liquid of a transparent or pink color. Or, on the contrary, a slow leakage, which increases when lying down or when changing the position of the body. In addition, the belly is reduced in size.

Symphysiopathy

This is an increase in the distance between the pubic bones. Normally, in the third trimester, there is a slight divergence of the pubic articulation. This indicates the preparation of the body for childbirth. However, if this process becomes pathological, then the woman experiences pain in the pubic region while sitting, walking or bending over. Also, her gait may change. She becomes like a duck - with small side steps. In addition, there is a crunch or crepitus when exposed to the symphysis.

The situation may be complicated by the large weight of the child or multiple pregnancy. Symphysiopathy is a rather serious pathology that can lead to disability due to rupture of the pubic symphysis during childbirth. However, if it is detected in time, the situation can still be corrected.

High water

This pathological condition can significantly complicate the course of pregnancy and the process of childbirth. In the presence of an increased amount of amniotic fluid, gurgling is observed, which is often confused with clicks. Associated symptomsare heaviness and pain in the abdomen, shortness of breath, swelling of the lower extremities and a discrepancy between the circumference of the abdomen and the timing of gestation. However, such a diagnosis as polyhydramnios is made only after an ultrasound.

Umbilical hernia

Because pregnancy increases pressure on the abdominal cavity, women with weak umbilical ring muscles are at risk of umbilical hernia. Its appearance can provoke a large fetal weight, polyhydramnios and excess weight in a woman. Visually, it looks like a "popped" navel or just a protrusion in its area. This phenomenon is painless, and when pressed, a characteristic click sound appears. The general condition of the woman remains the same.

Expert Opinion

Almost all doctors consider the presence of clicks in the abdomen during pregnancy is absolutely normal. Pregnant women themselves say that in this way the baby allegedly communicates with them. In fact, "stomach sounds" are provoked by sounds that make ligaments, joints of the pelvic bones and muscles. This happens because the growing uterus constantly presses on the bones and ligaments, which leads to their stretching. Just the process of sprain and is accompanied by characteristic clicks.

In addition, such sounds can cause amniotic fluid to move when the baby is active. As a rule, "sounds of pregnancy" appear in the third trimester, closer to childbirth. In the absence of associated symptoms, there is no cause for concern. Therefore, the clicks that appeared in the abdomen at the 37th week of pregnancycan be considered a variant of the norm. Thus, your body is preparing for the upcoming birth. This is inherent in nature, and you should not panic. On the contrary, it is recommended to communicate more with your baby, to prepare him for the moment of meeting with you. Tactile contact is also important. If you hear that the clicks have become frequent and are accompanied by movements from the baby, then stroke your stomach, thereby calming your Nutcracker.