The upper abdomen hurts during pregnancy: causes, norms and deviations, methods of treatment, consequences

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

Pregnancy is a special period in every woman's life. Sometimes it happens that the happy mood of the future mother is overshadowed by a significant deterioration in well-being. If the upper abdomen hurts during pregnancy, it is impossible to postpone a visit to the doctor. Such a symptom can be provoked by a dangerous pathology. However, you should not panic. It is possible that the pulling pains are related to the growth of the fetus.

Changes in a woman's body

From the first days of pregnancy, a woman's life changes dramatically. This affects both her emotional and physical state. Even when the expectant mother does not know about her interesting situation, a special hormone, relaxin, begins to be produced in her body. With its help, a safe divergence of bones and tendons is ensured as the fetus grows. At the same time, many women are concerned about the question of why the stomach hurts during early pregnancy. Thus, the body reacts to the ongoing changes.

More severe symptoms mayappear a few months after conception. If at the 33rd week of pregnancy the upper abdomen hurts, this may be due to the rapid growth of the fetus. In addition, many representatives of the weaker sex feel mobility in the joints, complain of pain in the pelvis, lower back. Unpleasant sensations may also appear in the hands, elbows and knees.

Pain and a general deterioration in well-being can be observed against the background of changes in the cardiovascular system. It is the heart that takes on the main burden during the period of gestation. Many representatives of the weaker sex begin to suffer from hypotension, tachycardia, and anemia. This can not but affect the well-being of the expectant mother. Pain can also be observed against the background of high blood pressure. Any unpleasant symptoms are a reason to seek help from a doctor. It is important to prevent the development of preeclampsia - a complication of the second half of pregnancy.

During the period of gestation, a woman's taste preferences may also change. Against this background, many representatives of the weaker sex begin to eat incorrectly, consume incompatible products at the same time. At the same time, it is easy to answer the question of why the upper abdomen hurts during pregnancy. It is worth adjusting the diet and unpleasant symptoms will disappear.

Heartburn is another pathology that often develops as the fetus grows. If the upper abdomen hurts during pregnancy, this may be due to the ingress of gastric juice into the esophagus. It will be possible to correct the situation if you eat in small portions.

Gastritis in periodpregnancy

Chronic gastritis is not a contraindication for pregnancy. However, the expectant mother must be prepared for the fact that she will have to face certain difficulties. If the upper abdomen hurts during pregnancy, this must be reported to the attending physician. It is possible that such symptoms are associated with exacerbation of gastritis.

The disease develops due to inflammation of the gastric mucosa. As a result, the production of hydrochloric acid is disrupted. Food that enters the stomach cannot develop fully. In addition to the fact that the upper abdomen hurts during pregnancy, many women complain of a general deterioration in well-being, weakness. Many mothers-to-be have significantly reduced blood pressure. Against the background of pain, women become irritable, sleep poorly.

The problem is that acute gastritis does not always have specific symptoms. If during pregnancy (35 weeks) the upper abdomen hurts, many representatives of the weaker sex attribute the deterioration of well-being to their position. However, not many are in a hurry to seek help. In addition, the expectant mother may be disturbed by such unpleasant symptoms as belching, nausea, and diarrhea. Statistics show that in 75% of cases, gastritis worsens during pregnancy.

Significant deterioration in a woman's well-being carries a direct threat of termination of pregnancy. Therefore, the expectant mother is necessarily assigned to bed rest, dietary nutrition is indicated. The use of mineral waters will bring benefits, provided that the woman does not have edema.

Appendicitis during pregnancy

Acute inflammation of the appendages of the caecum is a disease that anyone can face. Women during pregnancy are no exception. This is one of the most common pathologies of the abdominal cavity requiring surgical intervention. If at the 34th week of pregnancy the upper abdomen hurts, a woman may be referred for examination by a surgeon. Statistics show that the peak incidence occurs between the ages of 15 and 30 years. The situation can also be aggravated by squeezing the internal organs as the fetus grows.

Appendix - an appendage of the caecum, shaped like a tube. The functional purpose of this organ is not fully understood. Its removal does not affect the further life of a person.

During pregnancy, appendicitis can develop in two forms - catarrhal and purulent. Initially, the appendix swells and fills with blood. Already at this time, unpleasant symptoms can develop during pregnancy: the stomach (navel) hurts, weakness appears. As the inflammatory process develops, pus appears in the appendix. In this case, there is already a serious threat to the life of the expectant mother and fetus.

If the upper abdomen hurts during pregnancy, you should never postpone a visit to the doctor. Timely treatment will avoid dangerous complications. The only correct solution for appendicitis is surgical removal of the inflamed process. Anesthesia is selected, as well as antibacterial agents corresponding to the gestational age.

Pancreatitis

If your stomach hurtson the right during pregnancy, it is possible that I had to deal with inflammation of the pancreas. The pathological process can be acute and chronic. Pancreatitis ranks third among all acute diseases of the abdominal cavity. Unfortunately, women often experience unpleasant symptoms during the period of gestation.

Alcohol abuse before pregnancy, bad eating habits can provoke a pathological process. Many women who have been on estrogen therapy for a long period suffer from the disease. In rare cases, congenital anomalies of the pancreas are observed, which make themselves felt during pregnancy. Other inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (cholecystitis, hepatitis) can also cause pancreatitis.

Mild pancreatitis can be treated without problems. Therefore, if a pain syndrome appears, it is impossible to postpone a visit to the doctor. Timely therapy will help to avoid dangerous consequences. In advanced cases, a severe form of acute pancreatitis develops. Necrosis or abscess may appear in the affected organ. In this case, there is already a threat to the life of the expectant mother.

Treatment of pancreatitis during pregnancy

If the upper abdomen hurts at the 39th week of pregnancy, the woman will definitely be hospitalized. The specialist must conduct a thorough diagnosis, identify the causes of the deterioration of the patient's condition. In the most difficult cases, a caesarean section will be performed. In this waythe threat to the child's life will be reduced.

If pancreatitis manifests itself in early pregnancy, the doctor will do everything to save the life of the fetus and mother. The patient is prescribed bed rest and a sparing diet. Antispasmodics will help relieve severe pain. During pregnancy, the drugs "No-shpa", "Spazmalgon" can be used. Within a few days, the patient may be prescribed fasting. To support the life of a woman and fetus, infusions of saline and protein solutions are used.

In case of necrosis or cyst of the pancreas, a woman is shown surgery. Pancreatitis is dangerous with serious complications. With necrosis and abscesses, death can occur within a few hours. Therefore, if the upper abdomen hurts at 37 weeks of gestation and a woman is diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis, seek help immediately.

Nutrition for the expectant mother

Why does the upper abdomen hurt during pregnancy? It is possible that a woman eats incorrectly. In this case, there is a risk of developing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, described above. It will be possible to get rid of many unpleasant symptoms if you adjust the diet. At the same time, the statement “during pregnancy you need to eat for two” is not correct. Overeating leads to obesity, gastritis and other troubles.

Meals should be regular, balanced. The daily diet of the expectant mother should contain seasonal vegetables and fruits, cereals, meat, fish. Already at an early stagePregnancy, you need to consume foods containing folic acid in large quantities. These include veal liver, spinach, asparagus, linseed oil.

In the first trimester, a woman may well follow the same diet as before pregnancy. Three main meals and two snacks will be enough. From the middle of pregnancy, you can add another main meal. In this case, portions should be small. Eating later than two hours before bedtime is not recommended.

If the upper abdomen hurts during pregnancy, it is quite possible that stomach problems begin. At the next examination with a gynecologist, it is worth reporting unpleasant symptoms. It would also be useful to use the services of a nutritionist.

Threatened miscarriage

Does your stomach hurt in early pregnancy? Light pulling pains may be present due to the rapid growth of the fetus. However, you should definitely inform your gynecologist about unpleasant symptoms. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the threat of abortion can also occur in he althy women.

Spontaneous abortion is often observed when the fetus is not yet viable. If the pregnancy is the first, and the stomach hurts like during menstruation, this may indicate an increased tone of the uterus. There is a serious threat of miscarriage, so you should definitely inform your doctor about unpleasant symptoms. Early miscarriage can also be associated with a chromosomal pathology. The fetus cannot fully develop, so spontaneous abortion occurs. Abdominal pain is the first sign of this process. Next comes bloodyselection.

Previous abortions also have a negative impact on the course of pregnancy. With each subsequent miscarriage, the probability of carrying a he althy child is significantly reduced. If a woman has had several spontaneous abortions, she will have to spend almost the entire pregnancy in a hospital.

If a risky woman asked for help in a timely manner, while studies show that a full-fledged baby develops in the womb, the specialist will do everything to save the pregnancy. The expectant mother is assigned to bed rest. You will have to give up sexual relations with your spouse. Additionally, antispasmodic drugs are prescribed.

Premature birth

If during pregnancy (35 weeks) the upper abdomen hurts, it is quite possible that labor activity begins. Statistics show that 15% of babies are born prematurely. At the same time, preterm birth is always associated with a high risk of complications for the newborn. Early labor can begin due to pathologies in the development of the child, diseases of the woman herself. Often, babies are born prematurely with multiple pregnancies.

If we consider "Maternal" factors, early childbirth can trigger sexually transmitted diseases. These are chlamydia, herpes, microplasmosis. Acute viral infections such as chickenpox, rubella, influenza are also dangerous. With chronic pathologies of the expectant mother, the risk of preterm birth also increases.

At term pregnancymay also affect the condition of the female reproductive organs. Women with a bicornuate uterus must be under observation for all 9 months. Polyps and other benign formations of the genitourinary system also pose a danger.

Early birth can begin if the fetus has a genetic disorder. So, babies with Down syndrome, as a rule, are born prematurely. Children with heart defects are also born earlier. Only 20% of these children can lead a full life in the future.

If a preterm birth is suspected, immediate hospitalization of the pregnant woman is required. Whether it is necessary to stimulate labor activity, the specialist decides individually in each case. Children who are born after the 30th week of pregnancy, with properly conducted therapeutic measures, can lead a full life in the future. The risk of infant death increases if labor begins between 20 and 30 weeks of gestation.

Eclampsia

This pathological process is the most severe manifestation of gestosis (late toxicosis of pregnant women). Dangerous complications can develop that threaten the life and he alth of the expectant mother and child. In many cases, a coma develops rapidly. Statistics show that 50% of deaths during pregnancy are associated with eclampsia. Therefore, if at the 38th week of pregnancy the upper abdomen hurts, convulsions appear, there is a significant increase in blood pressure, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Pregnancy hypertension is a provoking factor of eclampsia. Due to the rapid increase in blood pressure, brain cells of the expectant mother are damaged. In addition, the volume of cerebral blood flow is significantly reduced. Eclampsia is often observed in women who do not comply with the appointment of a gynecologist or do not register at all for pregnancy. Diet and rest are also important. The abuse of cigarettes and alcohol can provoke a rapid deterioration in well-being.

Women who have a child over the age of 35 for the first time are at risk for eclampsia. The situation can be aggravated by obesity. Women over 80 kg should register for pregnancy as early as possible.

Eclampsia in most cases is preceded by a state of preeclampsia. For several days, a woman may suffer from headaches, flickering before her eyes, pain in the stomach, and nausea. The development of eclampsia begins with loss of consciousness, convulsive seizure. Help for the woman should be provided immediately. After a few seconds, the woman can regain consciousness, her he alth improves. However, after a few minutes, the seizure recurs.

If a woman is diagnosed with eclampsia in late pregnancy, she will have to spend the remaining time before delivery in a hospital setting. The expectant mother is provided with complete rest, blood pressure is controlled. To improve well-beingdrip intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate is provided. To prevent repeated attacks of eclampsia allows the appointment of sedatives. With repeated seizures, resuscitation is performed.

If at the 40th week of pregnancy the upper abdomen hurts, nausea appears, the woman loses consciousness, the doctor may decide to perform a caesarean section. If eclampsia is suspected, natural childbirth can pose a threat to the life of the expectant mother and child.

Abdominal pain is a sign of incipient labor

Training contractions - an indicator that very soon the baby will be born. Unpleasant sensations are observed from the middle of the second trimester. Initially, spasms are observed occasionally, then the number of training contractions increases. During the second pregnancy, the stomach hurts much more often. At the same time, you should definitely report any discomfort to your doctor. With each subsequent pregnancy, the risk of rapid delivery increases significantly. In this case, the baby may be born prematurely.

The main sign of false contractions is their irregularity. Constriction of the abdomen can be observed only a few times a day. If the contractions continue after a certain period of time, we can talk about the beginning of labor. In the event that at the 38th week of pregnancy the upper abdomen hurts, you should not panic. At this time, the baby is fully term and can be born at any time.

Real labor pains are easy to distinguish fromtraining. In addition to squeezing the uterus, a woman will feel vivid pain not only in the abdomen, but also in the lumbar region. The discomfort during training contractions can be compared to the pain during menstruation.

Other signs will indicate the onset of labor. A few days before the baby is born, the mucous plug comes out. This is a small transparent clot with blood impurities. Such a cork reliably protects the baby throughout pregnancy from infection and harmful environmental factors. If the mucus has departed, labor will soon begin. Pain in the abdomen after the cork is released is a reason to go to the hospital.

Another important sign of incipient labor is the rupture of the amniotic sac. If the waters have broken, go to the maternity ward immediately. Without amniotic fluid, a baby can fully exist for no more than 24 hours. Even if the fetal bladder has burst, and there are no contractions, the doctor will stimulate labor. In the most difficult cases, a caesarean section will be performed.

If your stomach hurts in the late stages of the third pregnancy, you must go to the hospital immediately. Women who have already raised two children have a significantly increased risk of rapid labor. At the same time, labor activity begins suddenly. Often, the period of contractions lasts only 10-15 minutes, then attempts begin. Many women have to give birth at home or in an ambulance. Attempts can also be swift. Within minutes, a baby is born.

Rapid delivery is dangerous with serious complications for both mother and baby. Active labor activity often provokes placental abruption even before the baby is born. In addition, there may be ruptures of the birth canal, there is a serious threat of large blood loss.

The rapid passage of an infant through the birth canal can cause serious injury. Intracranial hemorrhage has not been excluded. A child born in this way may remain disabled.

It is almost impossible to predict rapid labor. However, it is worth considering factors that can project a rapid opening of the cervix. If the second or third birth is coming, while the previous labor activity was rapid, it is recommended to go to the hospital in advance (already at 37 weeks of pregnancy).

Summarize

The he alth of a woman and a child is the responsibility of the future mother herself. Therefore, if during the period of gestation the stomach hurts or other unpleasant symptoms appear, it is necessary to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. It is also important to register for pregnancy in a timely manner. It is recommended to apply for the first consultation already with a delay in menstruation.

Abdominal pain can occur with many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Before planning a pregnancy, it is worth treating chronic ailments, undergoing a complete examination of the body.