Is This Normal? Things to Know About Pregnancy Pain

When you’re pregnant, it’s normal to worry about keeping your baby safe and healthy. Sometimes, even mild abdominal pain may make you panic. While such pains may occasionally signal a dangerous condition, they are common and often harmless.

What are normal aches and pains?

Your body is going through a lot of changes, and achiness and mild abdominal pain is quite common. Often, mild discomfort isn’t anything to worry about. Some causes can include:

• Stretching ligaments. Muscles and ligaments that support your uterus may stretch during the second trimester, causing a dull ache across your belly or a sharp pain on one side of your abdomen.
• False labor. Weeks or sometimes months before your due date, you may experience mild pain from false contractions, often called Braxton-Hicks contractions. Unlike contractions during childbirth, Braxton-Hicks usually come at irregular intervals. These contractions are a natural part of pregnancy—many doctors believe they’re helpful in toning the uterine muscle and preparing the body for childbirth—and are no cause for worry.
• Indigestion. Pregnant woman commonly suffer from stomach complaints, including gas, bloating, constipation or heartburn.

How can I feel better?

If you start feeling pain or achiness, try to sit down and relax. Panicking will make you tense and will not help you feel better. Try these tips to alleviate discomfort:

• Avoid quick changes in position, especially moving sharply at the waist.
• Bend toward the source of the pain to relieve it.
• Walk, do light housework or change position to help relieve gas pains.

When should I talk to my doctor?

While some mild discomfort is normal, severe abdominal pain or cramps could be a sign of a serious problem. It’s important to seek medical care if pain is severe or accompanied by other symptoms, such as irregular vaginal bleeding, pelvic pressure, cramps, faintness, nausea or vomiting. These could be signs of preterm labor or an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg is implanted outside of the uterus.

Staying calm works wonders.

A little worry is healthy. After all, carrying a baby is thrilling and challenging. There
are all sorts of new feelings—physical and emotional—but make sure not to panic. Taking a few deep breaths may help you relax and start feeling better. And if you’re
still concerned, a phone call to your obstetrician may help put your mind at ease.

Has it been a while since your last check-up, or do you need a new physician? Call us at 317.565.0535 to request an appointment.

Sources: MarchofDimes.com, MedlinePlus.gov, NIH.gov