Abdominal pain in early pregnancy is a frequently occurring
problem. The cause of such pain is often difficult to ascertain and
remains a clinical dilemma many a time. A careful step-wise approach aimed
at identifying the cause and treatment appropriate to the period of
gestation is the key to successful management.
The first and most
important step is confirmation of the pregnancy. This can be done by a
urine pregnancy test, which is simple, inexpensive and easily available. A
serum beta HCG is more accurate,
however and
provides qualitative information. Serial beta HCG estimation is valuable in
cases of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Once a pregnancy has been
diagnosed, the next step is to determine the site and fetal viability. An
ultrasonography, preferably transvaginal will provide this important
information.
Is it normal to
have some abdominal pain during pregnancyOccasional abdominal discomfort is a
common pregnancy complaint, and while it may be harmless, it can also be a sign
of a serious problem.Severe or persistent abdominal pain that should never be
ignored.
Below we will
describe the most common causes of abdominal pain and discomfort during
pregnancies but do not trying to diagnose yourselfs. If you are experience an
abdominal pain or cramping along with the spotting, bleeding, fever,
chills, vaginal discharge, faintness, discomfort while urinating or nausea and
vomiting, or if the pain does not subside after the several minutes of
rest, call your practitioner.serious problems
can cause abdominal pain during pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic
pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically
in one of the fallopian tubes. It may causes some other cramping and other
symptoms in the early pregnancies.
If left untreated,
an ectopic pregnancies that can be the life threatening. Call your practitioner
immediately if you have any of the following symptoms: abdominal or the
pelvic pain or tendernessess, vaginal spotting or bleeding can be red or brown,
copious or scant, continuous or intermittent), pain that gets worse during physical activity or while moving your bowels or coughing,
or pain in your shoulder.
If you Are
bleeding heavily or having signs of shock such as a racing pulse, dizziness,
fainting, or pale, clammy skin.
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. Call your
practitioner if you have signs of a miscarriage. If you have severe pain or
heavy bleeding, you need to be seen immediately.watching television and
videos .In early pregnancy your baby grows dramatically, from a tiny dot
to the size of a grape. See all pregnancy videos
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 – even if it's just pink or tinged with blood Vaginal
spotting or bleeding.
Abdominal pain,
menstrual-like cramping, or more than five contractions in one hour even if
they do not hurt An increase in pressure in the pelvic areaLow back pain,
especially if you didn't previously have back pain 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.
There is wide
variation in symptoms. 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. Or
you might see bloody fluid if your water breaks.
You might have
uterine tenderness, back pain, or frequent contractions, or the uterus might
contract and stay hard like a cramp or contraction that does not go away.
You might also notice a decrease in your baby's activity. Immediate
medical attention is a must.
Pre-eclampsia
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're diagnosed with pre-eclampsia if you have high blood
pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy and protein in your urine, liver or
kidney abnormalities, 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. This water retention can lead to rapid weight gain.
You may also have
intense pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen, a severe headache,
visual disturbances such as blurred vision or seeing spots, or nausea and
vomiting. If you have symptoms of preeclampsia, call your doctor or
midwife immediately.
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. Call your caregiver
if you have any of these symptoms because an untreated bladder infection can
lead to a kidney infection and premature labor.
Signs that the
infection has spread to your kidneys and
that you need medical attention immediately include a high fever, often
with shaking, chills, or sweats; pain in your lower back or in your side
just under your ribs, on one or both sides and possibly in your abdomen as
well nausea and vomiting and possibly
pus or blood in your urine.
Other causes
Many other
conditions can cause abdominal pain, whether you're pregnant or not. Some of
the most common causes of abdominal pain that your practitioner will
consider are a stomach virus, food poisoning, appendicitis, kidney stones,
hepatitis, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, fibroids, and bowel
obstruction.
Both gallbladder
disease and pancreatitis are often a result of gallstones, which are more
common during pregnancy. Fibroids may grow during pregnancy and cause
discomfort. And the pressure of the growing uterus on previously scarred
intestinal tissue may cause bowel obstruction, which is most likely to occur in the third trimester.
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