Pregnancy and cramps in the stomach generally go together for many women. Stomach cramps during pregnancy is not a factor to worry about in most cases though they cause a lot of discomfort and uneasiness in pregnant women. Let me give you some more facts on cramps.
Stomach cramps during pregnancy can be of many types and the causes varied. But, if your cramps are combined with continued vaginal spotting or streaking, vaginal bleeding, feverishness, dizzy feeling and extreme fatigue, then you need to consult your gynecologist immediately.
Causes: Muscles softening and ligament stretching to help expansion of abdominal area and for passage of baby can cause muscle cramps. Other causes of cramps could be indigestion, gas problem, constipation, urinary infection and sometimes even cold weather causes muscle cramps. Some women even feel it even when they sit down and get up and while coughing.
What do different types of stomach cramps during pregnancy indicate?
Impending Miscarriage: Continuous cramps with heavy bleeding, fatigue and dizziness indicate chances of miscarriage. Consult your doctor immediately to take remedial measures.
Pre-eclampsia: High blood pressure or unstable blood pressure causes cramps in the stomach. These cramps are called pre-eclampsia and are generally accompanied with swollen hands, feet and swollen face.
Ectopic or tubular pregnancy: When the zygote/embryo implants itself outside the uterus wall mostly in the fallopian tube or other reproductive organs, it is called ectopic pregnancy. When these organs stretch while the embryo grows stomach cramps during pregnancy occur.
Placental Abruption: As you know the placenta and the amniotic sac protects and nourishes the baby throughout the gestational period. Placental abruption takes place when the placenta gets detached from the uterus fully or partially causing stomach cramps or abdominal pain. Bleeding, spasmodic muscle contraction, lower back pain, fatigue and tenderness of uterus accompany placental abruption. Consult your doctor immediately.
Preterm Labor: continuous and severe stomach cramps during pregnancy accompanied with back pain before completion of 280 days or 37 weeks is indicative of labor pain before term or preterm labor. This is caused due to undue pressure on the pelvic area and the rectum.
False labor pain or Braxton Hicks: Another common occurrence is to experience delivery kind of labor pain during the last weeks of term. This will also be accompanied with low back pain and muscular contraction. However the false pain will not result in delivery.
Precautionary Measures: Let me first assure you that mild stomach cramps during pregnancy disappears gradually and you need not worry about it. However you must get it confirmed from the doctor that there are no major issues. A little regular rest, healthy and nutritious food and exercise will help you to deal with this pain. Just remember any chronic pain must not be neglected and it is better to keep your doctor or health care provider updated on how you feel for the safety of you and your baby.
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