Final post:abdominal pain in pregnancy

When is abdominal pain a worry in the first trimester?

Abdominal pain is usually nothing to worry about in early pregnancy. But if you're having other symptoms, you may need to get help.

Early miscarriage

Sadly, early miscarriage is fairly common. It usually happens because a baby isn't developing properly. You'll have cramps, bleeding and pain in the centre of your lower belly at some time in the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. Call your doctor, midwife or hospital, and then lie down or sit with your feet up. 

If you have heavy bleeding, and are soaking more than one pad an hour, go straight to the accident and emergency department (A&E) of your nearest hospital. You may be able to go straight to an early pregnancy assessment unit, if there's one in your area.

Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus. Unfortunately, the pregnancy can't be saved. It's a serious condition, so you'll need swift treatment. Just over one per cent of pregnancies in the UK are ectopic. 

You'll feel painful cramping with tenderness that usually starts on one side and spreads across your stomach. You may also have bleeding that is dark and watery. It usually happens between five weeks and 10 weeks of pregnancy. Call your doctor or go to A&E immediately, as an ectopic pregnancy needs treating quickly.

When is abdominal pain a worry in the second trimester?

Abdominal pain on its own in the second trimester is probably nothing to worry about. There's a very slight chance of it signalling a late miscarriage, but only if you have bleeding as well. 

Bear in mind that late miscarriages are far less common than early miscarriages. Only about one in 100 miscarriages happens later in pregnancy. 

If you're having a late miscarriage, you'll feel cramps with heavy bleeding after 12 weeks and before 24 weeks of pregnancy. If you have light vaginal bleeding or discharge, call your doctor or midwife for advice. If you have heavy bleeding, go straight to your nearest A&E or maternity department.

When is abdominal pain a worry in the third trimester?

By the third trimester, abdominal pain could mean your body is limbering up too soon for birth, so the main worry is premature labour.

Going into premature labour doesn't always mean that your baby is going to be born there and then. Sometimes, as long as your waters haven't broken, it's just a false alarm. 

If you're in premature labour, you'll feel pain in your pelvic or lower tummy area, backache, mild tummy cramps and diarrhoea. You may feel your waters breaking, and regular contractions, or your uterus tightening, often painlessly. This could happen any time between 24 weeks and 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Call your doctor, midwife or the delivery suite of your nearest hospital immediately. If you think your waters have broken, call the maternity unit first.

Having cramps once you're past 37 weeks may mean you're in the early stages of labour. At this stage your pregnancy has reached term, so the cramps are a normal part of your body gearing up to give birth. You may also feel constant lower backache, caused by the increased pressure on your pelvis and back passage. 

Early labour cramping is usually much less severe than the contractions you'll have during active labour. You may find that resting on the sofa helps, or try going for a walk. Finding your own way to cope with any discomfort now will help to prepare you for active labour.

Why not try some light yoga or stretches to help you relax and feel better during your pregnancy?

Reference: baby center