Pregnancy can be unnerving, yet most aches or pains don’t indicate serious complications.
Sometimes it can be difficult to know the difference between what’s normal and a sign of something serious, so here is a list of common pregnancy pains and their associated meaning.
Mild or intermittent lower abdominal discomfort during gestation is a normal symptom caused by round ligaments stretching as your uterus grows; this typically happens during the second trimester.
1. Abdominal Pain
During your first trimester, it is normal and expected to experience mild period-like cramps in your abdomen (tummy). These could be caused by your growing bump stretching internal organs as well as hormonal fluctuations; they should subside once you change position, sit up or drink something; however, if pain remains persistently or worsens please contact your healthcare provider immediately.
In your second trimester, you may experience lower abdominal and groin pain that radiates toward the groin. This could be caused by stretching of round ligaments (two cords of connective tissue either side of your womb) as your baby develops, as well as coughing, sneezing, laughing or rising suddenly causing sudden contractions to the pelvic wall that causes these symptoms. These forms of pelvic discomfort should not indicate serious issues – simply mention them to your healthcare provider so they can address immediately!
Pain in your tummy that radiates to your ribs during the third trimester is common due to your uterus pushing up against your stomach, exerting pressure on intestines, and producing hormones which produce excess gas. If this pain persists or increases severely, contact your physician as it could be an indicator of preeclampsia or an ectopic pregnancy which requires medical intervention immediately; they might check blood pressure and take an ultrasound picture to better determine the source.
2. Back Pain
Women generally experience backache during the second trimester due to hormone changes that cause ligaments supporting your back to loosen in preparation for childbirth, making your back muscles work harder as your center of gravity shifts and shifting weight shifts are compensated for by shifting uteri weight distribution.
Feeling tired and stiff due to loosening abdominal muscles and stretching of the ligament that supports your uterus is completely normal; rest and hydration are recommended, while strengthening exercises for pelvic and back muscles might also be beneficial. Please consult with your health care provider prior to beginning any new exercises that could potentially strengthen them further.
Back pain generally doesn’t pose much of a threat, unless it becomes intense and persistent, or there are additional red flags such as painful urination or bleeding. If these symptoms develop simultaneously, please visit your obstetrician or midwife immediately; they will conduct an ultrasound scan and advise what the next steps should be; should anything cause you concern, they may refer you to a physiotherapist or chiropractor who can teach exercises and techniques to reduce discomfort.
3. Leg Pain
Leg cramping may come as an unpleasant surprise during pregnancy, yet leg pain is incredibly common. Causes for leg cramping range from swelling to fluctuations in hormone levels; changing diet, increasing water consumption and taking magnesium supplements may help ease symptoms; massaging legs with kneading motion can increase blood flow while simultaneously decreasing inflammation – loosening tight muscles while alleviating discomfort.
No one really understands why leg cramps occur during pregnancy, though fatigued muscles could be one possible source. Cramping could also be caused by vitamin deficiencies or lack of exercise as well as excess fluid buildup in your legs (known as edema).
If your leg pain persists despite stretching, drinking plenty of water, and elevating your feet while sitting, contact your physician as they may recommend diagnostic testing.
If your pain increases and worsens over time, it could be a telltale sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). While not common, DVT can be potentially life-threatening and requires medical attention immediately. DVT causes blood clots in legs which is potentially deadly for both mother and baby alike.
4. Neck Pain
Neck pain is among the most frequently experienced discomforts during pregnancy, often being listed among its top three causes. Adjustment must take place as the body adjusts to both its increased weight as well as hormones affecting posture, movement and spinal curvature – these all come into play here.
Bad posture while looking down at phones and computers can lead to neck problems. Sleeping on one’s side may further strain it. Early pregnancy, when babies are still small, may bring discomfort which moves upward into shoulders or upper back with sharp or throbbing pain that moves further up your shoulders or upper back area – often felt sharp or throbbing pains.
Headaches in early pregnancy could be a telltale sign of an ectopic gestation – when an egg grows outside the uterus – which requires immediate medical intervention and should never be ignored.
As their baby gets bigger, most women find that their neck pain eases during the second and third trimesters of gestation. The baby’s weight paired with body changes caused by shifting center of gravity results in changes to posture, movement and spinal curvature that help relieve neck pain. Furthermore, relaxin and progesterone hormones loosen joints and ligaments to prepare for birth making you more susceptible to joint and muscle aches and pains during this time; for these reasons it’s common for a woman to experience neck and shoulder pain during this stage of gestation.
