DDuring pregnancy, pain, discomfort and changes in the body are commonplace. Among these there are lower abdominal cramps and belly pain that may occur throughout the nine months of gestation. The causes depend on the quarter in which these occur.
Pregnancy, abdominal pain: what do they mean?
Involuntary muscle spasms, those who have experienced them describe them as very similar to menstrual spasms, Cramps during pregnancy develop mainly in the lower abdomen. When they occur in first quarter usually the motivation is the positioning of the embryo implant, so much so that they can also be accompanied by small losses. In this phase, in fact, the organs begin to reposition themselves to make room for the placenta and this change can create painful cramps localized especially in the lower abdomen.
«There are many causes behind cramps and pain. Very often these pains they are also due to simple tiredness and occur when the effort made by the mother during the day is excessive, another cause can also be a nutritional imbalance. It should not be underestimated that there may also be causes changes in the uterus, hormonal fluctuations and the growth of the baby” explains Manuela Farris, Specialist in gynecology and obstetrics in Rome.
Cramps can therefore have different motivations and above all they are of different intensity depending on the body itself: «For example, if they occur towards the end of gestation, they can be considered prodromes of labor and may be due to uterine contractions».
Cramps during pregnancy: prevention and how to behave
These discomforts can be prevented, first of all by starting to rest and stop much more often: the body is physically heavier and therefore also more tired both from the extra weight and from the hormones. If deficiencies are present, it is important to follow the doctor’s advice and take vitamins so as to supplement where needed, just as it is also essential keep your body hydrated and opt for a rich and varied diet including fruit, vegetables and legumes.
Do it then pay attention to the legs, which are also subject to these pains: move, avoiding standing too much or sitting too much, walking a lot, lifting your extremities for a few minutes during the day, sleeping with a pillow under your legs, massaging them so as to relax the muscles are all habits that will help the body in this delicate change.
«Taking care of cramps is not easy, there are no precise rules because it depends on the specific diagnosis and the time of pregnancy. In some cases, rest may be necessary while in others appropriate medications may be prescribed. It is essential to follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure the safety of the mother and child.”
When to worry about cramps
While it is true that cramps tend not to be persistent and are normal during gestation, however, some pains may occur which alarm the future mother. In particular, in the first months you need to be careful if these are accompanied by other symptoms for example bleeding, shoulder pain, pain during urination and evacuation, which may be a sign of a extra uterine pregnancy.
Once past the first quarter, the risk should start to decline though abdominal pain, under the ribs and in the lower abdomen are more common due to the growth of the fetus. Watch out for concomitant swelling of the face, hands, and feet, headache, and bleeding. At the end of pregnancy, however, the pain is often due to false contractions and then to real ones: «For this reason, the concern about cramps during pregnancy depends on the time of gestation. In case of persistent or sudden pain, it is advisable to contact your doctor immediately for a thorough evaluation. The severity of the symptoms and the specific situation will influence the need for immediate medical attention.”
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