writerelly82

· 24 Dec 2021

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Lower belly pain in pregnancy

A pregnant woman's body undergoes a lot of changes due to the fetus growing inside. The expanding belly can cause various types of discomforts throughout their pregnancy. Some of the discomforts include lower belly pain. Although most of the lower belly pain experienced in pregnancy is harmless. These are some of the causes of lower belly pain in pregnancy

Ligament pain
Ligaments in your pelvis that hold your uterus in place stretch as your belly grows. This is because pregnancy puts a lot of strain on these ligaments making them tense and overextended. This happens particularly during the second and third trimesters. The strain on these ligaments in return results in a sharp pain if you move faster and your ligaments tighten too quickly pulling on nerve fibers.
Round ligament pain is usually experienced as an intense sudden spasm in the abdomen or hip and the pain frequently reoccurs on the right side while some women experience the pain on both sides. In case you are experiencing round ligament pain, try slowing down your movements. You can also try yoga, and stretching to ease the pain

Gas
Gas pregnancy occurs due to relaxed intestinal muscles due to high levels of progesterone. Most pregnant women get gas when they are approaching their due dates. This is because their enlarged uterus is putting a lot of extra pressure on your organs thus slowing digestion. If you are experiencing pain from gas, it is advisable to start eating smaller meals frequently. Also try doing exercises that aid digestion, identify foods that trigger gas then avoid them.

Constipation
A large number of pregnant women experience constipation at some point during their pregnancy. This is due to intake of a diet with insufficient fiber or liquids, using iron supplements, and sometimes fluctuating hormones. If you are experiencing constipation, drink a lot of water and eat smaller though frequently. Also, ensure that you increase the amount of fiber in your meals and exercise.
However, if you are experiencing frequent constipation talk to your doctor for a prescription for stool softener

Braxton-hicks contraction
These types of contractions are commonly felt in the third trimester. Braxton hicks’ contractions are also known as false labor or warm-up contractions. These contractions help to soften the cervix and they cannot cause the baby to be born due to their irregular nature. If you are experiencing Braxton hicks, try changing your position and drink a lot of water. You can rest assured that these contractions are not a call for emergency and they do not last long.

Pregnancy growth
During the second and third trimester, your baby begins to grow bigger this can cause more pain in the lower belly and bladder region. During this time, you may feel your skin stretching and more pressure from the added weight. To reduce pain, use maternity belts or belly bands, a good pair of maternity leggings can also help you feel more comfortable.

Illness or infection
Infection and illness can occur at any point in pregnancy and sometimes it may not be directly related to your pregnancy. The infection can be due to genetics or your lifestyle. In case of consistent lower belly pain or an increase in pain visit your doctor for a proper check-up.

Preterm labor
Preterm labor occurs due to a weakened cervix or a premature rupture of membrane, hypertension, and bleeding during pregnancy. A fetus born before 23 weeks cannot survive therefore ensure you notify your doctor in case of any signs of labor.