During the period of bearing a child, a woman becomes more sensitive and attentive to her health and well-being. However, this does not save many future mothers from pain. Almost half of all women in an interesting position experience discomfort in the peritoneum. This article will tell you why pulling pains occur during pregnancy. It is worth noting that such symptoms may appear at different times. In all cases, their causes will be distinctive. It is also worth mentioning why cutting pain occurs in the lower abdomen during pregnancy and what should be done.
Causes of pulling pain in the earliest stages of gestation
If you have an early pregnancy, pain in the lower abdomen can be caused by the attachment of a fetal egg to the wall of the genital organ. Most often, women do not notice such a symptom or attribute it to the fact that menstruation will begin soon.
After fertilization, a set of cells begins to continuously divide and descend into the uterine muscle. Here, the fetal egg penetrates the loose structure of the endometrium and can provoke pulling or stitching pains in this area. Also, some women experience the so-called implantation bleeding, which has insignificant volumes and ends in a few days.
Why does the stomach hurt in the first weeks of pregnancy?
Drawing or cutting pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy can be completely normal. Immediately after conception, cardinal hormonal changes occur. In large volumes, progesterone begins to be produced. It slightly inhibits smooth muscle contraction and can lead to stool retention.
Also, expectant mothers have flatulence and flatulence in the early stages. This is due to a change in diet and taste preferences. All this leads to the appearance of pains and stitches in the intestine.
Unpleasant (pulling) sensations in the middle of the term
Abdominal pain during pregnancy can occur due to the rapid growth of the uterus. This occurs between 20 and 30 weeks. The ligaments that hold the genital organ stretch and can cause aching pain. Also, with a sharp movement, most pregnant women feel sharp pulling sensations.
It is worth noting that the growth of the uterus provokes a displacement of internal organs, in particular the intestine. Some women experience constipation and the formation of hemorrhoids due to this.
Severe pain during pregnancy (late)
The appearance of unpleasant sensations at the end of pregnancy may indicate childbirth. In this case, a woman can feel pulling pains in the lower back and lower part of the peritoneum. It is worth noting that such feelings are not permanent. They have a certain frequency. Doctors call such pain pain.
If such abdominal pain occurs during pregnancy, you should immediately go to the maternity ward of the hospital. Most likely, you will return home with your child.
Cutting pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy
This feeling occurs much less often than pulling sensations. In most cases, cutting pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy indicates a pathology. That is why it is so important to go to the hospital. Perhaps everything will work out, but it is better to play it safe. Sharp pain during pregnancy can occur at any time. Moreover, the cause of this symptom is always different. Consider the main pathologies in which pain appears in the peritoneum during pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancy
This pathology makes itself felt from the first days. In this case, the ovum is not fixed in the uterine cavity, but in another place. The most common tube pregnancy occurs. With the growth of the embryo, an extension of the walls of the organ occurs. This causes unbearable pain to a woman.
In addition, spotting vaginal discharge, weakness, and fever may occur. Treatment should be carried out immediately. Otherwise, the organ will rupture and internal bleeding will begin, which can lead to death.
The threat of abortion
Cutting pain often occurs when there is a threat of miscarriage. In this case, the causes of the pathology can be absolutely any: a lack of hormones, overstrain, stress, illness, and so on. With timely assistance, there is a high probability that pregnancy can be saved. To do this, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
In addition to cutting pains, in this case, a woman can feel pulling sensations in the lumbar region, the cessation of toxicosis. Bloody discharge from the genitals often also occurs.
Frozen pregnancy
In some cases, spontaneous arrest of fetal development occurs. After some time, the woman begins to feel cutting pains in the abdomen. They say that the inflammatory process has begun. You should not hope that everything will pass independently. Treatment of such a pathology is carried out only surgically (curettage).
With a frozen pregnancy, the following symptoms are also noted: a decrease in breast engorgement, cessation of toxicosis, increased vaginal discharge. At a later date, a woman may experience a lack of fetal activity.
Placental abruption
In the second and third trimester of pregnancy , another pathology may occur. It is always accompanied by severe cutting pains in the abdominal cavity. In addition, severe bleeding often occurs. A woman feels weakness, a decrease in heart rate and a drop in blood pressure.
Treatment in this case can only be surgical. It is worth noting that the sooner the intervention occurs, the more likely it is to save the baby's life.
Pathologies that are not related to pregnancy
Cutting abdominal pain can cause various processes that are completely unrelated to pregnancy. These include the following:
- rupture of an ovarian cyst or torsion of its legs;
- bowel obstruction;
- violation of microflora and dysbiosis;
- adhesive process due to surgery or inflammation;
- progression of sexually transmitted disease;
- poisoning or eating stale food;
- abuse of gas generating products ;
- liver and spleen diseases (lack of enzymes);
- urinary tract diseases (bacteriuria, pyelonephritis).
Most of them do not pose any threat to the baby’s life with timely treatment.
Summing up and conclusion of the article
Now you know the main causes of drawing and cutting pain during pregnancy. It is worth noting that the sensations can be sharp or aching. In the first case, you should visit your gynecologist as soon as possible or call an ambulance. Remember that pregnancy is a very responsible period. The health and development of your future baby will depend on what you are doing now. If you experience unpleasant and unusual sensations, consult a specialist and, if necessary, follow the recommendations for treatment. Easy pregnancy and painless birth of a healthy baby!