A woman who is in a happy expectation of a baby is often worried about unusual sensations that she had never experienced before. Anxiety during pregnancy is absolutely normal and has hormonal reasons: this is how nature makes sure that the expectant mother does not miss important signals about the baby’s condition. The main thing in such a situation is to arm yourself with information so as not to worry in vain, and if necessary, consult a doctor immediately.
Why belly goes numb during pregnancy
Many women at different stages of pregnancy have an unusual numbness in their abdomen. It can be either barely noticeable or rather unpleasant. If the lower abdomen is numb during pregnancy (at the same time it is accompanied by pulling or painful sensations inside), then this can indicate an increased tone of the uterus. If the upper abdomen is numb without any unpleasant sensations inside, then this is due to the growth of the child and stretching of the skin of the abdomen of the future mother. Numbness and abdominal pain can also be associated with various inflammatory processes in the reproductive system.
Hypertonic condition
During pregnancy, the uterine muscles are in a semi-relaxed state. The contraction of these muscles of the human body, like any other, is regulated by the nervous system and is carried out at the hormonal level. Certain signals from the nervous system can cause hypertonicity, or increased tone of the muscles of the uterus. This condition occurs for various reasons.
It happens that the body of a pregnant woman reacts this way to stressful situations or fear. Therefore, during pregnancy it is so important to try to protect yourself from unpleasant impressions, negative information, unfriendly people. Also, increased tone may be associated with excessive physical activity of a woman. If the abdomen becomes numb during pregnancy after physical exertion, it is better to continue to avoid them: do not lift weights, do not make sudden movements, replace active sports with exercises at a slower pace.
Is hypertonicity dangerous?
The state of hypertonicity can be dangerous for the baby, because less oxygen and nutrients will come to him. This directly affects its development. If the abdomen becomes numb during pregnancy during the first trimester, when this phenomenon is not associated with the growth of the abdomen or the preparation of the body for childbirth, it is better for the expectant mother to put aside all things, try to at least lie down a bit and not be nervous. A state of calm usually quickly normalizes hormones, which helps to relax the uterine muscles. If this does not help, it is better to see a doctor as soon as possible, and in case of increasing pain - call an emergency.
Numbness during contractions
Numbness in the abdomen in the last trimester, on the eve of childbirth, indicates the beginning of the so-called training fights. Thus, the body makes it possible for the expectant mother to understand what sensations the woman will experience at the beginning of childbirth. It is simple to distinguish training contractions from real ones - they are inconsistent, can subside and begin again, while labor pains are characterized by increasing sensations, an increase in the duration of each and a reduction in the time interval between them.
If the skin of the abdomen is numb
Pregnancy in the second or third trimester is accompanied by the rapid growth of the baby, and, as a result, an increase in the volume of the abdomen in the future mother. Such changes can cause compression of the nerves and stretching of the tissues, which is felt as numbness of the skin. The degree of this phenomenon can be different - from slightly perceptible to extremely unpleasant. Usually, a pregnant woman loses sensitivity in the upper abdomen, but there are the same sensations on the sides and in the lower part of it. It depends on the physique of the woman, and on the size of the child, and on the elasticity of the tissues.
Such phenomena are absolutely normal, but it is better to inform the doctor at the next appointment that the abdomen is numb during pregnancy.
Prevention of numbness
In case of complaints of numbness, the doctor will check whether this condition is associated with hypertonicity of the uterine muscles and, possibly, will offer to undergo an examination for inflammatory processes. If the expectant mother has a numb stomach during pregnancy, not for these reasons, then most likely the doctor will give the following recommendations for the prevention of this condition:
- try not to be nervous;
- use any opportunity for rest and relaxation;
- monitor posture;
- not be in one pose for a long time;
- eat well, but do not overeat;
- give the body at least a little physical exertion (walking, swimming or other activity, familiar to a woman);
- surround yourself with pleasant impressions;
- spend more time outdoors.
Numbness of the abdomen after sleep
Many women complain that their stomach goes numb during pregnancy after sleep. This condition is most likely associated with squeezing of nerve endings and usually occurs over long periods of pregnancy, when the abdomen is significantly enlarged. To prevent this type of numbness, you need to choose a comfortable posture for sleep. Many women are well suited for sleeping on their sides. In this case, you can use special pillows for pregnant women, which have an elongated shape. Such products allow the future mother to comfortably position her legs - so as not to transmit the stomach.
The habitual posture “on the back” is not the most successful; it just can lead to squeezing and pinching of the nerve endings.
In any situation, a pregnant woman should not ignore the signals of her body.