Abdominal Pain in Early Pregnancy

Discomfort in the abdomen during pregnancy is a common occurrence. However, such discomfort often raise concerns amongst most pregnant women, specially in those who are having a baby for the first time. Most of the times, abdominal pain in early pregnancy is caused because the body is undergoing changes to prepare itself to continue with the pregnancy and childbirth. However, in case lower abdominal pain in early pregnancy is accompanied with symptoms like chills, fever, spotting, or bleeding it might indicate some serious medical condition.

Common Causes of Abdominal Pain in Early Pregnancy

Miscarriage: The most common fear that grips a woman when she feels pain in the abdomen during early pregnancy is whether she has lost her baby. Miscarriage or abortion is most likely to occur in the first trimester or the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Bleeding or vaginal spotting are early miscarriage symptoms that are followed by abdominal cramps similar to those that occur during menstruation. In case such symptoms are present, consult your physician immediately.

Ectopic Pregnancy: Pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. However, in certain cases the embryo may attach itself to any part of the woman's body outside the uterus, most typically in the fallopian tube. In rare cases, the embryo may plant itself in one of the ovaries, cervix or in the abdomen. If this happens then it is termed as an ectopian pregnancy. As the fetus grows, it stretches the walls of the structure that contains it and may even rupture it, causing bleeding and pain. Ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening. In case a woman experiences ectopic pregnancy symptoms like abdominal pain, spotting, bleeding, tenderness, back pain or dizziness she should immediately go for a medical check up.

Appendicitis: Appendicitis in pregnancy can occur at any stage. In early pregnancy, the symptoms of appendicitis is felt as pain in the right side of the lower abdomen. One would also have a feeling of nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. In order to differentiate it from ectopic pregnancy, an ultrasound scan may be required to be done. Severe urinary tract infection may also present symptoms similar to those of appendicitis in early pregnancy. It is important to get appendicitis diagnosed, and prompt surgical intervention may be required to ensure the health of both mother and child.

Rupture or Torsion of an Ovarian Cyst: Rupture of an ovarian cyst or torsion upon its pedicle in early pregnancy will cause pain in the abdomen. Such an occurrence presents itself with a sudden and severe pain in the right or left side of the lower abdomen. This may be accompanied with a feeling of nausea, sweating, and vomiting. An ultrasound scan will help in confirming the cause of the physical discomfort.

Urinary Tract Infection: Urinary tract infection can occur during any stage of pregnancy. Although it can be one of the causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy, it more commonly occurs during the later stages than during the early weeks of pregnancy. Besides pain, UTI can be indicated by frequent urination, pain in the urethra during passing urine and a general feeling of being unwell.

Constipation: A woman undergoes hormonal changes during pregnancy to slow down the digestive tract. This causes constipation that may make a woman feel lower abdominal pain during early pregnancy.

A woman may feel abdominal pain during the early stages of pregnancy due to other reasons like kidney infection, gallstones, heartburns, gastritis, pancreatitis, and ovarian problems. Although there may be serious medical reasons behind abdominal pain in early pregnancy, most of the time the discomfort is due the stretching of the uterus, formation of gas or other phenomenon that naturally occurs during pregnancy. However, in case of severe discomfort, or if the pain is accompanied with bleeding or spotting, a physician should be contacted immediately.