Swelling Of The Hands And Feet
Slight swelling of the hands and feet are common in the later stages of pregnancy. Adequate fluid intake is always important. Improve the circulation in your legs and feet by elevating them as often as possible. Lie on a bed or floor and raise your legs up on the wall keeping your knees bent. If you are wearing elastic hose, drain your legs this way before putting them on.
UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.
Ginger Cloves And Cinnamon
Ginger is a common natural remedy for an upset stomach and indigestion. This may move foods that are causing indigestion through the stomach more quickly. The chemicals in ginger may also help to reduce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Cloves contain substances that help to reduce gas buildup in the stomach and increase gastric secretions. This can speed up slow digestion, which ultimately may reduce pressure and cramping. Cloves may also help to reduce nausea and vomiting. Cinnamon contains several antioxidants that may help ease digestion and reduce the risk of irritation and damage in the digestive tract.
A healthy consumption of any of these will alleviate symptoms.
Eating Too Much Spicy Food
Spicy food should be avoided during pregnancy. The average time for the body to digest and process food is 6 to 24 hours, but for a pregnant woman digestion becomes slow due to changing hormones, and so eating spicy foods can cause heartburn and acidity.
I was a huge spicy food lover, and so during my pregnancy too, I had these major cravings for spicy curries but I learned the truth the hard way.
Because I thought that my body was accustomed to eating spicy food, it wouldnt affect me during my pregnancy, but, oh boy, was I wrong? I suffered severe heartburns and acidity and had to be taken to the hospital immediately.
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What Can Cause It
Many causes of upper abdominal pain in the third trimester are harmless. However, because premature labor, placenta issues, and other concerns can endanger the woman and the baby, it is important to be cautious and tell a doctor or midwife about any unusual symptoms.
Possible causes of upper abdomen pain during the third trimester include:
Blood In Your Stool Or Vomit
While far from a sure sign of stomach cancerboth colitis and Crohns disease can cause bloody stoolblood in either your poop or your vomit demands a visit to a GI doctor.
If the bleeding is related to cancer, the blood in your stool is likely to look maroon or tarry black.
It looks that way because its been acted on by your digestive enzymes. If the blood is in your vomit, its more likely to look bright red, and it may have a coarse coffee grounds texture because it has been partially digested.
While blood in your stool can be a sign of other diseases, they all will need a trip to one of the gastric bypass surgery doctors or bariatric specialist.
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Stomach Cramps With Bloating
Stomach cramps with bloating are often caused by trapped wind, or constipation. This is a very common problem that can be embarrassing, but is easily dealt with. Your pharmacist will be able to recommend a product, which can be bought over the counter to treat the problem. If problems persist, you should see your GP.
Fetal Development At 1 Month Pregnant
Baby is working hard on developing from a fertilized egg full of multiplying cells into what we call an embryo. Theyll stay an embryo until the end of month 2 when they officially become a fetus.
Right now, your baby is only about 6 or 7 millimeters in size, but growing quickly and already starting to build up their organ systems. The placenta and umbilical cord are forming, too, to nourish your baby through your pregnancy.
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My Stomach Feels Weirddoes Your Stomach Hurt In Early Pregnancy
It depends on what you mean by hurt.
In general, the kinds of pain youll experience in your belly or lower abdomen in early pregnancy are related to:
- Nausea usually happens between two and eight weeks after conception2
- Cramping these can feel similar to pre-menstrual cramps and can be a sign of implantation2
- Bloating and abdominal discomfort similar to PMS symptoms
Below I talk a little more about nausea, which is common in early pregnancy .
So in the sense of feeling nauseous, yes, your stomach can hurt. Some women also feel some light cramping at the very beginning of their pregnancy, which may or may not be accompanied by spotting . This usually occurs around the predicted time of the period or a couple of days before.
When Should You Call A Doctor
A hard belly during pregnancy could be because of numerous reasons. However, you should call the doctor if:
- The tightness in the belly during pregnancy becomes more intense and painful.
- You have a hard tummy during pregnancy and you experience breathing difficulties.
- If the tightness occurs more than four times in an hour.
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Tummy Twinges Pinching And Pulling
Some women experience feelings inside their stomachs in the early stages of pregnancy that replicate the sensation of their muscles being pulled and stretched. Sometimes referred to as abdominal twinges, these tingles are nothing to worry about.
Layla Rumble, midwife at The Portland Hospital, which is part of HCA Healthcare UK, said, Abdominal twinges and mild pains are very common during pregnancy and usually nothing to worry about. Twinges and abdominal pain is usually caused by constipation, ligament pain, or trapped wind all of which are a normal part of pregnancy.
Twinges, and pains can be alleviated by regular light exercise, eating smaller, frequent meals, having plenty of fibre-rich foods such as fruit and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water to help empty your bladder regularly.
If you find that you experience intense and ongoing pains, or pain accompanied by bleeding, it is important to seek medical advice from your midwife or GP to rule out anything serious.
What else could it be?If youve been heavily exercising or straining your muscles, you could be experiencing some tension from that, especially if youve focused on ab workouts. A tight stomach can also be due to other factors such as digestive issues, stress or hormonal changes, and doesnt necessarily mean youre pregnant.
What Causes Mild Belly Pain In Pregnancy
There are different causes for mild achiness or pain in the abdomen during the different stages of pregnancy.
Early pregnancy
- Some women have low, period-like pain or cramps early in pregnancy. But if pain is severe or felt on one side, call your health care provider right away.
Later in pregnancy
- As your belly grows, the muscles and ligaments that support your uterus stretch. This can cause a dull ache across the belly or a sharp pain on one side. Many women feel this pain most severely when getting up from a bed, chair or bathtub or when coughing.
- Gas pains and bloating may be caused by hormones that slow your digestion, the pressure of your growing uterus, constipation and heartburn.
- You may feel irregular contractions or tightening of your uterus muscles, often called Braxton-Hicks or false labor. False labor is usually painless, but some women feel pain. False labor tends to increase in the weeks right before your due date and can be confused with true labor.
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What Does 1 Month Pregnant Really Mean
Youre 1 month pregnant, but your baby is only, like 14 days old? How does that work?
Welcome to the first often confusing thing about pregnancy: your gestational age. Pregnancy is measured, or dated, from the first day of your last period.
No, you werent pregnant then, and yes, it can seem odd that it works this way, but the actual date of conception can be pretty hard to pin down.
Besides, before we knew so much about conception, we knew through observation that people tended to give birth about 40 weeks after the start of their last period.
So if youre 1 month pregnant, it means your last period started about 1 month ago, but since you probably didnt conceive your baby until about 14 days later, theyre only 2 weeks old. Your baby will always be younger than your pregnancy.
Dont freak out, though: The whole world of obstetrics and fetal development revolves around gestational age, so sticking with that number means youre in line with everyone elses milestones and expectations.
Shortness Of Breath During Pregnancy
Shortness of breath can happen due to increased upward pressure from the uterus and changes in physiologic lung function.
Recommendations:
- When walking, slow down and rest a few moments.
- Raise your arms over your head .
- Avoid lying flat on your back, and try sleeping with your head elevated.
- If prolonged shortness of breathing continues or you experience sharp pain when inhaling, contact your health care provider. You could have a pulmonary embolism .
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What Else Could Cause Abdominal Pain In Pregnancy
Excess gas can cause a sharp, stabbing pain in the abdomen, back, and chest. However, abdominal pain is a common symptom of other medical conditions.
Being aware of other conditions that might cause these symptoms can help a person decide whether or not they need to see their doctor for abdominal pain.
Other conditions that can cause abdominal pain during pregnancy include:
Stomach Pain During Pregnancy: Causes And Treatment
Upper stomach pain pain during pregnancy can be a normal part of the process as your body changes to accommodate your growing baby. While there are many harmless causes of this abdominal pain, some may be more serious. As an expectant mother, it is important to educate yourself on all potential causes so you are able to recognize symptoms that may cause concern.
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Constipation And Trapped Wind
You probably know what constipation and trapped wind feels like. Unfortunately, it can get worse during pregnancy – the culprit is usually hormonal changes that slow down the whole digestive process. To combat wind and constipation, try drinking lots of water, eating fibre-rich foods, or talking to your doctor or midwife about taking something to get things moving again.
When In Doubt About Your Abdominal Symptoms Physicians Say Its Best To Call Your Doctor Or Head To The Er
The egg salad didnt taste quite right, but you were hungry. Or maybe your craving for cheesecake overrode the punishment you knew your lactose intolerance would inflict. You expect stomach distress in situations like these, but other times, abdominal pain can come out of nowhere. Sometimes its severe enough or lasts for so long that you know its not simply a matter of eating something that didnt agree with you.
Digestive system issues account for 51 million visits to doctors offices and emergency departments yearly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . The severity of the pain, its location within your abdominal area, and accompanying symptoms may provide clues to the origin of the pain and whether or not you should seek help immediately. Here are some of the most common signs your tummy troubles need more than an over-the-counter remedy.
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Figuring Out Your Due Date
Your doctor will typically use the first day of your last period to calculate your due date by adding 40 weeks to that date.
This only works if you have normal menstrual cycles, though. It assumes that you conceived 14 days after your last period started. If your cycles are shorter or longer than the average 28 days, you might not have conceived around day 14 of your cycle. In that case, the calculated due date will be inaccurate.
If you know precisely when you conceived and it wasnt around day 14, you can talk to your doctor about adjusting your due date. However, they may not feel its necessary unless you have reason to think the numbers are way off.
If you know your cycles skew closer to 35 or 40 days, your doctor may order an early ultrasound to more accurately date your pregnancy.
Remember, even if you didnt conceive exactly on day 14, as long as your cycles are average length, your due date will be close enough its only an estimate, anyway!
When Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy Is Serious
Although many women who experience abdominal pain have healthy pregnancies, there are times when abdominal pain can pose a serious risk. If you exhibit any severe symptoms, such as those discussed below, please consult your medical care professional immediately.
- Ectopic Pregnancy: Occurring in 1 out of 50 pregnancies, an ectopic pregnancy is when the egg is implanted anywhere other than the uterus. Most often, the egg is implanted in the fallopian tube. Sadly, an ectopic pregnancy cannot continue to term and requires medical treatment. In the unlikely event that you have an ectopic pregnancy, you may experience intense pain and bleeding between your 6th and 10th weeks of pregnancy. Women at increased risk for ectopic pregnancies include those who have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past or have had endometriosis, a tubal ligation, or an intrauterine device in place at the time of conception. Learn more about Ectopic Pregnancies.
- Placental abruption: Placental abruption is a life-threatening condition in which the placenta separates from your uterus before the baby is born. One symptom of placental abruption is constant pain that causes your stomach to stay hard for an extended period of time without relief. Another sign is bloody fluid or premature breakage of your water. Additional symptoms include tenderness in your abdomen, back pain, or fluid discharge that includes traces of blood. You can access the complete Placental Abruption article here.
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Can It Be Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when your fertilized egg cell is implanted not inside your womb, but rather, outside your uterus. This condition will manifest itself early on in your pregnancy, and may cause you to suffer from spotting and tenderness in your abdomen. If left untreated, this condition may cause your fallopian tube to rupture, risking both your health and your babys life.
How Would I Know If Im Pregnant Without Taking A Test
The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include:
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Common Causes Of Abdominal Discomfort During Pregnancy
In spite of the possibility that your abdominal pain is a signal of other medical conditions you may be experiencing, there is also a big chance that you are actually perfectly healthy. After all, tenderness in the abdomen is a common side effect of pregnancy and is usually harmless. It can be caused by a number of ordinary things, some of which are listed below.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt So Much After Eating During Pregnancy
Hi there Mama,
Weve all been there, havent we?
Many pregnant women have often complained about stomach pain after eating too much, and I can understand, it can be both uncomfortable and painful. But, luckily there are many ways to treat it and make sure that it doesnt happen again.
During pregnancy, a stomach ache after eating can happen due to certain reasons like, if youre in your 1st trimester, it can happen due to the dramatic change of hormones in your body.
During the 2nd and 3rd trimester, its because your baby might be pushed against the stomach, stomach pain and indigestions are common in pregnant women.
Other symptoms other than stomach ache that indicates indigestion are
- Heartburn a burning sensation in the throat or chest
- Vomiting
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Taking A Warm Bath Or Using A Heating Bag
Heat may relax tense muscles and ease indigestion issues, so taking a warm bath may help to ease the symptoms of an upset stomach. It could also be beneficial to apply a heated bag or pad to the stomach for 20 minutes or until it cools down.
Aloe juice can provide relief by reducing excess stomach acid, encouraging healthy bowel movements and toxin removal, improving protein digestion, promoting the balance of digestive bacteria and reducing inflammation in the gut.
How To Treat Stomach Cramps During The First Trimester
Needless to say, painful cramps during early pregnancy can be inconvenient and uncomfortable. You might be experiencing physical and emotional changes, and adding cramps to your discomfort might feel overwhelming. Treating pregnancy cramps can help you feel more comfortable and as stress free as possible.
If youre experiencing cramps, here are a few tips for alleviating them quickly:
- Drink water. You are more likely to experience cramps if you are dehydrated. Make sure that you drink at least eight cups of water each day.
- Change positions. When you experience cramps, try shifting positions while lying or sitting down. Dont put pressure on the source of the pain.
- Stretch and exercise. Try doing mild pregnancy exercises or stretch your body to soothe cramped muscles. In addition to relieving active cramps, this can also help prevent future ones.
- Gentle massage. A massage can stimulate blood circulation in your muscles, relieving uncomfortable cramps. Getting a gentle lower back massage might help relieve aches.
- Sleep. Try to get a good nights sleep during early pregnancy as this makes you feel rested. Try to get enough sleep every night.
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