Is Lower Back Pain In Early Pregnancy A Sign Of Miscarriage Or Ectopic Pregnancy
While most cramping and lower back pain in early pregnancy is nothing to be concerned about, both can be signs of serious problems. Contact your medical provider immediately if youre concerned.
Back pain and abdominal pains in early pregnancy can sometimes be the first thing women notice if theyre suffering from a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
Abdominal pain in early pregnancy is predominant with both of these conditions, but it is often confused with lower back pain.
If youre experiencing cramping and lower back pain in early pregnancy that will not let up, increase in intensity, or occur at regular, close intervals like contractions, call your OB or midwife.
Also contact your doctor if your stomach pain is accompanied by bleeding or spotting, especially heavy bleeding with bright red blood.
Its easier said than done, we know, but try not to worry too much until you talk to your healthcare provider. Always call your doctor if your cramping and lower back pain are accompanied by other symptoms, especially vaginal bleeding or passing tissue.
But feel free to contact them anytime youre concerned. Thats what theyre there for!
Is Leg Pain Normal During Early Pregnancy
Leg Cramps: Although leg cramps are most common in the third trimester, many newly-pregnant women report that their thighs, calves, and feet might feel cramped. An expanding uterus can put pressure on certain nerves and blood vessels, causing poor circulation, cramps, or spasms of pain.
Sciatic Pain: The growing weight of your uterus might push on the sciatic nerve, sending a jolt of pain down the back of your leg.
Other Causes of Leg Pain: Both deep vein thrombosis and uterine fibroids also cause leg pain, so it’s best to call your doctor or midwife.
Cramps In The First And Second Trimesters
During the first trimester, your body is preparing for the growing fetus. These changes can cause cramping that is typically mild and temporary. This is expected and not a cause for concern as long as the pain doesn’t become intense, chronic, or occur alongside other more worrisome symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding.
As your pregnancy progresses, your uterus will continue to grow and expand. As it does this, you’ll likely feel mild to moderate cramping in your lower abdomen or lower back. This may feel like pressure, stretching, or pulling. It may even be similar to your typical menstrual cramps. This is also normal and expected.
As you progress through the first two trimesters, it’s possible that you’ll continue to experience cramping every now and then. Since the uterus is a muscle, any time it contracts, there’s potential for a little discomfort. This can be caused by a full bladder, constipation, gas, or bloating, which many pregnant people experience.
Cramps may also occur during exerciseindicating you should take some time to rest. It’s also common to experience some cramping after sex.
Even if your cramps may be normal, it is something to bring up to your physician at your next prenatal appointment.
Pregnant people are also more susceptible to yeast infections and urinary tract infections, either of which may cause mild cramps. Your doctor will want to treat these as soon as possible to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy.
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What Does The Sharp Pain In Breast Feel
When pregnant women suffer from severe pain in the breast, its usually shooting and will last for a few minutes. Some complain of the stabbing feeling, which may be very uncomfortable and leave you wincing.
The stabbing pain would usually happen under the left or right breast. Sometimes, the nipples will sting. Another type of pain or discomfort would be the heaviness or tenderness of the breast, meaning it is swollen. It is also similar to premenstrual symptoms.
Pregnant women would usually suffer from this pregnancy symptom during the first few months of carrying a child. But, women also complain about the stinging pain in the breast all throughout the pregnancy, either feeling heaviness the whole time or pain at some points of the day.
How To Relieve Pregnancy Cramps
Pregnancy cramp relief depends on the cause behind the pain youre experiencing. These tips can relieve the most common causes of abdominal cramps during pregnancy:
- Drink plenty of water, which may ease any cramping related to dehydration, bloating or constipation
- Soak in a warm bath, which can help ease pregnancy cramps related to increased uterine blood flow
- Wear a belly band, which can help relieve abdominal cramps linked to round ligament pain in the second half of pregnancy
- Change positions if you think youre having Braxton Hicks contractions
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Causes Of Left Side Pain During Pregnancy
First trimester
Left side pain in the first trimester is usually caused by normal bodily changes from pregnancy. It may also be related to digestive issues that tend to be worse during pregnancy, such as GERD. Left side pain in early pregnancy may also be caused by miscarriage. The most serious cause of left side pain in early pregnancy is an ectopic pregnancy, which needs emergency treatment. UTIs and kidney infections can cause left side pain at any point during pregnancy.
Second trimester
Round ligament pain is the most common cause of pain on either side during the second trimester. The round ligaments support the uterus. They stretch during pregnancy to accommodate your growing baby. This is a sharp pain thats felt in the abdomen or in the hip area, on either side. Any sudden movement that makes these ligaments retract quickly can cause pain. It only lasts for a few seconds and generally gets better in the third trimester.
Third trimester
Benign Causes Of Cramps In Early Pregnancy
In cases of sharp cramps, early pregnancy may be meeting the following conditions. The good news is that there is no need of concern.
1. Implantation
The implantation of the embryo to the uterus lining causes the known implantation cramping. Implantation cramping is considered as an early sign of pregnancy, sometimes even associated with light spotting. Both implantation cramping and light spotting tend to resolve quickly.
2. Gas and Constipation
Gas, bloating and constipation are common problems for pregnant women, which can sometimes cause a cramping sensation. This occurs due to the fact that the pregnancy hormones slow down the metabolism. The growing uterus also puts pressure on your intestines while the pregnancy progresses, which will slow down your digestion.
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Pregnancy Pains Got You Down Read This
Most cases of pain during pregnancy arent an emergency and can be managed, though there are some warning signs to watch out for.
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I was 35 weeks pregnant with my first daughter when I began to feel an intense, intermittent pain that radiated from my lower back and pelvis and into my leg. Like a lightning rod, it would flare unpredictably, making it impossible to move without gritting my teeth. My physical therapist deduced that the combination of my expanding belly, my scoliosis and the pregnancy hormones loosening the connective tissue of my pelvis had caused serious misalignment issues in my hip area. The result was pain in my pelvic joints and possibly some pinched nerves in my sacrum.
It is very, very common for women during all stages of pregnancy to have discomforts, pains and body aches, said Dr. Christine Isaacs, a professor and head of obstetrics and gynecology at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, in Richmond. A lot of that comes with the natural, normal physiologic changes of pregnancy, and many of these symptoms are natures way of preparing us for birth.
Ouch Welcome The Kidneys
Kidney issues can show up during pregnancy. The two most frequent issues are kidney infections and kidney stones.
A kidney infection starts as a UTI and travels up to one or both kidneys. Normally, urine drains down from your kidneys into your bladder and then out through your urethra .
But progesterone can slow the contraction of the ureters so that the urine doesnt drain completely. As your uterus swells, it weighs down on the ureters, and they dont fully drain.
- the need to pee often
- pain in your back, abdomen, or groin
- pain or burning while peeing
- blood in your urine
Dont wait to see your healthcare provider. An untreated infection can permanently damage your kidneys or spread to your bloodstream and cause , a life threatening infection. Kidney infections are treatable with antibiotics, but sometimes hospitalization is required.
Kidney stones are collections of calcium or uric acid that build up in the kidneys. Sometimes theyre NBD, but they can get stuck in your ureter and block your pee from coming out. This is very painful.
While kidney stones can happen to anyone , they tend to happen in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Pain from kidney stones may show up in your abdomen, back, sides, and groin.
Symptoms include:
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Anxiety During Pregnancy Is Normal And Natural
Especially if this is your first pregnancy or if you have experienced pregnancy loss in the past, the first trimester can be a frightening time. While many aches and pains are natural during this trimester, some new mothers worry about what each one of these pains means.
In most cases, unless you are bleeding, the pain that you’re experiencing is probably natural. But it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor if you’re feeling anxious. When asked what she tells women who hesitate to call because they don’t want to be a bother, Kara Manglani, a certified nurse and midwife, says “You are never a bother. That is our job. It is better for you to come in to be evaluated that for you to sit home and panic.” There’s usually no reason to stress, and getting relief for your worry and anxiety by talking to someone is just as important as getting relief for pain.
Any time you are concerned about your pregnancy, you should contact your doctor or midwife. They are the most qualified to determine if you need to make an appointment.
While I am not a doctor myself, I have carried and birthed four children, and I consider myself qualified to provide advice on the subject of being pregnant. I’ve also done a lot of research and included the advice of OBGYNs, nurses, and midwives here. Though my goal is to reassure mothers that those pains are usually natural and normal, the only way to be sure is to consult your doctor.
© 2014 Becki Rizzuti
How To Cope With The Cramp In Early Pregnancy
Sharp cramps in early pregnancy should always worry you. Seek medical help as they can be a sign of a serious health condition which can present a threat not only for your pregnancy but also for your life. Here are some natural ways to help you relieve the cramp.
- Walking around and standing up seems to help relieve the cramps while occurring. Drinking water is also recommended to help ease the cramps.
- Regular exercises such as Kegel exercises or pelvic tilts are helpful when trying to reduce the incidence of cramps. These exercises will help strengthen up the abdominal and pelvic muscles.
- A warm shower or heat compresses on the lower back can help relieve the cramps. A massage is also helpful.
- Over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen are commonly used during pregnancy. However, a wise thing to do is to talk to your health care provider as too much of acetaminophen is no good for you, causing liver problems.
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Pain In Your Lower Abdomen Or Groin
Most often, this happens between 18 and 24 weeks. When you feel stretching or pain, move slowly or change positions.
Mild aches and pains lasting for short periods of time are normal. But see your provider right away if you have constant, severe abdominal pain, possible contractions, or you have pain and are bleeding or have fever. These are symptoms that can indicate more severe problems, such as:
- Placental abruption
Is It Normal To Have Sharp Cramps During Pregnancy
A certain level of discomfort during the first few weeks of pregnancy is considered normal. This discomfort mostly has to do with tender breasts, back pain or sore feet. What about sharp cramps in early pregnancy? Are abdominal cramps during the first few weeks of pregnancy a normal thing or should pregnant women get concerned?
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When To See A Doctor Immediately
Particularly if you’re a first-time mother, you should contact your doctor when you experience pain during your pregnancy. In most cases, your doctor is going to reassure you. However, if you are experiencing the following, you should consider seeing a doctor immediately via an urgent care facility or your local women’s hospital.
- Cramping with bleeding
- Inability to keep foods down due to nausea
- Pain during urination
If you have additional symptoms accompanying what may otherwise be normal pain, contact your doctor immediately. Aside from the obvious risk of miscarriage, or chemical or ectopic pregnancy, another risk you need to be wary of is a urinary tract infection. A simple urine test can confirm a UTI and you will be prescribed a pregnancy-safe antibiotic.
Coping With Pregnancy Pains
If you are experiencing sharp or stabbing pain during pregnancy, there are some possible solutions that you can try to alleviate the pain:
- Pregnancy safe stretches
- Experiment with sleeping and sitting positions
Again, if the pain becomes too intense or prevents you from doing day-to-day activities, contact your health care provider immediately. Consult with your doctor for more pregnancy-safe pain management ideas.
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How Can I Ease Pregnancy Abdominal Pain
- Lie down on the side opposite to the pain .
- Have a warm bath .
- Use a hot water bottle or wheat bag on the painful areas .
- Get in the habit of standing up and sitting down more gradually, avoiding sudden movements . This may help to decrease the spasms.
- Avoid activities that you notice trigger ligament pain .
- Standing for too long or lifting heavy objects can make the pain worse, so avoid these if you can .
Diagnosing Left Side Pain During Pregnancy
Your doctor will take a medical history, listen to your symptoms, and do a physical exam. If necessary, your doctor may order an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging to determine the exact cause of your left side pain. They may also order blood or urine tests to check for other issues, such as a urinary tract infection .
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Normal Cramps In Early Pregnancy
During your first trimester, you experience cramps as your body prepares for the pregnancy. You may initially experience cramping in your lower abdomen or lower back even before you know youre pregnant. This is due to implantation, which is the process of the fertilized egg implanting in the uterus. You may feel a small twinge or sharper cramps that may double you over at times. After you know youre pregnant, cramping is due to your uterus growing and expanding to accommodate your growing baby. Its perfectly normal and happens to all women. Cramps often feel similar to your normal menstrual cramps. Once you pass your first trimester, you might experience occasional cramping. Its important to remember that the uterus is a muscle, which means it can contract and cause pain or discomfort. The same can happen when you have gas, constipation, bloating, or even a full bladder.
What Causes Back Pain In Pregnancy
Low back pain is a common problem reported during pregnancy. More than two-thirds of pregnant women experience this issue.
Back pain is usually reported by about 22 weeks into the pregnancy, although some women experience it earlier.
During pregnancy, the pain usually occurs in the lumbar region or low back, but it may radiate into the posterior thighs and buttocks for some women. The intensity and duration of low back pain varies, but one study found that about one-third of pregnant women felt low back pain was a significant problem.
Fortunately, back pain typically goes away soon after giving birth. Most women dont experience ongoing issues. That said, there can be other reasons and causes for back pain during pregnancy that require attention from a doctor. Recognizing the common signs and symptoms of back pain in pregnancy can help you determine whether a less common cause, like an infection, may be contributing to your low back pain.
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Growing Pains During Pregnancy Are Normal
Growing PainsYouve heard about morning sickness, but no one ever told you about this one: round ligament pain.The cause:There are ligaments in the pelvis, called round ligaments, which are attached to the uterus and cradle it. As the uterus grows, the ligaments resist being stretched and create pain. Picture a tightrope with too many tightrope walkers on it. It can feel like a sharp pain on one or both sides in the lower pelvis and can occur at any time. This condition is common and may even appear in the first trimester.The relief:While uncomfortable and seemingly alarming, you can try comfort measures to ease this painful event. It is important to stay hydrated by drinking more water, as well as trying heat packs or warm baths. As your baby grows, you can sleep with a pillow under your belly. Daily gentle 5-10 minute stretching and twisting from side to side while lying on your back can help offer relief. Prenatal massages and prenatal yoga are also beneficial.When to worry:If these options dont help, the pain persists, or you are concerned, contact your provider for further evaluation.If you ever have questions or concerns during your pregnancy, we invite you to speak with your healthcare provider. To find a provider near you, you can visit IntermountainMedicalGroup.org.Enjoy your pregnancy.
