Is it normal for stomach cramps to occur frequently during pregnancy? & bull; hello healthy

Pregnancy can indeed make various changes in your body. These changes can make parts of your body feel sore, such as your legs, back, breasts, and even your stomach. Some of you may feel cramps in the stomach and this is a normal thing to happen. This pain may be related to constipation or to increased blood flow in your uterus. Some of these may be signs of a serious illness, such as a urinary tract infection, miscarriage, preeclampsia, or other medical conditions.

What causes stomach cramps during pregnancy?

Abdominal cramps during pregnancy can be felt at any time during pregnancy, it could be during the first, second, or third trimester.

The most common cause of stomach cramps

1. Gastric problems

Gas and bloating can occur during pregnancy. This can be caused by an increase in the hormone progesterone, a hormone that makes your muscles relax, including those in your digestive tract. As a result, your digestive system runs more slowly and you feel pressure on your uterus and intestines. This can cause you to feel gas, bloating, or constipated. At this time, you may feel cramps in your stomach.

Having a bowel movement or passing gas may help a little to get rid of your cramps. You also need to eat fibrous foods, eat less but often, and drink more water to help reduce constipation.

2. Cramps after orgasm

Cramping during or after orgasm is normal for you to experience during sexual intercourse. It is harmless and will not hurt your unborn baby. Cramps can also be caused by increased blood flow to the pelvic area or normal uterine contractions during orgasm.

3. Increased blood flow to the uterus

During pregnancy, your body will supply more blood to the uterus to supply blood to your fetus. This can cause you to feel pressure in the uterine area or cramping in the abdomen. When you feel cramps, you can lie down or take a warm bath to help relieve it.

4. Cramps because the mother's uterus expands

Because the mother's uterus continues to expand during pregnancy, the mother sometimes feels cramps in the abdomen that can spread to the hips or groin. Usually this cramping or pain begins in the second trimester of pregnancy. These cramps are often experienced when you exercise, after you get out of bed or a chair, sneeze, cough, laugh, or when you make sudden movements or other activities.

5. Braxton Hicks Contractions

These contractions usually start around 20 weeks of gestation and this can be a preparation for the mother's body before delivery. These contractions are usually rare, don't last a long time, come on irregularly, and are usually painless. Dehydration may cause Braxton Hicks contractions, so you will need to drink plenty of water to prevent this.

Causes of stomach cramps during the first to second trimester of pregnancy

1. Ectopic pregnancy (outside the womb)

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube (the tube that connects the uterus and ovaries). This causes you to feel cramping on one side of your stomach. These cramps can last a long time and get worse over time. Have your pregnancy checked by your doctor if you also experience vaginal bleeding, shoulder pain, abdominal pain that gets worse with activity, and fainting.

2. Miscarriage

A miscarriage can cause you to feel cramps in the abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area. Sometimes, it is difficult to tell whether you have a miscarriage, implantation, or because your uterus is growing. However, cramping due to miscarriage usually lasts several hours or days and is accompanied by light or heavy bleeding for several days. You may also feel pain in your back or pressure in your pelvis.

Causes of stomach cramps during the second to third trimester of pregnancy

1. Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infections can usually cause pain when urinating, pressure in the pelvis or pain in the lower abdomen, more frequent urination, foul-smelling, cloudy, or bloody urine. Untreated urinary tract infections can lead to kidney infections and preterm birth.

2. Placental abruption

This is a term that describes the condition of your placenta which is completely or partially separated from the uterine wall before the baby is born. This condition can also cause your stomach to experience severe cramps that can last a long time. In addition, you can also experience back pain, vaginal bleeding, and contractions in the uterus.

3. Preeclampsia

Characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia can also be one reason why you feel cramps in the upper abdomen. In addition, you may also experience severe headaches, visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting, swelling of the face, hands and feet, and shortness of breath.

4. Cramps as a sign of labor

You may go into labor if you have regular contractions, usually every 10 minutes or so. These contractions usually don't go away easily even if you've changed positions. At this time, you will also experience stomach cramps. In addition, you also feel pressure in the pelvic area, experience changes or increases in vaginal discharge, and vaginal bleeding. You can have premature birth if you experience this before 37 weeks of gestation.

How do you deal with stomach cramps during pregnancy?

When you feel cramps, the first thing you should do is rest. You can try the following things to relieve cramps in your stomach:

• Lie down or sit down for a while. Lie on the opposite side of the place of your pain. And straighten your legs.
• Take a warm shower.
• Compress the cramped part of your stomach with warm water.
• Try to be relaxed and calm.
• Drink plenty of fluids, if the cramps are caused by Braxton Hicks contractions.
• Move or do some slow movements to relieve cramps that may be caused by stomach gas.