You may feel a dull ache across your abdomen or sometimes a sharp pain on one side from the stretching of ligaments that support the uterus. It may get worse when you change positions, get up from the couch, or when getting out of the tub. It might be a good idea to install a support bar near your bath tub.
False labor is another simple problem, in that it poses no risk to your or your baby. These contractions sometimes disappear if you change positions, go for a walk, and don’t increase in intensity. They are called Braxton-Hicks. It may feel like menstrual cramps, low back pain and may be due to gas, pressure from your growing uterus and or increasing levels of pregnancy hormones.
Severe pain accompanied by fever is not likely related to your pregnancy but could be a virus, food poisoning, gall bladder disease, appendicitis or a urinary tract infection. None of these are directly connected to your pregnancy, however the treatments could have an effect.
Serious pregnancy related conditions include:
Pre-eclampsia - Toxemia which can cause high blood pressure, increased protein in your urine and pitting edema (when you press on the skin it doesn’t pop back immediately, leaving a pit for a few seconds). If you have high blood pressure make sure it is closely monitored because there are no symptoms until disaster strikes. There is a potential risk to both other and child.
An ectopic pregnancy - This means the embryo has implanted outside of the uterus. It can cause severe pain, cramping and even bleeding. Embryos implant on an ovary, the cervix or abdominal wall. The organ can rupture. There is no chance of a live birth, always fatal to the baby but the mothers usually recover physically. The emotional trauma may take more time.
Pre-term labor - Anytime you go into labor before your 37th week, it could be considered pre-term labor. If you experience painful contractions that come at regular intervals of say 5-10 minutes apart, that is likely labor. There are few things you can do to stave off the contractions. Sometimes complete bed rest helps and there are two drugs, terbutaline (normally for asthma) and ritrodine, to attempt to stop labor temporarily. They work by relaxing smooth muscles. Every extra day or hour you can give that precious baby is a plus. He has that extra time to be nurtured by your nutrient rich placenta. If you have the pain and regular contractions that signal early labor, it doesn’t matter if it is 1 AM or New Years Eve, call your health care provider and tell her to meet you at the hospital. This is especially important if your are passing fluid vaginally. Even if you had planned on a home birth, if there is a chance your baby will be premature you need to have him in a hospital where the care he needs is close at hand.
Placenta previa - is another cause for concern. In this condition the placenta lays low in the uterus blocking the cervical opening which can cause hemorrhaging. There are three different degrees of blockage. Total - the entire cervical opening is blocked. Partial - only part of the opening is blocked. Marginal - the placenta is very close but not blocking the opening. Some possible causes are scarring, or large placenta due to more than one baby. The condition is usually found on an ultrasound or MRI. There is a high risk for infections. You could develop blood clots and there could be a premature birth. Most women with this condition have c-sections. Some other causes of placenta previa are smoking, cocaine use, multiple births, previous surgeries and the woman’s age, moms 35 or older are at higher risk.
Remember, not all lower abdominal pain in the third trimester is related to the pregnancy, however most other possible causes the we mentioned earlier can have an impact on your pregnancy, such as gallbladder or appendicitis that require abdominal surgery which could present problems with anesthesia use and pain medications for moms which unfortunately baby gets also.
Many first time moms misinterpret Braxton-Hicks contractions as pain or pre term labor and panic. However it is better to see your health care provider and be told what you are experiencing is totally normal than to ignore symptoms and have a major medical emergency. When in doubt, call. Also call if you have vaginal bleeding or other vaginal discharge while pregnant. Light spotting is not uncommon and not usually a sign of problems, but bleeding accompanied by pain most definitely can be, so have it checked.
The closer you get to your due date, the more likely you are to feel strong contractions. This by itself is not serious. Some people hardly notice pre-term cramping and others can feel worn out by it. If you are within two or three weeks of your due date and are experiencing cramping without pain or hard contractions, your health care provider will probably tell you to wait and see if your labor intensifies, especially if this is not your first pregnancy and you will recognize true labor.
A warm, not hot, bath may help ease lower abdominal pain from the pressure of your full uterus. The buoyancy of the water and the warmth can really help your feel better and to enable you to relax.
You can be pregnant three times and have three totally different experiences. Your first time you were probably a nervous wreck. I know that I was. Every little twinge sent me to the phone. Fortunately the doctor was patient, understanding and answered all of my questions.
Each pregnancy is different but at least you have an idea of what to expect and will have a sense when things just aren’t right. You also will have a better sense about something going wrong and can get help and treatment right away.
Go with your instinct and insist on having something checked out if you believe there is a problem. Better to be wrong and feel a little foolish than to let a serious problem go untreated and risk the health of you and your baby.
There is so much folklore surrounding pregnancy and childbirth that you could write a good sized book. My grandmother used to say that it was better to have your baby in the 7th month than the 8th if he had to come early. We know that every day closer to the due date is a plus for the baby. Another: if you have little pain it is a boy and if your labor causes severe pain in the lower abdomen you are having a girl.
