Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
Early in pregnancy, numerous women have pelvic pain. Pelvic pain refers to pain in the most affordable part of the torso, in the area listed below the abdominal area and between the hipbones (pelvis). The pain might be sharp or crampy (like menstrual cramps) and may come and go. It may be sudden and unbearable, dull and continuous, or some mix. Usually, temporary pelvic pain is not a cause for issue. It can occur normally as the bones and ligaments shift and stretch to accommodate the fetus.
How to Recognize Pelvic Pain
If brought on by a disorder, pelvic pain might be accompanied by other symptoms, consisting of vaginal bleeding. In some conditions, such bleeding can be severe, in some cases resulting in precariously low blood pressure (shock).
Pelvic pain varies from abdominal pain, which takes place greater in the upper body, in the area of the stomach and intestine. However, often women have difficulty critical whether pain is primarily in the abdominal area or pelvis. Causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy are typically unrelated to the pregnancy.
- Pelvic pain during early pregnancy normally results from changes that happen usually during pregnancy.
- Often it results from disorders, which may be connected to the pregnancy, to female reproductive organs but not the pregnancy, or to other organs.
- Medical professionals’ first top priority is to recognize conditions that require emergency situation surgery, such as an ectopic pregnancy or appendicitis.
- Ultrasonography is usually done.
- General measures (such as resting and applying heat) can assist eliminate pain due to the normal modifications during pregnancy.
Causes of Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, pelvic pain may arise from conditions that relate to:
- The pregnancy (obstetric disorders).
- The female reproductive system (gynecologic conditions) however not the pregnancy.
- Other organs, particularly the digestion tract and urinary tract.
Sometimes no specific disorder is recognized.
The most typical obstetric causes during early pregnancy are:
- The normal modifications of pregnancy.
- A miscarriage that has occurred or is happening (spontaneous abortion).
- A miscarriage that might occur (threatened abortion).
In a miscarriage that has happened, all of the contents of the uterus (fetus and placenta) might be expelled (total abortion) or not (insufficient abortion).
The most common major obstetric cause is:
- Rupture of an abnormally located (ectopic) pregnancy – one that is not in its typical location in the uterus, for example, one that remains in a fallopian tube.
When an ectopic pregnancy ruptures, blood pressure may drop very low, the heart might race, and blood might not clot usually. Immediate surgery may be required.
Pelvic pain during pregnancy may also occur when an ovary twists around the ligaments and the tissues that support it, cutting off the ovary’s blood supply. This disorder, called adnexal torsion, is not related to the pregnancy but is more typical during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the ovaries expand, making an ovary most likely to twist.
Digestion and urinary tract conditions, which are common causes of pelvic pain in basic, are also typical causes during pregnancy. These conditions include:
- Gastroenteritis (infection of the digestive tract) due to an infection.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Inflammatory bowel disease.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Kidney stones.
Sharp pains in pelvic area during early pregnancy might arise from labor or from a disorder unrelated to the pregnancy.
Different qualities (risk factors) increase the risk of some obstetric disorders that cause pelvic pain.
For miscarriage, risk factors consist of:
- Age over 35.
- Several miscarriages in previous pregnancies.
- Use of drugs such as drug, usage of alcohol, or consumption of a lot of caffeine.
- Abnormalities in the uterus, such as fibroids or scars, as may be triggered by surgery, dilation and curettage (D and C), radiation therapy, or infections.
For ectopic pregnancy, risk factors include:
- A previous ectopic pregnancy (the most crucial risk factor).
- Previous abdominal surgery, specifically surgery to decontaminate the female (tubal ligation).
- A previous infection with a sexually transferred disease or pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Cigarette smoking.
- Use of an intrauterine device (IUD).
- Age over 35.
- A history of infertility, use of fertility drugs, or use of assisted reproductive methods.
- Numerous sex partners (adulteress).
- An abortion in a previous pregnancy.
If a pregnant female has abrupt, extremely severe or sharp pain in the lower abdominal area or pelvis, medical professionals should quickly try to figure out whether prompt surgery is required– as holds true when the cause is an ectopic pregnancy or appendicitis.
Symptoms of Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
In pregnant women with pelvic pain, the following symptoms are cause for concern:.
- Fainting, light-headedness, or a racing heart– symptoms that suggest extremely low blood pressure.
- Fever, particularly if accompanied by a vaginal discharge which contains pus.
- Vaginal bleeding.
- Pain that is severe and is intensified with movement.
When to See a Doctor
Women with indication need to see a doctor immediately. Women without cautioning signs must attempt to see a doctor within a day or two if they have pain or burning during urination or pain that interferes with daily activities. Women with just mild discomfort and no other symptoms should call the doctor. The doctor can assist them decide whether and how quickly they need to be seen.
What the Doctor Does
To identify whether emergency surgery is needed, physicians first examine blood pressure and temperature and ask about key symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding. Medical professionals then inquire about other symptoms and the medical history. They likewise do a physical exam. What they discover during the history and physical examination frequently suggests a cause and the tests that might need to be done (see Table).
Physicians ask about the pain:
- Whether it begins unexpectedly or slowly.
- Whether it occurs in a specific spot or is more prevalent.
- Whether moving or changing positions worsens the pain.
- Whether it is crampy and whether it is continuous or comes and goes.
Physicians likewise inquire about other symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding, a vaginal discharge, a need to urinate frequently or urgently, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. They ask especially about previous pregnancy-related events (obstetric history), consisting of previous pregnancies, miscarriages, and intentional terminations of pregnancy (caused abortions) for medical or other reasons, along with risk factors for miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.
The health examination focuses on the pelvic examination. Medical professionals carefully press on the abdomen to see whether pressing causes any pain.
Treatment for Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
Particular disorders are treated. If painkiller are required, acetaminophen is the best one for pregnant women, however if it is ineffective, an opioid might be essential.
Pain due to normal changes during pregnancy
Women may be recommended to:
- Limitation how much they move, but relocation typically.
- Prevent heavy lifting or pushing.
- Preserve good posture.
- Sleep with a pillow in between their knees.
- Rest as much as possible with their back well-supported.
- Apply heat to painful areas.
- Do Kegel exercises (squeezing and releasing the muscles around the vaginal area, urethra, and anus).
- Use a maternity support belt.
- Perhaps attempt acupuncture.
Last modified: July 5, 2017