Hard stomach sensation is a relatively common condition during pregnancy, but it can have several causes, depending on the woman’s trimester and other symptoms that may appear.
The most common causes can range from a simple stretching of the abdominal muscles, common at the beginning of pregnancy, to contractions of childbirth or a possible abortion, for example.
- So.
- Ideally whenever a woman experiences some kind of alteration in the body or during pregnancy.
- Consult the gynecologist or obstetrician.
- To find out if what is going on is normal or if this may indicate a type of pregnancy risk.
The most common causes that can cause a hard stomach to appear during pregnancy, depending on each trimester, include:
The first trimester of pregnancy is the period between the 1st and the 13th week of gestation and, at this time, the most common causes may be:
With the growth of the uterus and the development of the baby, the belly may begin to harden at the beginning of pregnancy, mainly due to excessive stretching of the abdominal muscles.
This usually occurs around 7 or 8 weeks gestation and, at this stage, it is normal for the woman to notice that the lower part of the navel, also known as ‘belly’, is more swollen and harder than before. Pregnant.
What to do: Since it is a normal response of the body, there is no specific treatment. However, if the sensation is very uncomfortable, it is recommended to consult the gynecologist or obstetrician.
Constipation is another very common problem throughout pregnancy, but especially in the first few weeks of gestation, as rapid hormonal changes during this period slow down intestinal transit, facilitating the formation of gases and hardening and cooking the belly.
In addition, some women need to take an iron supplement during pregnancy, which can make stool even more difficult.
What to do: To reduce the discomfort of constipation, it is important to drink plenty of water during the day, in addition to having a high-fiber diet, i.e. relying on the consumption of foods such as vegetables, peeled fruits and cereals, for example. Here are some natural tips for combating constipation during pregnancy.
A hard stomach during the first trimester can still be a sign of miscarriage, which is more common before 12 weeks. But in these situations, in addition to the harder-than-normal stomach, a woman may also develop other signs and symptoms such as severe lower back pain and vaginal bleeding with lumps, for example.
What to do: Whenever an abortion is suspected, it is very important to go to the hospital for an abdominal ultrasound and to understand if the baby and placenta are OK. Understand what can cause a miscarriage.
In the second trimester, which occurs between 14 and 27 weeks, the most common causes of hard stomach are:
As pregnancy progresses, it is normal for the muscles and ligaments in the abdomen to continue to stretch, causing the belly to become stiffer and stiffer. For this reason, many women may also experience inflammation of the round ligament, resulting in constant pain in the lower abdomen, which can spread to the groin.
What to do: To relieve ligament inflammation, it is recommended to rest and avoid staying in the same position for a long time. One position that seems to relieve the pain caused by the ligament a lot is to lie on its side with a pillow under the belly and another between the legs.
This type of contraction, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions, usually occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy and helps muscles prepare for work. When they occur, contractions make the abdomen extremely stiff and usually last about 2 minutes.
O que fazer: as contrações de treinamento são completamente normais e, por isso, não é necessário qualquer tipo de tratamento específico. Porém, se causarem muito desconforto, é recomendado consultar o obstetra.
The third trimester represents the last three months of pregnancy. During this period, in addition to being frequent continue to develop training contractions, as well as inflammation of the round ligament and constipation, there is another very important cause of hard abdomen, which are the contractions of childbirth.
In general, labor contractions are similar to training contractions (Braxton Hicks), but tend to become more intense and with a shorter gap between each contraction. Also, if the woman gives birth, it is also common for the water bag to break. Look for signs that can indicate the work.
What to do: If a job is suspected, it is very important to go to the hospital to evaluate the rate of contractions and dilation of the cervix, to confirm that it is really time for the baby to be born.
It is advisable to see the doctor when the woman
In any case, whenever the woman suspects that something is wrong, she should contact her obstetrician to clarify her doubts and, if it is not possible to speak to her, she must go to the emergency room or maternity.