Pregnancy Pain: What’s Normal and When to Worry

Learning that you’re about to bring new life into this world is very exciting. With nine months to prepare for your baby’s arrival, you’re bound to have an adventure. However, every adventure is filled with some hardships, and pregnancy is no different. 

When a woman is pregnant, their body starts going through some changes, with some being normal and others being less than pleasant. If this is your first pregnancy, you may have a few scares.  

To help reduce your anxiety, we’ve listed some common pregnancy pains and how to deal with them 

The First Two Trimesters

During the first two trimesters, your body starts to prepare for the growth of your child. You might experience a bit of cramping, which is often mild and temporary. 

The second trimester is when the intensity of the cramps starts to shift. The cramps can remain mild, but it’s normal if they become a little more intense. The cause of cramping is your growing uterus. 

You may experience some cramping on your lower back or abdomen. Furthermore, you may experience some pulling or stretching sensation accompanying them. Some are even reminiscent of the cramps you get during your menstrual cycle.

It’s important to remember that your uterus is technically a muscle. So, there’s no need to be alarmed if you have a bit of pain or discomfort when it contracts. Also, your risk of yeast and urinary tract infections increases during this time. You’ll need to keep an eye on that.

Aside from the physical changes, pregnancy comes with hormonal changes as well. Don’t be alarmed if you start randomly having swollen gums, changes to the skin like stretching, a stuffy nose, or a leaky bladder. These are normal symptoms during the very early stages of pregnancy.

What You Need to Worry About

As the months go by, your uterus will continue to stretch out. Once you’re about five or six months along, you may experience sharp cramps, which are quite at this time. This is especially true if you’re carrying more than one baby. However, during the second and third trimester, there are a few things you need to keep an eye out for.

To start, preterm labor is a major concern during this period. Signs of preterm labor include a drastic increase in pelvic pressure, sudden backaches, and having blood come out of the vagina. 

A clear sign of preterm pregnancy is having five or more contractions all in an hour. If you experience any of these signs, go to the hospital immediately.

Other things that can be cause for alarm are having an odd rash, extreme swelling in your fingers or face, intense back pain, and urination issues. If you experience any illness such as profuse vomiting or nausea, fainting spells, dizziness, or a fever, see a doctor immediately.

Pregnancy is a wonderful experience. However, not knowing what’s going to happen can cause quite a scare. While you have some things to be concerned about, more often than not, what you experience during your pregnancy may be normal. They may not be pleasant. But it’ll all be worth it in the end as you hold your little one for the first time. 

Remember, if something is bothering you, do not hesitate to call a doctor.