Abdominal pain during pregnancy can be very worrying for you.
Knowing the cause of lower abdominal pain will help you to differentiate between temporary and harmless pain during pregnancy and abdominal pain, which is a sign of fetal and uterine problems, and avoid unnecessary worries.
In the following, we will tell you the cause of needle-like pains, such as lower abdomen pain during pregnancy.
During pregnancy, your body makes many changes to prepare you for hosting your fetus; sometimes, some of these changes will cause you to experience unpleasant and uncomfortable conditions.
Sharp and sometimes needle-like pains in the lower abdomen are unpleasant experiences during pregnancy. Sometimes sharp and radicular pains can be felt around the stomach or groin in addition to the lower abdomen.
You should know that most of the time, the cause of needle-like pain in the lower abdomen is regular changes in the body during pregnancy. In the following, we will tell the other causes of these pains.
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Causes of low needle pain in pregnancy
Common causes of needle-like and sometimes sharp pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy include the following:
- Accumulation of intestinal and gastric gases
During pregnancy, the movements of your gastrointestinal tract slow down. This change, along with the pressure of the uterus on the intestines and stomach, can cause the accumulation of gastrointestinal gas.
- Constipation
Constipation is prevalent in pregnancy; hormonal changes and uterine pressure aggravate constipation. Constipation can be the cause of lower abdominal pain.
- Cramp
Uterine dilatation during pregnancy can be accompanied by a sharp pain in the lower abdomen called a cramp.
- Round ligament pain
Usually, in the second trimester of pregnancy, there is sharp pain (sometimes needle-like) in one or both sides of the lower abdomen; this pain is due to the stretching of the round uterine ligaments. The round ligaments hold the uterus in place. During pregnancy, as the uterus enlarges, these ligaments are stretched, causing sharp, sometimes needle-like pain in the lower abdomen.
Cervical ligament pain is widespread in pregnancy. This sharp and pricking pain will increase when you change the position of your body because more tension is applied to the cervical ligament.
Causes of low needle pain in pregnancy
Common causes of needle-like and sometimes sharp pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy include the following:
- Accumulation of intestinal and gastric gases
During pregnancy, the movements of your gastrointestinal tract slow down. This change, along with the pressure of the uterus on the intestines and stomach, can cause the accumulation of gastrointestinal gas.
- Constipation
Constipation is prevalent in pregnancy; hormonal changes and uterine pressure aggravate constipation. Constipation can be the cause of lower abdominal pain.
- Cramp
Uterine dilatation during pregnancy can be accompanied by a sharp pain in the lower abdomen called a cramp.
- Round ligament pain
Usually, in the second trimester of pregnancy, there is sharp pain (sometimes needle-like) in one or both sides of the lower abdomen; this pain is due to the stretching of the round uterine ligaments. The round ligaments hold the uterus in place. During pregnancy, as the uterus enlarges, these ligaments are stretched, causing sharp, sometimes needle-like pain in the lower abdomen.
Cervical ligament pain is widespread in pregnancy. This sharp and pricking pain will increase when you change the position of your body because more tension is applied to the cervical ligament.
If you are pregnant and have tingling pain in your abdomen, tell your doctor immediately if you have any warning signs and symptoms.
- Acute abdominal pain with vomiting
- Needle-like pain in the abdomen with fever or shivering
- Heavy and severe vaginal bleeding
- Any change in vaginal discharge
- Severe pain that makes it difficult to breathe
- Severe pain that prevents you from speaking
- sharp pain in the lower abdomen when coughing
- Severe pain during which you cannot even walk
We emphasize that in case of any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should inform your doctor immediately or go to an equipped medical center directly. Take Sharp and needle-like pain in the lower abdomen seriously because mostly normal cramps or pain from stretching the abdominal ligaments last only a few minutes.
Ways to reduce sharp and needle pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy
If you do not have warning signs and symptoms, you can use the following methods at your doctor’s discretion to reduce and tolerate needle-like pain such as lower abdomen during your pregnancy.
- Perform safe stretching exercises for pregnancy according to your doctor
- There are special breathing exercises for pregnant women that you can ask your doctor or midwife
- If you are not in a complete bed rest position, do not forget to walk daily
- Learn proper sleeping and sitting positions from your doctor or midwife
- If you experience severe, increasing, and unbearable pain that prevents you from performing your normal daily activities, do not waste time going to a doctor or medical center.