AmericanPregnancy. Baby growing. Left Side Pain During Pregnancy: Is Left Side Pregnancy Pain Serious? According to a study in France, ovarian cysts can form during pregnancy and cause pain. Sometimes, in your 3rd trimester, you can feel dull aches or cramping as if you are having contractions and going into labor. Constipation could be a reason for left side aches and pains during pregnancy. In mild cases, doctors may advise a pregnant woman to get plenty of bed rest if there is only mild bleeding and blood pressure is normal.14. Cramping during pregnancy. Left-sided pregnancy pain or pain on both sides of your stomach could be a sign of miscarriage if accompanied by heavy vaginal bleeding. Belly button pain during pregnancy is a very common symptom and occurs mainly due to changes in the body, as it tries to adjust to the baby's growth. Intense abdominal cramping is a pain you should never ignore. In many cases, natural changes in the body are behind the discomfort, which may pass as the pregnancy progresses. Therefore, you should seek medical help as soon as possible for any kind of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, especially if accompanied by persistent belly pain.12. For example, unlike labor pains, Braxton Hicks contractions are not as sore and don’t become more intense over time. Ectopic pregnancies happen when the fertilized egg implants itself outside of the uterus. Gas and gas pains. Cramping pain that radiates to your shoulders. This can be caused by a number of factors including hormonal changes, changes in the gastrointestinal tract, and a larger uterus.7. Required fields are marked *. UTIs can affect the health of both mother and baby, therefore, it’s important to seek prompt medical attention if you suspect you have a urinary tract infection. And while uncomfortable and inconvenient, the common complaints often pose no threat to you or your baby, notes Clara Ward, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and UT Physicians in Houston. That doesn't mean you shouldn't ask your doctor any questions you have, especially if it's your first baby or different than previous pregnancies. Experiencing sharp pain on the left side while pregnant could be due to increased levels of the hormone relaxin. Another type of cyst, called a functional cyst of the ovary, is full of clear fluid. The most common reason for mild left side pain while pregnant is your growing baby. Miscarriage symptoms. Also, trying to force out hard stools can put extra pressure on the abdomen and result in painful cramps. Try to avoid slouching when standing or sitting. Also, avoiding spicy and acidic foods can reduce the irritation in your esophagus and digestive tract. According to the American Pregnancy Association, if you have cramping while pregnant with the following symptoms, you should call your doctor immediately:1, Article Sources Becki Rizzuti (author) from Central Indiana on August 15, 2018: Mhai, back pain is *very* normal during pregnancy. But if you have stomach pains and are worried, call your midwife or maternity hospital. Doctors usually decide to treat kidney stones during pregnancy if they cause complications or extreme pain.18. For example, doctors report that the uterus can push on the appendix and cause it to be pushed up.19 Also, the Journal of the Chinese Medical Association reports that left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain is sometimes a symptom of appendicitis.20. Higher levels of the hormone progesterone during pregnancy might be to blame. J Chine Med Assoc. Generally speaking, discomfort or pain that is not accompanied by any other symptoms or resolves is not concerning, says Dr. Ward. Your health care provider should monitor your pregnancy regularly and make the required tests to monitor your condition and the progression of the pregnancy. Therefore, if you have mild bleeding during pregnancy with or without severe lower abdominal pain, you should speak with your healthcare provider. According to Dr. Nivin Todd on WebMD, more than half of all pregnant women suffer from heartburn in the later stages of pregnancy. This is caused by your uterus beginning to extend into the surrounding muscles. Another pregnancy complication that can result in pain under your left or right ribs is preeclampsia. Sharp localized pain on one side of your abdomen could indicate an ectopic pregnancy, preeclampsia, or even miscarriage. “Hormones produced during pregnancy make bowel move slower, which means patients experience increased gas and bloating,” explains Dr. Cordoba Munoz. Some abdominal aches and pains during pregnancy are quite common and generally pose no threat to you and your baby. However, doctors from the National Health Service report that cramping pain in your lower abdomen with heavy brown discharge and/or vaginal bleeding may be indicative of miscarriage.11, Dr. Sarah Marshall on WebMD says that it can be difficult to know if bad pelvic cramps and bleeding is a miscarriage. One of the most common causes of pain near the abdomen during pregnancy is due to round ligament pain. As the uterus expands, ligaments and muscles that support it stretch. Sometimes, taking a warm bath or having a few glasses of water are enough to get relief from the cramping pains in late pregnancy.6. “This pain can affect both the left and right side of the body.”. Some women may start having back discomfort as soon as eight weeks into pregnancy. Although round ligament pain usually affects your right side in pregnancy, it can happen on both sides. One reason for feeling pain on your left side during pregnancy is due to a condition called round ligament pain. In this article, you will learn about the causes of left-sided pregnancy pain and what you can do to relieve the aches. WebMD. If the abdominal or stomach pain persists for longer or is severe, it could be an indication of a severe pregnancy-related complication and you must consult a doctor immediately. (Based on Latest Medical Research), Pain on Left Side: Causes, Treatments and When to See a Doctor, Left Side Chest Pain: Causes and When to See a Doctor, 14 Signs of Implantation or Early Pregnancy Before Missed Period. Severe cramping and pain that doesn’t let up. A buildup of excess gas can cause abdominal pain and even chest pain when you are pregnant. Bowel obstruction is a condition that occurs in the third trimester. You can treat general aches and pains in your abdominal area or lower back that are associated with normal, healthy pregnancy by using a heating pad. Being pregnant also increases your chance of contracting a urinary tract infection which can cause cramping in the lower abdomen or back. Braxton-Hicks contractions. Chest pain can be a harmless symptom of pregnancy. MedicineNet. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This hormone relaxes the round sphincter muscles that normally close … Ask doctors free. Though the condition doesn’t indicate a serious medical condition and subsides in a short period of time, sometimes the pain becomes persistent or severe. If you experience sharp stabbing pains during pregnancy then you should speak to your obstetrician. It’s best to report about it to your health care provider for further advise. Talk with your health care provider if you develop left-sided abdominal pain during pregnancy to determine the likely cause and treatment options. T associated with being pregnant pains to your left flank or abdominal cramps is normal for pregnant on... Should not be severe and last more than a few minutes about, but they can cause cramping early... Ways to relieve the aches your body while pregnant can help to soften stools and constipation... Bloating, ” explains Dr. Cordoba Munoz have mild abdominal pain outside of pregnancy need! Remove ovarian cysts can be a sign that something is wrong backaches or cramps in your uterus to. Is formed side in pregnancy, Braxton Hicks contractions are one reason for pain in the upper abdomen but... Pains in your groin area and supports your uterus as it grows during pregnancy are quite and. Gas should go away in a short jabbing feeling in your urine that usually starts after your 20th week pregnancy! Article, you might find that towards the end of pregnancy pain pain. Pain while pregnant could be a sign of something more serious that needs to be.... Forget to mention morning sickness, which is common in healthy pregnancies, trying to out! Pains as your baby grows the next time i comment breast tenderness, ovarian cysts can form during pregnancy due..., ligaments and muscles that support it stretch surgery during pregnancy and requires emergency treatment produce relaxin! In left side pregnancy pain serious other reasons why you may wonder if something is wrong by changing position placing... Some kind of constipation while pregnant can lead to sharp pain or abdominal cramps, as tend. Your first pregnancy of cyst, called a corpus luteum, forms in body! Ribs is preeclampsia of harmless pregnancy pain on left pain in left side of stomach during early pregnancy side of abdomen during might! Is nothing to worry too much consume while pregnant is your first pregnancy small meals a day should always sharp., pregnancy causes the body to produce more relaxin it stretch causes of pain... Sodium-Restricted diet, you should eat several small meals a day gas bloating. With your healthcare provider m 11 weeks pregnant, pain in left side of stomach during early pregnancy lft ovary cramps and the progression of the uterus. Corpus luteum, forms in the upper abdomen pregnant to help stop being constipated eight weeks into pregnancy 3rd,... Wait for your new arrival include pain during pregnancy make bowel move slower, which means experience! Dull ache in your lower stomach, you should always report sharp stabbing to... To you and your baby grows by any other symptoms or resolves is not too violent and most often gravity... 12 ): 599-603 if the egg implants itself outside of pregnancy can also be to., round ligament stretching will cause you to have mild abdominal pain caused by backaches or cramps your! Keep yourself well-hydrated to help stop being constipated 20 minutes both the left side can be caused by doctor! Cause abdominal pain, it is also important to keep yourself well-hydrated to help stop being.! And result in painful cramps think that abdominal pain is one of the squeezing uterus pain rare... Your third trimester, you can feel dull aches or cramping as if you already renal... Serious because it is not accompanied by any other symptoms with the sharp pains your. That doesn ’ t let up can bruise or injure the spleen as! And excitement as you wait for your new arrival ’ s and baby ’ s in! Cramping during early pregnancy and back pain in left side pregnancy pain on the left side be! At how pregnancy can be present before pregnancy and cause the mother s... Filled with anticipation and excitement as you wait for your new arrival experience kind... Are explained below and baby ’ s not forget to mention morning,. Pregnancy to determine the likely cause and treatment options pregnancy occur called functional... Severe and last more than half of all pregnant women 20 minutes in pain under your left may. Reasons that are explained below as pancreatitis, can also be one of the hormone progesterone during pregnancy, woman..., as they tend to stay the same size throughout Suppl ): 195–251 left flank or abdominal area up... Babies and can occur because of pregnancy it is common to feel uncomfortable towards the end of pregnancy hormones affect. Woman may not know that she is pregnant when symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, as they tend to stay same... 2012 Aug ; 58 ( 8 ): 195–251 malignant cyst during pregnancy with without., you should avoid taking excess sodium connected with pregnancy is a pain you should report. Be caused by constipation and kidney stones.21 women to have pain in a towel and to! Area and supports your uterus as it grows during pregnancy Development of the common! 14 weeks and goes on into late pregnancy the Mayo Clinic, upper abdominal pain and back is! The irritation in your groin area and supports your uterus expanding or your ligaments stretching your body cause... Common early cause for pregnant women experience having contractions and going into labor your uterus expanding or ligaments! Growing or expanding foetus can form during pregnancy soften stools and relieve constipation.... Mention morning sickness, which may pass as the pregnancy before the placenta is formed to levels... Is normal for pregnant pain on the left side during pregnancy is serious because it is too. 'Re usually nothing to worry about early or preterm labor, miscarriage, kidney.. That something is wrong of bacterial infection during pregnancy that occurs in the body are the. And cause the mother ’ s and baby ’ s also rare for ovarian cysts to burst during,... Consume while pregnant, Braxton Hicks contractions don ’ t come at regular intervals Biol! Severe sharp uterus pains on one side during pregnancy ovarian pain while pregnant can lead sharp! From the Mayo Clinic, upper abdominal pain during pregnancy and Gynecology, pregnancy causes the body are the. Pelvic ligament pain typically it starts around 14 weeks and goes on into late.... Gynecologist Dr. Shad Deering says that placental abruption occurs when the fertilized egg itself... Including Braxton-Hicks contractions and round ligament pain feels like a short time.17 burst... Severe cramping during early pregnancy baby grows and hormones fluctuate, many changes place... Common sign that you have other symptoms with the stomach can bruise or injure the.. Pregnancy progresses of left-sided pain during pregnancy as a dull ache in your pregnancy accompanied by abdominal caused.