Pregnancy is not a disease, but during it a woman undergoes a restructuring of her body for the favorable bearing of a child. Hormonal levels change and not only, this necessarily affects the general condition. As the fetus grows and develops, minor pain in the abdominal area is normal. They are triggered by stretching of the muscles of the uterus or the movement of the child in late gestation and do not pose a danger to either the fetus or the mother. If pain in the right side becomes constant and sharp during pregnancy, then this should alert the expectant mother, as it may be a symptom of a serious illness.
To suggest what may hurt during pregnancy in the right side, you need to delve a little into the anatomy.
What organs are located on the right side of the abdomen?
The abdomen is conventionally divided into 6 segments, each of which contains certain organs. To determine the cause of pain, you need to clearly understand the location of the pain, its nature and frequency of occurrence.
In the upper right and middle segments are:
- liver;
- biliary tract;
- gallbladder;
- antrum (pyloric) part of the stomach;
- head and part of the body of the pancreas;
- duodenum;
- part of the small and large intestines;
- right kidney
Why can the right side hurt and tingle during pregnancy?
Only a qualified doctor can determine the exact cause of pain in the right side during pregnancy after a physical examination and comprehensive diagnosis. The woman herself only needs to observe herself: remember the time and frequency of the pain syndrome, and understand the nature of the pain.
Self-treatment is strictly prohibited, as this can result in irreparable consequences for both the fetus and the expectant mother.
The most common causes of pain in the right side of the abdomen during pregnancy:
- Ectopic pregnancy. The appearance of unbearable cutting pain in the early stages of gestation may be a symptom of an ectopic pregnancy. If the fertilized egg is fixed in the fallopian tube, and the woman does not know about it, then at 3-6 weeks from fertilization the tube begins to stretch, causing a nagging pain in the right side of the lower abdomen. From this moment, 2 scenarios are possible: tubal abortion, which is accompanied by cramping pain and moderate bleeding, and rupture of the fallopian tube with severe internal bleeding and sudden sharp pain in the groin area. Read more about ectopic pregnancy →
- Appendicitis. Inflammation of the appendix is accompanied by constant aching or acute pain in the right ilioinguinal region, fever, nausea or vomiting. Read more about appendicitis during pregnancy →
- Cholecystitis, cholangitis. Inflamed bile ducts and bladder lead to pain in the right hypochondrium of varying intensity and character: from dull to sharp paroxysmal.
- Exacerbation of pancreatitis. Sharp pain in the right side during pregnancy can occur due to inflammation of the pancreas. Moreover, the pain is often girdling and radiates to the back. Associated symptoms: loose stools, vomiting, other dyspeptic symptoms.
- Cholelithiasis. Gallstones themselves disrupt the timely flow of bile, and during pregnancy the situation is complicated by the pressure on the bladder of the enlarging uterus. This provokes an attack of the disease, accompanied by spastic pain in the upper half of the right hypochondrium, bitterness in the mouth, nausea, alternating constipation with diarrhea.
- Rupture of the right ovarian cyst. The location of pain for a corpus luteum cyst of the right ovary is the corresponding side of the lower abdomen. The nature of the pain varies from moderate nagging or dull to sudden acute pain when the cyst ruptures.
- Problems with the urinary system. Nagging pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy with frequent painful urination is characteristic of cystitis. With renal colic, the back hurts in the lumbar region.
Pain in the right side of the abdomen that occurs after or before eating usually indicates problems with the digestive organs. With a duodenal ulcer, pain occurs approximately 3 hours after eating or at night (hunger pain).
After eating fried or fatty foods, discomfort and pain in the upper right segment of the abdomen appear with bile duct dyskinesia, cholangitis, cholecystitis.
Other reasons include:
- constipation;
- colitis;
- dysbacteriosis;
- fatty hepatosis;
- haemorrhoids;
- venereal diseases.
Cyst rupture
Pain under the ribs may be due to a ruptured cyst. It is easy to recognize - it comes on suddenly, but at the same time it immediately becomes very strong, which in some ways is good - severe pain does not allow you to ignore what has happened, so you will immediately go to the ambulance to be taken to the hospital.
If the pain is not strong enough and the person decides to stay at home, terrible pain lies ahead with any movement, with urination, as well as unpleasant intestinal disorders, peritonitis, and miscarriage.
Remember that cyst rupture is the basis for prompt, immediate intervention. Pregnancy is already a difficult process, and if you overestimate the danger of discomfort, no one will say a word to you, because doctors understand perfectly how you are going through.
Pain in the right side at different stages of pregnancy
Painful sensations in the right side of the abdomen can be a sign of pathology or a normal variant.
1st trimester
When the body undergoes restructuring, a hormonal shift occurs, the functioning of organs and systems changes. The digestive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems experience stress, which can lead to exacerbation of chronic diseases, for example, cholecystitis, gastritis, etc. They manifest themselves as pain in the right hypochondrium.
In addition, toxicosis is characteristic of early pregnancy. Morning vomiting, nausea throughout the day, and flatulence can be accompanied by discomfort or pain in the abdomen, often on the right.
Sharp pain in the right side of the lower abdomen during pregnancy occurs with appendicitis or the development of an embryo outside the uterus.
2nd trimester
The fetus is growing rapidly, the uterus is stretching, displacing nearby organs: primarily those located in the pelvis (bladder, intestines, ureters). When the large and small intestines are compressed, the passage of feces becomes difficult and constipation appears. Compression of the ureter prevents the outflow of urine, which accumulates in the pelvis of the right kidney.
The normal functioning of the bladder is also disrupted. These inevitable consequences of pregnancy sometimes cause abdominal pain.
Diseases of organs not related to the female sphere
The right side is a rather loose concept, because a fairly large number of organs are located there.
Therefore, such pain is sometimes called fuzzy, since it is impossible to immediately understand which organ it is associated with.
Diseases of organs not related to the female sphere, but important from the point of view of their influence during pregnancy, constitute the next group of sources.
In the lower right part of the body there are the small and large intestines, the appendix, part of the bladder, and the ureter. When your side hurts, this may indicate inflammatory diseases of the organs.
- Inflammation of the appendix. There are cutting, dull pains concentrated in a specific point - the lower abdomen on the right. Although there are cases when pain is felt on the left, radiating to other areas of the abdominal cavity, the lower back. Any sudden movements, even coughing, increase the pain. It is accompanied by nausea, high fever, and vomiting. If the inflamed appendix is removed in time, provided that there are no other threats, the pregnancy will be saved.
- Inflammation of the genitourinary system leads to various pains appearing during pregnancy - dull, pulling, aching. This happens with cystitis. Aching pain on the right side in the lower abdomen appears when the expanding uterus pinches the ureter. Diagnosing the cause of pain will help here. To relieve inflammatory processes, it is often recommended to use chamomile infusion for douching.
- Intestinal obstruction, often called volvulus. It hurts in the stomach, abdominal cavity, right side in its lower part. The pain is acute, paroxysmal.
To understand that these are problems with the intestines, you need to know the main symptoms: impaired bowel movements, whitish coating on the tongue, dry mouth, bloating. Sometimes the gag reflex is triggered.
This disease is rare among pregnant women. But it is dangerous for the child and for the pregnant woman, and requires prompt attention to a gastroenterologist.
There is a need to separately talk about such pain as phantom (apparent). Usually, when we talk about phantom pain, we mean painful feelings where some part or organ, such as a tooth, has been removed.
But in the case of pregnancy, everything is different. In a pregnant woman, this pain is of a psychosomatic nature and is aggravated by hormonal changes.
Due to the unusual condition during pregnancy, she constantly worries and “looks” for where it hurts.
It seems to her that there is a threat to the child’s life, so she needs to exclude any pain, not to miss it, otherwise it will be too late. Some pregnant women want to attract attention to themselves, they do not have enough care.
Pain in their right side can occur quite easily. The nature of such pain is revealed during examination, when it turns out that the woman is physically healthy and there is no threat of pregnancy.
In general, when the pain is unbearable, acute and you immediately call an ambulance, you need to take the following actions:
- relax your abdominal muscles, but be sure to lie down;
- use a variant of the fetal position - lie on your right side with your legs bent to reduce the intensity of pain;
- do not use any methods of self-medication that neighbors or friends advise in friendly conversations, sharing their life experiences.
Do not under any circumstances use a warm heating pad, do not drink painkillers or herbal infusions, so as not to aggravate the condition, do not blur the picture when your side hurts.
When is side pain considered normal and when is it not?
There is no need to worry if pain in the right upper or lower abdominal segment occurs rarely, it is moderate and is not accompanied by other symptoms, for example, fever or repeated vomiting.
Most often, this is a normal manifestation of changes in the body at different stages of pregnancy. The closer the birth is, the more often you may feel mild pain caused by the pressure of the fetus on the organs.
You need to call an ambulance or immediately visit a gastroenterologist, therapist or gynecologist in the following situations:
- sudden appearance of acute pain in any area of the abdomen;
- gradually increasing pain lasting longer than half an hour;
- persistent increase in pain over several days;
- the addition of symptoms of intoxication - chills, fever, severe weakness;
- dyspeptic disorders - vomiting, bloating, bowel dysfunction, etc.
How to relieve pain yourself?
You should not take any painkillers until the emergency doctor arrives, as smoothed symptoms will make it difficult to make a diagnosis. It's better to lie down and try to relax. This will relieve increased abdominal muscle tone.
You can lie on your side and bend your legs if the pain is severe - this position will ease its intensity. Do not apply a warm heating pad under any circumstances until the cause of the pain is clear.
If there is pain in the right side, a pregnant woman should definitely consult with her obstetrician-gynecologist or therapist. Timely determination of the cause of the disease will allow you to quickly take appropriate measures and avoid undesirable consequences for the mother and baby.
If these pains are a physiological norm during pregnancy, then the doctor will advise you to normalize your diet and diet, reduce fluid intake, and wear a prenatal bandage.
Question and answer about pain in the right side during pregnancy
Let's consider the most common questions from expectant mothers related to complaints of pain.
Why does the right side feel tight during pregnancy?
Nagging pain can be caused by sprained ligaments due to an enlarged fetus, pressure on the intestines, kidney disease, ovarian disease, or hypertonicity of the uterus. It is advisable to undergo a urological and gynecological examination.
If nagging pain is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, then appendicitis should be excluded. With frequent urination, cystitis is likely to occur.
Why does pain occur in the lower abdomen on the right during pregnancy?
Such painful sensations during pregnancy are a dangerous symptom that may indicate a threat of miscarriage. It is advisable to undergo an ultrasound. The cause of pain may be inflammation of the uterus, right ovary, tube, small or large intestine.
Why does the right side from behind hurt during pregnancy?
Problems with the urinary organs, intestines and reproductive system are often accompanied by painful sensations that radiate to the lower back.
Kidney or bladder diseases are characterized by changes in urination. With colitis, dysbacteriosis or hemorrhoids, stool is disrupted.
If the back pain is sharp, dyspeptic symptoms appear, then an exacerbation of pancreatitis is likely. Inflammation of the gallbladder is accompanied by pain in the right hypochondrium.
Why do tingling sensations appear on the right side during pregnancy?
If the tingling sensations are not accompanied by aching pain, lower back pain, nausea or bleeding, then they are safe.
Their appearance is associated with stretching of the uterine ligaments, the functioning of the corpus luteum, and changes in the functioning of certain organs, for example, the liver or gall bladder.
Painful tingling in the right side of pregnant women, the intensity of which quickly increases, may indicate appendicitis or renal colic. In these cases, you need the help of a doctor.
Why does my right side hurt when walking during pregnancy?
Moderate pain when walking, which does not cause discomfort, is normal. It is caused by the growth of the uterus and increased stress on neighboring organs.
Painful sensations should subside after rest.
Why does a pregnant woman have pain on her right side under the ribs?
In early pregnancy, such pain can occur due to toxicosis as a result of hormonal changes. In later stages, the causes can be both physiological and pathological.
As the fetus grows, it puts pressure on the diaphragm and nearby organs, muscle stretching occurs, hence the painful sensations on the right side under the ribs.
If the pain is severe and occurs regularly, then it may be diseases of the pancreas, stomach, liver, duodenum, gallbladder or biliary tract.
Author: Nadezhda Martynova, doctor, especially for Mama66.ru
Stretching the muscles of the uterus
If we talk about the reasons why such pain may appear, then there are quite a sufficient number of them to deal with the issue more thoroughly. For example, this could be a stretch of the uterine muscles on the right side. Of course, the fetus grows quite quickly, which is why the pressure on the muscles and ligaments of the uterus will sometimes be simply colossal.
A characteristic sign of this particular cause is increasing pain when making any movement. In this case, a short rest in a horizontal position can help.
Remember that such pain is not very dangerous for mother and child. It won't be a pleasant feeling, but if you rest more and take a warm bath, it will become much easier.
In addition, a completely normal cause of such pain can be the location of the fetus on this side. In this case, when the fetus moves, the pain will only intensify, but you just have to endure it.
