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It can be scary to have a colic in pregnancy as millions of things go through your head. Most women will experience some pain after all, their body is changing with each new day. And let’s combine right! It is not so easy to carry a baby growing in your belly. But today we’re going to find out what’s normal, what’s not, and how to tell the difference
Colic is a common symptom , but it can often be frightening, especially if it occurs during pregnancy. Therefore, it can be helpful to know that colic is the uterus’ response to just about anything that is happening to or near it.
What is Colic?
The uterus is a muscle, and the only thing a muscle can do is to contract, and a contraction is felt as if it were a cramp . This means that the uterus can be stimulated at any time. Whether it’s a full bladder, a tighter exercise or something else, the natural response is contraction. The important thing is to find out when colic in pregnancy is a concern and when it does not inspire greater care.
What can cause colic in pregnancy?
Some factors that can trigger colic in pregnancy at any time include:
- Having a full bladder;
- Having an orgasm;
- The practice of exercises;
- Sexual relations;
- An urinary tract infection.
Is Colic in Early Pregnancy Normal?
Colic in early pregnancy is common . The good news is that there are many normal, worrying reasons why a woman may experience colic during early pregnancy:
First Trimester – For some women, colic in pregnancy is the first sign that they are pregnant. It is common to experience colic when the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterine wall. This is called implantation cramping, or nesting , and it may appear that menstruation is about to begin.
Rapid growth of the uterus in the first two trimesters can also lead to colic in pregnancy. In addition, hormone levels that vary from time to time can lead to increased gas, bloating and constipation.
Most women will experience mild and intermittent pregnancy cramps during the first 16 weeks . One concern that many women have when they experience colic in early pregnancy is having a miscarriage . But, colic itself is not a sign of spontaneous abortion and they also do not cause a spontaneous abortion.
Spontaneous abortions usually occur when there is an abnormal development in an egg or embryo (usually caused by chromosomal abnormalities) and the body responds by eliminating pregnancy.
A tip for our pregnant readers, have you heard about the vitamin FamiGesta? The FamiGesta vitamin was developed in partnership by Patricia Amorim and the Famivita company, focusing on gestational health and the difficulty in swallowing capsules during this phase of nausea and nausea. For this reason, FamiGesta capsules are smaller than other vitamins. You can buy it here in our online store.
Pregnancy cramps associated with miscarriage are actually caused when the blood and tissue that leaves the uterus irritate it, causing it to contract.
Second Trimester – The second trimester may be the time when you are less likely to experience cramps during pregnancy or other uncomfortable symptoms during this period.
An exception is with pregnant women with more than one baby, since the uterus grows faster and will reach proportions of the third trimester in the second trimester .
Another common exception is pain in the round ligament of the uterus, which occurs when the ligament that supports the uterus is stretched as it grows. This type of benign pain is usually quick and sharp.
A more serious, but also rarer, cause of colic in the second trimester is uterine fibrosis. This condition consists of the growth of benign tumors inside and on the outer walls of the uterus.
These tumors can stop growing in the second trimester, because there is not enough blood to support their growth. When this happens, the pain is quite worrying. It usually happens between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy and any woman who has a history of uterine fibrosis should be aware of cramps at this stage of pregnancy, because it may take hospitalization to manage the pain effectively until it passes.
Third Quarter – The third quarter is when the famous training contractions (Braxton Hicks) usually appear. These are the same contractions that a woman will experience when labor begins, but the difference is that they will not advance towards her.
Of course, when colic occurs in the third trimester or even in the second trimester, it is important to rule out the possibility that you are heading for premature labor.
When Is Pregnancy Colic Not Concerning?
In Sexual Relations – Sexual intercourse is one of the most common causes of colic in pregnancy. That’s because the semen contains prostaglandins that stimulate the uterus.
Undoubtedly having a sexual relationship is a great method to relax, but pregnant women will often experience cramps that can be quite strong after intercourse. So if you experience colic right after intercourse, don’t worry about it, this is absolutely normal.
In Change of Position – If you feel colic in pregnancy, but when you change your position it gets better, don’t worry! This is usually a sign that colic is related to stretching the uterus or its supporting ligaments.
Before going to the bathroom – If a woman feels colic, but when she fartes or goes to the bathroom this colic subsides, it means that the pain is more likely to be related to a gastrointestinal problem rather than the uterus.
When to Worry About Colic in Pregnancy
- Multiple contractions in a row – If you experience 6 or more contractions in an hour, it may be a sign of premature birth.
- Dizziness and bleeding – cramps accompanied by dizziness or bleeding (especially if the pregnancy has not yet been confirmed with an ultrasound), can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Bleeding can also be a symptom of miscarriage or placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta covers the cervix.
- Pink discharge – is a serious sign of premature labor, because it may mean that your cervical length is changing.
- Persistent cramps – when you are pregnant with multiples (which increases the risk of preterm delivery), have a history of preterm delivery or ectopic pregnancy or have been diagnosed with a low accustomed cervix.
- Back or abdominal pain – if this pain is severe and associated with nausea, vomiting and / or fever. These can be symptoms of appendicitis, kidney stones or gallbladder disease.
- Pain that does not improve – If colic in pregnancy does not improve over time or with a change in position, then this is a reason to worry.
How to Relieve Colic in Pregnancy
The first advice is to switch off, rest, drink plenty of fluids . If you need pain relief it is important to consult your doctor to find out which medicine to take.
Do not use a thermal pouch on the abdomen , raising the temperature of the uterus is dangerous during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Reduce physical activity, do stretching and sitting breaks throughout the day. Cramps tend to be worse after long periods in the same position. Take a warm , relaxing bath every night before going to bed.
The use of a support belt for the belly can also offer some comfort against colic in pregnancy. An elastic strap with simple velcro is recommended , used under the belly which is adjustable and not too restrictive.
And the most important! You should always feel free to contact your doctor when you are concerned about colic in pregnancy. As I always say: it is better to sin by excess!
See Also: Contractions, How to Realize That the Time of Childbirth Has Arrived?
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
