Pregnancy can bring a host of transformations to your body and for that brief nine-month period, the world sure feels upside down. There’s excitement about a new life growing inside of you, but it does come with a lot of pain and discomfort.
But mums are strong and resilient and ride out all of that to bring that little munchkin into this world.
However, pregnancy is an evolving experience and brings something new every day. That’s particularly true for unexpected pains.
However, one of the more recurring issues that most pregnant women complain about is the pain in lower right abdomen. The pain can be due to a variety of reasons. And while there’s nothing much to worry about, it’s always good to know about the symptoms.
To make things easy for you, we’ve compiled a guide of all the potential causes of pain in lower right abdomen. Take a look.
Pain In Lower Right Abdomen: 5 Common Causes
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1. Muscle strain
One of the most common reasons for pain in lower right abdomen is the excess weight that you gain during pregnancy. Weight gain can’t be avoided and even in your fittest, you will put on a few kilos. But that added weight does make it easier to pull a muscle.
This becomes more common when you are in your second and third trimesters. So, when slouching while finding a comfortable position or lifting something heavy can cause pain in the lower right abdomen. It can also cause pain in your lower back.
2. Cramps
While cramps are common when you are on your period, they can also make a come back during pregnancy. This can cause pain in lower right abdomen.
Cramps are most common during the first and second trimester when your womb stretches, whereas a ligament strain can be the reason for it in the third trimester.
Sex can also cause cramps early on in the pregnancy, which causes aches and stabbing pain. In most cases, they subside on their own after some time.
3. Round ligament pain
Another reason for this pain to increase is when the round ligaments get irritated. This is common in the second trimester as the amniotic fluid and the weight of the baby begin to rise.
This results in your uterus expanding. The round ligaments act like ropes to keep the womb in its place. As the uterus turns larger, the ligaments get softer and stretch causing pain, especially when you cough or sneeze.
The trick is to find a comfortable position or regularly do gentle stretches and flex your hips.
4. Digestive causes
Your digestion can go for a toss during pregnancy, which can cause problems like gas, constipation, and bloating.
Now, if you’ve had these problems pre-pregnancy as well, you’d know they do cause pain in lower right abdomen.
Hormonal changes also impact digestive issues during pregnancy and are most common in the first and second trimesters.
The third trimester brings other problems like heartburn that further aggravates the pain, while also putting pressure on the digestive tract.
Some of the easier ways to relieve digestive issues include:
- Increase your water intake
- Eat more green vegetables
- Whole-grain bread and pasta
- Lentils
- Brown rice
- Barley
You also need to avoid few foods to maintain a healthy digestive tract. These include:
- Milk and dairy items
- Fried food
- Artificial sweeteners
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
5. Braxton Hicks contractions
Braxton Hicks or “false labour” contractions is your body’s way of preparing for childbirth. However, these can sometimes happen weeks or months before the due date. But they are most common in the third trimester.
During Braxton Hicks, mums will feel tightening or cramps in the lower stomach area. While it may feel like period cramps, they last for a short while and aren’t too painful.
When enduring Braxton Hicks contractions, you will be advised to try changing your position or walk a bit.
Pain In Lower Right Abdomen: Serious Causes
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While some common causes of pain in the right side of the stomach are temporary and go away on their own, recurring pain is also a sign of something more serious.
Here’s a look at what could cause pain in the lower right abdomen that needs medical intervention.
1. Gallstones
Your digestive system slows during pregnancy and this can cause gallstones to form in your gallbladder. This is one of the reasons why you may experience constant pain in the lower right abdomen. Symptoms of gallstones include:
- Nausea
- Upper right side pain
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
A change in diet can help you get rid of gallstones on its own. Doctors will recommend that you stay away from fried and fatty foods for some time.
2. Ectopic pregnancy
This is when a fertilised egg begins growing outside of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy is extremely harmful to a mum’s health as a normal pregnancy can place only in the womb.
Some of the symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy include:
- Heavy or light bleeding
- Red or brown bleeding
- Sharp pain in the stomach
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your gynaecologist immediately. In most cases, ectopic pregnancy needs to be removed from your body before it causes further damage. However, it does not affect your uterus and you can go on to have a normal pregnancy again in the future.
3. Miscarriage
Severe pain in the right side of your stomach could also be a sign of you having a miscarriage. Some of the symptoms include:
- Severe pain in your lower stomach
- Spotting or red bleeding
- Lower back pain
Miscarriages mostly take place in the first trimester and data suggests that about 15 per cent of women suffer from it during pregnancy.
It’s important to speak to your gynaecologist in the event of a miscarriage. You should also seek counselling or join support groups during this period. Unconditional support from friends and family is also necessary in these times.
4. Appendicitis
One of the most common reasons for pain in the lower right abdomen is appendicitis. However, only about 0.05 per cent of pregnant women are affected by it. But that does mean there is a rare chance that you may be experiencing pain due to an infection or inflammation in your appendix.
Some of the symptoms of appendicitis include:
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
If you have appendicitis during pregnancy in the third trimester, the symptoms may include:
- Heartburn
- Fatigue
- Mid to upper right side pain
- Gassiness
- Diarrhoea
Appendicitis can be particularly dangerous because an infected appendix can swell and burst. This can then cause toxins to spread in your body, which could be life-threatening if left untreated.
5. Preeclampsia
This is associated with high blood pressure and about 5-8 per cent of pregnant women develop preeclampsia. It most commonly develops in the second and third trimester and can raise your blood pressure to alarming levels.
Some of the symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Swelling of feet
- Easy bruising
- Little urination
Preeclampsia can increase your risk of having a stroke and can also damage your liver, kidneys, or lungs.
Treatment For Pain In Lower Right Abdomen
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Milder pains can be treated at home and require subtle tweaks to help you ease the discomfort. Expecting mums can try:
- Changing their position
- Walking or moving around
- Using hot water bottle or heat pads
- Taking a warm bath
- Massage
However, if the pain is consistent and increasing from mild to severe, you need to contact your doctor immediately. In some cases like appendicitis, gallstones and ectopic pregnancy, you may also need surgery.
While pains are a part of pregnancy, mums need to pay attention if it’s due to gassiness or something more severe. In most cases, little changes to your position or rest will help ease the discomfort. However, if the pain continues to increase in intensity, do not ignore it.
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