Intestinal cramps in pregnancy

Intestinal colic during pregnancy may be associated with the rapid growth of the baby in the womb, and the pregnant woman may feel constant stabbing pains in the lower abdomen.

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Causes of intestinal colic during pregnancy

Colic during pregnancy most often occurs in the intestines, and at the very beginning of the period of bearing a baby, their manifestation is caused by the migration of the egg into the uterus. Already a few days after conception, mild symptoms of intestinal colic may appear due to an increase in the level of progesterone in the body of the expectant mother, which relaxes the intestinal walls.

If such symptoms do not go away, but, on the contrary, bother the woman more and more often, even during meals or during bowel movements, it is necessary to immediately tell your doctor about this.

Medical practice shows that intestinal colic in pregnant women has clearly expressed symptoms that are almost impossible to confuse with any others:

• periodic nature of intestinal spasms;
• rumbling in the stomach, churning, bloating and a feeling of “bursting”;
• flatulence;
• nausea and vomiting;
• a feeling of "heaviness" in the stomach;
• loss of appetite;
• problems with bowel movements, or frequent bowel movements.

Intestinal colic during pregnancy is often observed in stressful situations, improper nutrition (the presence of fatty, spicy, "heavy" food in the diet), due to a sedentary lifestyle. In expectant mothers who are prone to nervousness or are constantly in a state of fear, anxiety and worry, intestinal colic manifests itself in full.

It should be noted that cramping abdominal pain occurs not only at the beginning of pregnancy, but also especially often in the last months of bearing a child. And this is not surprising, since the constant growth of the fetus causes displacement of the internal organs of the pregnant woman, in particular, deforms the intestinal walls, causing colic, and also making it difficult to empty the bowels.

If a pregnant woman experiences intestinal colic of an allergic nature, this can be determined using a laboratory analysis of feces for the presence of eosinophils and pointed crystals. In any case, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, so if colic occurs, it is best for a pregnant woman to contact a medical institution.

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Symptoms of intestinal colic during pregnancy

Colic during pregnancy causes discomfort and very unpleasant sensations for expectant mothers. One of the most common colics in pregnant women is intestinal. They usually occur due to improper nutrition, consumption of spicy, fatty, hard-to-digest food, as well as carbonated drinks, which provoke bloating.

Symptoms of intestinal colic during pregnancy are usually pronounced:

• sudden cramping aching pain in the lower abdomen, often of an increasing nature;
• flatulence, rumbling and bloating;
• loss of appetite due to dyspeptic disorder (feeling of “heaviness” in the stomach, nausea and vomiting);
• various disturbances in the formation of feces (diarrhea, constipation, the presence of mucous discharge during bowel movements);
• dizziness and general weakness.

The duration of intestinal colic during pregnancy can be from several hours to several days. In this case, exacerbations are often replaced by remissions. The pain is aching and sharp, can pierce the body in the lower back, then move to the abdominal area and groin. Sometimes an attack of intestinal colic is accompanied by dysuric phenomena: pain and burning during urination, frequent urge to go to the toilet. This is explained by the fact that the growing uterus compresses the internal organs of the small pelvis and abdominal cavity, and with bloating the situation is complicated.

Symptoms of intestinal colic during pregnancy may be accompanied by increased blood pressure, especially if the attack lasts for a long time. To prevent complications, the expectant mother should promptly consult a doctor for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Treatment of intestinal colic during pregnancy

Colic during pregnancy, caused by intestinal disorders, is most common during the period of bearing a child and is associated with hormonal and physiological changes in the body of the expectant mother, in particular, the "relaxing" effect of progesterone, the growing uterus, the position of the fetus. Often the cause of intestinal colic is the improper nutrition of the pregnant woman, in whose diet there is predominantly food that is "heavy" for the digestive organs.

Treatment of intestinal colic during pregnancy is reduced to eliminating this symptom with the help of antispasmodics, for example, No-shpa. The drug Espumisan, which is characterized by inertness and is not absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract and blood, will alleviate the condition of the pregnant woman, therefore it is an absolutely safe remedy. The dosage of Espumisan should be determined by the attending physician. Usually it is three times a day taking 2 capsules of this drug. The main factor aimed at reducing intestinal colic and getting rid of them is diet. To avoid unpleasant symptoms, the expectant mother is recommended to adhere to a diet that excludes fried, spicy, fatty foods, smoked and pickled foods, flour products from the daily menu - in a word, everything that complicates the digestion process.

Folk remedies for treating intestinal colic include taking decoctions of medicinal plants that have an analgesic and calming effect, and also relieve intestinal spasms and reduce gas formation. These include peppermint, lemon balm, valerian, dill seeds, etc. Before using any folk medicine recipe, a pregnant woman should consult with her doctor to avoid negative side effects.

Fennel tea, made from the seeds of a special type of dill, is very helpful in treating intestinal colic. This tea can usually be bought at a pharmacy, and is also widely used in pediatrics to eliminate colic in newborns. Pregnant women simply need to brew stronger tea to achieve the desired effect.

You can try a long-proven and very common method of treating intestinal colic in pregnant women with a decoction of dill seeds prepared in milk (1 tablespoon of seeds per glass of milk). Freshly squeezed carrot juice is an excellent remedy for improving intestinal peristalsis. It should be taken 1 glass before meals.

A decoction of oak bark, angelica and calamus is excellent for relieving spasms and eliminating bloating. To prepare it, pour the mixture (1 tablespoon of each ingredient) into 1 liter of boiled water and leave for an hour. Take 2 tablespoons three times a day.

Chamomile decoction is a universal remedy that has an anti-inflammatory effect and can help eliminate the symptoms of colic in the stomach and intestines. A teaspoon of chamomile should be poured with a glass of boiling water, left to stand, strained and taken 1 teaspoon every 2 hours.

Motherwort juice relieves intestinal spasms. To prepare a healing remedy, 1 teaspoon of juice should be diluted in 100 g of water and taken before meals. To prevent bloating, expectant mothers are advised to include raw pumpkin, apples and artichokes in their diet.

Treatment of intestinal colic during pregnancy should be rational; however, medications are prescribed to a woman only after consultation with a doctor. If, in addition to colic, a pregnant woman experiences constipation, it is necessary to include more fluids in the diet: natural juices, tea, herbal infusions. In this case, fractional meals in small portions (5-6 times a day), including the use of fermented milk products, are best suited. A pregnant woman should monitor her stool daily, and also ensure that the food is always freshly prepared and varied. In addition, the expectant mother needs to establish a daily routine. Often, a violation of the regime, frequent insomnia, stress, fatigue and worries lead to a malfunction of the nervous system, and also contribute to increased flatulence, which leads to new attacks of colic.