ABDOMINAL TIGHTENING DURING PREGNANCY

Pregnancy is an amazing phase of life. It is a roller coaster ride with its pros and cons. Besides being filled with joy and ecstasy, it is also accompanied by some distressing situations. Tightening and lower back ache are two most common pregnancy concerns observed mostly by expectant mothers.
Abdominal Tightening During Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings a number of changes in your body one after the other due to alteration in hormones. As your center of gravity changes, you notice pain in joints, tendons and circulatory and digestive issues.

Abdominal tightening is a feeling of tightness in the abdomen and is often confused with a cramp. As your pregnancy grows, the uterus will feel hard as it brushes against the skin. If you are on the heavier side, you may feel this tightening much later than a woman who is skinny. You will feel that your stomach tightens at irregular intervals, and you might feel them as contractions. Though this feeling of tightness does not last long, some women have reported that they have felt their stomach tighten up for as long as 5 minutes. The tightening of abdomen is often accompanied by weight gain. The increasing weight stretches the skin and Braxton Hicks contractions or prodromal labor or false labor may also set in. Braxton -Hicks contractions are helpful in preparing your body for actual true labor pains.



Abdominal Tightening In Early Pregnancy

In early pregnancy, the stretching of ligaments is responsible for abdominal tightening. The stomach becomes hard and tight with each passing day, and you could feel uncomfortable with your stomach being tight. This may not be regular though. Besides this constipation, large meals, or flatulence can also lead to abdominal tightening. Sometimes, round ligament pain is also accompanied with stomach tightening.
Abdominal Tightening In Late Pregnancy

In late pregnancy the movement of the baby can result in tightening. With the advancement of pregnancy, the abdomen expands to accommodate the growing fetus. The abdominal space is shared by your organs and growing baby. Abdominal tightening is obvious and it can be persistent in the last few months. The growing uterus and the baby’s movement can both cause the feeling of tightness in the stomach. Weight gain during pregnancy is also associated with tightening of abdomen. The fat deposited under the skin stretches your abdominal wall and causes tightening. Gastric problem is also frequent in late pregnancy that can cause the stomach to feel tighter.
Other Causes Of Stomach Tightening During Pregnancy


Braxton Hicks contractions: Braxton Hicks contractions which are common in second and third trimester are also responsible for abdominal tightening. These contractions are often referred to as ‘false labor’ and they are known to prepare the body for actual or ‘true labor’. True labor pains or contractions come at regular intervals and are rhythmic in nature. Try to record the frequency of the contractions and their duration as well. This information is very helpful for your doctor.
Abruption placenta: The placenta is important as it nourishes the growing fetus. Under normal conditions it is attached closely to the uterine muscular wall. Sometimes it detaches and descends into the lower uterine segment. Bleeding occurs and the uterus becomes firm and often tender to touch. This tightening is not temporary but lasts for long. This condition-the abruption placenta poses serious threat to the mother as well as the developing baby
Large meals: As your stomach is pressed for space to accommodate the growing baby and the uterus, a large meal can cause a struggle for space in the limited quarters of your stomach. It is always advised to consume healthy food at regular intervals instead of gobbling a lot of food in one sitting. You will surely feel difference if you plan your eating frequency and quantity
Constipation: Most women experience constipation as a side-effect of pregnancy. Constipation can cause gas and bloating and your stomach me feel solid and hard. You may feel tightening of the stomach owing to so much space constraint. You can read more about constipation in pregnancy here