Whether it's your first pregnancy or not, it is obvious to wonder sometimes about what you're feeling is normal or not. You can read a lot online and talk to other mums about pregnancy symptoms, but it seems that you always get incomplete picture because what you feel is sometimes hard to describe. Something that not all women experience is a stitch like niggle, especially during the first trimester. Some experience it during 4-5 weeks with pain affecting the right side a couple of inches from the belly button – some may even feel back pain as well. Is this stitch pain in pregnancy normal? Keep reading to find out more.
Is It Normal to Have Stitch Pain in Pregnancy?
For many women cramps at 12 weeks are normal, while others feel concerned about stitch pain in pregnancy. It is different for everyone, but you should always be ready to experience mild tummy cramps during early pregnancy. It is even normal to experience cramps with some vaginal bleeding – this usually happens when your period stops for the first time. You may experience cramping because your womb has started changing to accommodate your baby. Similarly, cramps 12 weeks pregnanton both sides of the groin when you stretch, stand up, or twist are also normal. This is usually the outcome of your ligament stretching.
What Mums Say
I experienced the same and I really think it's normal. For me, the first 12 weeks of pregnancy were the most painful for me. I think my body has adjusted now after all the stretching. It doesn't mean I am complete pain-free – an achy day always sneaks in but it's not that discomforting anyway. You shouldn't be worrying about the cramping, but talk to your midwife if it's becoming severe.
I am 6 weeks and 5 days pregnant, and I've been dealing with a period-type pain since I've discovered my pregnancy. It later converted into astitch pain in pregnancy. My doctor recommended some scans to confirm it wasn't ectopic, and luckily, it wasn't. It was followed by another scan on this Wednesday, but everything turned out perfect. I Googled it and found that most women are dealing with similar cramps. So, now I know I have to be patient and wait for it to be over.
Other Symptoms You May Feel in Pregnancy
It is common and completely normal to experience cramps at 12 weeks or through the whole pregnancy, which is usually the outcome of your uterus growing and muscles/ligaments stretching to accommodate your expanding belly. You may experience some other symptoms as well.
1. Stitch Pains in the Groin
You may start to experience sharp groin pains when you're in the middle of your pregnancy. The usual issue is the straining of your round ligaments. You will experience your pain becoming worse when walking, sneezing, coughing, or swimming. It usually affects the left side of your uterus and is quite sharp at times. It usually doesn't indicate a problem and the pain subsides in an hour or so. Heat packs and rest will definitely help.
2. Corpus Luteal Cysts
Most women don't usually know they have a corpus luteal cyst (CLC) during pregnancy. After you become pregnant and conceive a baby, the site of ovulation often becomes a corpus luteum cyst, which in some cases can grow as big as a golf ball and cause distressing pain. The CLC may start to shrink by 10 weeks and usually disappears when you're 16 weeks pregnant. In some rare cases, the pain becomes worse and you have to consider removing it through a surgical procedure.
3. Pain in Tummy
It is normal to experience sharp, stabbing pain in your upper or middle tummy, whether it comes with nausea or not. You may need to consider other issues as well, as it could happen due to indigestion, a stomach bug, heartburn, or food poisoning. You need to see your doctor if you're experiencing this pain in the second half of your pregnancy – it could be a sign of a serious condition called pre-eclampsia.
4. Severe Itching
You may experience severe itching all over your body, especially at night, if you have developed a condition called obstetric cholestasis (OC). This liver disease can make your poo paler and your wee a bit darker in color. Mild itching isn't serious though and is usually the result of your skin stretching to accommodate your bulging tummy.
5. General Feeling of Being Unwell
Even if you're not experiencing any symptoms but you really feel as if something is not right, it is a good idea to go for a checkup and share your feelings with your doctor.
When to Worry
You usually don't have to worry a lot about abdominal cramps or stitch pain in pregnancy because your body is undergoing serious changes and it is obvious to feel sudden pain and cramps. It is, however, important to go see your doctor and get medical assistance if you're experiencing other symptoms as well.
Early Miscarriage
Your pain and cramps may be due to an early miscarriage, which happens when your baby fails to develop properly. You usually witness this situation during the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy – you will have cramps, pain in your lower belly with vaginal bleeding. You should seek immediate medical assistance if you're experiencing heavy bleeding.
Ectopic Pregnancy
The pain you're feeling in your stomach could be due to an ectopic pregnancy. This usually happens when instead of developing inside the uterus, your egg is fertilized outside the uterus. You will experience tenderness and cramping across your stomach with bleeding that is usually dark and watery. It is important to go see your doctor immediately because this can turn into a serious situation. Unfortunately, it is not possible to save an ectopic pregnancy. It is, however, not that common with only 1% of women experiencing ectopic pregnancies in the UK.