Uterine pain in early pregnancy is common and indicates your body is preparing for the pregnancy. The pain may be due to several reasons, such as stretching the uterus or hormonal changes. You are also likely to experience low-back or pelvic pain due to these changes. The pregnancy journey is accompanied by significant physical changes, some of which are natural to maintain a healthy pregnancy. However, it is essential to understand the symptomatic difference between the pains since some may indicate complications such as ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. Learn about the common causes of uterine pain in early pregnancy, when to worry, and the treatment management.
When Does Uterus Pain Start In Pregnancy?
You may start experiencing mild or sharp uterine pain during the first trimester or within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. It is similar to period or “stitch” like pain (1).
What Causes Uterus Pain In Early Pregnancy?
Some possible causes of uterus pain in early pregnancy include:
When To Worry?
In most cases, the uterus pain you feel during the first trimester may not be harmful. However, some specific concerning symptoms could indicate a complication.
Miscarriage: In every pregnancy, there is a chance of miscarriage, and if they do occur, it is likely to happen before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, if the pain does not go away or persists for longer periods and is accompanied by bleeding, sudden cramps, vaginal spotting, or low-back pain, it may be a miscarriage (7) (1).
Ectopic pregnancy: At times, the fertilized egg may get implanted outside the uterus, such as in the fallopian tubes, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy. In such a case, you need to watch out for signs such as severe pain on either side of the lower abdomen, bleeding, dizziness, or difficulty in passing stool or urine (7) (1).
Ovarian torsion: The presence of the corpus luteal cyst during the first trimester that helps support the pregnancy may sometimes overgrow, causing the ovaries or the fallopian tubes to twist on the surrounding tissues. This is called ovarian torsion, which may occur between the sixth and 14th weeks of pregnancy (8). You may experience severe pain with vomiting, dizziness, and sudden cramps that can continue for days to even weeks. The torsion prevents the blood supply to the ovaries and requires medical assistance (9).
How To Treat Uterine Pain In Early Pregnancy?
An ultrasound, hCG blood test diagnose pain, or both depending on its symptoms and severity. Accordingly, the treatments will vary, such as if an ovarian torsion or ectopic pregnancy is detected–surgery is the only option to prevent further complications (2) (7). If no alarming conditions are detected, you may try the following home remedies of prenatal care to manage the condition after consulting with your OB/GYN (5) (7).
Drink plenty of water and fiber-rich foods to prevent and manage gas and constipation.
Relax with a warm bath or use a heating pad, ensuring it is not too hot. Switch between sleep positions–lying on your back and sleeping on your side with a pillow to support your belly. Incorporate pregnancy-safe exercises that involve light stretching in your routine. Massage the pain area gently without putting too much pressure on it. Keep your knees close to your chest to take the pressure off your uterus.
