What is abdominal pain?

Abdominal (tummy) pain is pain you feel anywhere between your chest and pelvis.

Abdominal pain in pregnancy is common. There are many reasons you may get abdominal pain — often it’s not anything serious.

Sometimes your abdominal pain can be life-threatening. It is important you know when to seek urgent help.

What symptoms are related to abdominal pain during pregnancy?

If you have abdominal pain, you may also have other symptoms, such as:

• heartburn or indigestion
• nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea
• vaginal bleeding or discharge
• lower back pain
• fast heartbeat
• fever

Your pain and other symptoms can come on suddenly or gradually. You might feel pain in very specific parts of your abdomen, or all over your abdomen.

What causes abdominal pain during pregnancy?

There are many reasons why you may have abdominal pain when you are pregnant. Some causes may be related to your pregnancy, while others are not.

Pregnancy-related causes of abdominal pain include:

• ruptured ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, miscarriage, threatened miscarriage
• pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome
• placental abruption
• round ligament pain
• constipation
• ruptured uterus
• Braxton Hicks contractions

There are many possible causes of abdominal pain that are not related to pregnancy, for example:

• hepatitis, biliary colic, cholecystitis, pyelonephritis, appendicitis, pancreatitis
• ruptured aneurysm
• bowel obstruction
• trauma — accident, fall or violence
• inflammatory bowel disease
• ovarian torsion
• stomach ulcer

How is the cause of abdominal pain diagnosed?

Your symptoms can sometimes help doctors understand the cause of your pain.

Your doctor can diagnose what is causing your abdominal pain by:

• asking you about your symptoms and medical history
• checking your vital signs — your blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, breathing rate and blood oxygen levels
• physically examining your body — sometimes this may include a vaginal examination
• ordering tests — such as blood or urine tests and others
• requesting imaging — ultrasound or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans

Often if you are in hospital, an obstetrician will also assess your pregnancy. This may involve a monitor to check your baby’s heartbeat and contractions of your uterus.

Before any test or examination, your healthcare provider must ask for your informed consent. This means that they will explain why the tests are needed and help you understand the risks involved. You also have a right to ask for a second opinion, as part of shared decision making.

Diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain in pregnancy can be challenging. This is because your baby and uterus are growing, and your body is changing. Some pains are normal while others need investigating.

When should I see my midwife or doctor?

Depending on your symptoms, you may need to see your doctor, midwife or obstetrician. They can check that everything is OK. Some symptoms need urgent treatment in hospital.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

When to seek urgent care

You should seek urgent care if you have abdominal pain and:

• persistent diarrhoea, vomiting or signs of dehydration
• preterm (early) labour
• vaginal bleeding
• notice that your baby is moving less than usual
• signs of infection
• you experienced trauma to your stomach — car accident, fall or violence

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is abdominal pain during pregnancy treated?

The treatment for abdominal pain depends on the cause. If you need treatment in hospital, a team of different types of healthcare professionals may be involved in your care.

Your doctor will discuss the diagnosis and help you understand your options. This way you can make an informed decision about your treatment.

Self-care at home

If your pain is mild and not a sign of something serious, you can care for yourself at home by:

• resting to help manage fatigue
• drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration
• avoiding lifting heavy objects

Medicines for abdominal pain

If you need medicines for the cause of your abdominal pain, your doctor will check that they are safe to take during pregnancy. Medicines may include:

• antibiotics if you have an infection
• pain-relief medicines
• intravenous (IV) fluids
• other medicines that treat specific conditions or symptoms

Read more about medicines during pregnancy.

Other treatment options

Other treatments that your doctor may discuss with you include:

• bowel rest — this involves limiting or avoiding foods for a time to let your bowel heal
• surgery — you may need to spend time in hospital before or after an operation
• emotional support — a counsellor can support you and provide guidance

What are the complications of abdominal pain during pregnancy?

Depending on the cause of your abdominal pain, complications may include:

• sepsis, organ failure or major bleeding
• an increased risk of having a preterm (early) birth
• having a miscarriage or stillborn baby

Can abdominal pain during pregnancy be prevented?

You often can’t prevent abdominal pain, as many causes are not in your control. Here are some tips to lower your risk:

• Attend all your antenatal appointments. This way pregnancy complications can be diagnosed and treated early.
• Look after your health. Be aware of your symptoms and seek medical advice if you notice unusual pains or other symptoms.
• Wear a seatbelt when you are in a car. This protects you and your baby in case of an accident.
• Avoid constipation by eating foods high in fibre and stay hydrated.

Resources and support

• Read more about bladder and bowel problems you may experience during pregnancy on the Australian Government website.
• Visit The Royal Women’s Hospital website to get answers about common concerns in early pregnancy.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

The Queensland Government offers specialist support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples who are pregnant.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health has a range of health resources for pregnancy and postnatal care, in more than 70 languages.