Are blood clots normal in early pregnancy? What are the dangers of blood clots during pregnancy? How can expectant mothers manage their risk? Get the answers to these and more questions.

Understanding the Risks of Blood Clots During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a time of joy, but for women with a history of blood clots, it can also bring a sense of uncertainty. The increased estrogen levels and changes in the body’s blood clotting mechanisms during pregnancy can heighten the risk of developing blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

According to Dr. Gregory Piazza, a cardiovascular medicine specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, women who have experienced a blood clot in the past, especially if it was related to an estrogen-based birth control, need to take certain precautions when pregnant or planning to become pregnant. “If you’ve already had a blood clot due to high estrogen from the birth control pill, you’re going to need protection,” he explained.

Complications of Blood Clots During Pregnancy

Pregnant women are at risk of developing not only DVT and PE but also pelvic vein thrombosis and blood clots in the ovarian veins. These conditions can cause severe complications, including leg swelling, abdominal or pelvic pain, and even miscarriage.

Dr. Piazza emphasized that the risk of miscarriage due to blood clots in the umbilical cord or behind the placenta is often overlooked by pregnant women. “It’s not something that’s talked about a lot for pregnant patients, so they tend to not really be aware of it,” he said.

Preventive Measures: Injectable Anticoagulants

To protect at-risk pregnant women from the dangers of blood clots, healthcare providers often prescribe low-dose injectable anticoagulants, such as low-molecular-weight heparin or fondaparinux. These medications are considered safe for both the mother and the developing baby, as they tend not to cross the placenta.

Dr. Piazza explained that these preventive-dose anticoagulants are typically used instead of warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants, which have not been studied extensively in pregnant women.

Postpartum Risk and Continued Precautions

The postpartum period, typically the first 6-12 weeks after giving birth, can also be a high-risk time for blood clots. Pregnant women with a history of blood clots are often advised to continue taking their injectable anticoagulant medications during this time.

Dr. Piazza noted that these medications are safe for breastfeeding mothers, as the long molecular chains are digested by the baby’s stomach acid. He also mentioned that warfarin is an appropriate option for breastfeeding moms, as it does not enter the breast milk.

Proactive Steps for Expectant Mothers

The most important step for a concerned expectant mother is to have an open conversation with her healthcare provider about her personal and family history of blood clots, as well as any other risk factors. Based on this assessment, the healthcare provider can develop an individualized treatment plan.

In addition to medical treatment, remaining active during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of blood clots. Even light exercise, such as walking, can be beneficial. Compression stockings may also help manage the leg swelling that pregnant women often experience.

Recognizing the Signs of Potential Problems

While vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy is common and does not always indicate a problem, it is important for expectant mothers to be aware of the potential warning signs. Heavier bleeding or pain may be a sign of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, both of which require immediate medical attention.

If you are a woman with a history of blood clots who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is essential to work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive plan to manage your risk and ensure the best possible outcome for you and your baby.

Conclusion

Pregnancy can be a time of excitement and anticipation, but for women with a history of blood clots, it can also bring additional challenges. By understanding the risks, taking preventive measures, and working closely with their healthcare providers, expectant mothers can navigate this journey with confidence and minimize the potential complications of blood clots during pregnancy.

What Women Need to Know

For many women, pregnancy is a time of joy. But, for women with a history of blood clots, it can be a time of uncertainty.

Much like birth control, pregnancy increases a woman’s chance of experiencing a blood clot because her estrogen levels are higher than normal. Blood also becomes more prone to clotting during pregnancy, because the body is preparing to give birth.

“When you give birth, there’s bleeding. Your body is going to be a bit more inclined towards clotting, so that you can heal up and stop bleeding,” said Dr. Gregory Piazza, a cardiovascular medicine specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “We don’t want moms bleeding. It’s your body accounting for that.”

Dr. Piazza often works with women to help them manage their risk of clotting during pregnancy.

Women who have experienced a blood clot in the past, especially if it was related to an estrogen-based birth control, need to take certain precautions when pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

“If you’ve already had a blood clot due to high estrogen from the birth control pill, you’re going to need protection,” explained Dr. Piazza.

The Dangers of Blood Clots and Pregnancy

In addition to the known complications of blood clots, pregnant women can experience additional complications.

“Pregnant women are prone to developing pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but they also can get pelvic vein thrombosis,” explained Dr. Piazza. “Pelvic veins are the veins that go to the legs but are higher up. Those can thrombose and cause massive leg swelling. Pregnant women can also get blood clots in the ovarian veins. These can cause abdominal, pelvic, or side pain. We try to protect patients from that.”

Blood clots can also affect the developing baby.

“Part of giving anticoagulation during the pregnancy is to achieve a live birth and prevent miscarriage,” Dr. Piazza remarked. “You can get blood clots in the umbilical cord or behind the placenta. Those can cause miscarriage.”

“It’s not something that’s talked about a lot for pregnant patients, so they tend to not really be aware of it,” said Dr. Piazza about the risk of miscarriage. “Even if they’re aware of the risk of blood clots, they’re more focused on developing DVT or PE than on the risk of miscarriage.”

Injectable Anticoagulants

How can at-risk pregnant women get the protection they need? From injectable anticoagulants.

“Usually what we do for pregnant patients is give them a low dose of an injectable anticoagulant, such as low-molecular-weight heparin or fondaparinux,” explained Dr. Piazza. “The good thing about those is that they tend not to affect the baby.”

“They’re large chains of molecules that tend not to cross over to the placenta. They’re safe to use,” Dr. Piazza continued. “We use them at preventive doses, not the full treatment dose. Patients do quite well on them and it’s very rare to see bleeding complications.”

Pregnant women with a risk of blood clots are taken off warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants, which have not been studied in pregnant women.

Postpartum Risk

After giving birth, the postpartum period can be a risky time for mothers. This “postppartum risk period” can be anywhere from 6-12 weeks after birth. Women are often told to continue their injectable anticoagulant medications.

“Those are safe for breastfeeding moms. Those long molecular chains get digested by the baby’s stomach acid,” Dr. Piazza remarked, also noting that warfarin is appropriate for breastfeeding moms.

“Warfarin is great for breastfeeding moms because it doesn’t go into the milk. It’s one of the preferred treatments for breastfeeding moms.”

What Can Moms Do?

The most important thing for a concerned expectant mother can do is talk with her doctor and discuss her risk factors. If she has a personal or family history of blood clots, a genetic predisposition, or another risk factor, her doctor can help identify the best individualized medical treatment.

Beyond medical treatment, remaining active is key. Many women slow down late into their pregnancy, but being sedentary increases the risk of developing a blood clot. Even light exercise, such as walking, can be very beneficial.

Finally, compression stockings, often used to help treat complications of DVT such as post-thrombotic syndrome, can help with the leg swelling that pregnant women often develop.

If you’re a woman with a history of blood clots who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it’s important to speak with your doctor to decide what treatments and precautions are right for you.

Bleeding or pain in early pregnancy

Bleeding or pain in early pregnancy

Vaginal bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy is common and does not always mean you have a problem.

However, depending on the volume of bleeding, it can be a warning sign of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.

One in 4 women will experience bleeding and/or pain during their first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Unfortunately half of these pregnancies may also end in miscarriage, which cannot be prevented.

Sadly, 1 in every 5 to 6 pregnancies are miscarried. There is no medication or treatment that can be given to prevent a miscarriage.

Most miscarriages are a one-off event and having a miscarriage doesn’t mean you can’t have a successful pregnancy in the future.

Terms explained

Miscarriage – a loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation (growth).

Causes of bleeding and pain in early pregnancy

There are several possible causes of bleeding and/or pain in early pregnancy.

• Implantation bleeding – this happens when the fertilised egg implants in the uterus lining, causing some cramping pain or light bleeding.
• Bleeding from the cervix – this is more common in pregnancy due to the increased blood flow.
• Miscarriage.
• Ectopic pregnancy – this is when a pregnancy takes place outside of the uterus, such as in the fallopian tube.
• Molar pregnancy – this is a rare abnormal development of the placenta.

Sometimes the cause of the bleeding or pain is unknown, but the pregnancy will continue.

At the emergency department

If you experience bleeding or pain in early pregnancy, seek immediate emergency medical advice. You may have to go to the emergency department at King Edward Memorial Hospital.

It is recommended women experiencing symptoms of a miscarriage go to the emergency department at King Edward Memorial Hospital, if this is possible.

A doctor or midwife at the emergency department will run a number of tests to check:

• how much blood you have lost
• your blood group
• your urine
• your blood pressure
• your heart rate
• your temperature.

If you have minimal blood loss and are not in severe pain, you will be assessed as a non-emergency patient and you may be referred to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS) clinic at King Edward Memorial Hospital.

If you previously had an ultrasound that confirmed your pregnancy is in your uterus, the bleeding you are experiencing will not be due to ectopic pregnancy.

Where to get help

• Always dial 000 in an emergency.
• See your doctor.
• Visit a GP after hours.
• Ring healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222.
• Call the emergency department at King Edward Memorial Hospital on 9340 2222.

Remember

• Bleeding and pain in early pregnancy is common.
• Heavy bleeding or blood clots could indicate a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
• Such symptoms can include bleeding, spotting, cramps and stomach pain.

Acknowledgements
Women and Newborn Health Service

This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

Discharge during pregnancy: white, brown, watery

Normal discharge from the genital tract during pregnancy

The nature of vaginal discharge changes almost immediately after the delay of menstruation – at 3-4 weeks of pregnancy. At this time, the influence of progesterone predominates. The corpus luteum does not dissolve, as happens in every cycle outside of pregnancy, but continues to function – up to 12-14 weeks, until the placenta replaces it. It produces hormones, including progesterone, which creates conditions for the favorable development of the fetus, and also affects the nature of vaginal discharge. They become thicker and more abundant, may be less transparent than usual.

Important!

White or slightly yellowish homogeneous mucous discharge during pregnancy is the norm! They are not accompanied by itching, burning and other unpleasant sensations. If the secret becomes too abundant, you can use daily sanitary pads to protect linen.

During pregnancy, a healthy woman always has a white or slightly yellowish discharge from the genital tract. Due to the secretions, the mucous membrane of the genital tract is cleared, and the risk of penetration of dangerous microorganisms is reduced.

White discharge is not a sign of pregnancy. The vaginal secret can be so in other circumstances – including infection. Therefore, it is impossible to judge a woman’s health only by the nature of the discharge – other factors must be taken into account.

Are there periods during early pregnancy?

No, that’s not possible. There is no menstruation during pregnancy. After the conception of a child, a corpus luteum remains in the ovary. It continues to function by releasing progesterone and other hormones. Under the influence of progesterone, ovulation is inhibited. New eggs do not mature, and characteristic cyclical changes in the endometrium do not occur. Therefore, there will be no monthly.

Important!

Menstruation always comes after ovulation and is its natural outcome.

Why does spotting occur from the genital tract during pregnancy

Many women wonder: if there is no menstruation during pregnancy, where does the spotting come from? They are often talked about on forums and social networks. Some women are sure that menstruation during pregnancy is the norm, and as if they should go right on time – on the same days as before the conception of the child.

Important!

Bloody discharge during pregnancy is not normal!

Pink, brown or scarlet discharge of blood from the genital tract of the expectant mother is not menstruation, but a sign of bleeding that has begun. Here are its most common causes:

• Non-developing (regressive, frozen) pregnancy.
  Sometimes the embryo stops developing in the womb and dies. But the uterus does not contract and cannot expel the embryo. This phenomenon is also called a failed miscarriage. Bloody discharge may be the only symptom, but may be accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, fever. A characteristic sign of a non-developing pregnancy is the sudden disappearance of its dubious signs: nausea and vomiting, addiction to unusual food, sensitivity to smells, etc.
• Spontaneous miscarriage. In the early stages of pregnancy, it is accompanied by spotting (pink, scarlet, brown – depending on the intensity). There may be pain in the lower abdomen – from moderate to severe.
• Placental abruption. Occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Accompanied by bright red, rarely dark discharge. Bleeding can be very profuse and life threatening.
• Decidual polyp. Develops from decidual tissue, occurs only during pregnancy. May lead to bleeding, especially after intimacy and gynecological examination. Excreted along with the placenta during childbirth.
• Pathology of the cervix. Erosion, which did not bother before the conception of a child, can suddenly begin to bleed during pregnancy. The discharge is usually pink or scarlet and appears after sex, speculum examination, smear, or transvaginal ultrasound.

There is only one physiological cause of bleeding – implantation. On the 7-8th day after conception, the embryo reaches the uterine cavity and is introduced into its mucous membrane. This process may be accompanied by scanty brown or scarlet discharge, without pain. All symptoms disappear quickly – in 1-2 days, and do not recur. There may not be such secretions – far from all women, implantation is accompanied by bleeding.

Important!

In case of any bloody discharge during pregnancy, you should immediately consult a gynecologist!

Unusual discharge from the genital tract during pregnancy

Here are some things to worry about:

• Abundant or scanty mucous discharge with a strong unpleasant odor.
  This may be a sign of infection, more often caused by opportunistic flora with a decrease in local immunity.
• Clear mucus with intense itching. Such symptoms may indicate an allergic reaction – for example, to underwear, a new intimate hygiene product.
• Yellow, green, grayish-brown discharge. They occur with infections, including sexually transmitted ones.
• Watery discharge. May be a sign of amniotic fluid leakage or urinary incontinence.
• Profuse yellowish discharge in late pregnancy.
  It might be a mucus plug coming off. Normally, it blocks the exit from the uterus almost before childbirth and exits in the last weeks of pregnancy. When this will happen, it is impossible to say for sure. In some women, this happens 1-2 weeks before the birth, in others – 1-2 days before the birth of the child. The cork leaves entirely, in the form of copious yellowish discharge, or in parts – and then the discharge will be scarce.

In all these situations, consultation with a gynecologist is mandatory. After examination and examination, the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and choose a treatment that is safe for the woman and the fetus. To understand what is happening, ultrasound helps, the study of vaginal secretions for infectious agents and other methods.

Most often, expectant mothers face the following problems:

• Candida colpitis (thrush). Occurs when the fungus of the genus Candida overgrows. Accompanied by the appearance of white curdled discharge from the genital tract and severe, almost unbearable itching.
• Bacterial vaginosis. In this condition, the balance of the flora of the genital tract is disturbed. Useful lactobacilli become scarce, and other microorganisms, primarily anaerobes, in particular, Gardnerella vaginalis, take their place. Bacterial vaginosis is accompanied by burning and itching in the genital tract, the appearance of grayish-white or yellow discharge with a sharp fishy odor.

All these conditions are caused by the activation of opportunistic flora in the female genital tract. When there are many bacteria or fungi, a disease develops.

What kind of discharge should you see a doctor for?

Some discharge during pregnancy is not dangerous, others require immediate medical attention. Here are the situations in which you need to see a doctor as soon as possible:

• Bloody discharge, “menstruation” appear in the first days and weeks of pregnancy.
• There are spotting of any intensity at any stage of pregnancy.
• Unusual discharge appears: yellow, green, brown, brown, pink, mixed with pus.
• The discharge becomes very profuse – there is not enough daily padding.
• Vaginal discharge is accompanied by itching, burning, pain in the lower abdomen, fever, changes in the frequency of fetal movements.
• Abundant watery discharge, including blood, appears, especially in late pregnancy.

Do not hesitate – it can be dangerous for the woman and the fetus. If you can not get to your doctor, you can contact any specialist on duty. In case of spotting, it is recommended to call an ambulance – hospitalization may be required.

To summarize

• Whitish, mucous discharge without itching and unpleasant odor is normal during pregnancy. They may be more abundant than usual.
• Scanty bloody discharge can only be during the implantation of the fetal egg – on the 7-8th day after conception, a week before the delay in menstruation.
• There should be no bleeding at any other time. There is no menstruation during pregnancy!
• Any unusual discharge is a reason to consult a gynecologist. It is better to be safe than to miss a serious problem and a threat to the fetus.

• 1. Normal pregnancy. Clinical guidelines, 2019.
• 2. Obstetrics: national guidance.: Ailamazyan E.K., Savelyeva G.M., Radzinsky V.E.M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2013.
• 3. Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases accompanied by pathological discharge from the genital tract of women. Russian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Edition 2, corrected and supplemented. Moscow, 2019.
• 4. Non-developing pregnancy. MARS Guidelines.

• Obstetrician-gynecologist (Southern State Medical University, Faculty of Pediatrics, specialization at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

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Why does the stomach pull in early pregnancy?

Why does the stomach pull in early pregnancy? This question often worries expectant mothers, and at times leads to panic. When is discomfort pathology, and when is it normal?

Pregnancy is a special time for a mother and her baby. After all, the connection between them is inextricable, and every negative influence or stress affects both of them.

Possible causes of pain

Every woman dreams of having an easy pregnancy and no cause for alarm. However, a very common complaint among pregnant women is pain in the lower abdomen of a pulling or aching nature.

Complaints are so common that it is necessary to clearly understand when pulling sensations during pregnancy are pathological and require immediate medical attention, and when they are quite physiological and require only general recommendations.

Of course, pain in the lower abdomen can appear at any stage of pregnancy, however, most often women notice their appearance in the early stages of pregnancy.

Painful sensations in the abdomen during pregnancy are very diverse both in subjective sensations, and in their localization, in intensity of occurrence. Pain can appear both at rest and after any physical activity. Unpleasant sensations can manifest themselves in one place, or radiate to other areas.

Unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen are rarely avoided during pregnancy. These sensations can occur not only in pathology. During pregnancy, the uterus increases in size, there is a tension in its ligaments and muscles. In addition, there is a displacement of the pelvic organs. All this leads to the appearance of pulling or aching sensations in the abdomen. All these phenomena are manifestations of physiological changes that occur to a woman during pregnancy.

Of course, this state of fear does not cause and does not require any intervention on the part of the doctor. However, pulling pains in the lower abdomen are not always a physiological process. It happens that this indicates that the pregnancy proceeds with pathology and requires medical adjustment.

That is why, if there are pulling or aching pains in the lower abdomen, it is necessary to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist in order to accurately determine the cause of the pain.

Never self-medicate. Remember that you are responsible not only for yourself, but also for the little man that you carry under your heart.

Abdominal pain during pregnancy can be:

• “obstetrical”;
• “non-obstetric”.

Pain associated with pregnancy may be developmental:

• physiological changes during pregnancy;
• threatened miscarriage;
• missed pregnancy;
• ectopic pregnancy.

Pain not associated with pregnancy may occur with:

• inflammatory processes;
• pathologies of the digestive system;
• surgical diseases;
• diseases of other organs or systems.

Pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy as a variant of the norm

Not all pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy is a manifestation of pathology. Sometimes they can occur during the normal course of pregnancy.

As a physiological process, pain in the lower abdomen can occur in the following situations:

1. sign of pregnancy;
2. displacement of the pelvic organs by the growing uterus;
3. sprains and muscles associated with uterine growth.

Abdominal pain is a sign of pregnancy

Finding out that you are pregnant is now not a big deal, because there are pregnancy tests. In addition, a delay in menstruation can serve as evidence of pregnancy.

All this is good if the menses are regular and delayed by at least 14 days. In this case, the pregnancy test may be positive. However, do not forget that not all tests are highly accurate, so it can show two cherished strips much later than we would like.

Therefore, it is necessary to pay close attention to the sensations of your body, because it signals the onset of pregnancy long before the manifestation of a delay in menstruation.

If you assume that pregnancy is possible, then listen carefully to your body: it can send you a signal in the form of pulling pains in the lower abdomen. At the same time, the pains will differ in their intensity: one woman will say that the pains are unbearable, the other will not notice them at all. Each woman is individual.

If each menstruation is preceded by unpleasant pain in the lower abdomen or lower back, you may not understand that once again they are associated with the onset of pregnancy.

Pain in the lower abdomen during pregnancy may be associated with the implantation process. To do this, you need to remember the process of fertilization of the egg by the sperm. After their fusion in the fallopian tubes, the fertilized egg enters the uterus under the action of the movement of cilia in the fallopian tubes. The uterine endometrium is a loose mass where a fertilized egg is implanted.

The process of implantation is the insertion of a fertilized egg into the endometrium of the uterus. At this time, there is a violation of the integrity of the endometrium, which may be accompanied by unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen. In addition, sometimes slight dark bloody discharge may appear from the genital tract, which can be perceived as the beginning of another menstruation.

Threatened miscarriage

Threatened miscarriage is a fairly common cause of pain in the lower abdomen. This condition is individual and does not depend on physical exertion or complete rest, but on the condition of the woman and her unborn child.

Among the reasons that can cause a miscarriage may be:

• severe physical exertion;
• sexual contact;
• malnutrition of the ovum;
• genetic disorders and other causes.

Of course, this is not evidence that a miscarriage will not occur with complete rest. Miscarriage can occur due to genetic abnormalities, and due to stress. No woman is immune from the threat of pregnancy loss.

That is why attention and sensitivity to the state of your body is so necessary, which will in every possible way send signals that the pregnancy is not going the way you want.

Threatened miscarriage is accompanied by:

• aching or pulling pains in the lower abdomen;
• aching or drawing pains in the small of the back or sacrum.
• bloody discharge from the genital tract.

If you experience pain in the lower abdomen, you should consult a doctor, as a threatened miscarriage, if medical assistance is not provided, can turn into an abortion that has begun, the treatment of which is much more difficult, if not completely useless.

An ambulance should be called if:

• pain in the lower abdomen gets worse;
• pains begin to radiate to other areas;
• painful sensations do not go away for a long time;
• appeared spotting from the genital tract.

Increased pain

If the pulling pains in the lower abdomen are weak, do not increase and do not radiate to other areas, then you can come to the antenatal clinic in the daytime on your own. This will not threaten serious complications of your condition.

If the pain becomes more intense, does not go away at rest, you should not self-medicate, take drugs without a doctor’s prescription.

Do not put anything on the stomach. Both hot and cold application can contribute to the onset of a miscarriage. In addition, with the threat of termination of pregnancy, this manipulation will not remove the pain.

Localized pain

When a threatened miscarriage occurs, pain of a pulling or aching nature disturbs the pregnant woman in the lower abdomen.

If the pains are clearly localized in a certain place, most often on the right or left, then a mandatory consultation with a specialist is necessary, since an ectopic pregnancy or surgical pathology, such as appendicitis, may develop.

Bloody discharge from the genital tract

If bloody discharge from the genital tract has joined the pulling pain in the lower abdomen, urgent medical attention is needed. This phenomenon may indicate a miscarriage that has begun.

The discharge may be scanty, spotting or copious, dark or bright. In any case, you can not do without consulting an obstetrician-gynecologist.

There are situations when there is no pain, but there is bloody discharge from the genital tract. This case also requires specialist advice.

Any bloody discharge from the genital tract may indicate a miscarriage. Only timely treatment can contribute to the preservation and prolongation of pregnancy.

In some cases, the appearance of bloody discharge from the genital tract may be a manifestation of a miscarriage, which requires immediate medical attention.

Miscarriage

A fertilized egg does not always develop correctly. In some cases, there is a cessation of its division and death. Most often, miscarriage occurs due to any mutations. At the same time, the woman does not suspect that the pregnancy has stopped.

However, the dead fetal egg begins to be rejected on its own. At the same time, there are pulling pains in the lower abdomen, which are soon joined by bloody discharge from the genital tract.

When a miscarriage is diagnosed, curettage of the uterine cavity may be indicated. Conservative management is also possible, but this can only be determined by a specialist after consultation.

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy most often occurs as a tubal pregnancy, when the fertilized egg does not reach the uterus, and the implantation process occurs in the fallopian tube. At the same time, the development of the fetal egg can continue for a long time without any manifestations, up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. However, most often such a pregnancy is interrupted at 6 to 8 weeks.

The fertilized egg develops and grows, which causes pain in the right or left side of the lower abdomen. The pains are unilateral, are obsessive, tend to increase.

In addition to pain in the lower abdomen, bloody discharge from the genital tract appears, and the pain begins to radiate to the leg from the side of the pain. There may be unpleasant sensations of pressure on the rectum. Medical surgery is the only way to save a woman’s life. Preservation of pregnancy is impossible.

“Non-obstetric” causes of pain in the lower abdomen

Inflammatory processes

Among the “non-obstetric” causes of pain in the lower abdomen, the most common are inflammatory processes of the pelvic organs. If earlier it was believed that there could be no inflammation in pregnant women, now it has been proven that a decrease in the immunity of a pregnant woman awakens all pathological processes in her body.

Pain in inflammatory processes of the pelvic organs differ in their intensity. At the same time, they occur in the lower abdomen and most often have a pulling or aching character.

Pathology of the digestive system

Very often, pulling pains in the lower abdomen can occur in a pregnant woman due to problems with the digestive tract. During pregnancy, there is a decrease in intestinal contractility. In addition, there are significant changes in the hormonal background of a woman. Therefore, very often pregnancy is accompanied by constipation and bloating. To normalize digestion, a change in diet is recommended and mild laxatives can be taken.

Surgical pathology

Of the surgical pathologies that may be accompanied by pulling pains in the lower abdomen during pregnancy, acute appendicitis is the most common.

In the early stages of pregnancy, it is obligatory to differentiate obstetric and gynecological diseases from appendicitis, since it has similar symptoms. There are pains in the lower abdomen, which most often occur in the navel or stomach, and then descend to the right iliac region. Nausea, vomiting, fever joins. The only treatment is surgery. In this case, the pregnancy is preserved.

Diseases of other organs or systems

In addition to obstetric and surgical causes that can cause pulling pains in the lower abdomen in early pregnancy, other body systems may also be involved in the pathological process. The most common lesion is the urinary tract.

Cystitis

Cystitis, due to the anatomical features of a woman, can occur at any time and in any condition, so pregnant women are just as susceptible to it as non-pregnant women.

The bladder, located in the lower third of the abdomen, may give false symptoms of a threatened miscarriage.

Cystitis, in addition to pulling or aching pains in the lower abdomen, is accompanied by pain during urination, pain at the end of the act of urination. In addition, with cystitis, the urine may be stained with blood, and it is difficult to distinguish this from bloody discharge during a miscarriage.

In any case, it is necessary to consult an obstetrician-gynecologist, pass a general urine test, and then consult a urologist and treat the infection.