Stomach Tightening during Pregnancy: What Can One Do?

Stomach tightening during early pregnancy

In early pregnancy, the stretching of ligaments is responsible for stomach tightening. The stomach becomes hard and tight with each passing day, and you could feel uncomfortable with your stomach being tight. This may not happen regularly though. Apart from this, stomach tightness may be triggered by constipation, large meals, or flatulence.

Caution: In the first trimester of pregnancy, if you experience a tightening sensation in your stomach and pain too, then it could be a sign of a miscarriage. If the tightening sensation in the stomach is, in fact, a symptom of a miscarriage, it will be accompanied by other symptoms like pain and cramping in the lower back, spotting or bleeding, and passing of tissue or fluid from the vagina. 

Tightness in stomach during pregnancy: second trimester

As your body continues to grow in the second trimester, the stabbing pain along the sides of the uterus will continue too, this is round ligament pain. As the uterus expands, the round ligaments located along the side of the uterus will stretch, which can cause pain. You will notice that the stomach tightens and pains even more if you try to bend down or try to stand after sitting for long.

In the second trimester of your pregnancy, it is possible that your stomach may feel tight and uncomfortable due to Braxton-Hicks contractions. 

Tightness in stomach during pregnancy third trimester

In late pregnancy the movement of the baby can cause tightness in stomach. As pregnancy progresses, the abdomen expands to accommodate the growing fetus. The abdominal space is shared by your organs and growing baby causing the big squeeze. The result is tightness in stomach, also called abdominal tightening. This can be persistent in the last few months of pregnancy as the growing uterus and the baby’s movement can both cause the feeling of tightness in the stomach.

The tightening of abdomen is often accompanied by weight gain. The increasing weight stretches the skin and Braxton Hicks contractions or false labor may also set in.

Gastric problem is also frequent in late pregnancy that can cause the stomach to feel tighter.

Other Causes Of Stomach Tightening During Pregnancy

1. 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’.
2. Placenta Abruption: 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. You can read more about Placenta abruption and other placenta complications.
3. 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 your stomach tightening owing to so much space constraint.
4. Large meals: As your abdominal cavity 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 during pregnancy, instead of eating a large meal in one sitting. You will surely feel difference if you plan your eating frequency and quantity.

Why is my pregnant belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft?

Stomach tightening during pregnancy is a common phenomenon where your tummy may tighten and relax at irregular intervals within minutes. In other cases, the pregnant belly can be either hard or soft depending on your body type, the baby’s position in the womb, and it’s size. You might notice these changes even throughout the day, especially if you have recently entered the third trimester.

Unfortunately, there’s not much that can be done about it. Simply educate yourself, try to understand what’s causing it and address accordingly.

Tightness in Stomach Treatment: What to do?

The treatment of stomach tightening is dependent upon the underlying causes:

• Changing your position can help. For example if you are sitting, stand up and walk a while and vice versa
• Generally the stomach tightening during pregnancy is quite harmless, but preterm labor can also make your abdomen tight. So do not neglect tightening of the stomach
• Practice breathing & other exercises for strengthening abdominal muscles. This will also help in dealing with round ligament pain.
• Keep yourself well hydrated so drink plenty of fluids.
• Take adequate amount of rest to keep you vitalized and rejuvenated.
• Tightening will curtail your routine activities such as wearing shoes, bending down, sleeping on your side, etc. Try to practice deep breathing exercises to help you overcome breathing problems caused by tightening of stomach.

When to Call the Doctor For Stomach Tightening During Pregnancy?

If you have a high risk pregnancy and the stomach tightening is getting longer and stronger, you should call your doctor right away. Following conditions require doctor’s attention:

• If your experience tightening more than four times an hour makes sure you immediately consult your doctor.
• If the tightness does not vanish in few minutes and continues to persist, consult your doctor without delay.
• If you notice any breathing difficulties due to tightening of abdomen, ask your doctor for help.
• If pain is present along with abdominal tightening, do not take it lightly. Seek immediate medical help.