Stomach cramps during pregnancy

Stomach Cramps during Pregnancy

Cramp is a sudden and very painful condition, caused by involuntary contraction of the muscles which otherwise are in our control and move only when we intend to. Stomach cramps during pregnancy are similarly, consequence of the involuntary contraction of the abdominal muscles which depending upon the stage of pregnancy, are stretched, more or less, in almost all directions. A spasm is less severe. shorter in duration ,involves lesser number of fibers or muscles , impacts facial muscles, may or may not be painful and often prompted by some disease; like stroke or tetanus.

Abdominal muscles

A skeletal muscle is generally made of many muscle fibers enclosed in Fascicles and arranged in bundles. The part of muscles that attaches it to bone is called tendon and plays some role in cramps. The abdominal muscles undergo lot of stress during pregnancy as they stretch, in all directions and have to support the womb. Although, some sudden and involuntary cramp like pain is usual and not a point to worry about during early stages of pregnancy, the occurrence of cramp during later, particularly during the last stages of pregnancy is a serious matter and can not be ignored. The common but not the exclusive cause of stomach cramps during pregnancy is the development, stretching and strengthening of the abdominal muscles.

Other causes of stomach cramp

In addition to the progressively increasing load on stomach (abdominal) muscles during pregnancy, the following too are important causative factors

• Micronutrients deficiency: Micronutrients are the essential components of food but they are required only in very small quantity. Mainly, they include salts; minerals and vitamins. Any deficiency of electrolytes like that of calcium, sodium or magnesium may result from dehydration and can prompt cramping of abdominal muscles during pregnancy. On account of the increased need of micronutrients, this type of deficiency is very likely to occur, unless appropriate enrichment is dispensed on time and in good enough quantity to meet the requirement during pregnancy.
  
• Hormonal Disturbance: Pregnancy is a period of many hormonal changes which  impact the abdominal muscles causing cramps with short term, severe pain.
  
• Stomach specific cramps: sometimes stomach cramps are due to direct impact of food poisoning or other infections in stomach. Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, gastro enteritis or diabetes may also cause stomach cramps.
  
• Emotional stress: as the expecting mother undergoes lot of wide range, emotional changes, entailing euphoria to extreme depression, the probability of stomach cramping is increased and nocturnal cramping is experienced almost by half the number of pregnant women, on this account.
  
• Abdominal cramping after thirty seventh week of pregnancy is considered an indication of preterm labor therefore requires immediate medical attention.
  
• Ectopic pregnancy and some other conditions also cause stomach cramps, during pregnancy.

A cramp may last for very short time though, warrants immediate attention on account of the pain it inflicts, which is often relieved by change of posture from lying to standing , from standing to walking or relaxing muscles by massage etc.