Never running after a bus again.

So being silly me, I decided to run after the bus this morning to get to work. On top of that, I dropped my bus ticket and had to bend down to pick it up. I must have got up too abruptly as right after tht I noticed some sharp stabbing pain on my abdomen. I started to panic at first then calmed down and started to breathe properly whilst gently massaging bubba.

I guess pregnancy isn't the time to start running. Running can also be hard on our knees. During pregnancy, our joins loosen, which makes us more prone to injury. So unless we are routine runners, we should try not to run especially after busses!

This is not the first time I felt that sharp stabbing pain. Its been on and off for I guess a couple of weeks now. Its like a really sharp pain like a bluntish knife being jabbed into me. I usually get 3 or 4 sharp pains and they only last a split second but they are quite painful. When that happens I tend to get worried if something is happening to my lil precious one.

I know when being pregnant, abdominal pain is common but I spent some time researching about it and I thought I should share it here. 

Pelvic pain or discomfort is common during pregnancy. After all, ligaments are stretching, hormone levels are changing and organs are shifting around to make room for the growing uterus. BUT sometimes, pain is a red flag that something more serious is wrong. Pregnant women should always contact a medical professional to discuss concerns over the pain they are experiencing.

What are some of the common causes of pain during pregnancy? From relaxed pelvic joints to pressure from our growing baby's weight, here are some of the common pain during pregnancy.  If the pain that you are experiencing doesn't go away or if you have symptoms such as bleeding, unusual discharge or very strong cramping call your ob-gyn immediately.

- Round Ligament Pain

This is very commong in the second trimester of pregnancy. Women will notice a sharp pain in the abdomen or hip, typically on the right side although it can occur on either side of the body. The round ligament supports the uterus, connecting it to the groin. As the uterus grows to accomodate the baby, the ligament stretches. Many of our movements can trigger the pain, including laughing and standing from a sitting position. Women can reduce this discomfort by stretching frequently and changing position slowly to reduce the sharpness of the pain. If the pain becomes severe or is accompanied by any other symptoms, it may indicate another health concern and women should seek medical attention. Round ligament pain should disappear for good by about 24 weeks.

- Pressures baby's weight

This only really happens in the third trimester. You may start to experience pressure in your pelvic region as the weight of your rapidly growing fetus presses down on the nerves that run form your vagina into your legs. This pain typically occurs with movement, such as when you walk or ride in a car because the baby bounces. To help relieve discomfort, lie down on one side and rest.

 

- Miscarriage

When a miscarriage is occuring a women may notice cramping on either side of the abdomen. The pain is as intense or more so than menstrual craming. Bleeding will accompany the cramping as the fetus is expelled. Some women may not notice a miscarriage early in pregnancy but later-term miscarriages such as those that occur after the first trimester are likely to cause significant bleeding and some tissue loss owing to the size of the baby.

- Preterm Labour

Any persistent cramping accompanied by unexplained bleeding after the 20th week of pregnancy can be a risk factor for preterm labour. At this time the loss of a pregnancy is no longer considered a miscarriage byt preterm labour. If you are experiencing a persistern backache and pelvic pressure that comes and goes, you may be in labour.

- Braxton Hicks Contractions

Pressure or tightening in the pelvis that comes and goes could be contractions, but if they are sporadic and generally not painful thay are most likely practice contractions, called Braxton Hicks instead of true labour contractions. These "practice" contractions tend to occur at around 20 weeks and can be triggered by dehydration, so make sure your drink a lot of water. You will know its a contraction if you lie down and feel your belly; your uterus will become hard, and then relax.  They should disappear on their own but if you have more than four contractions an hour for two hours, call your doctor immediately.

-Digestive Issues

Pregnancy hormones and bodily changes bring about a long list of digestive ailments in women. Any of these can cause sharp pain on the right side of the abdomen or even in the lower rib cage area. Diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn and gas are common complaints of pregnancy that can all cause discomfort.

You can do the following things to ease some of the symptoms such as:

• Take a warm (not hot) bath or stand in the shower and let the water hit your back
• Try a pelvic support garment, which can keep the uterus from pushing down on your pelvis
• Wear low-healed shoes with good arch support
• Try to avoid quick movements and sharp turns at the waist
• Get a prenatal massage
• Exercise regularly - it could help prevent pain in the first place

You will need to call your doctor/OBGYN if:

• Pelvic pain that you can't walk or talk through
• Any bleeding
• Fever and/or chills
• Severe headache
• Dizziness
• Sudden swelling of the face, hands, and/or feet
• Persistent nausea and/or vomitting
• Less than 10 fetal kicks in one hour from 28 weeks till delivery
• More than four contractions in an hour for two hours
• Watery, greenish or bloody discharge.