[1341]

Hello ladies! First time mommy here with a question about my pregnant belly...<br><br>
Basically, my belly is super sore. For a couple of weeks it seemed to just be sore like that in the morning, but I've had a consistently sore abdomen now for a couple of days. I would liken the pain to doing far too many sit-ups. I'm hovering around 20 weeks, and I'm a fairly small little lady. I'm just curious if my "belly aching" is normal. I've poked around on the internet looking for an answer, but my poking has only seemed to aggravate my paranoia. The only thing I've been able to come up with is round ligament pain, but there's no come and go to it, just all the time soreness.<br><br>
Anyone else get an achy abdomen? Should I call my midwife or be worried? Any ways to make the (dull, annoying) pain go away?

 

[Mrsboyko]

I have had a few rounds like that. It kinda feels like your abdomen muscles are just giving up or something. I think it happens when baby is going through a growth spurt. i bet if you took a belly picture today and one in a week, you would notice a big difference. I seem to get it every 3 weeks ro so and it lasts like 2-3 days each time.

 

[justbishop]

I'm @ around 26 wks now, and I remember that same feeling (like too many sit ups). I think it;s just the muscles stretching around the belly, but if you're worried, you can always call your provider and ask <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Super~Single~Mama]

I'm currently 35 weeks, but I remember that pain well! It helped me to take a hot bath, and then lie down. It always felt better in the morning after a good nights sleep, and then got worse throughout the day.<br><br>
Good luck!

 

[GoGoGirl]

Oooh, yeah, my belly is super sore too.<br><br>
It started about 2 weeks ago, at 23 weeks. And it feels the same to me, like I did too many stomach crunches. It hurts most at the top, right under my bust.<br><br>
When my belly started hurting it FREAKED ME OUT. One of my mama friends said, "Oh, that's just your abdominal wall separating and pulling apart, don't worry." What? Aaaah! That DOES make me worry! I mean, I know it's normal, but still, my stomach literally feels like it's coming apart at the seams, and it's hard for me to be at peace with that.<br><br>
I saw my midwife yesterday, and she said the same thing--it's just abdominal wall separation, don't worry.<br><br>
As for relieving the pain, I've found a few things that seem to help. I started putting a pillow underneath my belly when I sleep on my side, to support it. Massaging the sore parts definitely helps. And I've realized that sitting in certain positions, ones where I'm kind of leaning back a little bit and engaging my upper ab muscles, make it worse. That sucks, because sitting on my couch makes me lean back in that painful way, and there's literally no where else in my tiny apartment to sit!

 

[nighten]

If it's aching and feels really tight, you might be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. Try drinking a big glass of water and sitting/lying down. If that helps relieve the discomfort, then it's BH. If not, then it's likely just your abdomen stretching.<br><br>
You might try a maternity support belt (I have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTherapy-Best-Buys-Mother-To-Be-Maternity%2Fdp%2FB00063IQ3Y%2Fref%3Dpd_ys_iyr15" target="_blank">this</a> one -- but there are lots of them out there), which can help as well.<br><br>
The only other thing I can think of is an umbilica hernia, which can be very painful -- is your belly button poking out and/or swollen/sensitive? You might check with your m/w or OB if so.<br><br>
Be sure not to strain your abdomen muscles if possible, too. Roll over on your side and push up from lying down. Don't pull straight up to a seated position.<br><br>
Use your arms instead of abs to help you get up from a seated position, if need be.<br><br>
I wouldn't use any heat or cold compresses on my abdomen, personally as it can affect blood flow. But a nice peppermint lotion might be helpful too.

 

[1341]

Nope, the belly button feels just fine. It is *thankfully* comfortable to poke and prod.<br><br>
The aching is mostly in my lower abdomen. I'll try drinking (even more) water and hoping for the best. Maybe some stretching will help?

 

[dallasslynn]

I'm prego with baby #3 (16w) and you'd think my muscles were completely shot by now...but I still have sore stomach muscles at the end of the day. Sleeping with a pillow to support my belly at night helps. Also try not to sit in positions that let your belly "hang" away from your body, overtaxing your muscles. Positions like laying on your side without support under your belly or sitting leaning to the side and letting your tummy hang to the side(this one kills me!). Also not trying to do any sit-ups, intended or not, roll to your side to get out of bed or off the floor and such. And relax!!!

 

[Mrsboyko]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>GoGoGirl</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/12729249"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">And I've realized that sitting in certain positions, ones where I'm kind of leaning back a little bit and engaging my upper ab muscles, make it worse. That sucks, because sitting on my couch makes me lean back in that painful way, and there's literally no where else in my tiny apartment to sit!</div>
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Get an exercise/ birth ball. It is the only place i can sit comfortably any more. I am probably getting a second to bring to work with me. I don't care how silly it looks, I can't sit back like most chairs/ couches make me, I get short of breath. Best of all, they are only like $15.

 

[GoGoGirl]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Mrsboyko</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/12735223"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Get an exercise/ birth ball. It is the only place i can sit comfortably any more. I am probably getting a second to bring to work with me. I don't care how silly it looks, I can't sit back like most chairs/ couches make me, I get short of breath. Best of all, they are only like $15.</div>
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</tr></table></div>
Yeah, I just tried my birth ball for sitting on around the house, and it definitely helps! Thanks!

 

[1341]

So the pain I posted about was NOT normal. While coming and going aching pain is, mine was unceasing. It ended up being a UTI. I've never had one before. Serves me right for spending the whole Thanksgiving weekend in bed with the DH and thinking I could get away with it!<br><br>
Seriously though, if anyone else reads this thread, give your midwife/doctor a call about pain, even "normal" pain. Had I just called her on Monday I could have been well on my way to no pain by now...

 

[Mrsboyko]

Ick, that sucks. Cranberry juice is your friend! Hope you feel better soon.