Why is my pregnancy belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft? Here Are 11 Possible Reasons | the asian father (2023)

Expectant mothers ask, "Why is my pregnant belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft?"

From the moment you get pregnant until you have your baby, yourpregnancy bellypasses a lot. As your uterus expands over nine months, it forces your stomach to change to physically accommodate your growing baby.

One of the most noticeable changes is the tightening of the pregnancy belly. This is medically called uterine hypersthenia.

When Does Your Belly Get Hard During Pregnancy?

It usually starts at the end of thesecond trimesterand can feel like menstrual cramps. But for some women, it starts as early as 12 weeks. However, the tightening of the abdomen does not last that long.

For those wondering, "Why is my pregnant belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft?" Here are 11 reasons why this could be happening.

Why is my pregnant belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft?

Once you enter yourthird quarterthe feeling of tightness will start to go away and your pregnant belly will look normal again. Incidentally, this condition applies to most pregnant women and is nothing to worry about.

But you still can't help but wonder why this is the case.

Because every pregnancy is unique, sometimes the reasons for tummy tucks are different as well. But usually there are other reasons besides abs that can force you to feel your stomach tighten.

Let's take a look at each of them.

• abrupt placenta

During pregnancy, your uterus grows along with another important organ – thePlacenta.It acts as a life support for your growing baby, providing all the nutrients and nourishment needed for its development.

In rare cases, the placenta detaches from the uterine wall. When this happens, the uterus begins to harden. When the pregnant belly feels tight and heavy, and the hardening becomes more persistent and won't go away, it's time to run to the doctor.

Ideally, the placenta should separate from the uterine wall during labor. But if it happens before then, it can seriously harm the baby. This is fairly rare, only occurring in about 1.5% of pregnancies worldwide.

In some cases, a tight stomach can also meanectopic pregnancy(in sporadic cases) where the fertilized egg begins to grow in the fallopian tube.

• Uterus rubbing on belly of pregnancy

As your uterus grows from the size of a peach to a watermelon over the course of nine months, it will push against your pregnancy belly to accommodate its growing size.

At the end of the second trimester, the uterus sits between the navel and the pelvic bones, pushing the abdominal muscles outward.

As the uterus expands, it begins to push against the walls of the stomach. This inner growth makes you feel like your stomach is squeezing even more. In addition to feeling a tight stomach, some women also feel nauseous and feel bloated.

In this case there isn't much you can do. Therefore, it is better to include fiber in your diet to relieve gas and bloatingconstipation🇧🇷 Also, make sure to exercise regularly.

• fat gain during pregnancy

It's no secret that you make substantial moneyweightDuring pregnancy. Although it's the good fat that no pregnant mom should bother with, it changes the look of your body and makes your pregnancy bump tight.

Because when you gain weight in the first two trimesters, your body needs to identify areas where it can allocate excess fat cells. The first place it goes is your stomach and maybe your thighs.

The fat cells also accommodate the growing uterus as you begin to show your pregnancy belly. This can happen in early pregnancy. And for some women, it can happen during the second trimester. They may even experience menstruationcrampsbecause of this accumulation of fat cells in your abdomen.

• Unbalanced diet and digestive problems

During pregnancy you don't eat "for two", but only for yourself. However, this diet must be rich innutrient, essential fats and minerals needed for your baby's growth. But even a healthy diet cannot prevent a pregnant woman from feeling constipated in most cases.

Constipation is just one of the many pregnancy discomforts you are sure to notice. However, constipation does not necessarily have to be caused by an unhealthy diet. It could be because your uterus is constantly pressing on your bowels.

Also, the constant release of progesterone slows down the gastrointestinal tract in your body.

But why does this have to do with the fact that a pregnant belly is sometimes hard and sometimes soft? All these factors make the pregnant belly tight and heavy. But a combination of a healthy diet full of fiber and an adequate amount of fiberaguacan alleviate this problem.

• Inflatable castle in your belly

In addition to asking "why is my pregnant belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft," you may also be wondering if your little one is doing well in your growing belly.

Your pregnant belly is like a bouncy castle for your growing baby. You can feel it kicking in your uterus, which is a good sign that it's growing and healthy.

But when your baby gets active, your tummy takes a hard hit. Each time your baby starts, the stomach tightens in response to this stimulus. Although this reaction only interferes with the baby's activities, it can be quite uncomfortable for the mother.

You may not feel the pain like menstrual cramps, but you may feel bloated or full like after a meal. This discomfort does not last long and you can overcome it.

• Dinner for two?

Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you have to eat for two. Your baby's digestive system isn't fully formed yet, so there's no point in eating for them. But sometimes yoursdesire for pregnancyit can force you to overeat. But how does that explain why my pregnant belly is sometimes hard and sometimes soft?

This is because your pregnancy belly can look tight and full. This can also cause bloating and bloating, causing more tension in your abdomen. The best way to avoid feelingsswollenis not to eat too much.

Put as much food on your plate as you normally eat. And when you're craving, don't overdo it on the whole pot of ice cream. Take it easy and give your stomach some rest.

• circular ligament pain

You may feel this stabbing pain in your lower abdomen or groin area. While it's a normal part of pregnancy, it's also one of the most common discomforts during the second trimester.

You should know that there is some thick tissue and ligaments surrounding your uterus and abdomen. One of them is himround ribbon, which extends from the front of the uterus toward the groin. This could be related to why you might be wondering, "Why is my pregnant belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft?"

As the uterus grows, this ligament stretches to accommodate the growing baby. But this stretching makes the pregnancy belly quite hard. The pain caused by stretching the round band can feel like someone is poking you in the abdomen. It usually affects the right side of the pregnancy abdomen but can occur on one or both sides in many women.

The best way to deal with this is to strengthen your core, avoid sudden movements, and flex your hips before you sneeze or cough. To relieve pain, use a heating pad.

When does circular ligament pain start?

Circumferential ligament pain usually begins atweek 20and lasts until birth, but may start earlier if you are pregnant with multiples or have a large baby. It can also occur later in pregnancy if you are pregnant with twins or triplets.

How is Circumferential Pain?

Circumferential ligament pain feels like a dull ache in the abdomen or groin. You may have noticed it during your pregnancy and wondered what it was. Circumferential ligament pain is actually caused by the girdle of the uterus pulling on its attachment to the pelvic bone during pregnancy.

It can be worse if you are carrying or have already delivered more than one baby.

It's usually most noticeable when you're lying down, so try placing a pillow between your legs when you're sleeping to relieve some of the pressure in your lower abdomen.

If you're pregnant, make sure the pillow isn't too high - it should be just high enough to relieve pressure, not increase pressure.

How long do round ligaments last in pain

The short answer is: It depends.

Circumferential ligament pain, also known as pelvic girdle pain, is a common condition that affects women during pregnancy and after childbirth. It is characterized by a sharp or dull pain in the lower abdomen or groin.

The pain usually increases when you stand up and decreases when you lie down or move. It may accompany other symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, gas, and difficulty urinating.

The good news is that ligament pain usually goes away over time—usually within three months of birth. But if it persists, you should talk to your doctor about what it might mean and if there are treatments available to help relieve your symptoms.

• Braxton Hicks contractions

As you enter the last trimester (about 30 weeks), you will feelBraxton Hicks contractions.These are false contractions and in a way give a little preview of what is to come on the big day.

Pregnant Moms Ask, "What Are Braxton Hicks Contractions Like?"

When you feel these contractions (30 seconds to a minute), the muscles around your abdomen contract, which is why your abdomen feels tight and hard, but compared to real contractions, Braxton Hicks contractions are erratic and last a minute or less . 🇧🇷

More importantly, they don't lead to oneextensionof the cervix that you will go through during the actual birth process.

Although these contractions go away after some time, they seem quite real and even painful. Prepare for this labor if you are not yet at this stage of pregnancy.

• problems in your uterus

Around the last trimester, potential problems in the uterus are one of the top reasons for tummy tuck surgery during pregnancy. Even though abdominal tightening isn't a symptom, it could indicate an underlying problem.

A contracted stomach can also be a signpreeclampsia,where your body's blood sugar levels are high. In some cases, it can even indicate a miscarriage.

You should see your doctor right away if the tightness is accompanied by spotting or bleeding, fever, cold flashes, nausea, or even discharge.

• body aches during pregnancy

As you get deeper into pregnancy and your due date approaches, your whole body may feel restless or tired. You can feel your whole body aching.

back pain,as you know, it is a common pregnancy symptom. This is because it supports the growth of the abdomen. But that is also the reason for the feeling of tightness in the pregnancy abdomen.

Pain in the thighs and hips is also common because it's associated with the tissues around the groin and uterus being stretched to the maximum to accommodate the growing baby.

The best way to relieve the pain is to rest when you are uncomfortable. You can also use heat therapy or ask your husband to give you a back massage with soothing essential oils. During pregnancy you need to take good care of yourself. It also means getting enough rest, especially when you're not feeling well.

• Because your baby is on the way!

Yes, it's time to rejoice. But it's also the time when your pregnancy belly gets extremely tight and hard. The tight feeling indicates your baby is coming out.

When you're about to go into labor, you should know that your stomach won't stop pushing. As contractions become more regular and closer together, your baby begins the journey to birth. Your abdomen will contract with each contraction until your baby comes out of the womb.

How are the contractions? How do I know I'm in labour?

Moms, trust us. You will know when you have it. But to explain a little more,contractionsdiffer from person to person. Some mothers report a wave of pain that starts in the lower back and reaches the front of the abdomen. Others describe it as severe menstrual cramps.

Do first labor pains feel like you need to poop? Some women compare labor to diarrhea cramps, where they feel some rectal pressure. However, even during the active phase of labour, mothers feel the urge to exert themselves and feel the bowel movement.

pregnancy labor pains

Pregnancy contractions are a series of uterine muscle spasms that cause the uterus to contract. During pregnancy, these contractions help the baby prepare for birth. They also help open the cervix for the baby to pass through during this processworkand birth.

how are the contractions

Contractions are the most common symptom of labor and can start as early as an inch or two, or about 30 minutes after birth.water breaks🇧🇷 They usually start with a feeling of tightness in the abdomen that lasts five to 20 seconds and then disappears. The closer you get to childbirth, the longer and more painful the contractions will be.

If you have contractions, Braxton Hicks contractions may also occur. These are irregular uterine contractions that feel like menstrual cramps. They do not harm your baby or your body, but they can be uncomfortable. When these contractions occur during pregnancy, they are usually stronger at night or in the early hours of the morning.

What Causes Pregnancy Labor Pains?

There are a few different things that can cause pregnancy contractions.

The contractions you experience during pregnancy are caused by increased oxytocin production.

Oxytocin is a hormone that helps the uterus contract and is released during orgasm. It also aids in the production of breast milk and the bond between mother and child.

The increased production of oxytocin during pregnancy is one of the reasons why women tend to feel more connected to their babies during this time.

is a causepreterm labourif your baby is born before the 37th week of pregnancy. If you're having contractions that are very close together or are occurring for the first time after 37 weeks, it's important to see your doctor right away.

Another thing that can cause contractions is cervical obliteration, which means the cervix becomes thinner and more open before birth. This usually happens around the 36th week of pregnancy, but it can happen sooner or later.

Finally, you can have Braxton Hicks contractions without other symptoms. This normal tightening of the uterine muscles doesn't mean anything bad is happening—it only lasts a few seconds and can feel like mild menstrual cramps.

How do I know when I'm in labor?

You might think you'll feel a contraction as soon as it starts, but they usually start slowly and increase in intensity. So how do you know if the cramps you're feeling are just gas or something else?

1. They last about 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The contractions are usually longer than most other abdominal pains such asindigestionor menstrual cramps.
2. The pain comes in waves and gets stronger. Also, the contractions are getting closer and closer together. Say you start with 10 minutes between contractions. In this case, the next one comes 8 minutes later (instead of 10), then 6 minutes later (instead of 8), and so on, until they become regular and constant enough to be called contractions.
3. You may feel pressure or pulling in your stomach before or during labor - this is called a 'labor'. This happens because the babyKopfmoves down into your pelvis at this point in your pregnancy (usually around 38 weeks). The pain can be intense!

Uterine contractions during pregnancy

Uterine contractions during pregnancy are a sign that labor is approaching. They are similar to menstrual cramps, but are more severe and more frequent.

If a woman experiences uterine contractions during pregnancy, she should call her doctor or midwife, who will examine her and make sure she is ready for delivery.

How to time contractions

​​There are two ways to measure contractions: a stopwatch or an app on your phone that tracks them for you. If you use an app, keep in mind that it may not be accurate as some phones aren't as responsive as others (and some apps are more reliable than others).

How to dose the contractions:

1. Start timing when the contraction begins (not when it ends).
2. Count the seconds between each contraction. Three minutes equals 300 seconds or 5 minutes (600 seconds).
3. Write down the number of seconds between contractions on a piece of paper so you can keep track of what happened.

Why does my pregnant belly feel soft when I lie down?

A feeling of distension in your abdomen during pregnancy is normal, especially as you approach your due date. That's why it's a complete mystery how your tummy seems to soften at certain times, like when you're lying down.

Our theory is that when a woman lies down or gets comfortable, the muscles in her abdomen also relax, resulting in a soft, squishy tummy. So if you're trying to fight labor, it's a good idea to sit down and relax to help fight or ease the pain of labor.

Remember that it's perfectly normal to squeeze your tummy during pregnancy. This can happen for any of the reasons we have discussed. So it's best to listen to your body. We hope this answers many of you's question, "Why is my pregnant belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft?"

And if at any time the pain is too severe or your tight stomach feels extremely uncomfortable, seek medical advice immediately.

Updates from Pheona Ilagan

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