Is it normal to feel achy when pregnant

The good news? Body aches in pregnancy are usually a completely normal reaction to the changes your body is going through. Read on to learn more about what could be causing your discomfort and how you can ease those body aches during pregnancy. In this article: Causes of body aches during pregnancy How to ease body aches during pregnancy When to call the doctor. The cause of pregnancy aches and pains is usually two-fold: Your changing body, and all those pesky but oh-so-important! As your growing bump puts excess pressure on your muscles and skeleton, your hormones are also amping up and starting to relax your ligaments.

When it comes to body aches in pregnancy, the most common complaint is definitely back pain, which a whooping 60 percent of pregnant women experience, according to Bruney. But many first-time moms will also experience abdominal aches and pains earlier on in pregnancy, explains Kecia Gaither , MD, an ob-gyn in New York City. Moms-to-be can also be on the lookout for possible leg, feet, hand, head and joint pain later on in pregnancy.

Some of those discomforts may be caused by weight gain or swelling from fluid retention, which can put more pressure on your joints and nerves, Bruney explains.

The best way to prevent body aches in pregnancy is by staying active and keeping your pregnancy weight gain in check. Miscarriage: The unfortunate truth is that 15 to 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage making it the most common form of pregnancy loss.

Signs of a miscarriage include mild to severe back pain, true contractions happening every minutes , brown or bright red bleeding with or without cramps, tissue or clot-like material passing from the vagina, and a sudden decrease in other signs of pregnancy.

Read the full article on Miscarriage. Urinary Tract Infection: While easily treated during pregnancy, if ignored, a urinary tract infection can cause complications.

Should you notice pain in your lower back, the sides of your body under your rib cage or above your pelvic bone accompanied by fever, nausea, sweats, or chills, then it is possible that the UTI has spread to your kidneys. If this is the case, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Preeclampsia: Preeclampsia is a condition in pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks gestation. Upper abdominal pain, usually under your ribs on the right side, can accompany other symptoms used to diagnose preeclampsia.

Nausea, vomiting and increased pressure on your abdomen are additional symptoms that will affect your abdomen. Learn more about Preeclampsia. Please call your medical care professional immediately if any of the following symptoms accompany abdominal pain or discomfort: Severe or persistent pain Spotting or bleeding Fever Chills Vaginal discharge Light-headedness Discomfort while urinating Nausea and vomiting Want to Know More? Can I get pregnant if…?

Share this post:. Share on facebook Facebook. Share on twitter Twitter. Share on linkedin LinkedIn. Share on email Email. Similar Post. Pregnancy Complications. Ectopic Pregnancy An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself in a place other than inside the uterus.

Most cases occur…. Signs of Miscarriage A pregnancy that ends on its own within the first 20 weeks of gestation is called a miscarriage. It is…. Gestational Diabetes Gestational diabetes is diabetes diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. Patient education: Hemorrhoids Beyond the basics. Headache in pregnant and postpartum women.

Join now to personalize. Photo credit: iStock. Headaches Feeling a squeezing pain or a steady dull ache on both sides of your head could signal a tension headache. Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are unusually swollen blood vessels in the rectal area. Heartburn If you feel a burning sensation in your chest after you eat, it's probably heartburn also called acid indigestion or acid reflux.

Sources BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. Featured video. Round ligament pain. Leg cramps during pregnancy. Lower back pain during pregnancy. What to know about carpal tunnel in pregnancy. Headaches during pregnancy. Breasts leaking colostrum during pregnancy.

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