Do You Get Stomach Aches When Pregnant? | Normal Or Not

If you have ever typed “do you get stomach aches when pregnant?” into a search bar in the middle of the night, you are not alone. Many pregnant people feel odd twinges, cramps, and aches in the tummy area and wonder which ones are part of normal changes and which ones are a warning sign.

Your body is stretching, organs are shifting, digestion slows down, and hormones loosen muscles and ligaments. All of that can lead to uncomfortable feelings across your belly. Most of the time, these stomach aches are harmless and settle with rest, position changes, or a bathroom break. Some patterns though need quick attention from a doctor or midwife.

This article walks through the common causes of stomach aches in pregnancy, when they point to normal body changes, when they may signal a problem, and safe ways to ease the discomfort while you wait to be checked.

Do You Get Stomach Aches When Pregnant? Common Reasons

Short answer to the question “do you get stomach aches when pregnant?” — yes, many people do. Mild, off-and-on abdominal aches are one of the most frequent pregnancy complaints. They often link back to stretching ligaments, trapped wind, constipation, or gentle tightening of the uterus.

Health services describe mild stomach or abdominal pains in pregnancy as common and usually harmless when the discomfort eases with rest, a change of position, passing wind, or having a bowel movement. Still, the pattern and strength of the pain matter a lot.

Common Cause	How It Usually Feels	Typical Situation
Gas And Bloating	Crampy, gassy ache that comes and goes	After meals, with fizzy drinks, or when you feel gassy
Constipation	Dull ache with a heavy, full feeling	Going to the toilet less often, hard stools, straining
Round Ligament Pain	Sharp stab or pulling on one or both sides of the lower tummy	Second trimester, when you stand up, roll over, or sneeze
Stretching Uterus	Mild period-like cramps or tightness low in the abdomen	Early weeks as the womb grows and lifts out of the pelvis
Braxton Hicks Contractions	Brief tightening, “balling up” of the bump	Later in pregnancy, often after activity or dehydration
Heartburn And Indigestion	Burning or ache high in the upper stomach or chest	After large or spicy meals, when lying flat
Muscle Strain	Sore, pulled-muscle feeling in tummy or ribs	After lifting, coughing, or new exercise

Many pregnant people use the phrase “stomach ache” for any discomfort from ribs down to the pelvis. Location matters though. Cramps low in the pelvis often relate to ligaments and the uterus, while pain high under the ribs may match indigestion or, rarely, liver problems that need rapid care.

Harmless aches usually stay mild, ease with rest, and are not linked with bleeding, fever, or feeling unwell. Pain that is sharp, one-sided, constant, or paired with other worrying symptoms needs urgent assessment.

Normal Pregnancy Stomach Aches By Trimester

Stomach aches in pregnancy often change as the weeks pass. The type of discomfort, where you feel it, and what brings it on can give helpful clues.

Early Pregnancy Tummy Cramps

In the first trimester, many people notice period-like cramps or twinges low in the abdomen. Hormonal shifts, the womb settling into growth mode, and early stretching of tissues can all cause this kind of ache. Light cramps that come and go and are not paired with bleeding or strong pain usually settle on their own.

Another early cause is constipation. Progesterone slows gut movement, which leads to harder stools and straining. That mix often triggers a dull, dragging ache across the lower abdomen. Drinking enough fluid, adding gentle fibre, and staying active often ease this pattern.

Second Trimester Stretching And Side Pains

The second trimester brings faster growth of the womb. Two round ligaments run from the uterus to the pelvis and help hold it in place. As the uterus grows, these ligaments stretch and can spasm. That leads to sharp, stabbing pains on one or both sides of the lower tummy, especially when you stand up fast, roll over in bed, or cough.

Round ligament pain is common, short-lived, and usually eases with rest and position changes. Gentle stretching, changing how you move, and standing up more slowly often cut down these sharp twinges. If pain lasts more than a few minutes at a time, grows worse, or comes with bleeding or dizziness, it needs a check.

Late Pregnancy Tightenings And Pressure

In the third trimester, mild stomach aches often come from Braxton Hicks contractions or simple muscle fatigue. Braxton Hicks are practice contractions where your bump goes tight for under a minute, then relaxes. They tend to be irregular, not very painful, and settle if you rest or drink water.

By the final weeks, the weight of the baby, fluid, and placenta can strain abdominal and pelvic muscles. You may feel an ache low in the tummy, groin, or hips after walking or standing. Supportive clothing, gentle movement, rest breaks, and heat packs on sore muscles (not directly on the bump) can help.

Stomach Aches During Pregnancy: When To Worry

While many stomach aches in pregnancy are part of normal change, some patterns point to problems such as ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, early labour, placental problems, or infections. National health services advise getting urgent help if stomach pain is strong, constant, or comes with bleeding, fluid loss, fever, or feeling unwell.

You can read clear examples of warning signs on NHS advice on stomach pain in pregnancy, which sets out when to ring a maternity unit or emergency line.

Red Flag Symptoms That Need Urgent Care

Call your maternity unit, doctor, or emergency service straight away if you notice any of the following with stomach pain:

• Vaginal bleeding or brown spotting
• Strong cramps or tightenings that come in a pattern
• Pain high under the ribs with headache, swelling, or vision changes
• Pain when passing urine, or blood in the urine
• Fever, chills, vomiting, or feeling generally unwell
• Sudden, sharp one-sided pain in early pregnancy
• Fluid leaking from the vagina
• Baby moving less than usual in late pregnancy

Specialist clinics such as the Cleveland Clinic and others stress that abdominal pain with other symptoms like bleeding, fever, or trouble passing urine always deserves fast assessment.

Symptom Pattern	Possible Concern	Suggested Action
Severe, constant pain with vaginal bleeding	Miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, placental problem	Call emergency service or maternity unit now
Sudden one-sided pain in early pregnancy	Ectopic pregnancy	Urgent same-day assessment in hospital
Strong regular tightenings before 37 weeks	Preterm labour	Call maternity unit straight away
Pain high under ribs with headache and swelling	Possible pre-eclampsia	Emergency contact with hospital team
Burning when passing urine, lower tummy ache	Urinary tract infection	Call GP or maternity unit for same-day review
Crampy pain with diarrhoea or vomiting	Stomach virus or food-related illness	Call for advice, watch hydration closely
Any pain that makes it hard to move or breathe	Possible emergency condition	Call emergency service; do not wait

Never feel you are “bothering” staff by asking to be checked. If something feels wrong, or pain worries you, it is always better to ring and be assessed.

Safe Ways To Ease Pregnancy Stomach Aches At Home

For aches that match normal pregnancy patterns and have no red flag signs, simple steps at home often make a big difference. The goal is to reduce strain on muscles and ligaments and to keep digestion moving.

Gentle Daily Habits That Help

• Change Position Slowly: When getting out of bed or off the sofa, roll to your side first, then push up with your arms.
• Use Cushions For Support: A cushion between your knees and one under your bump in bed can ease stretching and pressure.
• Stay Hydrated: Sip water through the day to ease constipation and lower the chance of Braxton Hicks from dehydration.
• Eat Smaller, Frequent Meals: Lighter meals spaced through the day can reduce gas, bloating, and upper stomach aches.
• Choose Fibre-Friendly Foods: Wholegrains, fruit, vegetables, and pulses help keep stools softer so you strain less.
• Keep Moving: Short walks, gentle stretches, and pregnancy-safe exercise can ease gas and boost bowel movement.
• Try Warmth: A warm (not hot) shower or a warm pack on sore muscles around, but not directly over, the bump can soothe.

What About Medicines For Stomach Aches In Pregnancy?

Some medicines can be safe in pregnancy, others are not. Never start painkillers, laxatives, herbal mixes, or indigestion remedies in pregnancy without checking with your doctor, midwife, or pharmacist. Many health authorities suggest paracetamol (acetaminophen) as the first choice for pain relief in pregnancy, but you still need personalised advice on dose and timing.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen are often restricted, especially later in pregnancy. Laxatives and heartburn remedies also vary in safety from product to product. When in doubt, bring the packet with you or send a clear photo to your doctor or pharmacist so they can check the ingredients for you.

Talking To Your Doctor About Pregnancy Stomach Pain

Good notes help your doctor or midwife understand what your stomach aches feel like and what might be behind them. Before you call or go in, try to write down a few details.

• Where the pain sits (high under ribs, around the belly button, low in the pelvis, one side, both sides)
• What the pain feels like (dull ache, stabbing, burning, crampy, tightening, pulling)
• How long it lasts and how often it comes
• What makes it better or worse (rest, movement, meals, going to the toilet)
• Any other symptoms, such as bleeding, fluid loss, fever, vomiting, or trouble passing urine
• Which week of pregnancy you are in and any problems earlier in this pregnancy

General sites such as Mayo Clinic guidance on abdominal pain also stress the value of seeking care if pain lasts longer than a few days or makes daily tasks hard.

During your visit, ask what the likely cause is, which warning signs should make you call back, and which comfort measures are safe at your stage of pregnancy. If you still feel unsure after the explanation, say so and ask for the main points again in plain language.

Pregnancy Stomach Pain Checklist

Stomach aches in pregnancy can feel scary, but a simple mental checklist keeps you grounded while you decide what to do next.

• Is the pain mild, off-and-on, and linked with gas, constipation, stretching, or brief tightenings?
• Does it ease with rest, position changes, toilet visits, food changes, or a drink of water?
• Is there no bleeding, fluid loss, fever, or feeling generally unwell?
• Are baby’s movements steady and normal for you if you are in the second half of pregnancy?

If you can answer yes to those points and you feel generally well, the stomach ache may match normal pregnancy changes and you can try home comfort steps while keeping an eye on things. If any answer is no, or if your pain worries you, contact a health professional straight away.

Pregnancy is demanding on the body, and aches often come with the territory. Listening to those signals, learning which stomach aches are expected, and knowing when to reach out for help means you are doing the right thing for yourself and your baby.