Pain on the right side during pregnancy is not unusual or necessarily a cause for concern. However, be on the lookout for other symptoms.
Below, we explore different causes of this pain, safe treatments, and when to seek medical attention.
Pain on or around the right side during pregnancy has many possible causes, and some may not be related to pregnancy.
Some explanations for right side pain during pregnancy include:
Cramping
Cramps may occur in the first and second trimesters as the womb stretches. Other causes of mild cramping during pregnancy include:
Constipation
Research shows that constipation occurs in
To ease constipation try:
- consuming more bran, whole grain, or a fibrous supplement
- drinking more fluids each day
- exercising a few times a week
- taking over-the-counter products such as Metamucil
However, always check with a medical professional before taking laxatives or stool softeners.
Learn more about constipation during pregnancy here.
Sex
Sexual intercourse may feel different during pregnancy, but it is generally safe. Cramping can sometimes occur during or after sex.
Experiment with positions for comfort. Any post-sex cramping should pass after resting.
Learn more about sex during pregnancy here.
Gas and bloating
During pregnancy, the hormone
Also, foods such as beans, cruciferous vegetables, whole grains, and fried foods can cause excess gas.
Learn more about gas pain during pregnancy here.
Round ligament pain
Round ligament pain is common during pregnancy, and it may feel like sharp cramping on either side of the lower abdomen.
At around
Sudden movement, exercise, or actions such as sneezing, coughing, or rolling over in bed can trigger these spasms.
To ease the pain, try:
- moving slowly and gently to avoid any strain
- taking a warm bath
- putting the feet up and resting
- taking over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), if a doctor gives the go-ahead
- doing stretching exercises, such as hip flexing or prenatal yoga
According to research, round ligament pain complicates
- a fever
- chills
- difficulty walking
- painful urination
Learn more about round ligament pain here.
Appendicitis
The appendix is a small, pouch-like organ on the right side of the abdomen, and it connects with the large intestine. Appendicitis involves this organ becoming inflamed and filled with pus.
Symptoms include sharp, sudden pain that may start in the belly button and move to the lower right side. Other symptoms include a fever, a loss of appetite, and vomiting.
Among pregnant women, this is the
Anyone who may have appendicitis should receive immediate medical care. A clinical team will conduct an ultrasound or MRI to assess whether antibiotic treatment or surgery is the right course of action.
Learn more about appendicitis here.
Preeclampsia
Usually developing in later pregnancy, preeclampsia can be dangerous to the developing fetus and the woman if she does not receive treatment. In some cases, it leads to early delivery.
Doctors usually, but do not always, spot the early signs during antenatal check-ups. These include:
- high blood pressure
- protein in the urine
- a swollen face, hands, or ankles
- nausea, with or without vomiting
- upper abdominal pain near the right side of the ribcage
- blurry vision or a severe headache that does not respond to medication
- difficulty breathing
Preeclampsia occurs in around
Anyone who may have preeclampsia requires an urgent medical assessment. In many cases, preeclampsia symptoms disappear within a few days of delivery.
Learn more about preeclampsia here.
Braxton-Hicks contractions
Braxton-Hicks contractions are a normal part of pregnancy, and they tend to be uncomfortable rather than painful. They feel like mild menstrual cramps or tightening of the abdomen that comes and goes.
Braxton-Hicks contractions are also known as false labor. They generally occur during the
Learn more about Braxton-Hicks contractions here.
Urine infection
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common for women during pregnancy.
They can lead to pain in the lower abdomen and discomfort while urinating. The treatment is typically a course of antibiotics.
For anyone wondering whether abdominal pain during pregnancy indicates a serious health issue, it is important to consider any other symptoms.
If a woman has pain in the abdomen and any of the following symptoms, immediate medical treatment is necessary:
Vaginal bleeding
Cramping pain on both sides of the lower abdomen accompanied by bleeding could indicate pregnancy loss. In this case, there may only be slight spotting, or the bleeding may be more extensive
About 10–15% of known pregnancies end in pregnancy loss. This is more common in the
Also, pain on one side, bleeding, and a brown watery discharge are early signs of an ectopic pregnancy. This always results in pregnancy loss, and it requires immediate medical attention.
Anyone who may be experiencing pregnancy loss or an ectopic pregnancy should receive medical care right away.
Vomiting
While morning sickness is an expected part of pregnancy, extreme vomiting with right side pain is a cause for concern.
This combination of symptoms could indicate hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe, lasting form of morning sickness that requires treatment in a hospital. The treatment typically involves antinausea medication and steroids.
In addition, frequent vomiting can lead to significant complications, such as dehydration.
Right side pain during pregnancy is generally no cause for concern — just another result of the many physical changes during pregnancy.
But if the pain accompanies bleeding, discharge, severe headaches, or other serious symptoms, it is important to receive medical attention.