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Hard Stomach During Pregnancy Third Trimester— Clear Reasons Why

hard stomach during pregnancy third trimester

Having a hard stomach during pregnancy third trimester is common and completely normal, but that doesn’t mean you should disregard it. 

Stomach tightening in the late stages of pregnancy can mean Braxton Hicks contractions or even real contractions.

In this article, we’ll cover what it means to experience a hard belly or tightening sensation in your stomach in the third trimester and early pregnancy. 

We’ll talk about Braxton Hicks contractions, round ligament pain, and true labor contractions, and how to tell the difference.

Hard stomach during pregnancy third trimester

Your third trimester of pregnancy is full of uncomfortable feelings. 

From round ligament pain that makes it feel like your legs are in rebellion, and your stomach will split to Braxton Hicks contractions, or “practice contractions” as commonly referred to, to what seems like a constantly full bladder, a lot is going on.

If your belly is hard during this home stretch of pregnancy, you should also start paying attention to other things.

Looking for signs of true labor contractions will help you know whether this is just an uncomfortable way your baby is situated as lightening happens or if it’s time to think about heading to the hospital for delivery.

The Nourished Bump - Pregnancy Nutrition Course

Pregnant belly feels tight and heavy

Your belly will go through several phases of sensation during pregnancy. 

Many pregnant women have been surprised and even alarmed by a tight stomach during pregnancy, but it’s very common.

The following are some reasons your belly may feel heavy or tight during pregnancy.

1. Uterus Grows

Stomach tightening during pregnancy can begin as early as the first trimester. Often, the culprit is your uterus.

The uterus grows to accommodate your growing baby, and the uterine wall is expanding, which can cause pain that is usually compared to mild menstrual cramps.

While the pain that comes with this is often not considered severe, it can be pretty uncomfortable. It’s like when you need to stretch and go too far.

Tight muscles and pain can be associated with it, but it passes. 

It has occurred because your muscles have stretched past the point at which they are comfortable. This is much the same process but for your uterus.

When this pain or uncomfortable feeling arises, you take the time to sit down, relax, and stay hydrated.

2. Gas

Your gastrointestinal tract is working overtime during pregnancy, and foods that have never upset your stomach before suddenly may be making you feel bloated, make your stomach feel tight, and make you super gassy.

The gas increases for nearly every pregnant woman. It’s a normal part of pregnancy and nothing to be embarrassed about.

Never try holding the gas in, as it can cause further discomfort. 

While it may not always be the most suitable time to pass gas, try to excuse yourself to the nearest private area. Gas buildup can cause pain and, in some cases, even cause issues with your health.

3. Constipation

Constipation is another issue that can cause bloating and a hard belly. Making sure that you are properly hydrated at all times as well as eating a healthy and balanced diet, will help with this.

Usually, the issue is that the pregnancy hormones are slowing down the gastrointestinal tract. They are not processing food and eliminating waste as quickly or efficiently as before you became pregnant.

If you struggle with constipation during pregnancy, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor for help. Stool softeners and other supplements can be given to help you along so that you can become more regular and less uncomfortable.

hard stomach during pregnancy third trimester

Why does my stomach get hard during pregnancy?

We’ve already discussed some common reasons behind general bloating and a hard belly during pregnancy.

However, a hard belly during specific points of pregnancy can mean different things and, in some cases, raise different concerns.

The following are some reasons you may be experiencing a tight stomach during pregnancy and when you may be feeling them.

1. Miscarriage

In very early pregnancy, within the first trimester or the first 13 weeks, the chances of miscarriage are higher than at any other point in your pregnancy.

If the only symptom you are experiencing is a tight stomach, call your doctor and mention this if you feel worried or concerned. 

However, there are nearly always other warning signs that the pregnancy has ended.

Vaginal bleeding, severe pain, sharp pain, sometimes in the back and the front of the body, and the passing of any tissue are all signs that a miscarriage is occurring.

Call your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room so that you can be assessed and adequately treated if you experience any of these symptoms during early pregnancy.

Women considered high risk in their pregnancies or who have experienced loss may be at higher risk of miscarriage.

2. Round ligament pain

The ligament pain caused by pregnancy can make your belly feel tight, cause sharp pains in your hips, groin, and lower abdomen, and worsen as the pregnancy progresses.

Most common in the second trimester and third trimesters, the loosening of the ligaments due to your expanding belly and widening hips can cause ligament pain that sticks around and makes you miserable.

3. Braxton hicks contractions

For first-time mothers, when you experience Braxton Hicks contractions, you may be convinced that it’s real labor and start to panic.

This is especially true if you’re only in the second trimester and nowhere near your due date.

Don’t worry, though. Braxton Hicks contractions do not mean you are going into preterm labor. Instead, false labor prepares your body for the actual labor contractions coming in a few months.

Braxton Hicks contractions feel like cramps, for the most part. There is stomach tightening, and the abdominal muscles may cause intermittent stomach tightness that comes and goes, but it’s not a constant pain.

Braxton Hicks contractions will usually disappear if you change positions, eat or drink something, or move around.

This tight belly, known as false contractions, will go away and is expected any time after the fourth month of pregnancy.

These are cramps and stomach tightening that you can “walk off” by getting up and becoming active. Actual contractions do not go away with movement.

hard stomach during pregnancy third trimester

4. Irritable uterus

You may have an irritable uterus if you are not far along enough for actual labor, but changing positions doesn’t stop the abdominal musculature cramping.

This is the uterus contracting outside of actual labor or Braxton Hicks contractions that don’t go away with hydration or moving around and changing positions. 

Your growing uterus isn’t responding typically to the changes in your body as your growing fetus demands more and more room.

Speak with your doctor if you experience Braxton Hicks contractions that don’t go away, as it may be a sign of irritable uterus rather than false labor pains.

5. Early contractions

Early contractions that lead to labor and delivery of your baby usually start with stomach tightening and mild discomfort. They are typically irregular in frequency and length at first, and within a few to several hours, they intensify and become more regular.

Your pregnant belly will have abdominal cramping similar to period cramps but will eventually become so intense that you cannot move or talk through them.

Your entire stomach will feel tight as the real form of labor begins. Remember that your uterus expands to the belly button at 20 weeks gestation.

When your uterus contracts on or near 40 weeks gestation, you’ll feel it all over your stomach.

Other labor symptoms include shooting pains in your lower back and vaginal discharge that is watery and continues to leak or comes in a gush, even though you don’t have to urinate. This is your bag of waters, or the amniotic sac, breaking.

If your water breaks, you need to head to the hospital, regardless of how close together or strong your contractions are. 

Many women, however, never experience their water breaking on its own. Instead, they are well into the labor process and require their doctor to break their water to move the delivery.

The Nourished Bump - Pregnancy Nutrition Course

When to speak to your healthcare provider

Regardless of your pregnancy week, you should always speak to your doctor immediately if you have any major concerns. 

It doesn’t matter if it’s your first or tenth baby. There is never any such thing as a stupid question or a silly concern.

Whether it’s round ligaments loosening up that cause your pain or such a case where both gas and constipation are giving you an unpleasant bout of stomach tightening, you should bring up any changes or discomforts you are experiencing at your prenatal visits.

Your doctor may suggest stool softeners, extra scans to check on the baby’s well-being, a heating pad behind the lower back to ease up the stomach tightening and back pains associated with round ligament pain and more.

Always inform your doctor if you have had any vaginal bleeding, strange vaginal discharge, or cramping during your first trimester. 

Be sure to bring up any stomach tightening that doesn’t go away when you move or change positions.

Stomach tightening during pregnancy

Stomach tightening is normal during pregnancy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not sometimes concerning. Our minds can get the best of us sometimes when we’re pregnant and worried about every little feeling or cramp we feel.

Remember that your doctor is there to answer your questions and keep your health and your baby’s health their top priority, but they cannot do their job unless you speak up when stomach tightening or pain gives you cause for concern. 

You must be your health advocate and voice any worries, questions, or concerns.

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