Third Trimester of Pregnancy Forum - severe upper abdominal cramping

Pregnancy Forum > Third Trimester of Pregnancy Forum > severe upper abdominal cramping

What happens during labor? What do contractions feel like? And how do I know that labor has begun? Read on to learn about birthing basics....

Q: severe upper abdominal cramping

asked by: khummel on December 24th, 2008

New User

Here is my problem. I am 26 weeks pregnant with my fourth child. I have been having severe abdominal cramps that put me to my knees. I feel like it is my intestines and I have diarhea really bad too. This is not just a stomach bug though. I have had this for a little over a couple weeks now. everytime I try to eat anything it just makes it worse. I am having really bad headaches and all of the pain is causing it so that I can not sleep at night. Sometimes I even find it hard to breath or get a full breath in also. I have been having some contractions too and was rushed to labor and delivery the other night because I thought for sure I was going to have the baby with all of the cramps (upper abdominal and menstral), contractions, and pressure. The doctor said my cervix was closed and gave me a shot of tributaline and a perscription for nifetapine to help with the contractions. Needless to say nothing is helping with the pain. i have never felt pain like this before and I swear it is causing me to have the contractions. I really need a second opinion because I do not feel like anyone is listening to me or cares. I know I am not crazy and this is not normal. I know something is wrong I just have no idea as to what this could all mean. Please help me.
Thank you,
Kimber

Replies(1)

19yearold

replied on January 9th, 2009

Experienced User

It could easily be a hundred different things. more growing, muscle cramps, dehydration could play a big role, you could be working too hard and need to take it easy, as your body has to start preparing for labor. its gotta build up its strength for it, you cant get huge muscles in one day, its the same with your labor muscles, they have to work and contract to strengthen over time. It could be something that is serious. I would suggest watching you water intake, talking to your doctor about what is going on etc.you might be experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions they prepare the body for upcoming delivery and labor pains. You may find that you sometimes have trouble with stairs or a brisk walk, or even completing a long sentence. The big concern here is that pregnancy is a time when your blood is very coagulable (clottable) and blood clots, which form in the veins of the legs or pelvis, may travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism, which usually causes severe shortness of breath and rapid breathing, is a medical emergency.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc