It is common to complain of a hard abdomen during pregnancy. A feeling of hardness, similar to menstruation, is often uncomfortable. Abdominal hardness during pregnancy is almost a sine qua non of the process. It is a symptom of pregnancy and is temporary. Abdominal hardening and pain during pregnancy often occur together. All this is natural and will quickly return to normal once the pregnancy is over.
Pregnancy is a time when women experience many changes both physically and emotionally at the same time and intensely. During this period, women may sometimes worry about these situations, especially as they experience physical changes. Especially abdominal hardening during pregnancy can cause women to worry. During pregnancy, many women wonder “why abdominal hardening occurs during pregnancy”. Let’s examine the causes of hardening of the abdomen during pregnancy in detail.
Curiosities About Abdominal Hardening During Pregnancy
it is common to consult a health professional with the complaint “I am pregnant and my belly feels like a stone”. It is important to know that the uterine wall hardens to protect the baby and itself. abdominal hardening during pregnancy is part of the process in a very natural way. Abdominal hardening and contractions during pregnancy will be seen in different intensities depending on the stages of the process. So, what causes abdominal hardness during pregnancy?
What Causes Abdominal Stiffness During Pregnancy?
Hardening of the abdomen during pregnancy is quite common. It is a natural symptom of pregnancy itself. In the years when ultrasound examination was not possible, physicians would touch the woman’s abdomen with their hands and if there was hardness, they would suspect pregnancy. As can be understood from this, abdominal hardening is a natural consequence of pregnancy. There are certain causes of abdominal hardening, which most of the time do not indicate the presence of a negative condition and should not be of any concern. The main causes can be listed as follows:
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Uterine Enlargement during Pregnancy
From the first time you become pregnant, your body starts to prepare for the process quickly. The uterus, which provides the environment for the baby to develop, grows and you may start to feel your abdomen harden. The abdominal wall also hardens to protect the baby from external factors.
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Development of the baby’s skeletal structure
One of the most important reasons for a hard abdomen during pregnancy is that your baby starts to grow. The reason for the hardness you feel when you put your hand on your abdomen is your growing baby as time passes. Abdominal hardening increases especially as the skeletal structure develops.
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Pregnancy Weight and Rapid Weight Gain
Weight gain occurs naturally during pregnancy. Some of this weight belongs to the baby and the fluid that surrounds it. Therefore, weight gain during pregnancy is quite natural. During pregnancy, hardening and swelling in the abdomen may be felt with weight gain. However, weight alone is not the cause of abdominal stiffness during pregnancy.
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Physical Structure of the Mother
During pregnancy, the baby growing in the uterus causes your abdomen to swell. In thin expectant mothers, abdominal hardening may occur earlier as the baby starts to grow. On the other hand, the abdominal wall may have different characteristics from person to person. Some women already have a thick abdominal wall. In fact, if you have such a structure, it is difficult to perform an abdominal examination for a while.
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Constipation and Digestive Problems
Some foods can cause gas problems during pregnancy. You should pay attention to your diet and eat healthy during pregnancy. Constipation and nutritional problems can make you uncomfortable by increasing the feeling of swelling and hardening in the abdomen. It is useful to control your eating habits during pregnancy. It is especially important to increase the consumption of vegetables and fruits to avoid constipation during pregnancy.
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Braxton Hicks Contractions
During pregnancy, the female body prepares the body for birth with abdominal hardening and contractions. These contractions are more frequent in the second and third trimesters. Contractions increase especially in the last trimester of pregnancy. At the same time, abdominal hardening also increases.
What Gender Does a Hard Abdomen During Pregnancy Signal?
In our society, abdominal hardening during pregnancy is associated with gender. It is common to guess the sex of the baby based on the shape or hardness of the mother’s abdomen. However, scientifically, factors such as the shape of the mother’s abdomen, the foods the mother wants to eat, and the degree of hardness of the mother’s abdomen have not been scientifically associated with the sex of the baby.
When Does Abdominal Hardening Start During Pregnancy?
Abdominal hardening during pregnancy is usually more intense after the 6th month. However, some expectant mothers may experience this condition earlier or later. Especially the weight of women has an effect on the duration of this condition. While thinner expectant mothers experience hardening of the abdomen earlier during pregnancy, slightly overweight mothers may experience this condition later. The most intense stage of hard abdomen during pregnancy is the last three months of pregnancy.
What are the periods when abdominal hardening is most common during pregnancy?
Let’s evaluate the periods when expectant mothers experience a feeling of hardening of the abdomen due to the uterine wall. If you are in one of these phases, you are most likely experiencing a feeling of hardening of the abdomen.
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Abdominal Stiffness in the First Months of Pregnancy
The feeling of stiffness in the first months is not temporary. Here, the uterine wall can cause stiffness to strengthen.
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5-Month Pregnancy Abdominal Stiffness
5 months of pregnancy is a period when it is common to feel a hardening of the abdomen. There may also be a feeling of stretching. Almost like a contraction. These indicate the growth of the baby’s bone structure.
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Abdominal Hardening at 35 Weeks of Pregnancy
35 weeks of pregnancy abdominal hardening occurs in almost every expectant mother. Being close to birth and the development of the baby’s skeletal system are factors here. at 37 weeks of pregnancy, abdominal hardening and contraction are also seen.
How Long Does Abdominal Hardening Last During Pregnancy?
Abdominal hardening during pregnancy does not last long. The feeling of hardening in the abdomen can last for about 1 minute and cause you to feel discomfort. However, if these hardening starts to occur with contractions and severe pain, you should definitely see your doctor.
If you have questions about itching during pregnancy or stretch marks during pregnancy, you can also take a look at our articles on this subject.