17 weeks pain all over lower stomach

[ddsmummytobe]

Hi, hoping somebody might be able to help. I'm having a lot of pain and discomfort right across my lower stomach (basically everything below belly button). It feels quite bruised and a bit achy is there most of the time but much worse when I stand up or turn over in bed, when it feels really 'heavy' and painful, even though it can't actually be heavy as I don't really have much of a bump to speak of yet.

Does anybody know what this might be? I'd call my midwife but for the fact that she's absolutely useless! x

It sounds like ligament pain, is this your first pregnancy? The uterus has some large ligaments that hold it in place and as it grows these get stretched out alot, later in pregnancy you get the pain more around the sides and under the bump and it can feel like a burning aching feeling. Aches and pains are really common, your body is changing and stretching so quickly, at around 16+ weeks your bump starts popping out at the front a bit more too which is why the ligaments get more pressure on them.

You can take paracetamol to help with the discomfort. It's always worth getting a urine sample checked though incase you have a UTI.

Yes it definitely does sound like ligament pain. You'll have a big baby bump before you know it! :) it's always worth getting checked out but doesn't sound like anything to worry about.

Take dome paracetamol and get lots of rest.

Thanks both. Yes it is my first pregnancy and I'm absolutely dying for a big bump to arrive, so will try to take this as a good sign then!

I am 15 weeks and am experiencing the same thing - although this is my 3rd pregnancy. It is painful, but I think it's all preparation as baby doubles in size over the next few weeks, so I guess the uterus is just making some space for it.

It's lovely when bump first appears :)

OP, for starting this thread. I had just been moaning about the exact same thing as I was getting worried about the pains I've having :(

I'm pregnant with DC2 and have heard that it is very common, although I don't remember them from my first pregnancy, which is why I was so concerned that I'm getting them now.

NeedlesCuties I think it's more common with second and susequent pregnancies, although no idea why, you would think our uteruses have already been stretched in the previous pregnancies!