Pain in stomach when I cough...is this normal?

[HannahB86]

I'm about 9 weeks pregnant and have had a really bad cold this last week and a terrible chesty cough. Over the last few days I've noticed a sharp pain in my right side/lower abdomen when I cough and it got to the point today where I actually had to bend over when I coughed to manage the pain. It kind of feels like I may have strained too much or pulled a muscle. The pain goes straight away and if I hold my stomach it's not as bad. Just wondered if anyone else has experienced anything similar and if I could have done myself or the little bean any damage?

Hannah - this sounds like round ligament pain - the muscles of the stomach stretching to accommodate the newly enlarged womb. I've had it on and off since about 12 weeks and it's bloody horrible if I catch it wrong (DP was banned from talking to me in bed for a while because if I laughed when I was lying down it was agony) but fine most of the time. Have you had any other symptoms (discharge or bleeding)? If not I'd be fairly comfortable leaving it to discuss with midwife at booking in or 12 week appointment but trust your instincts - if it doesn't feel right to you call the EPU and ask for their advice.

Yes I have this when I sneeze and when I have to get out of bed at night. Apparently it's the ligaments stretching. If it feels like a muscular type thing that's probably what it is. Other thing that is causing unexpected pain is trapped wind - who knew it could be so painful?!

No other symptoms, have had increased discharge over last week but no spotting or bleeding and no cramping as such either. I had a mc in November and haven't had any symptoms that I had before (touch wood!!). As I said it feels like a muscular pain and has only started since I had this cough but just wanted a bit of reassurance. I'm seeing the midwife this week so will run it by her and see what she says.

Sounds about right for round ligament - try not to worry (yeah, I know, easier said than done) and ask the midwife to reassure you, they're very good at that!

I have to double up when i sneeze. If I forget and sneeze led on my back in bed i am in absolute agony!
I had the same pain yesterday stading up at work after sitting down at my desk for an hour.
It goes pretty quickly though, seconds. Feels like someone has overstretched your muscles

It feels a bit better today, haven't coughed as much for a start and found that bending over when sitting down helps! Feeling reassured anyway that it seems like a fairly common little niggle.