Constant lower abdomen pain 15 weeks pregnant, not intermittent

[Kelly3255]

I had a UTI two weeks ago which caused constant lower abdominal pain, had a scan done and baby was all fine. I was told it's the UTI and stretching causing the pains.

So two weeks on, UTI has apparently cleared up as my urine came back as 'normal' however I'm still experiencing the constant crampy, achy, feeling in my lower abdomen. I've had bowel issues and I'm constipated but normally with that I'd had sharp pains. What I'm experiencing isn't sharp, it's just uncomfortable, noticeable and achy.

I see my midwife next week for my 16 week app but should I call EPU in the mean time? Anyone else had this constant feeling?

I’m only 7 weeks but as far as I know the achy stretchy feeling is normal as your body is changing so much xx

Just wanted to update my post Incase anyone else ever has this problem and finds my post! I know how it is when you get onto google lol

I called Early pregnancy unit and they told me they don't believe it's pregnancy related as my scan two weeks ago was fine. She thinks it's normal stretching but could also be UTI left over. She has suggested I go through my GP for urine test.

I'm a first time mum and it's so bloody hard to know who the right person is to contact sometimes with symptoms! I'll update more if I eventually get the reason for this persistent pain all over my abdomen
X

I had almost constant abdominal pain throughout this PG and it was always UTIs (with a bit of stretching/gas just to make everything extra uncomfortable). If I got a clear result a week later there was a trace of something in my urine again... I did find it was usually quicker to go via GP for getting tested as they just assumed the antibiotics had worked.

After UTIs being detected on 6 separate occasions I was sent to a consultant who prescribed low dose antibiotics for the rest of my PG. I finally got rid of the pain at about 33 weeks (so only 6 months of cramps!) and have now had two clear urine samples in a row.

Definitely go and get a follow up sample tested - I found it reassuring that I knew what was causing the pain and now it's dealt with I can relax a bit more.

One thing to note - taking lots of antibiotics makes you more susceptible to fungal infections. Be on the look out for thrush and angular chelitis - easy to treat but took me by surprise. It's a never ending battle!

I don't know if mine was the same as your pain. I'm 35 weeks now but from around 15 weeks, I was getting a constant pain under my bump, across the bottom. Turns out it's been PGP/SPD this whole time and only found out last week. So too late for physio!

Thanks for the replies @Cafeaulait27 @BlueberryPancake21 @SnooperTrooper12345

Urine sample sent off for culture test so we shall see. I have heard about recurring UTI's @BlueberryPancake21 and I also suffered with the dreaded thrush through antibiotics! It really does feel like a never ending battle. The amount of water and cranberry juice I've guzzled in the last few weeks!

@SnooperTrooper12345 I'm glad you have mentioned this because I came across PGP and SPD in my research, my symptoms could be this also as I've had a few pains down my groin. Shame they couldn't diagnose you sooner, did you ever suggest it to your GP? I'm considering mentioning it if urine sample is clear

@Kelly3255 I also developed SPD in 3rd trimester (although I don't think mine is that bad). The SPD feels different to me as it's lower down, clearly centred on the bone (radiates out a bit but centred there) and more intermittent than the UTI pain. The UTI pain is a few inches above the bone and felt almost like cramps in my bump for a long time. My SPD will also be worse after going for a walk or sitting still for a long time while the UTI pain just gradually ramps up as the infection takes hold and doesn't seem to care what I've been up to. MW diagnosed SPD when taking first measurement - she prodded pelvic bone putting the tape on my bump and I nearly jumped off the bed (complete overreaction to be fair - I just hadn't expected it to hurt!) Might feel different to different people though of course.

I hope you find out what it is. There are things you can do to help all of these things once you know!

@Kelly3255

Thanks for the replies *@Cafeaulait27* *@BlueberryPancake21* *@SnooperTrooper12345*

Urine sample sent off for culture test so we shall see. I have heard about recurring UTI's @BlueberryPancake21 and I also suffered with the dreaded thrush through antibiotics! It really does feel like a never ending battle. The amount of water and cranberry juice I've guzzled in the last few weeks!

@SnooperTrooper12345 I'm glad you have mentioned this because I came across PGP and SPD in my research, my symptoms could be this also as I've had a few pains down my groin. Shame they couldn't diagnose you sooner, did you ever suggest it to your GP? I'm considering mentioning it if urine sample is clear

I mentioned the pain to my GP and the only thing they suggested was a UTI. So they checked urine and it was clear. And that was it. Said there was nothing else they could do

Thankyou @BlueberryPancakel21. If anyone is following this post - Pain has slightly decreased today. Bowel movements have been better so could have helped.

Rested most of the day yesterday, didn't leave the house. I think we forget that we need to rest sometimes even though there's so much to do.

I had achey feeling in lower abdomen around late first trimester/ early second (can’t remember exactly when). UTI tests clear. Mentioned to midwife at 16wk appointment she said stretching pain can feel like that :) it went off after that :)

@katiemumma20

I had achey feeling in lower abdomen around late first trimester/ early second (can’t remember exactly when). UTI tests clear. Mentioned to midwife at 16wk appointment she said stretching pain can feel like that :) it went off after that :)

Thanks for sharing your experience!

I'm starting to think mine is stretching because it's almost gone today.
I'll update when I receive my culture results though. I also have my 16 week appointment next week and I'm going to mention it to midwife too.

It could just be muscular, given your muscles are extra susceptible to tweaks etc given all the stretching? I had something similar at 13 weeks and that was my GP's best guess, though it was gone by just over 15 weeks for me.