Extremely painful stomach, what can I do to relieve it?

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

I'm 26+2, the past few days I've had what feels like a bloated stomach, it's got progressively worse and now it's really painful, I can't stand any pressure on the bump at all, I don't know where to rub as I don't know where my guts are anymore and I feel terrible.

What can I do to relieve it? I drank some hot water with lemon, it's done nothing.

You need to call NHS direct and ask them for advice.

I hope you are OK.

Are you constipated? Try linseeds - from the health shop (follow with lots of water though).

Have you noticed a pattern of when it is getting worse - e.g. eating citrus fruit/dairy/bread etc etc? Try cutting these out one at a time (need to make sure you still get the nutrition elsewhere)

If it is trapped wind, to relieve it years ago on mumsnet I picked up a great tip. Lie on your back, tight leg folded up, and right arm down. Left leg straight, right arm straight up. Wait - it will hurt, but eventually the gas will make it's way out.

Oh, and buy wheatgerm oil from the health shop, it makes your skin realy stretchy so helps with that about to burst your skin feeling. and you can use it later for perineum massage.

Thanks, no I'm not constipated, I just feel really crampy and horrible. Got a hot water bottle on the bump now.

Why don't you call the maternity helpline at your hospital and describe your symptoms. If you are having cramps it is worth getting it checked out and they should be able to give you good advice. If you can't find the number (mine's on the front of my maternity notes) just call the main switchboard and ask to be put through.

Thanks, oh I don't really want to bother the midwives, it does feel more stomachy than bumpy iyswim! I think I might have a stomach bug. Sorry for moaning, I'm sure it's fine.

Get some medical advice. If it's not wind or constipation, it could be anything. I had ongoing "double over in pain" episodes in my last pg. It was so hard to tell what was what - sometimes it really was constipation but I didn't think that explained all of the pain. Over and over I was told "oh you get all sorts of odd tummy pains when you're pregnant, don't worry about it". I asked if it could be appendicitis as I was so worried about it, but they didn't think it was.

Then 6 months after DD was born the same pain came back worse than ever, and it turns out it was my appendix! Not classic appendicitis but another problem, that I apparently must have had all the way through my pregnancy. The surgeon who removed my appendix said "You must have been in a lot of pain during your pregnancy". I felt like saying, Yes you bloody idiots, and no-one would listen! So please do insist on getting this fully checked out.