Stomach or tummy pains in pregnancy are very common and can happen at any time.
Most of the time, they are nothing to worry about. But sometimes they can be a sign of something more serious.
It is important to know what to look out for in each trimester and when to get help.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP, midwife, maternity unit or hospital urgently if:
- you have severe stomach pain that won't go away
Weeks 0 to 12
Cramps and period-like pains are very common in early pregnancy. These are usually caused by changes in your hormones and by your growing womb.
Sometimes stomach pains in early pregnancy can be a sign of something more serious such as:
When to get medical help in your first trimester
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP, midwife, maternity unit or hospital if:
- you have pain when you pee - this could be a sign of a urine infection
- you have smelly or cloudy urine, or blood in your urine - these could be signs of a urine infection
- you have any bleeding from your vagina - this could be a sign of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy
- vaginal discharge that is unusual for you - this could be a sign of an infection or a miscarriage
- the pain is mainly on one side, is severe and may cause dizziness - these can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy or appendicitis
- you have a fever (a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher) - this could be a sign of infection
