38 weeks pregnant is lower abdominal pain worrisome?

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The older the gestational age, the higher the frequency of lower abdominal pain in pregnant women. At 38 weeks pregnant, lower abdominal pain can be a sign of labor or other health problems. In this case, it is necessary to monitor your health carefully and go to the hospital for examination when necessary.

1. Causes of lower abdominal pain during pregnancy

There are many reasons why you have lower abdominal pain in the last weeks of pregnancy such as: Stress, anxiety, increased size of the fetus causing compression.... If you are having pain due to these reasons, it is just a symptom. normal physiology.
Pregnant women with lower abdominal pain are at risk when:
1.1 Occurrence of continuous physiological contractions The appearance of physiological contractions will begin when reaching the 33rd week of pregnancy. Normal contractions will occur at the same time. , with a frequency of 1-2 times/day, may appear randomly and irregularly. Therefore, when entering the last months, pregnant women need to pay attention to all activities, do not exercise vigorously.
Sometimes physiological contractions will cause you pain, accompanied by a feeling of numbness, if there is no support person next to you, it will be very dangerous. The pain can make you tired or fall asleep.
1.2 Signs of Labor Preterm labor contractions are not the same as physiological ones, they happen in a cyclical and painful way. Accompanied by mucus plug, leaking amniotic fluid or back pain may occur in some cases.
When you experience one of these phenomena, pay extra attention because it could be a sign of real labor. Please move quickly to the nearest hospital or medical facility so that the doctor can start the examination.
1.3 Women with placental abruption Normally, the placenta will be separated from the uterine wall when there are signs of labor so that the baby can be born. The separation of the placenta from the uterus also makes you feel pain. The pain will be accompanied by vaginal bleeding, back pain and contractions of the uterus to push the placenta out.
However, if you have premature placental abruption, the problem is extremely serious. This situation needs to be handled quickly or it will affect the life of both the fetus and the mother. You absolutely must not be subjective when 38 weeks pregnant with lower abdominal pain or entering the last month.
1.4 Urinary tract infection A urinary tract infection can be the cause of lower abdominal pain in pregnant women. Accompanied by burning pain when urinating, decreased urine output or strange smell... In some severe cases, pregnant women may experience fever, cold, severe abdominal pain, even blood in the urine.
Urinary tract infections will increase the risk of premature birth, so it is quite dangerous if the fetus is still premature. To minimize complications, you need to quickly move to a clinic or hospital for a careful examination by a doctor.

2. Things to keep in mind when pain appears in the last months

At 38 weeks pregnant, lower abdominal pain is one of the body's adaptations to ease your delivery. However, you need to keep a close eye on each pain to promptly handle when there are abnormal signs. See your doctor as soon as possible to rule out the cause of lower abdominal pain as abnormal, and offer the safest treatment plan.
In the last months of pregnancy, anxiety often appears in pregnant women. Depression or a weakened immune system is very easy to happen, so take extra vitamins and necessary foods to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
At 38 weeks pregnant, lower abdominal pain, to avoid the risk of premature labor, the husband and wife need to reduce or not. In addition, the last months of the fetus will develop faster, so you need to walk gently and keep your balance to avoid tripping.

3. Things to prepare when having signs of labor

Before having signs of labor, you need to prepare the necessary items, they will help a lot in the labor process. The essentials are storage baskets, clothes for mother and baby, baby diapers and adult diapers, caps and gloves, umbilical cords and towels, wet wipes, thermos, toothbrush, toothpaste , cotton earplugs. Mother's shirt should use buttons to make it easier for the baby to suckle. Some mothers who do not have milk right away should prepare more breast pumps and milk bars so that their children will not be hungry.
In addition, documents such as periodical antenatal care book, ultrasound paper, blood test results and triple, photocopy of household registration book, copy of identity card or citizen identification, copy of health insurance ...also very important. These documents will be the basis for the doctor to make a birth certificate for the baby.

4. Instructions on how to give birth with less pain and take care of the mother and baby after giving birth

To relieve pain when you have contractions or obvious signs of labor, you need to practice breathing. Breathe evenly according to the rhythm of deep inhalation and exhalation, this will limit stress and relieve pain.
If you choose to have a vaginal birth, your doctor will wait for your cervix to dilate from 7-10cm before proceeding to deliver. You may or may not have anesthesia depending on your health condition and pain tolerance. Currently, anesthetic techniques will help pregnant women reduce pain and reduce fatigue during childbirth.
When the baby is born, the doctors will cut the umbilical cord and aspirate any remaining amniotic fluid in the mouth or nose. During the first 24 hours, your baby will be given vitamin K and hepatitis B vaccine. After giving birth, the mother will stay in the hospital for observation until her health is stable. Mother's colostrum is rich in nutrients and protects the baby from infections and allergies. At the same time, it is the foundation for the healthy development of the child in the future. Breastfeeding for the first time can be difficult for your baby. However, be persistent to practice breastfeeding more.
After giving birth, you should move around gently so that the uterus contracts and recovers faster. It also helps organs regain their original elasticity. However, trying too hard is not advisable. In particular, you need good postpartum hygiene to avoid future diseases.
Note in the last 3 months of pregnancy, the health of both mother and baby needs to be closely monitored and checked. Therefore, pregnant women need to:
Know the real signs of labor to get to the hospital in time, affecting the health of the fetus. Differentiate between amniotic fluid and vaginal discharge for timely treatment to avoid premature birth, fetal distress, and stillbirth. Be especially careful when bleeding in the last 3 months of pregnancy needs urgent emergency care to ensure the life of both mother and baby. Monitor the amount of amniotic fluid regularly and continuously. Monitor fetal weight in the last 3 months to assess baby's development and predict possible risks at birth. The special monitoring group is the same as the striker, and the fetal growth retardation needs to be closely monitored by the doctor and given appropriate indications. Distinguish between physiological contractions, labor contractions and mechanical pregnancy to get to the hospital in time. Maternity service package at Vinmec helps pregnant women's pregnancy become lighter and safer. During pregnancy, pregnant women will be examined by top doctors in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department with high professional qualifications and experience, giving the best advice and treatment for the health of both mother and child. little.
For detailed information about all-inclusive maternity service packages, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec Health system nationwide.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.