Lower Abdominal Pain at 16 Weeks?
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
I am 16-weeks pregnant and have been having periodic pain in the middle of my lower abdomen. I usually feel it when I lean forward real far (like when I am standing up from sitting or getting out of a car). It is different than the round ligament pain I get on my sides. I have been having it on and off for two weeks. I don't have any other symptoms of a bladder infection such as frequent urination.
Lisa
ANSWER
Hi Lisa,
It still sounds like ligament pain (there are lots!), otherwise known as "growing pains." They are very common around the belly button as you get close to 20 weeks. You are just quicker than most!
-- Cynthia, CNM. PhD.
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Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, teaches in the College of Nursing at Seattle University and is President of the American Association of Birth Centers. She also practices midwifery at Valley Medical Center where she cares for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
Cynthia hosts a monthly "Ask the midwife" chat as well as answers questions via our expert section.
Listen to Cynthia live on Pregnancy.org Live: Before, During and After.
