After childbirth, the left side in the lower abdomen hurts

What organs are located on the left side of the abdomen?

The very state of the expectant mother’s body is what pain in the left side is often associated with.
Due to the increased load on the organ system, “failures” are possible. The causes of pain are often pathological in nature.

Most of the internal organs are located in the abdomen, including those on the left that may be of concern: the left-sided kidney, pancreas, spleen. In addition, it “gives” to the lateral region on the left due to inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, diaphragm, and also due to overstretching of the ligaments that hold the uterus.

All organs that signal a disorder of their functions through pain are necessary for the normal functioning of any person, and for the expectant mother their well-functioning work is doubly important.

The role of the kidneys in the life of the human body is invaluable. These paired organs, located in the lumbar region, act as filters and are directly involved in the functioning of the excretory system.

The kidneys are adjacent to the wall of the peritoneum, which is why pain is felt in the lower abdomen. An increase in the volume of circulating fluid in the mother's body forces them to work with redoubled force, which makes these organs vulnerable to infections.

Nonspecific inflammatory processes such as nephritis and pyelonephritis may worsen or occur for the first time, and renal failure may develop. If during pregnancy the left side of the lower abdomen hurts, and discomfort is felt in the lower back, it means that there may be a left-sided renal exacerbation.

Disturbances in the functioning of the spleen can also appear during pregnancy. This organ is located in the upper left part of the peritoneum, its purpose is to cleanse the blood of dead red blood cells and export them to the bone marrow, where new blood cells are formed.

Among the most common diseases of the spleen:

• her heart attack;
• twisting of the “leg”;
• abscess.

Chronic diseases of this organ lead to a general weakening of the immune system, which is very dangerous for both the mother and the fetus.

Quite often the stomach also makes itself felt with unpleasant symptoms. Heartburn and gastritis are frequent accompaniments of pregnancy, and a stomach ulcer can also form. Disturbances in the functioning of this digestive organ are a possible cause of pain in the left side during pregnancy. And this is largely explained by the connection between the stomach and the pancreas.

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory process in the pancreas, in which enzymes, instead of being transported to the duodenum, remain in the gland, undergoing self-digestion there. In this case, severe cutting pain on the left below the ribs may be disturbing. Uncontrollable vomiting with bile impurities often occurs.

The left side hurts during pregnancy and due to intestinal dysfunction. At first, it is provoked by the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the intestinal muscles and leads to frustration and a slowdown in the movement of food through it. Then the growing uterus begins to compress the intestines, which is often manifested by symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, etc.

The diaphragm also suffers during pregnancy, especially during toxicosis, when it experiences excessive tension due to vomiting and nausea. Then the growing fetus begins to put pressure on the diaphragm. With excessive stress, a diaphragmatic hernia may develop.

In addition, the uterus itself, when stretched, causes pain in both the left and right sides, as well as on both sides at the same time.

Which doctor should I contact?

If you experience abdominal discomfort, you should visit a gastroenterologist. If acute and burning pain occurs, you should immediately call an ambulance. Only through research results can we find out the true causes of stomach pain.

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The first step to determining the cause of pain is interviewing the patient. In this case, it is necessary to clearly describe the location and intensity of pain. If pain becomes your companion after childbirth, be sure to tell your doctor about it.

During the initial examination, the following diseases can be identified:

Gastritis. The localization of pain with gastritis is felt in the upper or middle part of the stomach. The pain intensifies after eating. With this disease, the sensations may be sharp or nagging in nature.

Such pain is also characteristic of a stomach ulcer. An ulcer is a complication of untreated gastritis and often requires surgical treatment.

Postpartum gastric prolapse.

This pathology is characterized by heaviness in the stomach, which increases after eating.

Cases of bloating and discomfort are common. The pain is aching. Localization in the pit of the stomach. Patients with this diagnosis also experience nausea and lack of appetite.

Often nursing mothers face the problem of irritable bowel. This disease can develop from a combination of reasons. The transition to a new schedule and diet, combined with postpartum stress, becomes an impetus for the development of the disease. The main signs of the disease are intestinal dysfunction, which may be accompanied by constipation or diarrhea. There is also a feeling of discomfort and aching pain in the abdomen.

If you had diseases of the abdominal organs before pregnancy, you should also notify your doctor. You need to have a medical card with you, which reflects all your chronic and acquired diseases.

Pain in the left side of the lower abdomen after childbirth

If the lower abdomen hurts after childbirth, then such discomfort is usually natural, unless it contributes to the formation of severe and unbearable pain. Therefore, the appearance of such a symptom as slight pain after childbirth in the lower abdomen can be considered absolutely normal.

During childbirth, infections and bacteria can enter the uterine cavity, causing endometritis. The mucous membrane of the uterus becomes inflamed and the new mother experiences a feeling of discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen after childbirth.

There is a high probability that fungus and microbes will enter the body during a cesarean section. Endometritis is characterized by pain in the lower abdomen, high fever, and discharge of pus and blood.

The procedure of curettage of the uterine cavity can also cause pain. A couple of days after giving birth, a woman should be examined by a gynecologist to check for placental remnants or blood clots.

Pain in the left and right lower abdomen after childbirth appears in this case due to the fact that the remaining placenta accumulates on the walls of the uterus and can provoke the formation of blood lumps. The uterus, trying to get rid of the placenta, begins to contract.

This is the cause of abdominal pain after childbirth. If abdominal pain on the left or right after childbirth does not stop, but only becomes even stronger, you should urgently consult a doctor.

The doctor will help you avoid purulent formations in the uterus.

If you want to know why your stomach hurts after childbirth, then check out this article.

It contains a lot of information about various physiological and pathological causes of pain after childbirth, as well as tips on how to get rid of pain and cramps in the abdomen.

The rehabilitation period after the birth of a child lasts a month or two months. During this time, the mother's body gradually restores its functions, returning to its usual state.

During this period, many women complain to their doctors that they have pain in their left side, right side, stomach or lower back. The nature of these pains has been studied, all of them can be relieved.

If a month after the birth of the child has not yet passed, then most likely the cause of nagging, short-term and sharp pain is contractions of the uterus.

In the process of bearing a child, this organ was subjected to enormous stress. Other organs in the abdomen have also been under severe stress and require a long recovery period.

On average, the pain produced by uterine contractions can last a month or a little more. In the third month after pregnancy, a woman should forget about all unpleasant sensations.

The physiological causes of pain after childbirth cannot be treated with medication.

They can only be softened with the help of antispasmodics, but taking them during feeding is strongly not recommended.

If you are not breastfeeding your child, then you can safely take drugs such as “No-Shpa”, “Drotaverine”, “Bral” and so on.

How to smooth out discomfort in the stomach after childbirth? If you want to alleviate the pain, lie on your back or side and pull your knees towards your chest.

Women who have had a caesarean section should carefully treat the external seams on the body with brilliant green or iodine.

It is best to obtain more thorough recommendations regarding the treatment of the suture from the doctor who delivered the child.

You can get rid of uterine pain by carefully performing a specially designed set of exercises.

Remember: intense physical activity can cause internal sutures to separate, so do therapeutic exercises smoothly and slowly.

Postpartum pain

Childbirth brings women not only the joy of the first cry of their baby, but also some unpleasant sensations in the form of postpartum pain. Postpartum pain lasts no more than a week and can be slightly unpleasant or extremely painful.

They may not be noticed at all after the birth of your first child, but they usually become more severe after the birth of subsequent children.

If you're breastfeeding, postpartum pain may be especially noticeable because the hormone oxytocin, which is stimulated by breastfeeding, helps the muscles in the uterus contract.

Pain after childbirth

Postpartum pain can be of different types: pain in the perineum, lower abdomen, pelvis, lower back and much more. All of this, together or separately, causes discomfort to a woman and spoils not only her well-being, but also her mood.

Pain in the perineum after childbirth

Pain in the perineum, causing severe discomfort, is considered normal and is present in literally every woman. This is natural, because it is unlikely that a child weighing 3-4 kg can pass through the perineum without leaving any consequences.

This area of ​​the genital organs is stretched and compressed, and therefore suffers a lot of trauma, regardless of whether there were tears or not, whether the doctor performed an episiotomy or one was avoided.

If everything went well and successfully, the pain will go away in just a few days.

If an episiotomy was made (an incision in the perineum during childbirth), the pain will last longer and will cause discomfort when coughing, laughing or sneezing. The wound after surgery should heal within 7-12 days. In this case, the woman is not allowed to sit, because the stitches may come apart. Only on the sixth day can you sit on the toilet with the buttock where there is no seam.

Postpartum muscle pain

Pain after childbirth in a woman’s musculoskeletal system occurs for several reasons.

Firstly, the pelvic floor muscles, ligaments of the pubic joint and the spine are stretched. This is where pain in the lower back appears, which subsequently spreads to the legs. By the way, trained bodies tolerate this load much easier than physically undeveloped women.

Secondly, during childbirth, muscles contract an unlimited number of times, so they cannot quickly reach the required tone. Because of this, the vertebrae put much more pressure on each other. Therefore, after childbirth, spinal diseases often worsen, in particular, this is due to the fact that mothers have to constantly carry heavy things: a child, a stroller and other things.

Thirdly, postpartum muscle pain can be present in any part of the body. This directly depends on which muscles the woman in labor tensed during the childbearing process. Most often, these are the muscles of the back, legs, shoulders and chest. This pain usually goes away quickly, within just a few days.

Pain in the lower abdomen after childbirth

Pain in the lower abdomen may resemble contractions. This is normal for the postpartum condition. After childbirth, the uterus contracts, returning to its normal state, and this is accompanied by painful sensations.

During breastfeeding, the pain may intensify, as at this time oxytocin is produced, which helps the uterus contract. Such sensations disappear approximately on the 10th day of the postpartum period.

In this case, to avoid discomfort, you can use painkillers, but first consult with your doctor.

Pain in the pelvic area after childbirth

Most women also complain of pain in the pelvic area. This phenomenon is called symphysiolysis. It is characterized by the fact that the two pubic bones move apart and become unstable. Typically, such complaints may recur as a result of the next pregnancy.

According to statistics, the back hurts the longest after childbirth. This period can last from several weeks to two years. As a rule, every second woman experiences such painful sensations.

It is not surprising that there are many reasons for this discomfort.

Large daily loads in the form of a baby in your arms, stretching of the abdominal and back muscles, displacement of the vertebrae - all this is a great stress for the lumbar system.

Lower back pain after childbirth

Due to the fact that during pregnancy the abdominal muscles lengthen and stretch several times, the lower back muscles also change: they form a depression. At the same time, the stomach protrudes. Such pain is especially noticeable when carrying heavy objects, squatting and bending. In addition, the pelvic muscles are stretched.

A woman prepared for childbirth with the help of special gymnastics feels this pain much less than those who were absent from training. Moreover, hormonal changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy can change the structure of ligaments and joints. After childbirth, they become more flimsy and fragile.

It should also be noted that if a woman had scoliosis before giving birth, then after the baby is born she will experience back pain. Women with normal posture, as a rule, do not suffer from this. Women giving birth with a large body weight may suffer from displacement of the hip joints and vertebrae.

Those who breathe incorrectly or do not take gentle positions during contractions also risk putting their lumbar region at risk.

Source: https://zen.yandex.ru/media/luxmamaru/poslerodovye-boli-5b2a14cb1620e000ac7054d6

Signs and diagnosis of pain in the left side during pregnancy

Left abdominal pain during pregnancy varies in location and nature. Based on these signs, a preliminary diagnosis can be made. So, you need to listen and determine exactly how your left side hurts.

The pain may be:

• peritoneal – acute-piercing, aggravated by movement and turns of the body;
• visceral – having a “aching” character, sometimes cramping, most often occurring when the functions of the gastrointestinal tract are disrupted;
• unstable localization, “wandering”;
• radiating, manifesting itself in the area of ​​​​healthy organs.

Short-term pain that is not periodic should not worry the expectant mother. Most likely they are associated with the growth and vital activity of the fetus.

But if they are constant, it hurts to sleep on your left side, the discomfort intensifies when walking, after eating, you need to undergo an examination to establish the cause of this condition.

Treatment

Such operations are low-traumatic, the rehabilitation period is short, and there are practically no scars left. In cases where tissue samples need to be submitted for histological examination, abdominal surgery is performed.

If conservative treatment is prescribed, first they try to relieve pain. .

Injections are used for severe pain in the left side of the lower abdomen. Medicines that immediately enter the bloodstream act much faster than tablets.

Emergency or hospital doctors use narcotic analgesics, most often Diamorphine or Tramadol, to quickly relieve pain. For cancer patients, they are prescribed to patients who are at home. More often, these drugs are prescribed to patients hospitalized with renal colic.

In addition, the non-narcotic analgesic Analgin, antispasmodics Spazmalgon, Baralgin, Drotaverine, Papaverine hydrochloride are used.

because even the causes of such a symptom as abdominal pain cannot be determined by a pregnant woman on her own.

Based on this, self-medication is a categorically unacceptable method of recovery after childbirth. Each case is individual and therefore may have its own specific characteristics, which only a doctor can take into account in treatment.

1 For the first couple of days, doctors recommend going to the toilet while standing. This is due to a whole list of reasons and the fact that in this position the ureters are significantly strengthened.

2 Stitches, if present, are recommended to be treated with the products prescribed by the doctor or to use brilliant green.

3 Special postpartum gymnastics allows you to restore the muscles of the uterus and abdominal area.

4 In five days you should come to an antenatal consultation. Usually the doctor himself appoints a day for a visit to him after childbirth.

Therapeutic measures to eliminate pain are carried out depending on the causes of discomfort. Self-treatment is not recommended, as this can negatively affect the well-being of the woman and child.

If the painful sensations are caused by inflammation, then conservative complex treatment is used to eliminate it, which consists of the following types of therapies:

• general strengthening;
• antibacterial;
• detoxification;
• infusion;
• desensitizing.

It is also mandatory to take medications to contract the uterus.

Treatment begins with taking antibiotics. In some cases, anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed.

If the cause of discomfort in the lower abdomen is endometritis, then treatment must be started without delay. A hospital stay is often required to complete the full course of antibiotic therapy, but this depends on the stage of the disease and its severity.

Antibacterial drugs are prescribed based on the sensitivity of the microflora (Gentamicin, Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav, Lincomycin). Often, the treatment regimen also includes Metronidazole to eliminate anaerobic pathogens, multivitamins, antihistamines, and immunomodulators.

Causes and nature of painful discomfort in the left side

Can my left side hurt due to pregnancy itself? Of course, there are enough reasons for discomfort without pathologies of internal organs.

In the first trimester

Quite often in the first trimester of pregnancy, the left side feels tight, which is explained by endocrine changes. The pregnancy hormone, progesterone, has a relaxing effect on the muscles of the pelvic and digestive organs. The uterus begins to stretch, and a nagging pain occurs that is short-term in nature.

However, if it is accompanied by bloody discharge, then this is a dangerous symptom that may indicate a lack of progesterone and the threat of miscarriage!

In the second trimester

The second trimester is a time of intensive development of the baby, and this affects the condition of the expectant mother. The growth of the uterus causes increased pressure on the bladder and intestines, which fully explains the pain in the lower left abdomen. Due to the increase in circulating blood, the spleen also experiences stress. It increases in size and may from time to time remind itself of pain.

In the third trimester

The third trimester is the stage of baby’s weight gain and accelerated growth. The mother's tummy rapidly increases in size, it often pulls and tingles, which can be explained by compression of the internal organs and intestines.

It is worth listening more carefully to the sensations - often during pregnancy, at the end of the term, the left side pulls during false or true contractions.

Dangerous symptoms accompanying abdominal pain

Abdominal pain that bothers you a month after giving birth may not pose any danger or, on the contrary, require immediate medical intervention. Pay attention to the occurrence of dangerous symptoms that may accompany pain:

1. temperature increase;
2. the pain becomes acute, almost unbearable;
3. pain is accompanied by discharge with clots;
4. painful sensations are concentrated in the abdomen, but radiate to the back;
5. dizziness;
6. vomiting or severe nausea;
7. stomach and lower back pain.

If you experience several (two are enough) symptoms listed above, then it is better to seek the help of a specialist to avoid complications.

Prevention

In order to prevent situations where a woman has severe stomach pain after childbirth, it is necessary to adhere to the doctor’s recommendations received upon discharge from the maternity hospital:

• carefully monitor personal hygiene; during the period when the stitches have not yet healed, it is necessary to wash after each visit to the toilet;
• if there are seams, treat them daily with brilliant green or other antiseptic;
• starting from the early postpartum period, perform special exercises that allow you to recover faster;
• do not lift heavy objects;
• do not have sexual intercourse until the birth canal is completely restored;
• At the appointed time, appear for a scheduled examination with a doctor at the antenatal clinic.

Regardless of the supposed reason why a mother’s stomach hurts severely after childbirth, she should consult a gynecologist for examination. Even if the pain is of a physiological nature, it is better to know about it than to be at a loss or miss the onset of a serious complication.

To prevent left-sided pain from bothering the expectant mother, prevention should be done at the stage of pregnancy planning.

Namely:

• Forget about bad habits.
• Stick to proper nutrition.
• Avoid gaining excess weight.
• Pay sufficient attention to physical activity.
• Get examined and treated for existing infectious and chronic diseases.

In the case of left-sided pain in the side already during pregnancy, it is possible, on the contrary, that there is increased physical activity. Wearing a bandage helps relieve tension from the abdominal and back muscles.

If the pain is of a physiological nature, there is no danger. However, it is contraindicated to violate regular visits to the antenatal clinic!

Expert advice

What do doctors advise pregnant patients for pain in the left side?

If your stomach hurts suddenly, you can take a no-shpa tablet; perhaps it’s just a spasm, which can be quickly and without consequences relieved with an antispasmodic. Then you need to take a comfortable body position (it’s better to lie down).

Constipation can also cause stabbing pain in the side, which disappears after a bowel movement. A laxative can help with this.

Pain localized in the left side can be eliminated using traditional medicine recipes. However, it is important to know the cause of the pain! If the condition is caused by a disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and constipation, vegetable oil (a teaspoon before meals) or laxative foods - beets, prunes, foods rich in fiber - will help.

If there is pain in the left side due to inflammatory processes, teas and infusions from:

• chamomile;
• calendula;
• lingonberry leaf.

If the pain is sharp, long-lasting, accompanied by vomiting, bleeding, fainting, traditional medicine should give way to traditional medicine, and the sooner the better!

Methods for solving the problem

To prescribe effective treatment, the doctor prescribes a number of examinations. After receiving the data, medications are prescribed to eliminate the cause of the pain. Ulcerative tumors in some cases can only be treated surgically. If the patient notices heaviness after eating, then most likely this is organ prolapse. The doctor may prescribe medication or surgery to solve the problem. To alleviate the condition, you need to eat right, exclude fatty and fried foods, as well as foods that are difficult to digest. It is recommended to drink enough liquid. Spasms can be eliminated by massaging circular movements around the navel. With the permission of the doctor, antispasmodics are allowed, such as No-spa, Spazmalgon. Complications can be eliminated through proper nutrition and exercise. Activity improves blood circulation and increases the performance of organs and systems. Pain in the stomach after cesarean section is observed when internal organs are deformed. In this case, you need to urgently contact the clinic.

The sooner treatment is started, the faster digestive function will be restored after the birth process.