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During pregnancy, it is only natural for you to be very careful about your diet and your overall health. Any kind of pain or cramping, especially in the stomach, is bound to cause at least some amount of panic. However, stomach pain or cramping during pregnancy is not always a sign of a major complication. At times, a cramp in the tummy may be nothing more than a reminder for you to take things a bit easy. You may also experience pain and cramps in your stomach as a result of something you ate. Some of the most common causes of stomach pain and cramps during pregnancy include:

• Consumption of foods that are heavy or fried
• Digestive problems like heartburn & constipation, which are common in pregnancy
• Hormonal changes that slow down the digestive process and cause excess gas
• Increasing pressure on the various organs as the baby grows within the uterus
• Movement of the baby and changes in the position

It is best to let your doctor know about the symptoms you are experiencing, just to rule out the possibility of any serious problem. Once your doctor is sure that you do not have anything to be worried about, you could try a few pregnancy stomach pain relief remedies and measures, which include:

• Rest: As soon as you feel a cramp coming on make it a point to sit down, or preferably lie down for about 10 to 15 minutes. If possible, lie down on your left side, as it will get rid of the excessive gas in your stomach. Also make it a point to avoid any strenuous activity while you are pregnant.
• Heat Therapy: Applying a little heat to the abdominal area usually works wonders in alleviating pain and cramps. Place a heating pad or a hot water bottle on to the lower part of your abdomen for about 5 minutes. However, do make sure that the temperature is not too high, or you could burn yourself. You could also take a warm shower or soak in a tub filled with warm water, for around 15 minutes or so.
• Clothing: Make sure that you wear loose, comfortable clothing, made from light and cool fabrics like cotton. Clothes that are tight fitting may restrict movement and the proper flow of blood, which could also result in stomach pain and cramps.
• Liquids: Try to drink some warm water or other healthy beverages like herbal tea and some milk. This will help ease constipation to some extent and will reduce the risks of stomach pain and cramping.
• Diet: You need to be very careful about the foods you choose to eat and avoid when you are pregnant. Make sure that you increase your intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, lean meat, whole grains, low fat dairy products, nuts and seeds. Avoid foods that are greasy, fried or heavy. Keeping your stomach empty for a long period of time could also cause you to experience severe cramps. Make sure that you eat a small meal every 2 to 3 hours.

While the home remedies mentioned above are quite safe if used in the right way, it is absolutely essential to check with a doctor, before trying any of them.

If you do not get any pregnancy stomach pain relief in spite of using the home remedies mentioned above do visit your doctor without any delay. Seek emergency medical attention in case you experience stomach pain and cramping along with diarrhea, spotting, bleeding or vaginal discharge, as these could be signs of a preterm delivery or a miscarriage.

References

1. http://health.utah.gov/mihp/pregnancy/preged/duringpreg/discomfort.htm
2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003120.htm