What Could Cause Left Lower Belly Pain During Pregnancy?

Reviewed by Suo Lee, MD

Internal Medicine

Left lower belly pain during pregnancy can result from conditions like deep vein thrombosis, uterine rupture (especially in women with previous cesarean sections), ovarian cyst or rupture, or, less commonly, an ectopic pregnancy.

Explanation

During pregnancy, pain in the lower left abdomen may be a sign of several possible conditions. For instance, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a concern in pregnancy due to increased blood clotting risk; although it is more often associated with leg pain and swelling, it may sometimes refer pain to the lower abdomen. Another serious possibility is uterine rupture, particularly in women with a history of cesarean delivery; uterine rupture can present as acute, severe abdominal pain that may worsen with fetal movements and is a medical emergency. Ovarian cyst rupture or torsion is another medical emergency. Other possibilities include diverticulitis or colitis, which is an infection or inflammation of the colon. Additionally, although rare, an ectopic pregnancy—where the embryo implants outside the uterus—can also cause lower abdominal discomfort. Because these conditions vary in severity and treatment, any persistent or severe lower abdominal pain during pregnancy should be promptly evaluated by a healthcare provider to ensure appropriate diagnosis and care.

(References)

Bergqvist A, Bergqvist D, Hallböök T. Deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy. A prospective study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1983;62(5):443-8. doi: 10.3109/00016348309154217. PMID: 6666557.
Frank Wolf M, Ben-Nun M, Sgayer I, Shnaider O, Aiob A, Odeh M, Bornstein J. The association between acute lower abdominal pain over a previous caesarean scar and uterine rupture. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2022 Jul;42(5):1169-1173. doi: 10.1080/01443615.2022.2027896. Epub 2022 Feb 12. PMID: 35152819.
Chen Y, Peng P, Li C, Teng L, Liu X, Liu J, Cao D, Zhu L, Lang J. Abdominal pregnancy: a case report and review of 17 cases. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2023 Jan;307(1):263-274. doi: 10.1007/s00404-022-06570-9. Epub 2022 Apr 26. PMID: 35474494; PMCID: PMC9837172.
Kawabe A, Wang L, Kikugawa A, Shibata Y, Kuromaki K, Takagi A. Severe abdominal pain exacerbated by fetal movement is an early sign of the onset of uterine rupture. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Oct;55(5):721-723. doi: 10.1016/j.tjog.2015.12.021. PMID: 27751423.

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