What Could a Lump in the Stomach During Pregnancy Indicate?

Reviewed by Suo Lee, MD

Internal Medicine

A lump in the stomach during pregnancy can sometimes be a benign growth like a fibrous “desmoid tumor” in the mother's abdominal wall or a cyst, but it could also be a sign of a fetal tumor or another condition that needs careful monitoring.

Explanation

During pregnancy, your body changes a lot, and sometimes a lump in your stomach is noticed. One example is a desmoid tumor, which is a benign (non-cancerous) growth that can form in the abdominal wall and might grow quite quickly during pregnancy. In some situations, a pregnant woman might feel pain or notice a growing mass, which would need to be looked at more closely by a doctor. In other cases, the lump might be from a cyst or even a rare fetal tumor or cyst that is first seen during an ultrasound exam. Many of these lumps are not harmful, but it is very important for your healthcare provider to check out the lump and make sure it is not affecting the pregnancy. They may suggest extra imaging tests to watch the lump over time. Early detection helps make sure that both you and your baby get the best care possible.

(References)

Leon MG, Moussa HN, Movahedian M, Viteri OA, Longo M, Sibai BM. A Rapidly Growing Abdominal Mass: Desmoid Tumor in Pregnancy. AJP Rep. 2015 Apr;5(1):e14-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1396028. Epub 2014 Dec 15. PMID: 26199790; PMCID: PMC4502627.
Cho JY, Lee YH. Fetal tumors: prenatal ultrasonographic findings and clinical characteristics. Ultrasonography. 2014 Oct;33(4):240-51. doi: 10.14366/usg.14019. Epub 2014 Jun 20. PMID: 25116458; PMCID: PMC4176115.
Stemmer SM, Gomes C, Cardonick EH. A Case of Painful Growing Abdominal Wall Mass during Pregnancy Requiring Resection in the Second Trimester. Case Rep Obstet Gynecol. 2024 Jan 8;2024:5881260. doi: 10.1155/2024/5881260. PMID: 38229587; PMCID: PMC10789513.
Erculiani M, Trovalusci E, Zanatta C, De Lorenzis MS, Filippi E, Bracalente G, Midrio P. First trimester lower abdominal cysts as early predictor of anorectal malformations. J Ultrasound. 2023 Jun;26(2):543-548. doi: 10.1007/s40477-022-00744-6. Epub 2022 Dec 23. PMID: 36562956; PMCID: PMC10247645.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Lump in abdomen

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

Try our AI-based symptom checker

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get a free AI-powered report on possible causes

Tips to try:

Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.