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Published on: 4/7/2025

Is Tingling in the Upper Right Abdomen During Pregnancy Normal?

It can be common to feel some tingling in the upper right abdomen during pregnancy because your body is changing, but you should get it checked if it bothers you or comes with other symptoms.

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Explanation

When you are pregnant, your body goes through many changes. Your muscles and nerves can stretch and move as the baby grows. This change can sometimes cause a tingling sensation in areas like the upper right abdomen. One possibility is that a nerve, such as the anterior cutaneous nerve, may become trapped. This condition, sometimes seen in pregnancy, is usually harmless but can be uncomfortable. Other times, the tingling could be due to muscle strain or other natural changes in your body during pregnancy. A study described cases where the same nerve became entrapped in multiple pregnancies, suggesting that this might be a recurring experience for some women. Still, while many pregnant women experience different kinds of discomfort as their bodies adjust, not every sensation is normal. If the tingling increases, comes with sharp pain, fever, or other concerning signs, it is important to speak with your doctor or midwife. They can check to ensure that the tingling is a simple result of changes in your body or something that needs further attention.

(References)

  • Wilson JL, Lutz E. Recurrent anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) in three consecutive pregnancies. BMJ Case Rep. 2020 Sep 7;13(9):e234619. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-234619. PMID: 32900722; PMCID: PMC7478025.

  • Dhamecha R, Pajai S, Bhasin T. Acute Abdomen in Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis and Management. Cureus. 2023 Jun 20;15(6):e40679. doi: 10.7759/cureus.40679. PMID: 37485109; PMCID: PMC10357893.

  • Kesikburun S, Güzelküçük Ü, Fidan U, Demir Y, Ergün A, Tan AK. Musculoskeletal pain and symptoms in pregnancy: a descriptive study. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2018 Nov 19;10(12):229-234. doi: 10.1177/1759720X18812449. PMID: 30515249; PMCID: PMC6262502.

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