Uterus Pain in Early Pregnancy: What to Know
This blog explains why uterus and lower abdominal pain are common in early pregnancy and what those sensations typically feel like. It covers normal causes such as uterine growth, hormonal changes, round ligament tension, and digestive shifts, along with signs that may warrant a call to a provider.
The post also shares simple ways to ease discomfort, including gentle movement, hydration, breathing techniques, and activity pacing. It highlights how pelvic health physical therapy can support comfort, mobility, and confidence during early pregnancy, even for those without severe symptoms.
Bloom Pelvic Therapy offers personalized pregnancy care in St. Pete, Tampa, and Lutz, helping patients feel supported, comfortable, and prepared throughout pregnancy.
Early pregnancy brings so many new sensations, feelings, fluctuations, some that are very exciting, but also some that are confusing or uncomfortable.
One of the most common symptoms our patient’s report is discomfort in the lower abdomen and if we were able to pinpoint it more in our bodies, we may refer to it as uterus pain. At times this feels like period cramps, which may sound the alarms for us or send us into a google-fest trying to figure out what that new sensation is.
Setting the record clear and here to say it doesn't need to be alarming, uterus pain can be a normal part of your body adjusting to the pregnancy.
Early pregnancy is a time of so many changes, let's put some of this to rest and chat about what is normal, when to call a provider, and how a pelvic health physical or occupational therapist can help you stay active, comfortable, and fret -free throughout the pregnancy.
What Does Uterus Pain Feel Like in Early Pregnancy?
Uterus pain can vary for person to person, week to week, and pregnancy to pregnancy. Some typical sensations are:
Mild cramping, similar to the sensation of menstrual cramps
A sharp quick pull (often when standing from a reclined position on the couch)
A pulling or stretching sensation in the very low abdomen, between your pelvic bones.
Pressure or heaviness in lower abdomen, hips, or vulvar area.
A dull ache that occurs more at night, or after you have been active for a period of time.
Common Causes of Uterus Pain in Early Pregnancy
There can be several normal changes that contribute to uterine discomfort. These include implantation, uterine growth, the changes in hormones, round ligament tension, gas, bowel changes including constipation and bloating.
Implantation discomfort is often felt before the positive pregnancy test. Implantation pain can feel like the familiar low key mild cramping when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining. Oftentimes this occurs in the window of day 20 to day 27 in your cycle.
Uterine Growth is as it sounds, the uterus is growing to accommodate new pregnancy. Although visibly the uterus remains small, an influx of changes, shifts, increased blood flow and growth cause a low, dull cramp like sensation especially in early pregnancy.
Hormonal Shifts- so many hormonal changes! We are happy then crying, moody as can be, craving different things that we absolutely need now, and then totally repulsed by our trusty go tos. These hormonal shifts are also lending to some of the uterus pain you are feeling in early pregnancy. Specifically progesterone and relaxin are at work here relaxing and softening connective tissues leading to that pull or ache.
Round Ligament Pain is often described as that sharp pulling sensation that will stop you in your tracks. Most often our patients report this happening when going from sitting down to standing, especially when cozy and reclined into the sofa or rolling in bed. Another culprit of round ligament pain is sneezing or getting in a good belly laugh.
Gas, Constipation, & Bloating are one of the most common complaints we help clients through daily. Changes in eating, slower transit of bowels and increased hormones often lead to increased gas and bloating pain. A huge reason to call and get scheduled with pelvic therapy now.
With the hormone changes, your digestion and bowels slow leading to constipation. At the same time we may also be changing our typical eating habits.
Oftentimes with nausea and aversions people are eating more carbs and skipping fiber rich foods. Similarly water often is not settling the way it used to and our intake of fluid decreases.
Bowel regularity depends on getting enough fiber and fluids. Luckily, this one is the most modifiable in early pregnancy, and one we see contributing heavily to discomfort.
When Uterus Pain Could Signal a Problem & Signs You Should Call Your Provider
You deserve to feel at ease and supported. Please call your OB/GYN or Midwife with any questions. Heavy bleeding, worsening pain, pain that makes walking or standing difficult, or a negative gut feeling warrants a call to your OB/GYN or Midwife urgently.
How to Ease Mild Uterus Pain Safely
Some strategies we recommend in office for a more comfortable first trimester include:
Staying Hydrated: Ideally you are drinking half your body weight in ounces of water daily. For each cup of coffee, soda, or tea add a cup more of water to that total. Although it may be easier to get sparkling water or sprite down, and anything is better than nothing; appropriate hydration requires standard still water to maximize results and wellness.
A warm shower: A warm shower can be amazing to soften our stress, decrease any tension we have been holding throughout the day, and can also help ease any lower abdomen discomfort.
Gentle Movement: Oftentimes with this discomfort, exhaustion and potential nausea in early pregnancy movement looks different or non-existent. Some gentle movement will help ease lower stomach pain in early pregnancy. Daily gentle movement can be a walk outside or on a walking pad, stretches, swimming, or whatever part of your standard exercise routine you can get through on that day.
If you tend to sit for most of the day, getting up and moving throughout the day will be helpful in getting ahead of discomforts and stiffness, not to mention so many other health benefits. This could be going to get some water, taking a quick stretch or walk during lunch, switching laundry between meetings, or changing from sitting to standing for a comfortable period of time.
Activity Pacing: Early pregnancy has a way of humbling us and changing some of our routines. If you find yourself with more discomfort after doing a group of chores, being on your feet, or during errands it's often a sign to slow it down for a moment. A few moments of rest can be incredibly helpful in easing aches and pains in early pregnancy. In the office we recommend taking rest breaks before we feel discomfort or laying down for a bit to recharge before being completely depleted.
Breathing Exercises: Practicing 360 degree diaphragmatic breathing helps us connect to our pelvic floor and core. With each inhale the pelvic floor muscles lengthen and relax, releasing any tension accumulated throughout the day.
360 degree diaphragmatic breathing can be done by putting your hands on the sides of your rib cage, wrapping your thumbs around your back and fingers towards the front. With an inhale you should feel your fingers move outward, and with an exhale fingers should move slightly inward. Try this laying down or sitting supported.
Diaphragmatic breathing can be confusing to learn, and something we help people with daily.
How Pelvic Health Physical Therapy Can Support You
At Bloom Pelvic Therapy we help people daily with uterus and lower abdominal discomfort in early pregnancy.
Pelvic Therapy throughout pregnancy can help with reducing round ligament discomfort throughout pregnancy by guiding you through movement, and gentle hands on approach that provides relief to clients before even walking out the door.
We also believe in keeping people active throughout their pregnancy whether that means remaining in cross fit, continuing to cycle or attend pilates or starting a new routine. We are here to teach you ways to keep moving throughout early pregnancy and beyond. Gone are the days you are restricted in exercise and movement during this time!
Seeking pelvic therapy with Bloom also means digging deeper to find the root cause of discomfort and preparing best for what's ahead. We assess head to toe correcting muscle tension contributing to pain, strengthening to improve stability and comfort as pregnancy progresses, improving awareness and coordination, and preparing best for labor and postpartum stages.
Bloom Pelvic Therapy takes a unique approach to pelvic therapy focusing on you for the full hour helping you to maximize your comfort and wellness in early pregnancy, helping you to feel confident throughout your pregnancy .
Frequently Asked Questions about Uterus Pain and Pelvic Therapy
Can pelvic therapy help this early?
Yes. Seeking pelvic therapy in your first trimester makes a significant difference in comfort and starting to build a foundation with plenty of time to practice and make second nature before third trimester and birth.
What if I am not having symptoms beyond some uterine discomfort?
Some people do not experience uterine pain or lower abdomen discomfort in early pregnancy. Just as some do not experience fatigue or nausea. Pelvic Therapy can help! Early in pregnancy hormonal shifts paired with a naturally more sedentary first trimester can create increased tension in the pelvic floor, abdominal wall, and ligaments. Pelvic therapy will help you feel more connected to your body, contributing to a smooth and comfortable pregnancy. We are here to help you feel supported every step of the way.
Is sharp uterus pain normal in early pregnancy?
Short sudden pains, especially with rolling in bed, sneezing, or getting up from sitting are often related to the round ligament and can be normal. If the pain is severe or persistent, please call your medical team.
Does uterus pain in early pregnancy mean I shouldn't exercise?
No! Stretching, light movement and controlled strengthening often reduces lower abdominal discomfort in early pregnancy. If pain increases with exercise or you are unsure about movement for early pregnancy, please call us so we can keep you moving!
How long does uterus pain typically last in early pregnancy?
Most of our clients notice lower abdomen discomfort on and off during the first trimester. Oftentimes the second trimester brings relief as the uterus changes position.
Could uterus pain be related to my pelvic floor?
Yes! As your uterus grows your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles have to accommodate. Sometimes this creates tension and pulling that is confused for uterus pain. Seeking pelvic therapy with Bloom will help you identify your unique patterns and assist you in remaining active and comfortable in all stages of pregnancy and beyond.
Where to Find Pelvic Therapy in St. Pete, Tampa, and Lutz
Many women find that regular visits to a pelvic therapist not only alleviate pain but also enhance their overall pregnancy experience.
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
Our pelvic floor therapy clinics are located in Lutz, Tampa, and St. Pete, and we would love to help you.
You can give us a call at 813-515-9008 to discuss if we would be a good fit for you. If you'd like to schedule a discovery call for a future time, click the button below to schedule.