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Stomach throbbing like a heartbeat in early pregnancy may be felt by some mothers. So is a throbbing stomach a sign of pregnancy?
Some mothers will experience strange feelings in their stomach in the early stages of pregnancy. What this feels is like the sensation of muscles being pulled and stretched. However, there are also those who describe it as a throbbing sensation.
Causes of stomach throbbing during pregnancy
Quoting from several sources, here are 5 causes of stomach throbbing during pregnancy:
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1. Increased blood volume
Feeling a pulse in the stomach is a sign of pregnancy, which can be confirmed with a pregnancy test. The throbbing that is felt in the stomach does not come from the fetus, but from the mother herself.
The pulsating sensation comes from the aorta, which is the main artery that carries blood to the abdomen, pelvis and legs. During pregnancy, blood volume will increase by 50 percent and this condition can make blood flow through the stomach more visible.
“The pulse from the uterine artery or aorta will enlarge as the blood volume increases. Why (pulse) occurs? Yes, it all depends on the blood volume which increases by 50 percent during pregnancy, and if (the pulse is felt) on one side, it may be because of the uterine artery “, and if it’s in the midline of the stomach, maybe the cause is because of the aorta,” said Getting to Know Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist, Dr. Kim Langdon, MD, reported by Romper.
However, quoted from Mothers and More, blood volume will not actually increase much until the second trimester. So, feeling a heartbeat in the stomach is rarely an early sign of pregnancy.
2. Eat
Apart from pregnancy, a throbbing stomach can indicate several things. However, all of them may not be related to pregnancy. For example, the stomach throbs from eating.
When you eat, your body will work extra hard to digest food and absorb nutrients. To achieve this, the body will pump extra blood to the stomach and small intestine through the aorta.
If you feel a pulse in your stomach after eating, it is most likely caused by increased blood flow being pumped through the abdominal aorta.
3. Lie down
When lying down with your knees raised, the abdominal aortic pulse will be felt more clearly. Especially if you have low body fat.
Once again, this sensation is only caused by blood flowing through the abdominal aorta. This throbbing stomach sensation will disappear by changing your position to standing.
4. Dehydration
Dehydration or lack of fluids can also cause stomach throbbing, Mother. When you are dehydrated, your heart will work harder to pump blood. This can make the pulse in the stomach more pronounced.
The throbbing sensation in your stomach will disappear when you drink or hydrate. If the cause is dehydration, you should immediately meet your fluid needs.
5. Aneurysm in the stomach
Sometimes, a strong pulse in the stomach does not indicate pregnancy, but rather an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This is a dangerous condition when the aortic wall thins and bulges, making it susceptible to rupture and causing life-threatening bleeding.
Reporting from Healthline, aneurysms are generally experienced by men over 48 years old. This condition is generally more risky for those who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.
What to do if your stomach throbs during pregnancy?
Nurse and midwife Ashlyn Biedebach advises pregnant women not to sleep or lie on their backs if they feel their stomach throbbing. This is because this sleeping position can be an extra burden which can put pressure on blood vessels.
Although feeling the pulse coming from your stomach during pregnancy is not necessarily dangerous, you should avoid this if possible. One way is to ensure the body remains well hydrated.
“Continue to drink fluids to reduce the throbbing sensation. Stomach throbbing tends to feel stronger when the intra-vessel volume decreases and when it is pumped harder by the heart,” says Langdon.
So, when night falls, make sure to sleep on your side (and not your back). This is done to avoid extra pressure on the aorta.
“It is recommended not to sleep or lie on your back as the baby grows, because the extra weight can put pressure on these blood vessels,” says Biedebach.
“Repositioning to one side to sleep, and placing a pillow behind your back can help you sleep, especially if you are used to sleeping like that,” he continued.
Apart from a throbbing stomach, there are many other signs of pregnancy that can be felt, such as morning sickness, headaches and mood changes. So, to really confirm pregnancy, you should check with a test pack or go straight to the doctor.
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(ank/ank)