Here’s When & Why Your Stomach Gets Hard During Pregnancy

How do I know if my hard stomach is labor?

Typically, if all you feel is a hard stomach without any pain or other symptoms, it’s probably just your uterus expanding.

However, if you begin to experience pain along with some of the other symptoms listed below, you may be entering into actual labor:

Loss of your mucus plug

Changes in your vaginal discharge

You have back pain as well as abdominal pain

Nausea/Vomiting or Diarrhea

Again, we don’t want to see these labor-related symptoms until you’re fully term and in the final stages of pregnancy. If they’re happening before 36 weeks, call your provider. Frequently, they have someone available around-the-clock to respond to crucial queries like these

BTW, if you’re seeing signs of labor, it’s time to pack your hospital bag!

When Does Your Stomach Get Hard During Pregnancy?

It typically starts toward the end of the second trimester and may resemble period cramps. However, it can begin as early as 12 weeks for some women. However, the hardening of the belly doesn’t last that long.

Here are 11 reasons why that may be the case for those wondering “Why is my pregnant belly sometimes hard and sometimes soft?”

How Will I Know When I Am Having Contractions

Contrary to what you might believe, contractions frequently begin slowly before becoming more intense. How can you tell if the cramps you experience are simply gas or something more serious?

They last for about 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Contractions are usually longer than most of your other abdominal pains, like indigestion or menstrual cramps.

The pain comes in waves and gets stronger each time. Contractions will also get closer and closer together. For example, suppose it starts with 10 minutes between contractions. In that case, the next one will come 8 minutes later (instead of 10), then 6 minutes later (instead of 8), etc., until they become regular and constant enough to be called labour contractions.

You may feel some pressure or pull in your abdomen just before or during a contraction—this is called “back labour.” It happens because the baby’s head is moving down into your pelvis at this point in pregnancy (usually near 38 weeks). The pain can be intense!

Re: I’m 22 weeks pregnant. My abdominal area was rock hard the other day. What is it?