Left lower quadrant pain in pregnancy
Granskad av Dr Surangi Mendis, MRCGPSenast uppdaterad av Dr Toni Hazell, MRCGPLast updated 29 May 2024
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Your left lower quadrant is the bottom left side of your tummy (abdomen) from the tummy button down. There are many causes of left lower quadrant pain in pregnancy. Most are of no concern, but it is important to seek medical help if your pain is severe, doesn't settle, or is associated with other symptoms.
At a glance
Left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain in pregnancy has several possible causes.
Common causes include constipation, pelvic ligament pain, and urine infections.
An ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or placental abruption can also cause this pain.
LLQ pain can also be due to pelvic girdle pain or premature labour in later pregnancy.
Always contact a doctor urgently if you are pregnant with LLQ pain.
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What causes left lower quadrant pain in pregnancy?
Förstoppning
Förstoppning is very common in pregnancy.
It gives you crampy lower tummy (lower abdominal) pains, often in the left lower quadrant (LLQ).
You will open your bowels less often than you usually do and typically you pass hard, pellet-like stools (faeces).
Pelvic ligament pain
Typically it starts around 14 weeks and goes on into late pregnancy.
It is due to the growing womb (uterus) pulling on the structures (round ligaments and broad ligament) which hold it in place.
Usually causes a stabbing pain down one or both sides of the tummy (abdomen) and sometimes down into the hips and genital area.
Pain can be quite marked.
You can read more about this in the separate leaflet called Common problems in pregnancy.
Urine infection
Urine infection is more common in pregnancy.
Usual symptoms are of pain when you pass urine and passing urine more often.
You may also get tummy pain and a high temperature (fever) and notice blood in your pee.
If you do get pain, it's usually across the lower tummy but can be on one side of your back if you are developing a kidney infection (pyelonephritis).
See the separate leaflet called Urine infection in pregnancy for more information.
Ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage
You should always contact a doctor urgently if you think you might be pregnant and are experiencing LLQ pain. You could have an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that is not in the normal place.
Pain is often sudden and can be severe, but it can come on over a few days.
You may have missed your period but you can still have an ectopic pregnancy even if you think you have had a period.
Vaginal bleeding often happens but not always.
Occasionally you can get pain over the tip of your shoulder.
A miscarriage is when a pregnancy that was in the normal place ends - this is very common, affecting at least one in eight pregnancies. Pain is usually felt in the middle of the lower abdomen, but it might also be felt on the left or right
See the separate leaflets called utomkvedshavandeskap och missfall for more information.
What causes left lower quadrant pain in later pregnancy? (after 24 weeks)
Tillbaka till innehållPelvic girdle pain affects the joint connecting the two bones at the front of your pelvis, called the symphysis pubis. This joint becomes loosened during pregnancy, often as early as 14 weeks into pregnancy. The pain can be severe and is usually felt over the symphysis pubis, but can spread to the right lower quadrant.
In later pregnancy, LLQ pain can be caused by a placental abruption or by going into labour. Placental abruption happens when there is bleeding between the afterbirth (placenta) and the lining of the womb. Labour is too soon (premature labour) if it happens before 37 weeks.
See the separate leaflets called Premature labour och Pelvic pain in women for more information.
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Varje vecka delar vi användbar information och viktiga tips om ämnen som näring, motion, mental hälsa, symtom att vara uppmärksam på och förberedelser inför förlossningen, för att hjälpa dig navigera din graviditetsresa oavsett vilket stadium du befinner dig i.
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Vanliga frågor
What can I do to relieve constipation pain during pregnancy?
Constipation frequently causes crampy lower tummy pains, often in the left lower quadrant (LLQ), in pregnant individuals. Having fewer bowel movements and passing hard, pellet-like stools are common signs of constipation.
How can I tell the difference between typical pelvic ligament pain and something more serious?
Pelvic ligament pain, which usually starts around 14 weeks and continues into late pregnancy, is caused by the growing womb stretching the structures that hold it in place. It typically presents as a stabbing pain down one or both sides of the tummy, possibly extending into the hips and genital area, and can be quite marked. If you experience severe, sudden pain, or pain combined with other concerning symptoms, it's always best to seek medical advice.
Can a urine infection during pregnancy be serious enough to affect my kidneys?
Yes, a urine infection is more common during pregnancy. While it usually causes pain when passing urine, more frequent urination, and lower tummy pain, it can progress to a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) if you also develop pain on one side of your back, along with a high temperature or blood in your pee.
If I've had a period, can I still have an ectopic pregnancy?
Yes, it is possible to have an ectopic pregnancy even if you think you have had a period. Ectopic pregnancies are those where the fertilised egg implants outside the womb. Pain can be sudden and severe, or come on gradually, and vaginal bleeding may or may not be present.
Is it normal for left lower quadrant pain to happen later in pregnancy?
Yes, left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain can occur in later pregnancy (after 24 weeks) due to several reasons. These include pelvic girdle pain, which affects the joint at the front of the pelvis, and can spread to either side. More serious causes in later pregnancy can include placental abruption, where there is bleeding between the placenta and the womb, or the onset of premature labour.
Vidare läsning och referenser
- Yew KS, George MK, Allred HB; Acute Abdominal Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 2023 Jun;107(6):585-596.
- Pain: treatment during pregnancy; Specialist pharmacy service 2022
- Masselli G, Bonito G, Gigli S, et al; Imaging of Acute Abdominopelvic Pain in Pregnancy and Puerperium-Part II: Non-Obstetric Complications. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 Sep 11;13(18):2909. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13182909.
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About the authorView full bio
Dr Toni Hazell, MRCGP
MBBS, BSc, MRCGP, DFSRH, Dip GU med, DRCOG, DCH (London, UK, 2000)
Dr. Toni Hazell qualified from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School and did her VTS at Northwick Park Hospital.
About the reviewerView full bio
Dr Surangi Mendis, MRCGP
Consultant and Medical Author
MBBS, BSc (1st), MRCGP (2014), DFSRH, PGcert otology and audiology
Surangi Mendis is a consultant in Audiovestibular Medicine and Neuro-otology at The Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, UCLH.
Artikelhistorik
Informationen på denna sida är skriven och granskad av kvalificerade kliniker.
Next review due: 28 Mar 2027
29 May 2024 | Senaste versionen
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