Pain in the upper part of the belly during pregnancy can be caused due to stretching and distention of that part of the abdomen that occurs mainly in the last months of pregnancy. Stomach pain (epigastralgia) and colic are also frequent symptoms during this phase and may be confused with abdominal pain in this region.
However, pain at the top of the belly (upper abdominal region) may be a symptom of more serious disorders such as intestinal obstruction, biliary disease, pancreatitis, abdominal trauma, HELLP syndrome, in addition to obstetric changes that may occur in the fallopian tubes, ovaries and placenta. It is important to be alert for the presence of other signs and symptoms associated, some common during pregnancy, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation and gas, and other more specific such as fever, headache and high blood pressure (hypertension).
You should seek medical attention whenever there is pain in the upper part of the belly and the appearance of other signs and symptoms. The obstetrician is the doctor appointed to diagnose and advise on problems encountered during pregnancy.
