Burning Sensation in Uterus During Pregnancy

We all feel different during pregnancy. Some moms thrive with their newfound energy whilst others feel beaten on a daily basis. It’s no secret that your body has to transform when growing a baby, this transformation can be accompanied by a burning sensation in your uterus during pregnancy and through the later stages but what’s the cause? Should you be concerned?

Burning Sensation in Uterus During Pregnancy – The Why’s and What’s Explained

Feeling a burning sensation in your uterus during early or late pregnancy is usually a sign of ligament pain. Your body has to stretch a considerable amount so feeling burning below your belly button is a common sign your body is gearing up to expand in size. No medical treatment is required but you may find that resting or keeping active helps.

My Uterus Feels On Fire!

Pain in the uterus whilst pregnant is the most nerve wracking experience. We often jump to conclusions that aren’t bearable to even think about but between pregnancy complications and miscarriage uterus pain is common in many pregnancies.

In pregnancy, your body is still relatively small, and your uterus may still be tucked behind your pubic bone so you can rule out pressure from other organs. However, from the moment you ovulate your body is beginning to prepare for fertilization and once an egg is met by sperm your uterus is sent into hyperdrive, from implantation to the release of hormones, namely Relaxin. There can be many reasons you feel a burning sensation in your uterus during early pregnancy.

Coupled with the stretch as you progress there are also reasonable explanations as to why this burning sensation in your uterus during late pregnancy can be present. It may be a bit more obvious with your expanding belly.

In this article, we will aim to give you insight into why your uterus feels as if it’s smoldering from the inside and when it’s best to get checked out.

What Causes Burning Sensation in the Uterus in Pregnancy?

Let’s be honest any niggle or pain no matter what gestation in pregnancy sets alarm bells ringing. Pregnancy itself can be one of the most anxiety inducing things a mom ever has to go through and the baby isn’t even born yet. But we are here to highlight the normality of feeling that burning sensation below your waistline. However, anything that you are ever concerned about must be checked with a professional, every mom and pregnancy is different so don’t fret but it’s better to get a check up if things feel a bit odd down below.

Round Ligament Pain

The first condition I am going to dig into is Round Ligament Pain. Your uterus has to expand to support the extra room for your baby. In doing so your ligaments that keep everything where they should be have to shift, move, and become more flexible. RLP can appear from nowhere and you may feel more pain when moving around or changing position.

I suffered from Round ligament pain during my second pregnancy and oh my did I know it. Turning over in bed, and getting in and out of the car was the most difficult, but any movement that required turning sent shooting pains through my groin.

Symptoms

Symptoms of round ligament pain can be similar in many women, if you have any of the following you may be suffering from your ligaments shifting.

Sharp stabbing.
Burning in uterus.
Stabbing pains.

Unfortunately, the treatment options for this condition are limited. But I used to try and move my legs together, limiting the stretch on my groin. Sitting on a plastic bag in the car makes the swivel movement easier too.

If you are in extreme pain then your doctor may suggest alternative treatments but it really boils down to one of the uncomfortable stages of pregnancy, you could take comfort in the fact this pain signals your body is doing what it should to help support your expanding uterus.

Relaxin Hormone

Another reason you may feel discomfort from the release of Relaxin. This hormone helps the uterus relax and become more flexible, cue round ligament pain.

Relaxin can make you feel anything but relaxed, its main role is to help your body stretch loosening joints and ligaments. It also prepares you for delivering your baby. Even though the release of this hormone can go unnoticed many moms feel the burn from the side effects of loosening joints and muscles.

Gestation

Where you are in your pregnancy, can say a lot about the different niggles you feel. From the first trimester you may feel implantation cramping then rolling into the second and third trimesters you may be feeling the pressures of pure weight.

As you near your due date, your body has pushed and shoved your organs out of the way, your lungs have a smaller volume space, and your stomach and digestive system are compacted. It really is amazing what our bodies do!

Feeling a burning sensation in your uterus during late pregnancy can be as innocent as pressure placed on the uterus from your other organs.

Typically you could be suffering from Braxton hicks contractions as well, which can be described as a tightening that is erratic but many moms experience them differently so feeling a burning sensation that doesn’t get stronger over time could be the reason for your sensations.

Infection – UTI

Urinary tract infections can be extremely painful and if you have ever experienced this type of infection then you will understand the burn can be intense.

Being pregnant leaves your defenses low meaning you are more prone to contracting a UTI. It happens when your urinary tract becomes compromised with bacteria. These germs can lay in your system for a while before you realize you are infected.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancies are devastating and I wish to note that feeling a burning sensation doesn’t automatically mean you are experiencing an ectopic pregnancy but it is one of the important reasons we always suggest seeking medical advice if you have any concerns.

They happen when a fertilized egg implants outside the womb, usually in a fallopian tube. Many women report:

Severe to extreme pain on one side of the uterus.
Bleeding.
Fainting.
Shoulder pain (signals internal bleeding which can exacerbate nerve endings).

I do not want you to jump to conclusions, having a burning sensation in your uterus during early pregnancy or late pregnancy can mean a multitude of things but ectopic pregnancies happen so it is only fair I recognize the condition and symptoms.

Unfortunately, treatment options for pregnancies declared ectopic are severe and the pregnancy is deemed unviable. Allowing a baby to develop outside of the womb can cause internal bleeding and mortality for both mom and baby.

Surgical treatment will be needed usually keyhole to remove the pregnancy however if the pregnancy causes a rupture then emergency surgery will be needed to repair the damage. In serious cases, the fallopian tube may need to be removed.

Other Causes of Abdominal Pain

There is also a chance that feeling a burning sensation may not be connected to your pregnancy at all.

We have discussed that during pregnancy your defenses are down meaning that you are open to a number of infections that are not neccesarily linked to your pregnancy.

Your internal organs are versatile enough to move to compensate for your expanding uterus. Issues with these organs can reflect pain which you may feel in your abdomen.

Liver – issues including gall stones can create sharp sudden pains just under your ribs.

Kidney – infections like UTIs can spread making the pain you feel extremely intense which is why any sign of a UTI in pregnancy should be addressed immediately.

Gas – trapped gas is very common especially in pregnancy. Thanks to your hormone surges your digestive system is now on the go slow making trapped gas more prominent.

Constipation – alongside trapped wind you could have a bought of constipation. Even though it is not directly linked to your baby constipation can be part and parcel from your sluggish digestive system.

When To Seek Advice

Your medical appointments are set out to help ensure your pregnancy is without complications but there are times when you will need to seek further appointments especially if you feel something isn’t right.

Trust your gut and see a Doctor if you feel any of the following:

Severe pain that gets worse.
Blood loss from the vagina or in your stools.
Pain that makes you anxious or worried.

Wrapping Up

A burning sensation in your uterus during pregnancy or late pregnancy can be common.

You are automatically on red alert for any niggle or pain when pregnant, your mom instincts have already kicked in. We have discussed both the typical reasons for this pain and also some serious conditions whether directly linked to pregnancy or not associated at all.

No matter what you may feel always discuss your concerns and symptoms with someone who is medically trained and has your pregnancy history as we know no two pregnancies are ever the same.

Burning Sensation in Uterus During Pregnancy – Should I Worry?