What are clicks in the abdomen during pregnancy, how to distinguish this symptom and how does it manifest itself?

Basically, many expectant mothers, when something clicks in their stomach, begin to worry and worry that something is wrong with their child. But in fact, this is a completely harmless symptom during pregnancy, which is observed in every woman.

Approximately these sounds begin to appear in the third trimester of pregnancy, when the fetus is already large. Statistics show that these symptoms appear after the 30th week of pregnancy.

In addition, in addition to clicks in the stomach, gurgling, rumbling, popping and various sounds may be heard. In fact, these are physiological sounds that are made by the baby and the mother’s body. There is no need to worry about this.

There is still controversy surrounding the question: why do clicks appear in the stomach? Before today there is no answer to the question of what these clicking and gurgling sounds are from the abdomen. Doctors can say one thing for sure: it is not dangerous for a pregnant woman. There are several possible reasons for the appearance of these sounds. In any case, when sounds appear, you need to understand the reason for their occurrence.

If we talk about a rumbling stomach, it may indicate a pregnant woman’s hunger or the peculiar behavior of her unborn child.

What are the main causes of gurgling and clicking noises?

There are many possible reasons for the appearance of sounds. Perhaps the child lets out gas, burps or hiccups. Sounds can also occur due to the child biting his fist or sucking his finger. Then you will rarely hear such sounds.

Gurgling of the abdomen can be observed due to the fact that the fetus is very mobile. Therefore, bubbles with amino acid liquid begin to burst, which provokes such an unpleasant sound. Many pregnant women hear how the joints of the fetus begin to “crack” when moving and, of course, worry about this. But even in this case, there is no reason to be upset, because the child’s joints are not yet strong, so they can make such sounds. This crunch can last until the child is one year old.

Also, all these sounds may not be related to the baby and indicate work digestive system the pregnant woman herself.

But if clicks occur for more later pregnancy, then you need to worry: perhaps these are harbingers of childbirth.

Before the onset of labor, the pelvic bones begin to separate, which can cause clicking.

But if the waters begin to flow, labor will soon occur.

What to do in such situations?

If you hear some strange sounds like clicking sounds coming from your abdomen, there is no need to worry, you should calm down. This is a normal phenomenon that occurs in every pregnant woman.

If you are very concerned about this symptom, then you can come to the doctor so that he can examine you and reassure you that everything is fine with the fetus and you. If desired, you can undergo additional examination to make sure that the pregnancy is progressing well. Remember, the main thing is not to panic.

Basically, clicks can manifest themselves in different ways, but they are best heard in the navel area, since there is the most thin skin. Very often the sounds are accompanied by the baby kicking. The baby is constantly moving in the womb. The sound of the click depends on what position the fetus takes. It can also be distinct or distant.

For some, these strange sounds are heard in the chest area, for some they come from the navel, for others - from the uterus.

What is gurgling?

It is worth distinguishing gurgling in the stomach from clicks. Basically, these symptoms appear due to the same reasons. However, gurgling may be associated with negative processes. Due to the fact that at the beginning of pregnancy a woman’s body changes dramatically, she may experience the following symptoms:

  1. Digestive dysfunction.
  2. Constipation.
  3. Bloating.
  4. Rumbling.
  5. Gurgling stomach.
  6. Increased gas formation.

These are completely normal reasons that can be observed in a healthy person. The above symptoms do not always appear on early stages pregnancy, sometimes they make themselves felt in the last months. If a pregnant woman does not eat properly, these symptoms can only intensify.

To get rid of these symptoms, you need to give up harmful foods, monitor your health and do gymnastics as prescribed by your doctor.

A gurgling stomach may be a harbinger of a disturbance in the intestinal microflora. In such cases, there will be not only gurgling in the abdomen, but also pain in the navel area. Then you need to go to a gastroenterologist, who will select treatment according to the patient’s condition.

If the gurgling is caused by high water levels, then this is a serious problem for a pregnant woman. This phenomenon is characterized by the fact that the amount amniotic fluid exceeds the norm. If the gurgling is caused by this, then the pregnant woman experiences the following symptoms:

  1. Weakness.
  2. Heaviness in the stomach.
  3. Vomiting, which causes dehydration.
  4. The appearance of stretch marks.
  5. Deterioration of condition.
  6. Malaise.
  7. Abdominal pain.

There are several varieties of this disease. But due to such a symptom, a miscarriage may occur (this is noted in 1/3 of women). Very often, with multiple births, children are born with deviations and developmental defects if treatment is not started in time. Therefore, if gurgling occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor who will prescribe treatment.

The doctor can make a diagnosis only after an ultrasound. If necessary, the pregnant woman is transferred to a hospital and is under the supervision of a specialist. If the symptoms of polyhydramnios do not appear, then the pregnancy will be maintained and a healthy and strong baby will be born. To exclude complications, at the first gurgling you need to consult a doctor, who will determine whether they are dangerous or safe for the pregnant woman.

On different dates During pregnancy, a woman may experience new sensations. They are not always pleasant. Sometimes it’s just not clear whether this is normal? This causes even more discomfort for a woman in the position. Many people feel clicking in their stomach during pregnancy. In this article we will try to understand the reasons for this phenomenon and find out whether this is normal or pathological.

What do clicks in the stomach mean?

Hearing strange sounds in the form of clicks, a pregnant woman begins to worry and worry that something is wrong with the baby. However, there is no reason to worry at all. This is the safest symptom accompanying a woman’s pregnancy. It usually does not portend any threats to the baby’s health and the course of pregnancy.

A woman may begin to feel clicking in her stomach from the 31st week of pregnancy. In the third trimester, the fetus becomes quite large and takes up more and more space in the mother’s belly. At this time, this already relatively independent little man can make all kinds of sounds.

Usually except for clicks future mom can hear other sounds. For example, gurgling, rumbling, popping and other sounds. They are produced by the body of mother and child and are a normal physiological process.

Possible causes of clicking

There is still no consensus on the causes of clicking in the abdomen during pregnancy. Experts agree on only one thing: it is not dangerous.

It is likely that these sounds occur due to the fact that the baby is simply releasing gas, burping or hiccupping. If you observe such sounds quite rarely, this may mean that your child, for example, is biting his fist or sucking his finger.

Fetal movement may cause gurgling in the abdomen. When the baby is active, the amniotic fluid bubbles burst. This is what causes such

Some pregnant women experience a kind of cracking sound in their stomach. These could be the child's joints. But don’t panic, this is also a normal process. After all, the baby’s skeletal system has not yet strengthened. By the way, you can hear such a crash until the child is one year old.

It also happens that all these sounds have nothing to do with the child. They are produced by the mother's body, for example, accompanying the digestion process. This may also be due to divergence of the pelvic bones. In this case, clicks in the abdomen at the 39th week of pregnancy may already indicate an approaching birth. And if they are accompanied by leakage of water or the release of a mucus plug, then you need to urgently go to the maternity hospital.

Is it worth doing anything?

If you heard clicks in your stomach at 35 weeks of pregnancy, then this is not yet a reason to worry. Initially, it is recommended to take it easy so as not to cause other unwanted symptoms that may already be present. Negative consequences. Once again, let us draw your attention to the fact that this is an absolutely normal phenomenon that every pregnant woman experiences.

However, if you are very concerned about these symptoms and are worried about the health of your baby, you can make an unscheduled visit to your gynecologist. He will examine you and find out what is causing these sounds and sensations. You can also undergo additional testing to make sure everything is fine with your baby.

Location of clicks

A woman can hear clicking sounds anywhere in the abdomen. Often, clicks in the abdomen during pregnancy are localized in the navel area. They are best heard there because the skin is much thinner in this area.

Often, at the same time as the sound, you can feel the baby kicking. Since the baby is constantly moving, the location and nature of the sound will depend on what position he takes. A woman can hear it clearly or, on the contrary, as if from afar.

Some expectant mothers hear these sounds in the chest area, some in the navel area, and some even from the uterus.

Gurgling or clicking noises?

These two sensations must be clearly separated. If the clicks do not pose a threat, then gurgling may just mean pathology.

At the 8th week of pregnancy, clicks in the abdomen can easily be confused with gurgling. This happens because the embryo at this stage is still very tiny and cannot make such sounds.

At the beginning of pregnancy, a woman’s body changes dramatically. This may cause the following conditions to occur:

  • digestive disorders;
  • constipation;
  • bloating;
  • rumbling or gurgling;
  • increased gas formation.

Such symptoms can appear in any person, and to get rid of them, you just need to reconsider your diet.

Often, gurgling in the stomach means a violation of the intestinal microflora. In this case, pain in the navel area is also observed. Here it is recommended to contact your gynecologist and, if necessary, visit a gastroenterologist.

Possible deviations

Since each woman’s body is individual, clicks in the abdomen during pregnancy at 36 weeks or at any other stage may indicate the presence of pathology. Therefore, it is recommended to always report your feelings to your gynecologist.

Among the possible deviations signaled by clicks are:

Premature rupture of amniotic fluid

This means that the amniotic sac has burst before labor begins. In such a situation, you should immediately call ambulance. Usually a woman experiences a sharp click, pop or crack at this moment, which indicates rupture of the amniotic sac. There is also a simultaneous outpouring large quantity liquids are clear or pink. Or, on the contrary, slow leakage, which intensifies while lying down or when changing body position. In addition, the stomach decreases in size.

Symphysiopathy

This is an increase in the distance between the pubic bones. Normally, in the third trimester there is a slight discrepancy. This indicates the body is preparing for childbirth. However, if this process becomes pathological character, then the woman experiences pain in the pubic area while sitting, walking or bending. Her gait may also change. It becomes like a duck - with small step-by-step steps. In addition, a crunching or crepitation is observed when the symphysis is impacted.

The situation may be complicated by the large weight of the child or multiple pregnancies. Symphysiopathy is a fairly serious pathology that can lead to disability due to rupture of the symphysis pubis during childbirth. However, if it is detected in a timely manner, the situation can still be corrected.

High water

This pathological condition can significantly complicate the course of pregnancy and the birth process. In the presence of an increased amount of amniotic fluid, gurgling is observed, which is often confused with clicks. Associated symptoms are heaviness and pain in the abdomen, shortness of breath, swelling of the lower extremities and discrepancy between the abdominal circumference and gestational age. However, a diagnosis of polyhydramnios is made only after an ultrasound scan.

Umbilical hernia

Since pregnancy increases pressure on the abdominal cavity, women with weak umbilical ring muscles are at risk of developing umbilical hernia. Its appearance can be triggered by high fetal weight, polyhydramnios and excess weight in a woman. Visually, it looks like a “protruding” navel or simply a protrusion in its area. This phenomenon is painless, and when pressed, a characteristic clicking sound appears. The general condition of the woman remains the same.

Expert opinion

Almost all doctors consider the presence of clicks in the abdomen during pregnancy to be absolutely normal. Pregnant women themselves say that in this way the baby supposedly communicates with them. In fact, “stomach sounds” are provoked by sounds made by the ligaments, joints of the pelvic bones and muscles. This happens because the growing uterus constantly puts pressure on the bones and ligaments, which leads to their stretching. It is precisely the process of spraining the ligaments that is accompanied by characteristic clicks.

In addition, such sounds can cause movement of amniotic fluid when the baby is active. As a rule, “pregnancy sounds” appear in the third trimester, closer to childbirth. In the absence of accompanying symptoms, there is no cause for concern. Therefore, clicks that appear in the abdomen at the 37th week of pregnancy can be considered normal. In this way, your body prepares for the upcoming birth. This is inherent in nature, and there is no need to panic. On the contrary, it is recommended to communicate more with your baby, to prepare him for the moment of meeting you. Tactile contact is also important. If you hear that the clicking has become frequent and is accompanied by movements on the part of the child, then stroke the belly, thereby calming your Nutcracker.

What are these strange clicks in the stomach during pregnancy? Even doctors are not able to give an exact answer to this question.

A pregnant woman is the keeper of a real small world, with its own needs, structure and tasks. She does not have the slightest idea of ​​what and how is happening in this world, even if high modern technologies make it possible to count the heartbeat and you can see his “father’s” or “mother’s” nose. The number of mysteries that lie in this extraordinary process is impossible to count. For example, these strange clicks in the stomach during pregnancy.

Somewhere from the third trimester of pregnancy, when the fetus is formed and is now simply growing in the womb, the expectant mother begins to hear sounds in her stomach that resemble clicks. These clear sounds come directly from the depths of the abdomen. Naturally, clicks in the stomach during pregnancy can be attributed to the consequences of nervousness and impressionability, which are characteristic of all pregnant women. For example, it can be attributed to auditory hallucinations at night, but when everyone around you hears it, it’s worth thinking about.


What does a woman usually do when she hears clicking sounds in her stomach during pregnancy? The young mother has long been accustomed to her baby and has learned to identify all his turns, movements and other somersaults, and realizes when he suddenly begins to hiccup. And suddenly a new action happens - clicks. Mom is in a panic (any pregnant woman just needs a reason for new worries), starts calling first best friend, who is happy to report that she had the same problem during pregnancy, but cannot offer any advice.

One thing will definitely make mom happy - she is not alone in this. However, at the next appointment with the gynecologist, the young mother will almost certainly ask this exciting question. In addition, my stomach continues to click from time to time. The doctor, of course, will be surprised by this and make his own assumption that the normal functioning of the intestines may be to blame and there is no point in paying attention to this, arguing that all the tests are in perfect order.


The answer to the question about clicks in the stomach during pregnancy can be found on the Internet. Of course, there is a lot of information here, but these are just guesses, there is not a single exact statement here, but there are plenty of various assumptions about the origin of these sounds.

For example, some believe that it is just a child smacking his lips when he clicks his tongue or sucks his fist. Many mothers will claim that after birth the baby made exactly these sounds. Others say it's the baby's joints cracking. Indeed, newborns have rather weak joints that crack from time to time, and this goes away by the first year of the baby’s life. Still others claim that it is simply the mother’s bones clicking when the baby is overly active in the womb. There is a theory that amniotic fluid it simply makes a “clicking bubble” sound as the baby presses against the belly and then pushes away. There is even a version that the baby blows gas like that.


After reading this information and thinking about it, you need to calm down and understand that if your strange clicks are not accompanied by unpleasant sensations and pain, then you should not worry. During normal tests, you should not pay attention to these clicks. However, it is important to remember that a loud pop usually accompanies the breaking of water, as well as rupture of the amniotic membrane, which is very important not to miss. Otherwise, there is nothing to worry about. Naturally, it is very strange that experts still do not know the answer to the question of what exactly is clicking there. For now, they're just looking wide with open eyes and don't know what to say.

Some symptoms during pregnancy are puzzling. Such unusual symptoms include all sorts of sounds inside the abdomen - from rhythmic hiccups to clicking sounds. However, are clicks in the abdomen during pregnancy manifestations a consequence of the unusual condition of the woman herself or her baby, how to react to them, and is it worth worrying about?

As a rule, in antenatal clinic women ask about anxiety symptoms during pregnancy. Concerns arise from both discharge and painful manifestations. But what to do and how to delicately ask that a woman feels a click in her stomach? Why does the clicking in the stomach during pregnancy constantly or periodically? Is it worth taking any medications in this case, and why does this happen?

First of all, it is worth deciding whether the manifestations really have the character of a click, and how often this happens. Such observations will help determine not only the cause, but also the likely factors provoking certain changes in the body of a pregnant woman. To create a correct picture of what is happening, it is worth conducting a mini survey of yourself and describing the nature of the manifestations on a piece of paper. To determine the history of clicking, it is important to pay attention to the following features:

  • Click intensity.

    There is quite a lot of noise in the abdomen during pregnancy. At the same time, both the child and the mother hear. Describe on a 10-point scale how strongly and under what circumstances such manifestations in the form of clicking are most noticeable: at night, while the child is awake or asleep. Where 10 is often and clearly heard, 1 is heard not often, or once.

  • Feel

    The painfulness of the manifested symptoms for a woman. Does the woman experience any painful sensations at the moment when the clicks are felt or not? How severe is the pain and how does it manifest itself?

  • Periodicity.

    How often and with what frequency do such symptomatic manifestations occur? Describe how often clicks are observed and how many times per day.

  • Time

    Time of click – in the afternoon or in the morning, in the evening or before bed, after physical activity or after eating, sweet water?

  • How can you characterize

    How can a woman describe a click, what does it look like? Normally, such manifestations are similar to bones grinding against each other, while the woman herself does not feel any painful manifestations, and the click is clearly noticeable once.

  • Child behavior.

    No changes in the child's behavior should be noted with any peculiarities and crunches, clicks or gurgles. At the same time, the baby feels and behaves as usual, without showing excessive activity or, on the contrary, uncharacteristic drowsiness.

It is also worth noting that such manifestations most often occur and are noted in the late stages of gestation, when the uterus is already quite large and occupies most of the space in the abdominal part. In the later stages of pregnancy, clicks in the abdomen are felt more intensely than in the early stages. Normally, clicks are not felt so clearly until 28-35 weeks. In the later stages, even a listening relative can hear such a sound.

Important.

Clicking during pregnancy is not a symptom that is alarming or life-threatening for the baby. Often such manifestations are also typical for women who, before pregnancy, had bone injuries, in particular the hip sacrum or pelvis.

Possible causes of clicking

After determining the nature and intensity of such a manifestation, you can ask your doctor questions. It is worth immediately pointing out and reminding that such manifestations as clicking do not have any descriptions or lectures in gynecology. Therefore, the answer and probable assumption of the reasons often largely depends on the experience of the doctor managing the pregnancy.

Skeletal system

Throughout pregnancy, the baby grows and develops, all its internal organs, including the skeletal system. If in the later stages of gestation the mother hears barely perceptible clicks during the baby’s movements, reminiscent of the sound of bone on bone, most likely the baby is turning over and his bones are crunching a little. There is nothing dangerous in such a manifestation, and there is no need to worry.

Polyhydramnios

Excessive amount of amniotic fluid in gynecology is considered a pathology, the complexity of which depends on the degree of manifestation of this feature. For example, a slight excess of water is not dangerous for a child, but for the mother it should be a signal that it is worth eating right, leading an active lifestyle, drinking less fluid, and taking medications prescribed by the doctor. Often the cause of this condition is the individual characteristics of a woman’s body or heredity.

Important.

Polyhydramnios is often diagnosed in women with multiple pregnancies. As a rule, this feature is the cause of early labor.

Hiccups

Of course, you can tell the difference between hiccups and clicks on your own. When the baby hiccups, the mother will feel rhythmic, jump-like shocks in the place where the baby’s head is now located. In this case, it is also worth paying attention to the duration of pregnancy, because, as a rule, such manifestations are characteristic of late stages. In earlier weeks of development, such changes should not be noted.

Symphysitis

Pathologies of the mother's bone tissue are often caused either by a history of trauma to the pelvic bones (accidents, falls, bone fractures or punctures), or by an anatomical feature of the structure of the bone tissue - congenital pathologies of the development of the pelvic bones. The last reasons are congenital pathologies that provoke many diseases that complicate life. expectant mother. Sometimes the pain becomes so intense that it is impossible and impossible to endure it.

Symphysitis is an abnormal location of a bone joint, which provokes pain symptoms, in particular in the later stages of pregnancy, when the pressure on the bones increases and increases.

Typically, this feature or disease appears at 30-33 weeks. Previously, such pain was characterized as aching, but tolerable.

How can you distinguish symphysitis from other characteristic painful symptomatic manifestations?

  • severe swelling and pain, possible redness of the tissues in the lower abdomen - in the symphysis area. As a rule, such edema does not have permanent symptoms and is expressed in periodic exacerbation after physical activity or walking;
  • sensation of pain and peculiar clicks when pressing or moving from side to side on the pubic bone;
  • pain in the area of ​​the pelvic bone, which is aching but tolerable. The pain intensifies when turning, pressing or wearing tight clothing;
  • soreness in the pubis and groin, tailbone or thigh;
  • sharp pain when turning the body, especially in a sitting position. Lifting, lifting and inclines of various types, touching the movement of the pelvis provoke sharp aching pain, it is difficult to walk, and it is impossible to raise straightened legs while lying down due to severe intense pain;
  • duck gait with jerky jerks during a walk;
  • the woman walks in fractional and small steps;
  • heaviness and pain in the pubis occurs when lifting the body up the stairs.

With the development of pathology and a simultaneous increase in the child's weight, such pain intensifies, becomes more pronounced, and can manifest itself when walking, or in a passive state - sitting or lying down.

Important.

X-rays are not performed during pregnancy, and therefore the diagnosis is made based on the clinical picture and complaints of the woman. Symphysiopathy is a common condition for women who have suffered bone injuries in the past.

There is no need to diagnose symphysitis yourself, because such pain can also be caused by other disorders - changes in the femoral-sacral joints. If symphysitis has been diagnosed, delivery is carried out caesarean section, since there is a risk of rupture during natural delivery.

Location of clicks

Since clicking in the abdomen is not a pathology that is worth worrying about, it is worth determining the location of the likely click, where such a manifestation is most often noted. The clicking may occur in the lower part of the abdomen, in its center, and where the child is now - if he has not yet turned over, then you can expect the manifestation of a clicking in the center of the abdomen; if the baby is upside down, then such features can be observed on the lower part, near the pubis.

Some obstetricians note that such manifestations can be observed in later stages due to the aging of the placenta. This process is considered natural and does not cause complications if the gestation period comes to its logical conclusion - childbirth. It is impossible to talk about a clear pattern, since such manifestations are not considered dangerous and do not pose a threat to the mother.

Gurgling or clicking sounds

If there is a gurgling sound when clicking, then we can say that such features are associated with the child’s life activity. He cannot harm himself or his mother, but the clicking and gurgling sound can most often be associated with the peculiarity of the baby’s body turns and his excessive activity. Often pregnant women noted that such manifestations are observed during the process of turning the baby over to a permanent position - on its head.

Since the baby is completely immersed in water, such gurgling sounds are natural. It cannot be said that there is air in the uterus in the abdomen that rolls from place to place, but with active movements this is possible.

Possible deviations

However, despite the safety of such a manifestation, it is worth paying attention to such features as pathological manifestations. More often, such manifestations are not a single symptom, but appear in conjunction with all the others. A woman may feel:

  • Aching pain in the area of ​​the thoracic abdomen, located closer to the navel. This indicates pathologies of the mother’s digestive system; it is worth paying attention to the diet and the number of servings;
  • Swelling of the limbs, in particular, not after physical activity, which is considered a normal reaction to overwork, but in the morning, when fluid is not excreted in urine, and the woman feels tired in her limbs before she has woken up. In this situation Special attention pay attention to venous diseases, in particular. If the pregnant woman suffered from hypertension before conception or had venous thrombosis;
  • Belly sizes more than the allotted time. And the doctor makes a presumptive diagnosis of polyhydramnios. In this case, we can assume pathologies of the mother’s metabolism, which directly affect the formation of excess fluid in the uterus. Also, the process of hernia formation can be affected by the heavy weight of the fetus. Weight control and proper nutrition in this situation should definitely be discussed with your doctor.
  • Mother's umbilical hernia- a disease that is common in women who are initially overweight, as well as in those who have a tendency to develop such a disease. It is not necessary to say that this pathology is not observed in women who engage in physical activity before or during pregnancy;
  • Rush of amniotic fluid. As a rule, such a manifestation is rare enough for the onset of labor. But those who noticed one click without pain could soon see a slight outpouring of water. After this process, labor begins.

Possible complications for a pregnant woman are mostly associated with the prospect of early birth. If there is no such probability, then there is no need to worry about clicks in the stomach. Such features do not pose a danger at any stage of gestation.

Is it worth doing anything?

During pregnancy, it is important to monitor not only your health, but also your emotional state. Clicking is not a disease, and therefore you should not consider yourself at risk. The child develops according to the deadline, moreover, the female body can cope with many difficulties that the woman herself did not even suspect.

Is it worth somehow reacting to such manifestations if they occur periodically, from time to time? No, there is no need to do anything, you can ask your doctor, but there is no point in talking about a disease or pathology if there is no reason for it. Proper nutrition, a sufficient amount of clean water, walks in the fresh air and good sleep - this is what is important to provide at any stage of gestation. If at this time clicks or slight crackling sounds appear, like bones rubbing against each other, there is no need to worry, this is your baby’s way of saying hello and a message that you will meet soon.


Expecting a child is a period of change and new discoveries for a pregnant woman. The development of a baby sometimes brings unexpected surprises: both pleasant and not so pleasant. The sensation of the first movement or heartbeat of the fetus certainly becomes a joyful moment during this difficult period. But there are also not entirely clear signs that can be alarming and sometimes become a cause for concern. We are talking about such a phenomenon as clicks in the stomach during pregnancy.

Causes

Even doctors cannot answer for sure why the stomach clicks while carrying a baby. And the versions of what is happening that appear among women are sometimes completely untenable from the standpoint of modern medicine. There are two points of view on this process. One reassures women by saying that clicks in the stomach are evidence of normal processes. And the other warns against the possible danger that may be hidden behind a certain pathology. So, the probable causes of sound phenomena are:

  1. Physiological changes.
  2. Premature rupture of amniotic fluid.
  3. Symphysiopathy.
  4. Polyhydramnios.
  5. Umbilical hernia.

Considering all the conditions that can cause clicking in the stomach, you still need to ask your doctor about it. If there is no reason to worry, then you should not pay attention to such sounds. Otherwise, a specialist will advise how to avoid trouble.

The causes of clicks in the abdomen that occur during pregnancy can be various phenomena: both normal and pathological. A doctor will help determine the origin of such a symptom.

Symptoms

Each process occurring in a woman’s body has certain manifestations: clinical or laboratory. But it is precisely those symptoms that can be recorded with the help of the senses that acquire the main significance. Not only are they subject to evaluation subjective feelings(complaints), but also those signs that are identified directly by the doctor. This also includes sound phenomena that reflect the course of pregnancy. Like other symptoms, they also have certain characteristics:

  1. Frequency of occurrence: occasionally or constantly.
  2. Intensity: pronounced or barely audible.
  3. Communication with external or internal factors: fetal movement, woman’s movements.
  4. Combination with other symptoms.

It should be noted that most women experience clicking in the abdomen in late pregnancy - in the third trimester. Previously, this was practically not observed. And you can understand what caused these sounds based on a comprehensive assessment of possible symptoms.

Physiological changes

In most cases, clicking in the abdomen is a consequence of normal processes that occur during pregnancy. Some of them are related to the functioning female body, while others come from the fetus. The following conditions are considered the most justified from a medical point of view:

  • Sprained ligaments and muscles.
  • Rumbling intestines.
  • Hiccups in a child.

It is known that in the third trimester the uterus and fetus reach their maximum size. This is accompanied by stretching of the internal ligaments of the pelvis and the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall. This is observed gradually and should not cause trouble. But sometimes it can be accompanied by some discomfort and pulling sensations in the stomach. There are also sound phenomena in the form of crunching, crackling or clicking, which are related to the motor activity of the fetus.


The growth of the uterus and hormonal changes (high concentrations of progesterone) during pregnancy affect the function of surrounding organs, including the intestines. Its function may undergo some changes associated with increased relaxation and external compression. In this case, the woman often feels rumbling in her stomach, which can sometimes be mistaken for clicks. And in most cases it is combined with constipation.

There are frequent cases when a child begins to hiccup in utero. This is observed in the case of swallowing amniotic fluid and is explained by a reflex contraction of the diaphragm. A woman feels this through rhythmic and short tremors, which can take the form of clicks in the abdomen.

Among expectant mothers, there are other explanations for this phenomenon. Some say that the clicks appear due to the fact that the baby smacks his lips while sucking his finger. Others insist on the idea that the child’s joints are crunching, and some even begin to assume that this is how he releases gases from the intestines. But all such versions, even upon superficial examination, do not stand up to criticism. Therefore, they should not be taken into account.

If you suddenly start hearing clicks in your stomach, then you shouldn’t worry right away - in most cases this is a normal phenomenon in late pregnancy.

Premature rupture of amniotic fluid

It happens that the amniotic sac bursts before labor begins. This cannot be called the norm, since it occurs before the onset of contractions and is associated with a number of complications. Among them are infectious processes, fetal hypoxia, prolonged or rapid labor, and placental abruption. A woman may experience the following signs:

  • A sharp click, pop or crack, indicating rupture of the amniotic sac.
  • Simultaneous outpouring of a large volume of liquid (clear or pink).
  • Slow discharge (“leaking”), worsening while lying down or changing position.
  • Reducing the size of the abdomen.

This suggests that you need to see a doctor immediately. After the examination, he will determine how to manage the pregnancy in the future - prolong it or go for delivery.

Symphysiopathy

Normally, a woman’s body prepares for childbirth at the end of the third trimester of pregnancy. And in this aspect, there will certainly be a slight divergence of the symphysis pubis - up to 0.5 cm. But the distance between the pubic bones may increase, which indicates symphysiopathy. Then the following symptoms appear:

  • Pain in the pubic area when sitting, bending and walking.
  • Change in gait - small step-by-step steps (“duck step”).
  • Lying down, your hips are spread apart and your knees are bent.
  • Crunching or crepitation when pressing on the symphysis.

The load on the joint increases with the large weight of the child, as well as multiple pregnancies. Symphysiopathy can cause rupture of the symphysis pubis during childbirth and even disability.

If you hear a crunch in the lower abdomen when pressing on the symphysis, this is a sure sign of divergence of the symphysis pubis, which requires timely identification and correction.

Polyhydramnios

With an increase in the amount of amniotic fluid, a gurgling sensation in the abdomen may occur, which is sometimes mistaken for clicks. This is a pathological condition that complicates the course of pregnancy and childbirth. The following signs can help identify it:

  • Feeling of heaviness and pain in the abdomen.
  • Dyspnea.
  • Edema of the lower extremities.
  • Inconsistency between abdominal circumference and gestational age.

The last symptom is decisive in the clinical diagnosis of polyhydramnios. But it can only be confirmed with the help of additional methods (ultrasound).

Umbilical hernia

During pregnancy, pressure in the abdominal cavity increases. And if a woman has weakness in the tissues of the umbilical ring, then there is a high risk of a hernia. This is also facilitated by a large fetus, polyhydramnios, and excess weight in the woman herself. The hernia can be noticed visually - a protrusion appears in the umbilical region. It is painless, and when pressed, a characteristic clicking sound appears or a cavity is simply felt. The general condition of the woman is not affected, and strangulation during pregnancy is extremely rare.


Many women feel clicks in the stomach while carrying a child. As a rule, this is a consequence of physiological processes occurring in the third trimester and should not cause concern. But don't forget about pathological conditions which can complicate the course of pregnancy. Therefore, a specialist will help a woman find out the cause of the clicks.