Stiff Abdomen in Pregnancy: Causes & Concerns at 34 Weeks

Question
is it normal for the stomach to be hard all the time? it doesnt matter what position my friend sits in or if she repositions, her stomach is always hard. normal? she is about 34 wks along. could this mean any complication?

Answer
Dear marisa

If this hardness is something that happened recently within 1-2 days, then it can be something serious known as placental abruption. The good thing is, in slim women, the head, which is normally hard, can be identified as hard object in the abdomen especially if the baby is presenting by breech. I assume your friend is feeling her baby's hard head.

At all circumstances, examination at a doctor's office is a must to exclude any serious abnormality.

Good Luck to her.