5 Weeks Pregnant and Seeking Insight to What's Normal

I wouldn't worry about the cramping. I had it throughout my first trimester instead of morning sickness. It freaked me out too, especially since it was my first pregnancy. I even had a little spotting too. I was told not to worry, it was normal with some pregnancies and three months ago I had a perfectly heathy baby girl.
Good luck.

I had horible cramping with my son. He was my first so I had no idea what to expect. I was so concerned I called my doctor and my dula. They both said take it easy and as long as there is no spotting/bleeding it will be ok. And it was.

With my daughter I cramped all the time. But I was told by 3 different doctors to just kind of take it easy..... Chances are, it will happen all through out the pregnancy

Hi N.. Congrats on your pregnancy! I just found out yesterday that I am pregnant too! I took another test this morning just to be sure, and it is still positive. So that puts me at about 4 weeks.
With my last pregnancy, i had cramping also. unfortunatly, i ended up having a blighted ovum and losing the pregnancy. this was 3 months ago. but, along with the cramping (which felt like menstural cramps), i also had some spotting. have you had any? are the doctors checked your HCG yet? i really hope it works out for you.......keep me posted, ok? good luck! J. in littleton

your situation didnt personally happen to me, but my friend got pregnant about 5 months after I did (and she would call me about a lot of stuff). She had spotting with "cramps". When I couldnt relate she called her doc and he said that it was due to the uterus expanding. This was in her case. I would call the doctor just to be sure.

With all my pregnancy I cramped alot, I spotted alot to. I have been pregnant 5 times and I have 3 great kids. Normal is so different between each person. Cramoing was normal for me, spotting was normal but my Dr. wanted me to call any time I wanted, they are there for you, to help you through all of it. I think I drove my dr nuts with calls and concerns but you know what, she always put my mind at ease. So call you Dr. Its probably nothing but it will make you feel better and if it makes you feel better its good for baby too :)

N.,
I remember having some mild cramping early on with my pregnancy ( i am 8 mo. pregnant now, with my first). It was similar to menstral cramping but probably not quite as intense. I'm pretty sure that some mild cramping is normal, as your uterus begins to stretch. Of course, I recommend telling your health care provider about it to make sure. Good luck!!!

I would call your dr see if he/she wants to check you out. You never know if it could be normal or something could be wrong. I had it happens both ways to me. have you had any spotting?

I miscarried once and with my now seven year old I had cramping when I was pregnant with her. It scared me. I was terrified I would lose another baby. I immediately went to my OBGYN and he checked everything and I seem to remember he gave me something that helped stop the cramping.

I would definitely go see your OBGYN right away!

I cramped and spotted with both of my boys. My doctors said that it was normal...If I remember correctly, it stoped around 9 weeks. I had a check-up both times, but once they said that everything was fine and I had been cramping already for a week or so, I relaxed quite a bit.

Hi there. I would definitely mention this to your doctor, but I also had mild cramping in my first trimester with my son. The pregnancy was a normal one, so I imagine some women experience a bit of cramping early on.

N., I agree with the others that you should call your doctor anytime anything is worrying you, but I also think the cramps (without bleeding) are nothing. You may be feeling the baby implant. I don't think your uterus is big enough for you to be feeling the ligaments stretch and that is definitely not a pain that feels like cramps anyway. Drink lots of water and call your doctor, but don't worry about it.

Kim

I am a doula, not a doctor, but in my own experience with my pregnancies at five weeks I remember feeling a lot of cramping. I can not tell you if your cramping is normal or not because every woman is different, so my advice to you is if you are really worried you can call your doctor. Why is the cramping concerning you? Is it painful or is there something else? I would love to help you in anyway that you can. ____@____.com

S.

When I first became pregnant with my second as well I had a lot of cramping as well, almost like menstrual cramps. My doctor told me it's because your body has been streched out once before and changes a lot quicker than it did with the first and also, you feel everything more with multiple pregnancies. I am only five months along in my second pregnancy and I already feel uterine contractions and I don't ever remember having felt those with my daughter. Make sure you mention it to your doctor at your first appointment. I wouldn't be so concerned about miscarrying either, your body doesn't need the stress and you will know if you miscarry. It is like labor!

Cramping early on is very normal. I didn't have it with my first two pregnancies, but I did with my third. I freaked out and did tons of research on it. A little cramping is normal, and even a little brownish discharge is normal. As long as it is not heavy cramping, and you are not bleeding, you should be okay. Just remember to take it easy. If you feel yourself getting tired, sit down and take a break. Also, remember to drink LOTS of fluid. I read that dehydration was one big cause of miscarriage. I wish you the best of luck in your pregnancy, please keep us up-dated. I am 12 weeks pregnant and have two other wonderful little girls.

How often is the cramping? With my second daughter I cramped for a few weeks and just thought I was having a bad period coming on then I found out at 13 weeks. I know I really must have been in denial..Anyway after I found out I was pregnant I had cramps a lot, but they ended up being gas pains. I had never had gas pain before so I didn't reconize it. I drastically changed my intake of grease and hard to digest green veggies like brochlii (sp) and cabbage and eventually it went away. If you are really concerned though, always go to your doctor. Even if it seems silly, you never know what mother intution could be telling you.

Hi N.!

Well just remember that every pregnancy is different. It must be really hard to constantly be thinking of a previous loss every time you get pregnant. Cramping to some effect can be normal. Other signs of complications to watch for with the cramping would be bleeding/spotting (which too can be normal) for some people. You are right it is a gray area. The best advice I could give to you would be to call your doctor. They want to hear from you, they are concerned about you & they are concerned with your concerns. Don't be afraid to call. I was for a LONG time. But that is what they are there for. That is what you are paying them for! It will give you some peace of mind too.

All the best,
T. R.

hi i think that its just ur body stretching i had the same discumfort. good luck

N.,

I am a certified childbirth educator, doula, infant massage instructor and teacher. When it comes to the topic of uterine cramps, these can occur throughout a pregnancy. This should not be taken lightly and especially since you have had a previous miscarriage. Uterine cramps can be a sign of Pre-term labor. Cramping could mean that you are having contractions. Contractions that occur before the 37th week of gestation can mean that you are having pre-term labor. Often, dehydration can cause Pre-term labor. Make certain that you drink 4 glasses of water in a one hour time period. Rest for at least 44 minutes (or one hour) when you notice these cramps. Time your cramps. If they occur for a minute in duration and they occur 4 or more times in one hour, you need to call your midwife or doctor. You should discuss these cramps with your midwife/doctor regardless of how often they occur. You need to call your doctor/midwife if you notice any other additional symptoms such as bleeding; blurred vision or spots before the eyes; headaches; a fever with the cramping; vomiting or diarrhea.

Some women have mild cramping throughout their pregnancy and still have healthy babies and deliveries. However, you should always notify your health care provider about these cramps. Drink 8 glasses of (8 oz.) water every day and be sure to rest. Take care.

A. D.

Hi N.,

I am 15 weeks pregnant with our 3 child, and I had cramping with all three, I would say the cramping ended for me after 12 weeks or so but never before. My doctor always told me there is nothing to worry about unless it is extremely painful (mine always feel like moderate period cramps) and/or you are spotting or bleeding. Both my last pregnancies turned in to 2 beautiful healthy girls, so I don't think you need to worry. Rememer also that gas that can cause pretty bad pain down there, it does for me! It is perfectly normal to have some mild to moderate cramping, it is a bi-product of your slowly expanding uterus. Best wishes on a healthy pregnancy!
C.

well any cramping in a pregnancy is concerning so contact your doctor or get checked out. With my son I was overly cautious and yes I did cramp severly at about that time 5weeks I mean. Every little thing I went to the ER for because I also had a miscarriage at like 8 weeks so my son was my first pregnancy after that. Your body is changing as the babdy developes, grows, and those ligaments stretch so there are lots of different aches that go with it. Congrats and try to relax.

Like others say it is probably nothing. But I would definately check with a doctor. Cramping very early on could indicate an ectopic pregnancy, which is where the fertilized egg has actually embedded itself outside of the uterus. http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregna... Copy and paste this to check a site about ectopic pregnancies and see if your symptoms match. But it is VERY rare, so I'm not trying to scare you. I'm sure the baby is fine.
Good Luck and God Bless!

I had cramping throughout my pregnancy and was told it was normal. My doctor explained that the ligaments around the uterus were stretching. There's a lot going on in there, so it makes sense there's cramping. Of course, it never hurts to check with your doctor...

I would strongly suggest contacting your doctor. You really don't won't to talk any chances. Good luck on your pregnancy and I'll be praying for you! Lots of love being sent your way!

Cramping is VERY normal. Of course always bring unusual things up to your doctor, just for them to keep a record of it, but honestly it really shouldn't be something that overly concerns you. Keep an eye on it, though. If it becomes very painful, more painful than menstrual cramps, more like stabbing pain, contact your doctor immediately.