Cramps While Pregnant?

Hi E.,

I felt the same way with both of my pregnancies- like I was about to get my period any day. It lasted the first couple of weeks- from when I first found out I was pregnant. I was told that if the cramping was more than the usual "pre-period" cramping or if I started bleeding heavily then to get to a hospital, so I guess that's a good rule to follow. congrats and best wishes for a healthy pregnancy!
-esme

I had some cramping at the beginning with both of my pregnancies. I asked my OB about them and was told that it is the the uterus cramping and moving lower down from it's normal position as it gets ready to expand as the baby grows. If you have any bleeding or spotting with the cramping though, call the doctor.

Anywhere from 25-50% of pregnancies end in early miscarriage. If you do start cramping and bleeding that could be the case with you unfortunately. If it gets very heavy or very painful you will need to see a Dr. But if you're not having severe pain or bleeding there's no reason you can't wait until Feb to see an OB for an ultrasound.

i didn't read responses, and you've probably already been advised to do so, but go to the doctor. I experienced that a couple of months ago, and it turned out I was having a miscarriage. Not to scare you, but better safe...

Minor cramping is normal. Your muscles and ligaments are getting to work. Keep paying attention to them so that you have a good description when you go to the doctor. I felt like I was starting my period for a couple of weeks if I remember right. This feeling may come back right before labor too. Contractions starting labor can feel just like a bad period.

Go to the doctor! Not to scare you but it's safe to get checked out. When I got prego, I had cramps and I honestly thought they were just menstrual cramps. My husband kept telling me I'm pregnant and I told him, "no, I feel my cramps so it's coming soon". Well I took a test and was pregnant. Called the doctor and they saw me that morning. They did a u/s and took my blood. Come to find out, I was RH negative and needed a shot. So it never hurts to go get checked out by your obgyn. Good luck and congrats on the baby!

Hi E.,
I am 7 months pregnant with my second. Cramps in the beginning is perfectly normal. Your body is getting use to the new growth and you will feel cramping during the first couple of months. Cramping after the first trimester is not okay though. Your cramping will go away soon, hold in there! And Congratulations!

I cramped for the first 9 weeks with my pregnancies. My first time pregnant I did miscarry very early on, and had cramps. I would suggest to take it very easy and don't exercise or do anything very physical until you see a doctor.. It can be very scary, but I had two very healthy pregnancies and cramped a ton in the beginning for both.. Good luck and congratulations... J.

Don't panic, stay cool. Your body is going through major changes and cramping is perfectly normal. Just relax and stay calm, eat good, drink lots of fluid and rest. Good luck and congratulations.

Mild cramps in the first 3 months of pregnancy is very normal. I spotted with all 3 of my pregancies too. If the cramps start to get worse and worse over the next few days, it could unfortunately mean miscarriage. This is why pregnancy is so stressful in the beginning. You never know what's going on. I even worried with my 3rd pregnancy. Most likely it's just your typical cramping because your uterus begins to grow immediately.

Ugg! I remember that! There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't feel like I was having mild menstrual cramps until my daughter was born. But I would do it all again!! It's worth it!

Congrats!!!!!
Jen
http://www.mommysjoy.com

I am a midwife. Cramps are perfectly normal. Your uterus is growing and you will feel crampy. Also, please read the book The Thinking Woman's Guide to Better Birth by Henci Goer. And please look into midwifery care for your pregnancy. Research has proven time and time again that for healthy pregnancies midwifery care is safer and healthier for the mother and baby than an OB. Insurance will also cover midwifery care. If you have any more questions or would like more information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Blessings to you and your new little one.
Lisa

Yes, you are fine. This is totally normal. As you continue on with your pregnancy you will still feel this way from time to time. So long as you don't bleed then you are fine. If you do, then go see your doctor, it may still be okay but definitely worth checking out.

Normal... and then you start to feel like you have to pee all the time.

I think everyone is a little different. I would say that when I was first pregnant, it felt like a "heaviness" in my lower abdomen. It wasn't painful though. I think you should just call your doctor to make sure. It is one doctor's appt = not your whole pregnancy. better safe than sorry. congratulations!

I had cramps too during early preganancy and you shouldn't be concerned unless you also have bleeding. The Dr. won't even want to see you until your 10 weeks or so.

Yes it is totally normal and healthy. I had a misscarriage before I had my son. With that pregancy I had no cramping. When I was preganant with my son I did have cramping. If you are truly consirned or it gets out of hand please go to the doctor and not let insurance be a factor. You can always set up a payment plan with the company owed. What to Expect While Your Expecting taps into some of these questions...great book. God bless your little one and Congrats.

I think if you are four to 6 weeks pregnant you can feel cramps. I didn't take a test until I was 5 weeks because I was feeling cramps like I was about to start my period.

This happened at the beginning (before 10 weeks) of all my pregnancies. I have had three births and 3 miscarriages and is happened at the beginning of all of them. I felt crampy like I was about to start but nothing worse than that, not even the ones I lost. I was a worrier and drove my dr crazy I'm sure (love him!) but the mild cramps never seemed to be an indicator of miscarriage or not. They happened every time.

Good luck and try not to worry! (easier said than done, I know!)
K.
CONGRATULATIONS!

I had the same thing happen to me when i was pregnant, but I wasnt positive I was. It was around the time I was supposed to start my period so I thought it was my period coming...it never came but the cramps went away! Im sure its nothing to worry about. I hope this helps!

Can be very normal. I have had cramps and light spotting with all three of my pregnancies. Hang in there and good luck!

Only worry if you start ot have a heavy cycle with bad cramps. This could be all kind of things once you're actively seeing a Dr. they can explain what is happening.

Relax. I just had my daughter, and I had cramps for the first month. They were implantation, and just general stretching cramps while my uterus was getting ready for what was ahead.

I also have miscarried in the past, and those cramps were significantly more painful. They were very intense, and I knew right away that I was miscarrying.

Please know this is normal, and I even had them off an on throughout pregnancy, so do not worry unless you see any bleeding.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

Congratulations! I had those same cramps at the beginning of both my pregnancies. I think it's normal. Since your uterus is changing & growing & the lining is filling with blood to nourish your baby, that's probably why you're feeling crampy. My mom also experienced that with my little sister. She was convinced that she was going to have her period any day when the doctor told her she was pregnant. Try to relax, take a warm bath & rest. I'm sure everything is fine, but I understand your concerns. I was nervous about every little twinge I felt when I was pregnant the 1st time. Take care & best wishes!

I had a few cramps at the beginning and everything is ok. However, PLEASE do go to the doctor. This is no place for serious medical advice. I understand that the insurance hasn't kicked in yet, but that doesn't mean that you aren't ALLOWED to go to the doctor. Explain the situation when you make you're appointment. My husband is a doctor and they often do discounts or work things out in situations like yours. Also, remember during your pregnancy that if they insurance doesn't cover something, that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't get it. Yes, this means extra expense sometimes - but think about it - how much money do we spend on our personal appearance or other expenses? Just because something doesn't have a cheap co-pay does not mean you shouldn't bear the expense. Insurance companies suck and their policy is to deny deny deny as much as possible. Take control of your own medical well being.

Mild cramping can still be part of the implantation process. Especially if you are very early in your pregnancy. There are a lot of great books full of useful, and sometimes scary, information. Just rest easy in the fact that most pregnancies ARE perfectly normal. You can't grow a new life without a little disruption of your own system.

You shouldn't worry about not being able to see a doctor or midwife so early on assuming you are up to date on your gynecological checks. They will do little besides another pregnancy test and establish a history. A pregnancy is either sustainable or not through the first few months--one of the hard facts of life I had to learn after multiple miscarriages.

The best thing you can do for yourself is rest when you can, exercise in moderation, drink plenty of water, and take a quality prenatal vitamin (I loved the the ones from NF Labs called Prenatal Forte).

Check your insurance. I had a midwife, loved my midwife, wouldn't have anything but a midwife...but all insurance doesn't cover midwifery care. It was worth it to me to pay out of pocket, but not everyone can do that.

Congratulations...I wish you all the best!

Yes some of this is normal, but take care of yourself, the first 3-4 four months are the most important.

light cramps and spotting is completely normal during the first 3 months of pregnancy, so nothing to worry about. It's just your body starting to shut down that part of your life until after the baby is born. If you end up bleeding alot using heavy pads and have severe cramps, then go to the hospital immediately because the baby is threatening to miscarry.

it is completely normal...i had a very healthy pregnancy and had lots of cramping at the beginning...your uterus is starting to grow and during early pregnancy that causes a lot of cramps.