Cramping ?

Question

Anyone have cramping even after you found out you were pregnant? Is it normal?

Answer 1

Yep I believe that's a normal thing, as long as the cramps aren't terribly painful...your uterus needs to strectch a little...If it hurts really bad then I would go see a doc.

Answer 2

I had severe cramping. I would make a dr appt ASAP. I didn't and I miscarried. There could be something wrong. By the time I did go to the ER there was nothing they could do. Especially if the cramping is accompanied with low back pain!

Answer 3

yes i had menstrual cramps for the first couple of weeks after i found out i was pregnant, and i started getting cramps again 24 hours before i went into labor.

Answer 4

Pregnancy puts a major strain on your body, and nowhere is this more evident than in your expanding belly. As your baby grows, the added pressure on muscles, joints, ligaments, and surrounding organs can lead to cramping and discomfort. Knowing when and why cramps are likely to occur can help you recognize which ones are a normal part of pregnancy, and which ones may need your doctor's attention.



What causes cramps?

Throughout your pregnancy, the most common source of cramps are the ligaments that surround and support your uterus. As your baby grows, these ligaments stretch. When you change positions, you'll sometimes feel these ligaments cramp up on one or both sides of your abdomen or toward your back. Ligament cramps can occur any time during your pregnancy, but they'll be more noticeable between fourteen and twenty weeks. During this time your uterus is growing and putting pressure on the ligaments, but it hasn't grown so large that your pelvic bones help support it. If you have what feels like a ligament cramp, try lying down on your side until it goes away. A hot water bottle may also help, but usually these cramps disappear pretty quickly if you just rest.



Some women experience cramps during sex, both during and after orgasm. This occurs because when your pregnant, blood flow to your pelvic area increases; this, combined with the normal increase of blood flow to your genitals that occurs during sex, can result in cramping and a low backache. If you're worried that having sex might hurt your baby, you might be tensing up during lovemaking -- this can also cause cramping. Talk with your doctor about your fears, and try to relax. If you have a low-risk pregnancy, sex and orgasms won't hurt your baby. Cramps during sex usually go away pretty quickly. If they don't, ask your partner to give you a low back rub to help you relax and ease the cramping.



As early as your fourth month, but usually in your sixth or seventh month, you'll experience what may feel like mild menstrual cramps. This is your uterus tightening in what are called Braxton-Hicks contractions (named after the doctor who identified them). These "practice" contractions are getting your uterus ready for the hard work of pushing your baby out when you're ready to give birth. They can last anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes, and will become stronger and more frequent as your due date approaches. If you're uncomfortable, try lying down, shifting position, or getting up and walking around. Sometimes a change of position is all that it takes to ease the contractions.



As you get closer to your due date and the contractions become stronger, it may be hard to tell whether you're still having Braxton-Hicks contractions or are heading into labor. If you're not sure -- and especially if you're at risk for premature labor -- call your doctor. You should also call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:



•more than 4 contractions an hour
•pain in your back, abdomen, or pelvis
•unusual vaginal discharge

Answer 5

i get cramps all the time and it makes me crazy but most of the time its normal if it keeps happening then you should talk 2 your doctor.

Answer 6

yup they are just like menstrual cramps... As long no blood and the pain isnt imbearable you should be ok!! =)

Answer 7

No, I have never had cramping nor been pregnant.

Answer 8

yes as long as it is not severe

Answer 9

VERY- AS LONG AS ITS NOT SEVERE OR WITH BLEEDING

Answer 10

I did when I first found out (the first 3-4 weeks); my midwife said that's normal...you're uterus is expanding to help fit for the growing baby..but here is an article from babycenter.com (a great source; check it out)


Occasional abdominal discomfort is a common pregnancy complaint, and while it may be harmless, it can also be a sign of a serious problem. (Severe or persistent abdominal pain should never be ignored.)

Below we'll describe the most common causes of abdominal pain and discomfort during pregnancy, but don't try to diagnose yourself. If you experience abdominal pain or cramping along with spotting, bleeding, fever, chills, vaginal discharge, faintness, discomfort while urinating, or nausea and vomiting, or if the pain doesn't subside after several minutes of rest, call your practitioner.

What serious problems can cause abdominal pain during pregnancy?
Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in one of the fallopian tubes. It usually causes symptoms at about six or seven weeks after fertilization, but symptoms may occur as early as four weeks, before you even know you're pregnant.

If left untreated, an ectopic pregnancy can rupture and be life threatening. Call your practitioner immediately if you have any of the following symptoms: abdominal or pelvic pain or tenderness, vaginal spotting or bleeding (can be red or brown, copious or scant, continuous or intermittent), pain that gets worse during physical activity or while moving your bowels or coughing, or pain in the tip of your shoulder.

If you're bleeding heavily or having signs of shock (such as a racing pulse, dizziness, fainting, or pale, clammy skin), call 911.

Miscarriage
Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks. Vaginal spotting or bleeding is generally the first symptom, followed by abdominal pain a few hours to a few days later.

The bleeding may be light or heavy. The pain may feel crampy or persistent, mild or sharp, and may feel more like low back pain or pelvic pressure.

Call your practitioner if you have signs of a miscarriage. If you have severe pain or heavy bleeding, you need to be seen immediately.

Preterm labor
You're in preterm labor (also known as premature labor) if you start to have contractions that efface or dilate your cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Call your doctor or midwife right away if you're having any of the following symptoms in your second or third trimester (before 37 weeks):
• An increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's just pink or tinged with blood)

• Vaginal spotting or bleeding

• Abdominal pain, menstrual-like cramping, or more than four contractions in one hour (even if they don't hurt)

• An increase in pressure in the pelvic area

• Low back pain, especially if you didn't previously have back pain.

Placental abruption
Placental abruption is a serious condition in which your placenta separates from your uterus, partially or completely, before your baby's born.

There's wide variation in symptoms. A placental abruption can sometimes cause sudden and obvious bleeding, but in other cases there may not be any noticeable bleeding at first, or you might have only light bleeding or spotting. Or you might see bloody fluid if your water breaks.

You might have uterine tenderness, back pain, or frequent contractions, or the uterus might contract and stay hard — like a cramp or contraction that doesn't go away. You might also notice a decrease in your baby's activity. Immediate medical attention is a must.

Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a complex disorder of pregnancy that causes changes in your blood vessels and can affect a number of organs, including your liver, kidneys, brain, and the placenta. You're diagnosed with preeclampsia if you have high blood pressure and protein in your urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Symptoms may include swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling in your hands, and excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles. (This water retention can lead to a rapid weight gain.)

With severe preeclampsia, you may have intense pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen, a severe headache, visual disturbances (such as blurred vision or seeing spots), or nausea and vomiting. If you have symptoms of preeclampsia, call your doctor or midwife immediately.

Urinary tract infections
Being pregnant makes you more susceptible to urinary tract infections of all kinds, including kidney infections.

Symptoms of a bladder infection may include pain, discomfort, or burning when urinating; pelvic discomfort or lower abdominal pain (often just above the pubic bone); a frequent or uncontrollable urge to pee, even when there's very little urine in the bladder; and cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody urine. Call your caregiver if you have any of these symptoms because an untreated bladder infection can lead to a kidney infection and premature labor.

Signs that the infection has spread to your kidneys — and that you need medical attention immediately — include a high fever, often with shaking, chills, or sweats; pain in your lower back or in your side just under your ribs, on one or both sides (and possibly in your abdomen as well); nausea and vomiting; and possibly pus or blood in your urine.

Other causes
Many other conditions can cause abdominal pain, whether you're pregnant or not. Some of the most common causes of abdominal pain that your practitioner will consider are a stomach virus, food poisoning, appendicitis, kidney stones, hepatitis, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, and bowel obstruction.

Both gallbladder disease and pancreatitis are often a result of gallstones, which are more common during pregnancy. The pressure of the growing uterus on previously scarred intestinal tissue may cause bowel obstruction. It's most likely to occur in the third trimester.

What are the most common causes of harmless abdominal discomfort?
Not all abdominal discomfort is a sign of a serious problem during pregnancy. For example, you may notice a bit of cramping during or right after an orgasm. As long as it's mild and short-lived, it's perfectly normal and nothing to be alarmed about.

Here are some other causes of ordinary abdominal discomfort. But remember, if you're unsure what's going on or your discomfort is severe or persistent, play it safe and call your caregiver.

Gas and bloating
You're much more likely to have gas pain and bloating during pregnancy because of hormones that slow your digestion and the pressure of your growing uterus on your stomach and intestines.

Constipation
Constipation is another common cause of abdominal discomfort throughout pregnancy, thanks to hormones that slow the movement of food through your digestive tract and the pressure of your growing uterus on your rectum.

Round ligament pain
Round ligament pain is generally a brief, sharp, stabbing pain or a longer-lasting, dull ache that you may feel on one or both sides of your lower abdomen or deep in your groin, usually starting in your second trimester. It happens when the ligaments that support your uterus in your pelvis stretch and thicken to accommodate and support its growing size.

You may feel a short jabbing sensation if you suddenly change position, such as when you're getting out of bed or up from a chair or when you cough, roll over in bed, or get out of the bathtub. Or you may feel a dull ache after a particularly active day, if you've been walking a lot or doing some other physical activity. Call your caregiver if this discomfort continues even after you've rested.

Braxton-Hicks contractions
Sometime after midpregnancy, you may start to notice some tightening in your uterus from time to time. Before 37 weeks, these Braxton-Hicks contractions should be infrequent, irregular, and essentially painless.

Call your provider if the contractions are accompanied by lower back pain, if you feel more than four contractions an hour (even if they don't hurt), if they're coming at regular intervals, or if you have any other signs of premature labor.