If you're experiencing cramps early in your pregnancy, here's what to know.
Babylist editors love baby gear and independently curate their favorite products to share with you. If you buy something through links on our site, Babylist may earn a commission.
Symptoms can vary so much from pregnancy to pregnancy that it’s often hard to know what exactly is going on in there. If you find yourself noticing every twinge, cramp or ache, you’re definitely not alone. What kind of pain is considered okay and when should you actually worry? Most of the time, cramping during early pregnancy is no cause for concern. In fact, it can even be a good thing. Here’s what you need to know about cramping in early pregnancy, including what’s typical and what you might want to talk to your healthcare provider about.
Is cramping in early pregnancy normal?
Yes, actually. Cramping in early pregnancy is generally normal and usually isn’t a sign of a problem. “Internal changes are happening to prepare the body to grow a baby for approximately nine months,” explains antenatal and postpartum doula Ana Genoa-Taney. So, cramping and other aches and pains may simply be due to changes happening in your body as you’re growing a baby. Cramping, in particular, can have a few different (totally harmless) causes, including:
- Implantation cramps: Cramping can be a really early sign of pregnancy—really early, like only a week or two after conception. Here’s a quick “how babies are made” refresher: After the egg is fertilized in the fallopian tubes, it travels into the uterus and needs to implant itself into the uterine wall. This implantation can cause a little bit of early pregnancy cramping and possibly some light spotting too.
- Growing uterus: “Cramping in early pregnancy is usually due to changes in your uterus,” says Dr. Sarah Yamaguchi, MD, FACOG. You might not look pregnant yet, but your body is changing rapidly in that first trimester. As your uterus starts growing and stretching to house that growing baby, a bit of early pregnancy cramping may become par for the course.
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can sometimes cause your muscles to cramp. Your body uses a lot of water during pregnancy—in early pregnancy, water plays a big role in the healthy development of the placenta. So, it’s easy for pregnant people to feel dehydrated very quickly. Get those ounces in however you can (adding lemon for flavor helps).
- Tummy troubles: Gas, bloating and constipation are no joke when you’re pregnant (it’s such a beautiful time!), so you may feel crampy due to digestion woes. “Pregnancy itself tends to make pregnant people more constipated,” Dr. Yamaguchi notes, “but prenatal vitamins can also exacerbate intestinal symptoms, which can feel like uterine cramping sometimes.”
There can sometimes be more serious causes of cramping in early pregnancy. These include:
- Ectopic pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancy is when the egg implants into a fallopian tube or somewhere else that’s not the uterine lining, causing some pretty serious pain. A sign: the cramps are intense and on one side of the abdomen. If you’ve already had an ultrasound confirming your pregnancy, you don’t need to worry about an ectopic pregnancy.
- Miscarriage: Cramping in early pregnancy is sometimes due to miscarriage—a spontaneous loss of pregnancy. Usually with miscarriage, the cramps are accompanied by bleeding. If you’re experiencing cramps and bleeding, be sure to call your healthcare provider.
- UTI: A urinary tract infection (a.k.a. bladder infection) can cause cramp-like discomfort. And you’re more prone to them while you’re pregnant, so this is definitely a possibility. You may be able to tell the difference between a UTI and other cramping in early pregnancy because, with a UTI, you’d probably have burning when you pee too. The pain of a UTI is usually felt in the lower abdomen.
What do early pregnancy cramps feel like?
Early pregnancy cramps usually feel like pulling or stretching in the belly. They’re often more of an ache than a pain, and you might find them similar to menstrual cramps. You may notice them when you change positions or when you sneeze or cough. If they’re mild and you don’t have any other symptoms, they’re probably no cause for alarm.
But, there are some signs that what you’re experiencing may not be your average cramping in early pregnancy and that there’s a problem. They include:
- Severe pain
- Pain that doesn’t go away
- Cramping sensations in the vagina
- Bleeding or unusual discharge
- Diarrhea or other stomach problems
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Pain in the shoulder or neck
Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the above. In fact, if a certain symptom concerns you, you should always call your healthcare provider. After all, they are there to support you.
How long does cramping last in early pregnancy?
How long your cramping will last depends on its cause. For example, implantation cramps usually last only about one day, while UTI cramps would last (and probably get worse) until you get medical treatment.
Early pregnancy cramping caused by a growing uterus is intermittent, meaning the cramps happen here and there and don’t usually linger for long. If you’re experiencing mild cramping in early pregnancy and have no other symptoms, you can try to ease the discomfort by laying down or sitting, taking a warm bath, doing gentle yoga or relaxation techniques or drinking plenty of water.
As they say, this too shall pass—but know that cramping in early pregnancy may be replaced with other common pregnancy symptoms, like round ligament pain in the second trimester and Braxton Hicks contractions in the third trimester. So be sure to be kind to yourself and get lots of rest during your pregnancy. After all, your body is working hard and that deserves all the naps.
This article was reviewed for factual accuracy in April 2022 by Dr. Christine Sterling, board-certified ob-gyn, member of the Babylist Health Advisory Board and founder of the Sterling Life, a resource for pregnancy and parenting.
Sources:
This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more about how we write Babylist content and the Babylist Health Advisory Board.© 2011-2022 Babylist, Inc
Let’s be real, stomach pains are never going to fill you with joy. But they are particularly upsetting when you’re trying to get pregnant. You might think that the gripes are a sign your period is on the way, or worse - if you’ve recently had a positive pregnancy test, you may be worried about miscarriage.
But cramping in early pregnancy is super common, and, actually it's a symptom that you're expecting. Along with achey boobs and nausea, it can be just one of the many little signs that your body is busy growing a baby.
So how can you tell if your stomach ache is simply a sign that you're on the fast train to parenthood, or if you need to seek medical advice? To get answers, WH asked Dr Virginia Beckett, consultant obstetrician and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, to answer your frequently asked questions on this very topic.
1/ Is it normal to have cramps at 4 weeks pregnant?
Yes, it is perfectly normal to experience a cramping pain during implantation, which is when the fertilised egg nestles into the wall of the womb, explains Dr Beckett. Not every pregnant woman will feel it, but for those who do 'this discomfort is likely to present 10-14 days after conception, or shortly before a woman would expect her next period,' she says.
Now you may be thinking: 'Hang on, 10-14 days isn’t the same as four weeks,' and you’d be right, but the way we count how many weeks pregnant you are, is a bit tricksy. You actually start counting down the weeks from the first day of your last period, which will have been around two weeks before conception.
So your first month of pregnancy is already half way over before you even had sex - which is a bit odd perhaps – but we’re grateful for anything that makes those nine months go a little quicker.
2/ Is it normal to get cramps later on in the first trimester?
Mild cramping at any point during the first three months of pregnancy is usually nothing to worry about, as it can be caused by the significant hormone changes you’re experiencing. 'The body produces higher rates of progesterone during pregnancy, which can have an effect on muscles, ligaments and joints, making them more flexible,' explains Dr Beckett. 'This may be felt as the womb expands to accommodate the growing foetus.'
Other causes of cramps include trapped wind and constipation, both of which are common in pregnancy - it’s such a glamorous time.
If the pain is only mild and goes away after you rest, poo or pass wind, then it’s probably nothing to fret about, according to the NHS. But if you are worried, you should call your midwife (if you have one already) or your GP. Feeling anxious is perfectly understandable and they'll be able address any concerns you have.
3/ What does early pregnancy cramping feel like?
Cramping during implantation 'is likely to feel similar to period pain,' says Dr Beckett. But if the pain is intense or accompanied by lower back pain, then the NHS advises calling your midwife or GP to rule out any other causes.
4/ Where are early pregnancy cramps located?
Implantation cramps will be felt in your lower stomach. 'Further into the pregnancy, women may also experience some cramping and pain around their abdomen and back,' says Dr Beckett.
5/ How long do early pregnancy cramps last?
The pain should go away after you’ve rested for 30 to 60 minutes, according to the NHS. If it doesn’t, or if you are experiencing cramps regularly, then it is best to call your midwife or GP, as it could be a symptom of something that needs to be checked urgently.
6/ What can you do to ease cramping in early pregnancy?
'Mild pain during pregnancy can be managed with paracetamol, if a woman usually takes this safely, and also may be alleviated with a hot water bottle, a warm bath or gentle exercise,' says Dr Beckett. 'If a woman is not sure what she can safely do to manage her pain, she should contact her healthcare professional for advice.'
7/ When should I be worried about cramping in early pregnancy?
'If a woman is experiencing severe or continual pain during early pregnancy, or heavy bleeding, she should contact a healthcare professional for advice or call 999 in an emergency situation,' says Dr Beckett. 'While the majority of cramping and light bleeding during early pregnancy is not a cause for concern, it could indicate the onset of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.'
8/ What do miscarriage cramps feel like?
According to The Miscarriage Association if you miscarry in the early weeks of pregnancy: 'You are likely to have period-like cramps that can be extremely painful. This is because the uterus is tightly squeezing to push its contents out, like it does in labour – and some women do experience contractions not unlike labour'. This pain is likely to be accompanied by heavy bleeding.
So to sum up, cramping is common in early pregnancy and is usually nothing to worry about, but if you have any concerns at all, do contact your GP or midwife. Feeling anxious about your pregnancy is perfectly understandable and they’ll be more than happy to address any problems you have.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io