Finding out you are pregnant is an exciting time. It can also be stressful and frustrating, particularly if you are having symptoms that are causing worry. One common worry in early pregnancy is feeling cramping. Often, this is nothing to worry about and completely normal.
Many women experiencing cramping around the time of a missed period. This may lead some to think they aren’t actually pregnant, but just a little late. Often they are surprised to learn a few weeks later that they are pregnant and the cramping had to do with the pregnancy and not an impending period.
There are a few causes of cramping in early pregnancy. One is implantation. This is when the newly formed embryo reaches the uterus and implants into the wall of the uterus. In some cases, there can even be a tiny bit of spotting, caused by the embryo implanting in the uterus. This type of cramping feels similar to light menstrual cramps.
Once the embryo has implanted, the uterus begins to expand a bit to create room for the baby to grow and develop. This causes the ligaments in the abdomen that support the uterus to stretch. This stretching of the ligaments causes a cramping sensation. This is generally experienced as light menstrual cramping, but there is no blood.
This cramping is generally felt during the first trimester and then dissipates. Later, another type of cramping is normal. Braxton Hicks contractions are also known as false labor contractions. These typically occur later in pregnancy, but can begin in the second trimester for some women. You can usually tell these apart from the real thing because they don’t get stronger or closer together, as happens with real labor.
Of course, there are times when cramping is not normal. For example, if you are experiencing cramping and bleeding, you should call your health care provider. In addition, any other symptoms, such as fever, combined with cramping or cramping and bleeding should be reported right away, as this could be a sign of a problem with the pregnancy.
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