What does mild cramping mean in early pregnancy

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Is cramping in early pregnancy normal?
What do early pregnancy cramps feel like?
How long does cramping last in early pregnancy?

If you're experiencing cramps early in your pregnancy, here's what to know.

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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.

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If you’ve been pregnant before, you’re probably very familiar with this cramping pain. Cramping during early pregnancy feels a lot like normal period cramps. The pain is usually located in the lower abdomen and typically only lasts for a few minutes.

Stomach cramps during early pregnancy are relatively common. If you get a few stomach cramps during the first trimester of pregnancy, it’s probably not a cause for alarm. These cramps are typically part of the normal physical changes in the body that occur in preparation for the baby.

Very early in your pregnancy, you may get cramps as well as light bleeding when the embryo is implanted into the wall of the uterus. This process can sometimes lead to implantation cramps and bleeding. As the pregnancy progresses, you may also feel cramping as your uterus changes and stretches to accommodate the baby.

In the following sections, we will talk about the causes of pregnancy cramps and when to call your health care provider.

It is common to experience mild pain or cramps in your abdomen during pregnancy. In most cases, abdominal pain in early pregnancy is caused by normal bodily changes such as:

Implantation — When a fertilized egg forms a blastocyst and implants into the lining of the uterine wall, it can cause a bit of cramping in your lower abdomen. This is known as implantation cramping and is often one of the first signs of pregnancy.
Uterine growth — During the first two trimesters, there is rapid uterine growth to accommodate the growing fetus. This can also lead to early pregnancy cramping. As the ligaments and muscles that support the uterus also grow, you might experience sharp pain when you stand, change position, or sneeze/cough.
Orgasm — If you have sex while pregnant, you may experience cramps after an orgasm. The pain may feel similar to a period cramp and usually goes away quickly. This doesn’t mean that you have to stop having sex if you’re pregnant, though. That being said, if the pain is severe and accompanied by bleeding, consult with your health care provider immediately.

In rare cases, early pregnancy cramps may be caused by the following pregnancy problems:

Early miscarriage — In some cases, cramping may mean a miscarriage. But this is not always the case. When cramping is severe, prolonged, and/or occurs along with bleeding or vaginal discharge, make sure to seek immediate medical attention. An early pregnancy miscarriage is most likely to occur in the first trimester.
Ectopic pregnancy — An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. For instance, it may attach to the uterine tube, abdominal cavity, or cervix. An ectopic pregnancy may result in severe abdominal cramps that may be accompanied by bleeding. If you experience severe cramping, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Stomach pain in early pregnancy can be worrying, especially if it’s your first pregnancy and you’re not familiar with the physical sensations. While cramping during early pregnancy is usually normal, it’s still good to pay attention to your pregnancy pains.

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If something feels out of the ordinary, contact your health care provider as soon as possible. Understanding the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy (or first-trimester) cramps, can help you figure out what is normal and when to call your health care provider.

Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms during early pregnancy:

Normal cramping pain — Normal pregnancy cramps are very similar to period cramps, which are usually not very severe. In early pregnancy, you may experience short cramps in your lower abdomen.
Light bleeding — Light spotting during early pregnancy might be linked to implantation bleeding.

If you’re not sure if you’re pregnant and experience cramping along with nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, and spotting, make sure to take a pregnancy test. These can be early symptoms of pregnancy.

Needless to say, painful cramps during early pregnancy can be inconvenient and uncomfortable. You might be experiencing physical and emotional changes, and adding cramps to your discomfort might feel overwhelming. Treating pregnancy cramps can help you feel more comfortable and as stress free as possible.

If you’re experiencing cramps, here are a few tips for alleviating them quickly:

Drink water. You are more likely to experience cramps if you are dehydrated. Make sure that you drink at least eight cups of water each day.
Change positions. When you experience cramps, try shifting positions while lying or sitting down. Don’t put pressure on the source of the pain.
Stretch and exercise. Try doing mild pregnancy exercises or stretch your body to soothe cramped muscles. In addition to relieving active cramps, this can also help prevent future ones.
Gentle massage. A massage can stimulate blood circulation in your muscles, relieving uncomfortable cramps. Getting a gentle lower back massage might help relieve aches.
Sleep. Try to get a good night’s sleep during early pregnancy as this makes you feel rested. Try to get enough sleep every night.

Although early pregnancy cramps are usually normal and not life threatening, it’s also important to see your health care provider if the cramps become severe. Your health care provider can rule out any conditions such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or infectious diseases that may affect you or your baby. Here are a few signs and symptoms to watch out for. Make sure to see your health care provider if you experience any of these:

Bleeding — If your cramps are accompanied by any amount of blood, consult your health care provider as soon as possible.
Severe pain — If you experience severe cramps that don’t go away and are getting worse, head to the hospital immediately.