Cramping in Early Pregnancy
Many women get concerned by cramping that they experience in early pregnancy. Some might worry that this is a sign that their pregnancy is not viable and that a miscarriage is on its way. Fortunately, more times than not, that isn’t the case.
Cramping in Early Pregnancy is Common. And usually normal.
Implantation Cramping
In the first few weeks of pregnancy, implantation cramping, oftentimes accompanied by implantation bleeding, occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus. Some women might feel implantation cramping as soon as seven days after they ovulate, while others might not feel cramping at all.
Cramping may continue throughout pregnancy as the uterus prepares to carry a baby for nine months. Your uterus is a big organ and as it grows in early pregnancy cramping is not uncommon. If the cramping is constant or too intense for you to handle however it may not be “normal” and you should call your doctor for reassurance.
Round Ligament Pain
Cramping after the initial stages of pregnancy is called round ligament pain. These cramps may be dull and achy, or a sharp pain that you notice when changing position. This cramping occurs because the muscles under your uterus expand and grow in order to support the weight of your uterus and baby as it grows. This is probably the most complained about cramping in pregnancy, and one most pregnant women will experience.
Should I Be Worried?
Cramping in early pregnancy is usually nothing for a woman to get worried about. Actually you may be comforted by knowing that if minor pregnancy cramping does occur, then your body is probably preparing as it should to sustain the pregnancy. But as always, if you are concerned or ever feel that the cramping is not normal, be sure to call your doctor for advice.
Could I Be Pregnant?
If you are Trying To Conceive, this could be good news! Compare your symptoms to other Early Signs of Pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, today’s Home Pregnancy Tests can show positive results as early as a week before your period is due. If you’re not ready to buy a pregnancy test just yet, enter your last menstrual cycle date into our Due Date Calculator to determine when you ovulated last. That will give you a little insight too!
Did you experience pregnancy cramping? Please share your story with us.
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April 26th, 2013 at 5:38 pm
Hi. I had my period on the 12th of Jan. In Feb. I was spotting for about 2 days bug didnt have a full period. In March I started my period (or what I thought was) on the 25th. Today is April 25th and I have been cramping but no period. Could I be pregnant?
March 18th, 2013 at 11:34 pm
Hi ‘ ladies
Well I’m 6 weeks pregnant and I been having cramps for the past 4 days already , I
Don’t know if its a good thing or bad , but I called east manatee and spoke to a nurse and she told me its commen just to drink alot of water ,rest and to not carry heavy stuff but I’m still a lil worried . Now this is my first pregnacy so I’m new to this someone give me more advice .
February 15th, 2013 at 7:23 pm
hi, ladies i found out i was pregant last friday at 2am not what i thought was wrong with me. but i had a test at home so i took it. and in less than 10 sec. it was positive. I had cramps and sore breast and morning sickness that week and didnt know it. but i still get cramps off and on. I hope to see a doc. today if not ill make an appt. next week. im thinking im about 8 weeks to 10 weeks already so ya it was a surprise to me. well good luck to you ladies.
November 30th, 2012 at 11:01 am
My situation is weird, has this happened to anybody? AF was ten days late in November and when it arrived it started a little heavy and then started getting light by the next night it was gone. Which means it lasted almost two days. I took two hpt both were negative. Now two weeks later I’m having on and off slight cramping in lower stomach and near overies. Can I be pregnant and tested too early? I have two kids and my due dates are always off by two weeks like I ovulate around my period. With my daughter and son I found out at 6 wks but the doctors said I was 8 weeks up until my first ultrasound and blood work with both. Any advice???
November 27th, 2012 at 11:06 am
I recently found out I am pregnant I have my first appointment on thurs and I’m having cramps and nausea… This will be baby # 2 I can’t wait…..
November 19th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
it’s my 3rd pregnancy. And all 3 of them were different throught the whole 9 months.But 1 thing was common: THE CRAMPING!!! i barely had those with my 1st, mildy with the 2nd, and big time with the 3rd one. I know for a fact my baby was conceived on nov 2nd 2012, 4 to 5 days later, my breasts were being sore, i had a lot fo white milky odorless vaginal discharge and cramping came early. I feel the cramping on each side, under my belly button…it feels like an elastic stretching inside of you (different cramps then menstrual ones), it feels like a sharp pain , it comes and it goes…so yup, those cramps are a preparation for your baby!!!…it is preparing a home for your bundle of joy for the next 9 months!!!
October 11th, 2012 at 8:52 am
Okay so I found out I am 1-2 weeks pregnant and I am cramping on my sides and my belly button and down. Is that normal?
July 25th, 2012 at 11:41 pm
2day i found out I was pregnant at my obgyn and I been Having cramps on and off sumtimes mild and sumtimes big cramps but my doctor said it was normal unless its bleeding or constant cramping involve so as long as its not bad then you will be fine you should not worry but try not to stress for your baby
July 15th, 2012 at 8:31 am
Kate the 122 must be your hcg (hormone) level & for this doctor’s have a chart which is used as a guideline for how far along you would be…the further along in your pregnancy you get the higher the level of hcg. When I miscarried with my first baby at 10 weeks my levels were a lot lower then what they should have been & as I lost the baby they took a complete dive
I now have a beautiful healthy 15 month old little girl & we only ttc at the start of this month for another one. I have been having bad cramping which I didn’t have with my daughter so I am praying all is ok. I haven’t even had a missed period yet but I have been having slight headaches, am sleepy,quite hungry, passing wee often, dull back ache… Hope all works out for everyone on here as it can be such a happy time in your life & sometimes a very sad time too.
July 12th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Hi, i missed my period, it was due on 03 july and my last sexual encounter was on 26 june. when i took the pregnancy test it came out negative. On monday i started to discharge a white sticky substance with no ordor or was it itchy. One other thing my breasts r tender, but i’m cramping like my period is due. I’ve had a miscarriage before and two ceasarian births. Could any of this be contributing to the cramps.
July 9th, 2012 at 7:42 pm
i am now 7-8 weeks pregnant is cramping is normal?but sometimes i cannot walk bec. of my lower abdominal cramps please help me
May 24th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Hey me and my bf have had unprotected sex and he you know came inside me about 3 or 4 times. I’ve took 2 test an they both said negative but I been sleepy lately and I’m having weird cravings. This is my 3rd time being pregnant if I am and now I’m cramping like I’m about to come on my period as we speak. I don’t know what else to do. There’s no bleeding either just cramps like its my first day of my cycle. Should I get a different brand of the test or what?
May 21st, 2012 at 1:25 am
Hi me and my boyfriend is ttc, and my LMP was april 30th. We had intercourse on May 7th & 14th. On the 14th I had a milky white discharge no odor, itching, or burning. Now I’m having cramping everyday off and on, I’m wondering could I be pregnant.
May 6th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Not too early at all. I’m not due until the 11th, took two tests yesterday and they were both positive. Of course, if its negative, wait a few days. This is #3 for me and I’ve always trusted to EPT, 6 days sooner. Good luck!
May 3rd, 2012 at 9:23 pm
My husband and I are trying to get pregnant. I’ve been feeling sleepy as having cramping like my period is going to start.my period is supposed to come today and so far nothing.we last has intercourse about 3weeks ago!! Is it too early to test?
April 22nd, 2012 at 5:38 pm
I’m exactly 6weeks today and have been experiencing so slight cramping. I’ve miscarried before and I am terrified of repeating history. No matter how much I read up on the subject, and keep getting told it’s normal, I’m not very reassured. I’m hoping my doctor has good news
April 22nd, 2012 at 9:02 am
Hi
I havé abdominal pain in m’y right side. Nô bleeding , no headache or nô other symptoms. I am 5 weeks and 4 days.,i am worrying that ectopical prégnant? If you havé similar sitution please help me? Is it normal abdominal pain right side?
April 21st, 2012 at 9:58 am
If it helps anyone out i found out i was pregnant at 8 weeks. the way i found out was because i was crampng so bad it made me sick. When i went to the doctor they told me i was 8 weeks along and the baby already had a strong heartbeat. I am now 10 weeks and go back to the doctor April 30th. The cramping still worries me sometimes but if you just relax and take a few deep breaths, you’ll be fine:) Hope this helps someone!
March 27th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
I’m approximately 5 weeks and I’ve been cramping like I’m gonna be getting my period soon. If I relax I’m ok but as soon as I’m on the go it starts seems like. Seen my doctor and she’s got me doing some blood work. In a way im kinda worried cuz I dont remember this with my 1st two. So I dunno. But after reading all this I’m confused.
February 25th, 2012 at 9:59 am
This sight helpsme out a lot through my early pregnancy.
February 21st, 2012 at 7:50 pm
I lost my baby… worst day of my life. I’m so sorry for any ones loss. For me cramping was not good even without bleeding because i believe i would have been 8 weeks and 4 days today but my baby died at 5 weeks 4 days when i was cramping. Everyone is different… i thought it was normal but for this baby it wasn’t and i really wish i could get my baby back….
February 15th, 2012 at 10:51 am
Rushed to the er Monday morning with a clot and some cramping and i was sure i had miscarried…so far they told me i haven’t…right now the blood is like a period. They measured me at 5 weeks and 4 days so now i should be 5 weeks and 6. My hcg was 1172…that’s very good and the baby and sack were seen in the ultra sound also good. I’m too early in pregnancy to check for viability. They sent me to work yesterday with a threatened miscarriage and the cramping and bleeding got much worse. I stand for long periods of time at work…so from there i went to the hospital where they told me they could do nothing because i needed to get my levels checked every 48 hours. So today maybe il finally ill get good news.but I’m nervous… I’m on bed rest and the bleeding and cramping is a lot less but just why and where is this blood coming from…it cant b good for the baby.:(
February 15th, 2012 at 3:21 am
to porsha I wouldn’t worry, I had the brown bleeding on and off forthe firt 6 mnths of my first pregnancy, third I had it for the first mnth but all was well I was told its just old blood passing no harm to baby
February 12th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
So now I’m really scared. I have not been cramping for a while thank God but today i started to bleed brown blood lightly. My boons aren’t as sore as they have been but they do that time to time. I’m still peering tons and still get a positive. Test. I called the on call doctor who said unless it gets worse and accompanied by cramps not to worry and continue to wait for my appointment Tuesday. I honestly just feel like its bad news but I’m praying and praying.
February 6th, 2012 at 12:38 am
hi i discovered im pregnant last wk havent a clue how far along i am but friday dr did blood test and my homone level was at 122 he sed its early less then 4 wks but sat i started cramping and its still there today and saturday i started bleeding its not heavy its light blood size of 2 50c pices. my boobs arnt sore no more. but i keep getting told its normal in early just conceive stage to be getting cramps/bleeding… but dr is putting it dwn to misscarriaging.. what does 122 mean..