What type of cramping is normal in early pregnancy

If you buy something through links on our site, Babylist may earn a commission. Is cramping in early pregnancy normal? 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. This implantation can cause a little bit of early pregnancy cramping and possibly some light spotting too.

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 pregnany, water plays a big role in the healthy development of the placenta. Get those ounces in however you can adding lemon for flavor helps. A sign: the cramps are intense and on one side of the abdomen. Miscarriage: Cramping in early pregnancy is sometimes due to miscarriage—a spontaneous loss of pregnancy. Usually with miscarriage, the cramps are accompanied by bleeding.

As your belly grows, so does your uterus. This may cause you to feel some slight pulling, tugging or stretching similar to menstrual cramps. As it stretches, it can cause some mild aches and pains. Time your cramps to see how regular they are and how often you feel them. Some of these activities include:. Other times, it could be non-pregnancy related issues like a bladder infection or constipation which are quite common in pregnancy. You can find a Banner Health specialist near you by visiting bannerhealth.

By Regan Olsson , Contributing Writer. Aug 28, Teach Me. Some of these activities include: Rest: Try to sit, lie down or change positions. Ovarian torsion is a medical emergency. Go to the ER right away If you have a known ovarian cyst and suddenly develop abdominal pain. Many other conditions can cause cramping, whether you're pregnant or not.

Some of the most common causes of cramping or abdominal pain during pregnancy include:. Both gallbladder disease and pancreatitis are often a result of gallstones, which are more common during pregnancy.

Fibroids may grow during pregnancy and cause discomfort. And the pressure of the growing uterus on previously scarred intestinal tissue may cause bowel obstruction, which is most likely to occur in the third trimester. If you have minor pain and no symptoms of anything more serious, try these tips to relieve abdominal pain:.

If you're trying to decide whether your cramps warrant a call to the doctor, walk through the questions in this flow chart. Of course if you have any doubts about what to do, err on the side of caution and call your health provider.

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We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. Bleeding during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Early pregnancy loss. Ectopic pregnancy. Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy. Urinary tract infections UTIs. Preterm labor and birth. March of Dimes.

National Library of Medicine. Pregnancy loss miscarriage : Risk factors, etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic evaluation. Join now to personalize. Cramps during pregnancy are often nothing to worry about. Implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus can cause early pregnancy cramps, for example.

On the other hand, first trimester cramps along with other symptoms such as bleeding can be a sign of a problem such as an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

Later in pregnancy, round ligament pain or Braxton Hicks contractions can cause harmless cramping. But if the pain is severe or you have other symptoms, the cramping may signal a problem such as preterm labor or placental abruption. Photo credit: Nathan Haniger for BabyCenter.

Are cramps during pregnancy normal? Early pregnancy cramps Cramping in the second and third trimester Is there anything I can do to relieve cramps during pregnancy?

When to call the doctor for cramps during pregnancy: A visual guide. Call your healthcare provider if: Your cramping doesn't go away after several minutes of rest The cramping or pain is severe You have other symptoms, such as fever or dizziness You have pain in the upper abdomen, or your abdomen is unusually sensitive to touch, especially when pressure is released This could signal a serious abdominal infection.

Early pregnancy cramps Possible causes of early pregnancy cramps and minor abdominal pain include: Implantation cramps About 6 to 12 days after conception, when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, you may have some light bleeding and light cramping. The cramping and bleeding are less than you would feel with a normal period, and you might also experience: Nausea Breast tenderness Lower back pain Mood swings Headaches Implantation bleeding is perfectly normal, and it happens to about 15 to 25 percent of pregnant women.

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. Also call if you have any of these symptoms: Blood in your stool Severe diarrhea Constipation Pregnancy hormones that slow down your digestion and the pressure of your growing uterus on your rectum can lead to constipation.

Call your healthcare provider if your constipation is severe or if you also have: Abdominal pain Diarrhea Mucus or blood in your stool Cramping during orgasm You may notice a bit of cramping during or right after an orgasm. Call your healthcare provider if you have more than mild cramping that doesn't go away after a few minutes or if you have: Pain Bleeding Discharge Miscarriage Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks.

Symptoms of an early pregnancy loss might include: Vaginal bleeding or spotting Abdominal cramps. The pain may be mild or sharp, intermittent or constant. Cramping might feel like the cramps you have with a menstrual period. It may also feel more like lower back pain or pelvic pressure. Passing of tissue or clot-like material from the vagina Call your provider if you have signs of a miscarriage.

Ectopic pregnancy An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, typically in one of the fallopian tubes. Call your provider immediately if you have any of the following symptoms: Abdominal or pelvic cramping or pain or tenderness especially sharp, sudden pain that happens only on one side Vaginal spotting or bleeding Pain that gets worse during physical activity or while moving your bowels or coughing Low back pain If the fallopian tube ruptures, it's a medical emergency.

Go to an emergency room immediately or call if you have any of the following symptoms: Shoulder pain in addition to abdominal pain This is from a buildup of blood under your diaphragm caused by the ruptured fallopian tube. Sudden, severe pain in the abdomen or pelvis Weakness, dizziness, or fainting Urinary tract infections Being pregnant — at any stage — makes you more susceptible to urinary tract infections of all kinds, including kidney infections.