What Is The Treatment For Cramps In Early Pregnancy
Often there isnt a quick or sure way to make cramps in early pregnancy go away. If youve made certain your cramps are only related to early pregnancy, here are some things you can do to relieve your discomfort:
- Try to sit down, lie down, or change positions. You could try crossing or uncrossing your legs or lie in a position with your knees toward your tummy to help reduce stretching of ligaments temporarily.
- Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. Drinking water allows your body to flush fluid out of your system instead of retaining it fluid retention can lead to bloating and cramping. Because your body naturally produces more fluid during pregnancy, its important to stay hydrated. Hydration can also help with constipation.
- Use heat packs or hot water bottles. Heat has long been used as a gentle way to treat cramping and inflammation. Its safe to use a heat pack or hot water bottle on your tummy or back during any stage of pregnancy. Use a towel or hot water bottle cover to protect your skin from direct heat.
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fiber. Fiber allows your stools to move more easily through your bowel this helps prevent constipation. Fiber is found in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
- Take Paracetamol . Paracetamol is safe to consume throughout pregnancy. Remember to read the packaging and do not exceed the recommended dose. You should avoid Nurofen and other anti-inflammatories, unless you have consulted a medical professional.
When You Should Talk To Your Doctor About First Trimester Cramps
Most first trimester cramping is normal, but that doesnt mean that you shouldnt take your concerns to your provider. This is your pregnancy and your body. If youve been having cramps off and on for the last couple days and things just feel off, there is nothing wrong, embarrassing, or paranoid about calling your provider.
Just keep in mind the big warning signs:
- Severe cramps accompanied by blood
- Burning sensation when peeing
- Clots of discharge tissue
Stay Calm and Preggo On
I hope by now youre feeling a little better about your first trimester cramps, or at the very least, have an idea of whats going on. I understand how scary it can be to experience these sensations. You have no idea whats going on, and all you can do is interpret the obscure signals your body is giving you.
Just remember, most mom-to-bes that experience pregnancy cramps have absolutely no issues and go on to deliver healthy, happy babies. Just monitor your discomfort and keep an eye out for the red flags above.
If youve experienced first trimester cramps in the past and have a great tip youd like to share, wed love to hear from you. Let us know in the comments below!
Causes Of Early Pregnancy Cramps
There are actually a few different reasons why you might experience early pregnancy cramps in those first few weeks and months.
While early pregnancy cramps are generally considered harmless, they can be a sign that something is wrongespecially when theyre accompanied by heavy bleeding. Rest assured, though, that a little pelvic ache by itself isnt really cause for concern, says Rose. Still, if you experience strong cramps, bleeding or unusual discharge, or have any other troubling symptoms, reach out to your doctor.
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Abnormal Cramps During Pregnancy
Any cramping that seems out of the ordinary, such as cramps that feel severe and that dont go away, should be reported to your doctor. Its possible that youre perfectly fine, but its important to be absolutely sure just to be safe. Sometimes, severe cramping can signify an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants in one of the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy is a very serious, dangerous condition that requires immediate surgery as the pregnancy cannot be sustained. It can also threaten the moms health if the fallopian tube ruptures. Cramping on one side should also be reported to your doctor as it might mean an ectopic pregnancy. Cramping accompanied by vaginal bleeding should also be immediately reported to the doctor. It might mean youre experiencing a miscarriage. The doctor can diagnose it or rule it out by ordering an ultrasound or hCG blood test. If youre concerned about cramps during pregnancy, contact WFMC Health to schedule an in-office or telehealth appointment.
Do you have more questions about pregnancy cramps in Salem Oregon? Talk to our staff at WFMC Health or become a new patient today!
- Deliver your baby at either Salem Hospital or Silverton Hospital
- Unique Centering classes offer support and sharing during pregnancy
- Well share nutritional resources to help you and your baby stay healthy
- Spanish-speaking nurses and staff
What Causes Early Pregnancy Cramps
It may feel like period pains, but cramping during early pregnancy is actually your body preparing for your baby to grow. Uterine cramps are often a result of the uterus growing and stretching during pregnancy, explains Halliday.
Other harmless reasons could be a full bladder or bowel, diarrhoea or constipation, ligaments stretching or even dehydration. Women might also experience sensations during or after exercise or sex, she adds.
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Talk To Your Doctor About Taking Extra Magnesium
A lack of magnesium in your diet can negatively affect your muscles ability to relax. That can make your body more prone to cramps. If cramps are a continuous problem, we suggest talking to your doctor about getting more magnesium, be it through dietary changes or through a prenatal supplement. Foods like spinach, walnuts, bananas, and dark chocolate are excellent natural sources of magnesium. Your doctor might actually utter the words You need to eat more chocolate.
Why Am I Cramping
During your first and second trimester, your body is busy working overtime to prepare for your new baby.
The muscles in your uterus will soon begin to stretch and expand. This can cause a pulling feeling on both sides of your stomach. Very early in your pregnancy, you may even feel aches that are similar to those during your period. Increasing pelvic pressure over the course of pregnancy is quite common, explained Annette Bond, MD, director of maternal-fetal medicine at Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut.
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Dont Let Cramps And Back Pain Ruin Your Pregnancy Experience
We understand that cramping and lower back pain in early pregnancy can be confusing, painful, and stressful. Despite this, however, it is important not to let those symptoms ruin the incredible experience youre in the middle of.
While its easy to get overwhelmed by whats happening with your body, the end result is really something to marvel at.
If youve experienced cramping and lower back pain during pregnancy, what types of pregnancy back pain relief did you use?
How Do You Know Youre Pregnant Without Taking A Test
If your experiencing any or most of the usual pregnancy signs: missed period, implantation bleeding or pain, sore breasts, nausea, heightened sense of smell, sensitive gums or fatigue then you may be pregnant. The only way to know for SURE is to take a test.
If you are getting a negative result and you are SURE youre pregnant- ask your doctor for a blood test. I had a FALSE NEGATIVE at my DOCTORS OFFICE with a pee test!! She looked at my like I was crazy when I told her it was wrong. I got a blood test and sure enough- pregnant. Blood tests are way more accurate and can tell you earlier.
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Cramping In The Third Trimester
Cramping in the third trimester of pregnancy is most often caused by Braxton-Hicks contractions, also known as false labor pains.
“You can think of Braxton-Hicks contractions as the uterus revving its engine and getting ready for the race ahead. Braxton-Hicks contractions do little on their own. Think of them as a pre-labor tune up,” says Abdelhak.
Unlike true labor pains, which will get stronger and closer together, Braxton-Hicks are more sporadic and might change or stop with rest or movement. The discomfort they cause usually isn’t as intense as a true labor contraction.
Timing your contractions for an hour can help you determine which type you’re experiencing.
- Your contractions are five to seven minutes apart
- Your water breaks
- You’re less than 37 weeks pregnant
Why And When You Need To Be Checked
So the normal or the mild cramps are often a matters during pregnancy but the severe one can lead to miscarriage and other troubles in baby born. It is needed to check the women periodically. When it needs to check her, is much more caring to have a sound baby born.
- To be assured or being concerned it can be checked.
- Vaginal bleeding that cant be stopped need to be checked.
- In the case of acute pain, in the shoulder or abdomen, it is suggested to check up.
- Problem in urination and fewer pregnancy signs need to check carefully.
- If you feel discomfort and rising temperature should be checked for cramping.
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Where Are Early Pregnancy Cramps Located
Most early pregnancy cramps are felt in the lower stomach and lower back.
This is because in early pregnancy your uterus is still small and tucked inside your pelvis, meaning cramps are lower in your tummy and back.
Sometimes, cramps related to ligament stretching can be felt down the upper, inner thigh or in the back of the legs. You might also notice cramping only happens with certain movements or when you change positions.
How Do You Feel Pregnancy Cramps
There are some pains in the period of pregnancy, but what it feels like if its a cramp. The way you can feel a pregnancy cramps are a different way. They are likely to be same as familiar pains and other cramps. But during the early pregnancy, it is felt and in next time it is felt as the stomach pain or cramps like tummy one.
- Light cramps are like to be a menstruation pain and the same feeling of dragging heavily in the pelvis.
- It can be for a long period or shorter at the last hours of the day.
- Most commonly it feels noticeable while laughing, sneezing or coughing.
- It can be felt in your shoulders, waist or on the back sometimes.
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Relieving Stomach Cramps During Pregnancy
Stomach cramps during early pregnancy often feel like period pains, and are perfectly normal to have. Whenever you get a stomach cramp, try to relax in a warm water bath, and do some mild exercise like swimming or walking. Get a hot water bottle, place it on your painful region, and curl up on a sofa. You may also ask someone to give you a gentle rub on the lower back. You will definitely feel a lot better than before.
How To Treat Stomach Cramps During The First Trimester
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 youre 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. Dont 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 nights sleep during early pregnancy as this makes you feel rested. Try to get enough sleep every night.
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Unusual Spotting Outside Your Period
Are you seeing light pink to brown spotting a week before your period? According to board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist Dr. Mark Trolice, Vaginal spotting one week after ovulation could represent implantation. Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of your uterus. This can cause some light bleeding or spotting due to the massive burrowing the embryo has to do to completely implant itself. Some of the lining of the uterus is sloughed off and passes through your cervix.
Spotting between periods is definitely more common than cramps between periods, so this can be harder for women to distinguish. Some get the spotting so close to their periods they just assume it is the start of their normal period. Normally, implantation spotting should not be heavy and should not last for more than three days. There are also other crucial signs to tell the difference between a regular period versus implantation bleeding. But its safe to say that if you arent used to spotting in between, and your period is not due for more than a few days, then it could be the result of conception and implantation!
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What Should I Do For Cramps While Pregnant
If you experience minor cramping during pregnancy, there are a couple of things you can do for prevention and self-care:
- Try to sit, lie down or change positions.
- Soak in a warm bath.
- Try doing relaxation exercises.
- Place a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel on the ache.
- Make sure you get plenty of fluids.
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Stretching Of The Uterus
During the first weeks of pregnancy, you likely wont notice your uterus growing or expanding. But by the 12th week, your uterus stretches and grows to about the size of a grapefruit. If youre pregnant with twins or multiples, you may feel your uterus stretching sooner.
Symptoms of your uterus stretching may include twinges, aches, or mild discomfort in your uterine or lower abdominal region. This is a normal part of pregnancy and a sign that everything is progressing normally.
Watch for spotting or painful cramping. Report these symptoms to your doctor.
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 until you get medical treatment.
Early pregnancy cramping caused by a growing uterus is intermittent, meaning the cramps happen here and there and dont usually linger for long. If youre 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 passbut 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 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 abouthow we write Babylist contentand theBabylist Health Advisory Board.
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How To Relieve Cramps During Pregnancy
If you have pregnancy cramps that don’t seem worrisome, Dr. Puritz advises getting off your feet, resting, drinking fluids, and taking acetaminophen if needed for pain relief. Don’t use a heating pad on your abdomen because raising your core temperature is dangerous during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester.
Dr. Klauser recommends that his patients try a warm shower. They might also benefit from stretching and sitting breaks throughout the day, particularly if their cramping is worse after long periods of being in one position.
Most importantly, always contact your doctor for unusual cramps or ones that don’t go away. “I always tell my patients that I love a false alarm,” says Dr. Puritz. “I’m happy to see you and say you’re fine rather than miss something where I could have intervened.”
How To Get Relief From Pregnancy Cramping
Hoping for ways to get some relief from pregnancy cramping? These tips may help:
- Drink water. Dehydration can increase the risk of uterine contractions and cramping. Plus, drinking more water can help prevent constipation. So, whether you’re experiencing pregnancy cramps or Braxton Hicks contractions, drinking water can often bring relief.
- Take a warm shower. “A warm shower can do wonders,” Mallon says. Taking a warm, but not hot, shower can relax tense muscles and help soothe pain, so it may help ease other types of pregnancy pain along with cramps.
- Tylenol. If you’re looking for an over-the-counter pain reliever for pregnancy cramps, Adelhak recommends Tylenol .
Note: Research has linked anti-inflammatories, ibuprofen, and aspirin to a higher risk of birth defects. Always check with your care team before trying any medication or supplement.
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