Vulva Change In Colour
One of the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy can be a change in colour of your vulva and vagina. Your vulva and vagina are usually pink, but this changes to dark purplish-red as your pregnancy progresses. This happens because more blood is needed in that area to build the tissue, a change which midwives refer to as Chadwicks sign.
What else could it be?All of the maintenance we perform on our vaginas can contribute to a change in colour. If you have been using razors or hair removal creams you could be suffering from reddening or a rash. Also, watch out for washing products that arent sensitive to the hormone balance as this can have an effect too. Look for gentle products to prevent irritation to your vagina.
Is 6 Weeks Pregnant Cramping Normal To Experience
For the majority of women, mild cramping will be a normal part of the first trimester. These cramps generally occur because the body is physically changing to get ready for the baby. When the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall, you may experience light bleeding or cramping. These initial cramps occur around when you were supposed to start your period, so you may not realize that they are from implantation.
After this initial cramping episode, the cramps may stop for a while. Before long, your womb needs to make room for the new baby. It has to change its shape and grow, so you may experience some cramps while this process is taking place.
Is It Round Ligament Pain
Round ligament pain usually starts in the second trimester, so its unlikely to be the cause of pain in early pregnancy. The round ligaments are located in the pelvis and hold the uterus in place. As your belly grows, they stretch.
With round ligament pain, you may experience what feels like a spasm on the right side of your abdomen or right hip. Some pregnant women do feel round ligament pain on both sides, though.
The pain should only last a few seconds or minutes, though it may return when you laugh or do certain movements like standing or bending down.
If you continue to experience round ligament pain, it may be helpful to try light stretching, prenatal yoga, or prenatal massage. Always check with your doctor before trying these treatments, though.
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How Are Pregnancy Cramps Different From Period Cramps
If youre biologically a woman, youre probably no stranger to period cramps. You know, that awful feeling that has you bent over in agony at least three days out of the month? Yeah, I know it too well. Its not a fun time of the month.
Heres the quick and dirty on period cramps. Period cramps are brought on by prostaglandins that cause your uterus to contract in order to shed its lining. The severity of your cramps can depend on the level of prostaglandins . Or underlying conditions like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and cervical stenosis.
Pregnancy cramps, on the other hand, have a different cause. The usual culprit of pregnancy cramps is implantation. When the fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall, your body may react by having slight bleeding and cramps. Its a perfectly normal bodily reaction to pregnancy. This happens about 6 to 12 days post-ovulation, which coincides with when your period would have started. So it makes it more difficult to determine the cause of cramping. But, one way you can usually tell your pregnancy cramping apart from period cramping is by the severity of your cramps. Pregnancy cramping is usually not as severe. It may feel like pricking or pulling inside of your lower abdomen.
Mild Cramping During Early Stages Of Pregnancy
June 24, 2017 by ModernMom Staff
Mild cramping during early pregnancy is fairly common. While it can be a frightening feeling to a newly pregnant woman, it is often not a sign of miscarriage. Your newly pregnant body must go through many changes. In the early weeks of pregnancy, many women experience slight cramping as their body adjusts to the pregnancy. Changes in the uterus as the baby implants can create cramping that feels similar to menstrual cramps. If you are concerned that your cramping is not normal or you experience severe cramping, contact your doctor.
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When To Worry About Cramping In Early Pregnancy
Brian Levine, MD, MS, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.
When you’re pregnant, it’s natural to noticeand fret aboutevery new ache and pain in your body. This goes double for cramp-like pains in your lower abdomen that may cause you to worry that you’re having a miscarriage.
But cramping during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy is surprisingly common and does not necessarily mean you’re having a miscarriage. A 2016 study published in the journal Human Reproduction found that although 85% of women experienced abdominal cramping at some point during their first 20 weeks of pregnancy, only 28% miscarried.
Read on to learn about the many reasons you might experience cramping during early pregnancy that are quite normal and ways to relieve the discomfort, as well as how to recognize when lower abdominal pain might indicate a problem that requires a call or visit to your doctor.
Should I Be Having Cramps At 4 Weeks Pregnant
Early symptoms of pregnancy
It often happens around the time your period would have been due and is relatively common. You may also have some period-like cramping in these early weeks. If you notice any bleeding at any stage of your pregnancy, though, its important to get it checked out by your doctor or midwife.
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When Should I Worry About Cramping During My Pregnancy
When youre pregnant, your body undergoes many changes as it makes room for your little one . While some of these changes may be no big whoop, others, particularly things like cramping, can have you quickly searching Google for their causes.
While some mild pregnancy cramps are a normal symptom of your ever-expanding body, other cramps could indicate a serious problem. Pregnancy cramps can give many women anxiety, so its important to know the common reasons for their occurrence and what you should do about them.
We asked Srijaya Soujanya Nalla, MD, an OBGYN at Banner Health Clinic;in Loveland, CO, to help explain the normal causes for cramping, abnormal causes and treatment recommendations for both.
When Do I Need To Get Checked
- If you are worried, concerned or just need reassurance.
- If you have any vaginal bleeding or spotting which does not stop, or increases.
- If you develop any acute, strong pain in your abdomen or, in the tips of your shoulders.
- If your temperature is elevated or you feel generally unwell.
- If you are having problems passing urine. You may have the urge to wee but are having problems starting or stopping mid-flow.
- If your pregnancy symptoms are less noticeable.
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Pelvic Pain During Early Pregnancy
, MD, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Early in pregnancy, many women have pelvic pain. Pelvic pain refers to pain in the lowest part of the torso, in the area below the abdomen and between the hipbones . The pain may be sharp or crampy and may come and go. It may be sudden and excruciating, dull and constant, or some combination. Usually, temporary pelvic pain is not a cause for concern. It can occur normally as the bones and ligaments shift and stretch to accommodate the fetus.
If caused by a disorder, pelvic pain may be accompanied by other symptoms, including vaginal bleeding Vaginal Bleeding During Early Pregnancy During the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, 20 to 30% of women have vaginal bleeding. In about half of these women, the pregnancy ends in a miscarriage. If miscarriage does not occur immediately… read more . In some disorders, such bleeding can be severe, sometimes leading to dangerously low blood pressure .
Pelvic pain differs from abdominal pain, which occurs higher in the torso, in the area of the stomach and intestine. However, sometimes women have trouble discerning whether pain is mainly in the abdomen or pelvis. Causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy are usually not related to the pregnancy.
Food Aversions Or Cravings
Taste is one thing that can be altered pretty quickly in early pregnancy. Even before a missed period, some women experience a shift in their taste buds. Some of the foods and drinks that seem to have the most commonly altered tastes in early pregnancy tend to be alcohol and fruits. Ones interest in cigarettes can also change pretty quickly. This may be caused by a heightened sense of smell, which is brought about by a rise in estrogen. This can all happen pretty quickly after implantation and can be a sure sign you may be pregnant.
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When To See A Doctor
If someone thinks they are pregnant, it is a good idea to take a home pregnancy test. A good time to do this is 1 to 2 weeks after noticing the early signs of pregnancy. Pregnancy tests are available to buy in supermarkets, health stores, and online.
If a fertilized egg has implanted into the uterus wall, the body will already have started to form the placenta. In this situation, the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin , begins to rise.
Around 2 weeks after implantation, hCG levels will be high enough for a pregnancy test to be positive.
If the pregnancy test is positive, the next step is to make an appointment with a doctor. The doctor can confirm whether the home test is correct.
Anyone who already knows they are pregnant and is experiencing heavy bleeding or cramping should speak to a doctor. These symptoms may indicate a problem with the pregnancy.
Sometimes, individuals who are not pregnant may experience painful cramping or bleeding in between periods. If this occurs, it is a good idea to discuss the issue with a doctor.
Ectopic Pregnancy Risk Factors
- Scarring to the fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
- Progestin-only birth control pills
- Pelvic inflammatory diseases , such as from chlamydia or gonorrhea
- Birth defects involving the fallopian tubes
- Smoking
- A history of infertility
- Use of an intrauterine device
- Tubal sterilization
It’s important to note that in women who have had tubal sterilization or use IUDs, the risk of ectopic pregnancy is still lower than in women who use no birth control at all.
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What Causes Cramps Later In Pregnancy
Its also common to experience cramps during the later stages of pregnancy.
In the third trimester, many women feel a tightening of the uterus that can be quite regular and, for some women, quite intense, says Halliday.
For most women, cramping in pregnancy is a normal experience and is caused by the growing uterus.
However, the sensation is painless. These tightenings are called Braxton Hicks contractions and are harmless. They often occur in late pregnancy, as your body begins to practise for labour, but some women do experience them early in pregnancy even as early as the second trimester.
They can be intensified by dehydration, being on your feet all day or after sex, she adds. If they become painful or uncomfortable, its advisable to call your healthcare provider.
The following conditions may cause cramps during pregnancy and require urgent medical attention:
Can I Take Pain Relief Medication During Pregnancy
If you find that you need to take pain relief medication to relieve any pain, it is safest to use something simple such as paracetamol. Drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided. If you find that you need a stronger pain relief medication, you must always check with your doctor, nurse or midwife first.
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You’ll Expect Many Changes In Pregnancy Even At 5 Weeks Cramping Is Just One Of Them And When It Happens Do Not Worry It May Just Be Uterine Stretching
It feels great to know you are going to be a mother soon. This is the time when you will experience several symptoms as well. Some symptoms will make you feel concerned, such as cramping and backache. Some women feel that these symptoms indicate there is a problem with their pregnancy. The truth is cramping in 5 weeks pregnant is usually quite normal and not a cause for concern.
What Are The Best Options For Pregnancy Back Pain Relief
Once youve determined that a critical problem is not causing your cramping and lower back pain in early pregnancy, the fun part beginstrying to figure out how to find pregnancy back pain relief!
A sad reality of pregnancy is that cramping and lower back pain can continue throughout the entire pregnancy.
This means looking for ways to alleviate the problem since many medications are not recommended during pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor about relief methods that are safe for you. Here are some that the mothers in our community have found to be the most effective for pregnancy back pain relief.
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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 it’s 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!
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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How Does Cramping In Early Pregnancy Feel
Cramping in early pregnancy feel like a downward tingling sensation. It is like as if someone is poking you inside your uterus. Later on, the cramps become a little intense as the membrane of egg fuses with endometrial lining. Gradually the embryo drills its path into the lining. After that, the cramping subsides.
Implantation cramps are not like menstrual cramping and last only for a day. During implantation, youll not feel the need for taking any painkillers.
It is important to keep stress away and stay calm during implantation. The embryo before implantation releases chemicals that are new for mother. This causes nausea and dizziness. It is better to avoid any strenuous work during implantation.
Treating Cramping In Early Pregnancy
If you are experiencing cramping during the early stages of pregnancy, try drinking water while the cramping is occurring. Standing up and walking around is also said to help reduce cramping.
Exercising throughout your pregnancy can reduce the incidence of cramps. Pelvic tilts and kegel exercises can strengthen your pelvic and abdominal muscles, and they can also reduce pain during labor and delivery by making the uterus and surrounding muscles and ligaments strong enough to handle the pressure caused by the baby.
Try taking a warm shower or bath, using a heat compress on your lower back, or asking your partner for a massage.
Talk with your healthcare provider about dosages and other pertinent information before taking over-the-counter medications for pain relief. Although acetaminophen is commonly used on pregnant women, too much of this drug can lead to problems with your liver.
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Uterus Pain In Early Pregnancy
During early pregnancy, you may experience mild twinges or cramping in the uterus. You may also feel aching in your vagina, lower abdomen, pelvic region, or back. It may feel similar to menstrual period cramps.
These minor pains may be caused by different factors like implantation, constipation or gas, or the womb expanding and your ligaments stretching to make room for your baby.
If the pain is mild and goes away on its own, its likely nothing to worry about. But any pain along with spotting or heavy bleeding should be reported to your doctor.
Seek emergency care if you experience sharp or chronic pain along with faintness, nausea, high fever or chills, or dizziness.
Read on to learn more about the causes for uterus pain in early pregnancy and when to seek help.
