Early pregnancy cramps :/
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=20791
Printed Date: 22 August 2025 at 8:18am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Early pregnancy cramps :/
Posted By: Emmecat
Subject: Early pregnancy cramps :/
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 6:44pm
|
Hello all my lovely pg friends
As most of you know by now I am *finally* pg again...woohoo...but the last couple of days have got me a little worried and rather than continue to be paranoid around just the May Mummies (bless them), I thought I would cast my net wider to get your views as well...
I think I am about 4.5 weeks pg, give a day or so. Had my first (and last, hopefully- I don't want to 'serial test') bloods yesterday and I am bang on the 50th percentile for my dates. So all good there. But I am *SO* worried about this cramping I have been having. I know some is normal throughout pg, and in the early days I understand it happens a bit more often perhaps. When AF was due (I got my BFP about 11DPO), I had some pretty uncomfortable hours of almost AF type pains...but they went the next day and died done mainly for the next few days other than intermittent twinging, aching and the odd little cramp. Because of my previous m/c (and my old age of 34) the Dr has said I'm fairly high risk. Anyway, I just want tonknow *how* normal is cramping and to what degree? Today I've felt pretty blah- ms type blah- and a bit shakey, which I also thought were early pg symptoms. The cramps got worse this arvo so I lay down with a wheat pack and they subsided alot. Once I got up though they were back in an hour or so and I had to take a panadol. I have had mc before and the pains are nothing like that severe at all. More centred and uncomfortable than anything. Today they did get sore though and I'm wondering if that's within the realms of 'normal' or is it cos I am hyper-sensitive and feeling every tiny twinge? Sigh. What do you all think? Experiences? Is it normal for these pains so early in pg?! -------------   http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Replies:
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 6:48pm
|
It is quite normal to have some cramps in the first few weeks of pregnancy.
It is your uterus ajusting to having a baby growing in it and the embryo(sp?) burrowing in. I had niggly cramps and weird twinges in the first few weeks and I was worried aswell but turned out to be normal. As long as the cramps are not bad, like you dont need to take panadol and you have no bleeding, then try not worry. Worry does you no good hun  ------------- |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 6:50pm
|
Yep totally normal, that little baby is getting itself nice and comfy in there so is finding the best place for it settle in. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 6:50pm
Firstly Congratulations, am so happy for you
All sounds normal to me, with all pregnancies I have had pains that have almost been as bad as AF ones and that horrible about to get AF painful type feeling, not really pain but really uncomfortable (hope that makes sense). Its just things stretching already and nothing to worry about. I would only be concerned if the pain became intense or on one side only (in case its ectopic) or if you begin to bleed. ------------- 
 
|
Posted By: RBsMama
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 6:50pm
|
Hey Emmecat, I had cramps for about 3 weeks or so when I first found out I was preggers. I was about 4w5d when I found out.
The cramps came and went and I found there was no pattern to them. Fingers crossed for you and lots of sticky vibes. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
|
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 6:51pm
| I think it sounds normal, and like Sheena said, as long as its not bad enough to need pain killers then don't stress too much. Because you are worried of a MC it's going to make you pay soooo much attention to every little feeling in your body. |
Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 6:57pm
|
I did take one panadol this arvo cos I am tired and worried and I thought it would help settle them cos they were borderline painful. Not painful in themselves had they been intermittent but cos they felt like they had been so constant it was getting tiring and sore IYKWIM?! Sometimes I get what feels like stretching and I can identify that feeling, but mostly its an ache or a heavy feel in the middle above the pubic bone. Uncomfortable, not painful...even for a big girls blouse like me lol. I have been trying to relax heaps this time around and getting lotsa rest, put my feet up etc, but I have had insomnia which may well be making things feel worse. At the moment the ache/cramp seems to come and go and I am so damn worried. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
|
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 7:03pm
|
They heavy ache feeling definitely sounds normal to me. With both my babies that heavy feeling has just got bigger and bigger as the baby has grown, so it always feels like i'm carrying an extra weight around. (hope I am not making myself sound totally mad).
Perhaps you should get a 2nd hcg test for peace of mind? also is your midwife going to send you for an early scan, again having that to focus on might help keep you a bit calmer, but it honestly doens't sound like you have anything to worry about to me. -------------
|
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 7:07pm
|
You'll be okay, because its a subsequent pregnancy for you, you are more prone to feeling the stretching and cramps. I dunno why. With this baby, I was still getting the cramps (fairly decent at times) off and on right up to a couple of weeks ago. I was starting to get nervous as well but the size of my tummy now is somewhat reassuring lol. (I get to hear the heartbeat tomorrow!) -------------  |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 7:08pm
|
Yeah, maybe get some more hcg done just to put your mind at ease.
But Im pretty sure you will be fine  ------------- |
Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 7:11pm
|
Hey cuppatea, thanks heaps for that ((hugs)). Haven't got a mw yet, still in the process of finding one! To be honest I'm too scared to take another HCG test, partly cos I'm very aware that they nor scans will protect me from losing my baby so I don't want to falsely get my hopes up, and also if the levels *aren't* rising as they should, then I don't want to feel even more stressed and helpless IYKWIM? It is also unfortunate that this beautiful event of expecting our baby has happened at the same time my Pop died (on Sunday), we're moving house in 4 weeks, DP has horrible divorce to go through and I have uni exams the day after we move. I am trying to get bed rest and put my feet up etc..... listen to soothing music....but every time I feel like my bbs are a little less sore or I get a cramp (and they *are* quite painful- I'm not imagining it), I just freakin worry like anything. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
|
Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 7:16pm
|
With my first pregnancy I was so sure my period was about to arrive almost every minute of the week after AF was due, the cramps were that strong.
Second time round I went to the Dr twice with the cramps! She assured me that they were perfectly normal and I should only worry if they became sharp and stabby and/or I had bleeding. I hope all these replies help to reassure you Emmecat, sending you tons of sticky vibes! ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and: 
|
Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 7:45pm
|
Hi ladies Thank you for your replies, they do reassure me somewhat. It just does really feel like AF is gonna turn up or they're gonna get stronger and become another mc is all. I guess all I can do is get a wheatpack and pop it on my tummy and just lie down and watch some bad tv lol. No doubt i'll know in the morning if it's just baby burrowing in cramps or something else. Please stick little baby! ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
|
Posted By: LG
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 8:04pm
|
Hey Emmecat,
I had really bad cramps until i was about 8 weeks, sometimes DH had to carry me to bed they were so bad. It was the longest 3 weeks waiting for them to go! I hope you can relax tonight and they ease up a bit. Sticky vibe thoughts coming your way x -------------  Angel Baby Aug '12, Feb '13 |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 8:39pm
|
Sounds like you are having a bit of a rough time of it.
I know what you mean about the hcg tests, I got very caught up with them with my m/c so this time around opted just to wait and have a scan at 7 weeks instead which worked out well for me but I still stressed the whole way up to the scan just not as much as i think I would of if I had been having the hcg tests. It's impossibly hard to relax after a m/c so I understand, so just try to take care of yourself as much as poss whilst you stress out  -------------
|
Posted By: chonny
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 9:32pm
|
hey emma! congratulations! sticky vibes to you! Just to help put your mind at ease, i get those cramps, badly at times, all throughout both my pregnancies. hope this gives you more peace of mind -------------   
|
Posted By: mummytobesep08
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 9:59pm
|
I had awful periods for years- as in so painful I would routinely go to hospital to have my heartrate monitered, be hydrated and have the mad narcotic drugs!!! I was in enough pain with my pregnancy that I thought it was AF starting, took time off work, got DH to stay home and started taking my crazy drugs...but AF never came. I ended up going to the doctor about the pain rather than the lack of period! And was pleasantly surprised to find out it was *normal* pains from a pregnancy!
So you never know, it could be fine! Also, I'm pretty sure M/C pains wouldn't last that long before you start bleeding. With my M/C bleeding was the first sign and I had it a day before I got any cramps. How long you been having the pain? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
Angel babes '07 & '10- <3 <3 |
Posted By: CarrieMum
Date Posted: 09 September 2008 at 10:45pm
| Emmecat my cramps were so strong one night last week that I was convinced I had an ectopic. I even rang a 24 hr nurse helpline thing and was told if they continue to be really bad to go into hospital for a scan. But they seem to have stopped now so Im just leaving it. No bleeding or spotting of any kind. I think it is quite normal and as long as you don't have any bleeding I would try to just rest and see if it passes. |
Posted By: Vanillabean
Date Posted: 10 September 2008 at 7:38am
|
Oh Emmecat, I'm so sorry to hear this is all so difficult. You have so many major life stresses happening for you right now all in a matter of weeks. These are huge things and they are on top of what was always going to be a stressful period (i.e. waiting for the pregnancy to be confirmed as viable).
From what I can gather from reading these boards, cramps in the first week of pregnancy are really common in pregnancies that progress normally as well as those that don't. While there is no way of knowing for sure what will happen, the odds are definitely on your side and most likely everything will turn out great!!!!!!!!! Please be very gentle with yourself ------------- 5x mc, Jan 08, June 08, Nov 08, May 09, April 11 http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: kmarie
Date Posted: 10 September 2008 at 8:24am
First of all - congrats! Sounds like you've got a lot on your plate  Makes it harder to get through these first few weeks - sounds like you're doing all the right things though!
Just want to say... the pains sound perfectly normal to me. Mine got so bad at 6wks that I ended up spending a night in hospital. But as you can see, I'm still here I've had frequent cramp-like feelings right through my pregnancy, but the most worrying stage was definitely getting to that 12wk mark, as I'm sure you understand! Hang in there and remember that you're not alone.
Big hugs ------------- 
twins in heaven Oct07 Is 40:11 "He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart." |
Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 10 September 2008 at 8:25am
|
Hi everyone Thank you for your replies, I appreciate more than you'll ever know.
The cramps were REALLY bad this morning- subsided overnight but this morn felt like the start of a m/c....but still no bleeding, so think I'll go to the hospital this morn to get it checked out. They have once again subsided and still no bleeding but I took 2 panadol a few hours ago so that might be heloing.
More bad news though- we had a visit from the Police at 3am advising us that my DP's brother was dead.
I can't believe what life is throwing at us lately. This is meant to be our happy time.
------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">
|
Posted By: IVFGirl1111
Date Posted: 10 September 2008 at 8:45am
|
Oh Emmecat I am SO sorry to hear about your DP's brother, that is so sad.
Hugs to you thinking you of hun x ------------- TTC 6 years IVF it is IVF/ICSI round one 10 eggs, 8 mature, 3 fertilised BFN IVF/ICSI #2 = 22 eggs! 20 mature, 15 fertilised, 1 fresh transfer and 2 frosties BFN 2 Frosties still in freezer thank god |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 10 September 2008 at 9:34am
|
Oh my gosh, Emmecat Im so sorry that you are going through all this at the moment, I dont know what to say but here ar some hugs ------------- |
Posted By: surfergirl
Date Posted: 10 September 2008 at 9:35am
|
Emmecat - as per the other thread.... ------------- http://www.alterna-tickers.com"> 
|
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 10 September 2008 at 9:43am
|
-------------
|
Posted By: chonny
Date Posted: 10 September 2008 at 10:27am
|
oh emma! i'm so sorry to ehar that hun! big hugs to you guys! -------------
|
Posted By: Troods
Date Posted: 10 September 2008 at 11:17am
|
Oh Emmecat sorry to hear about your DP's brother.
Re the cramps. I had periodlike cramps which would come and go between 4 and 8 weeks. They were so uncomfortable and heavy it felt like a bowling ball in my tummy. To add to that I also had continuous spotting from 4 weeks which turned into heavier bleeding - had that up until 16 weeks. So many times I def thought I was going to mc (don't think I ever cried so much as I did in those first 16 weeks!), but despite several trips to the GP, A&E, hospital, and sonographers for scans, all was fine in there and bubs was born earlier this year. The cramps aren't uncommon early in pregnancy, but even if you do start to spot/bleed, it doesn't necessarily mean things are going pearshaped, but do go to your GP or even the A&E to get it checked out like others have said earlier in the thread. Thinking positive thoughts for you. ------------- 
 Missed MC July 2011
|
Posted By: caraMel
Date Posted: 10 September 2008 at 11:37am
|
I'm so sorry to hear about your BIL, how very tragic. My thoughts are with you all.
More sticky vibes coming your way, I hope you do go and get checked out though, even if its just for a little more peace of mind. ------------- Mel, Mummy to E: 6, B: 4 and:
|
Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 10 September 2008 at 11:48am
|
What a tough time. Hang in there and keep us posted on how you are doing.
Xx ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |