Pregnancy or motherhood brings a new way of life to every woman. The very term "pregnancy" carries an essence of celebration in it! But it brings along new health conditions for the expecting mother. She has to experience new developments in her health condition. Cramping is a common sign which she can expect during the early stages of pregnancy.
These cramps are pretty similar to the ones which you experience in your monthly cycle. Cramping can be mild as well as severe. Some women may feel the cramps in as early as seven days after ovulation. When the fertilized egg gets implanted in the uterine wall, then cramping may occur and this is regarded as implantation cramping. As the uterus prepares itself to carry the fetus for nine months, women may start experiencing the cramps. The uterus is a big organ in itself and it expands further when the baby starts growing in it. The process can cause cramping.
Is Cramping Normal?
In most of the cases it is perfectly normal to have cramps in pregnancy. It is not threatening all the time and it does not mean that you have lost the chance to carry the baby to term. Uterine pains, pain in the lower back and sometimes shooting pains in the vagina are the common forms of cramps. Women, who carry twins or sometimes triplets, will experience more pain in the groin or the hip area. These pains become intense when the woman stands up from a lying or a sleeping position, but it normally subsides when she starts walking. A good way to combat this type of cramping is to strengthen the muscles in that area through proper exercises. This will, in turn, compensate for the weakness in the tendons (a structure that connects muscles to the bones).
What are the Causes of Cramping During the Early Stages of Pregnancy?
Cramping during the early stages of pregnancy might indicate common health conditions and more serious trouble at the same time.
- Implantation Cramping: As mentioned before, this refers to the cramping which occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. They crop up as a dull ache in the lower abdominal area. In fact, the pain starts right from the time the sperm fertilizes the egg. The intensity can vary from mild to severe. Not all women will experience cramps during pregnancy. The pain should not last for more than a day.
- Miscarriage: If cramps during the early pregnancy period are accompanied by bleeding, then it might stand as a warning sign of miscarriage. Vaginal bleeding or spotting is the sign which you need to look for in case of miscarriage.
- Stretching of Uterus: This cramping occurs at the muscles under the uterine tissue while it grows to support the weight of the growing baby. This cramping is also referred to as the 'round ligament pain'. This type of cramping is experienced by every pregnant woman. Cramping can also continue through the second and the third trimester as the uterus continues to grow and the body gets ready for labor.
- Ectopic Pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancy is a serious condition wherein the baby does not grow or develop and this abnormal pregnancy occurs outside the uterus. One of the signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy is a cramp in the lower back or on the side of the pelvis region. Other symptoms include abdominal pain and spotting or bleeding.
- Gas and Constipation: Constipation is a common problem faced by pregnant women. Constipation, coupled with gas problems, can cause cramps in women at the early stages of pregnancy.
What are the Causes of Cramping During the Later Stages of Pregnancy?
A woman may experience cramps during the later stages of pregnancy on account of various reasons including uterine expansion and labor.
- Round Ligament Pain: The uterine grows in size with the baby growing inside it. Uterine expansion can cause cramps in a woman during the later stages of pregnancy. The uterus grows till the last stage of pregnancy and the ligaments stretch to support the growing uterus. Mild cramping is expected in this case.
- Preterm Labor: Preterm labor cramping may involve other conditions like mild or severe diarrhea and back pain.
- Braxton Hicks Contractions: In the second and the third trimester, pregnant women will often have Braxton Hicks contractions. Braxton Hicks contractions are the intermittent or the irregular contractions that occur during pregnancy.
- Labor: Cramping and back pain are common in the early labor stage. The early contractions are fairly mild, and last for only half a minute.
When do You Need to Seek Medical Attention?
Cramps are normal and common in pregnancy, but the intensity varies from one woman to the other. Sometimes, a woman may feel unbearable pain. A woman needs to consult her doctor if she observes heavy spotting in the very first week or if the cramps continue till the sixth week of pregnancy. A woman may experience another cramp after eating in the upper abdomen area, just under the rib cage. This pain is sometimes very severe and will extend to the right shoulder area. This can be a symptom of a gallbladder disease. It is a rare situation but some women may suffer from it.
What are the Treatment Options Available?
- A hot compress or a heating pad can be used to treat the ligament pain or the lower back pain. Electric or thermal heating pads can also be used for the purpose while ensuring to prevent overheating.
- A warm or a slight hot water bath may also provide a relief from the cramps. The bath takes off some weight from the ligaments while the heat relaxes the muscles and the ligaments.
- Sometimes constipation can also be one the causes for cramps in pregnancy and so it is better to make slight dietary changes to prevent constipation. Drinking adequate amounts of water and fruit juices and consuming loads of fiber-rich fruits will help to fight constipation.
- Some health experts suggest that it is better not to have sexual intercourse when you are facing cramps in pregnancy. It's not that sex during this period will cause any trouble, but a woman may experience spotting while having sex. This can be confused with symptoms of miscarriage.
- An expecting mother needs to keep a track on her stress levels and diet because any irregularity may make the pains worse. Changing the work patterns, rescheduling the timing are the ways to get de-stressed. Rest and sleep will bring peace and harmony to the mind and body which will now get prepared to welcome the baby.
- Some women may benefit from the use of Tylenol. A small amount of Tylenol is safe in pregnancy to help relieve the cramps. But doctor's approval is necessary before starting off with any sort of medication. Aspirin or aspirin products like Ibuprofen, Advil and Motrin should never be taken during pregnancy since they have been linked with birth defects and severe bleeding during delivery.
Early labor cramping will be much less severe than the ones normally experienced during the active pregnancy. Rest and short walks may improve the condition. Staying in good health through proper diet and exercise and remaining updated about the expected developments during pregnancy will make expecting mothers to manage their cramps and other related conditions better.
