The Ultimate Guide: Cramps During Pregnancy (2024)
What we’ll cover in this post:
While trying to conceive (TTC), we tend to be VERY in tune with our bodies. We question every little twinge wondering if it might be an early sign of pregnancy.
Whether you found out you were pregnant before your period was due or once your period was already late, you may have experienced some period-like cramping, but why?
Sometimes after the first trimester you can experience cramping too. Cramping during pregnancy can be totally normal.
Let’s talk about some common reasons for cramps during pregnancy. We’ll also discuss some reasons why you would want to reach out to your healthcare provider and/or seek medical attention promptly.
Remember, if you’re ever concerned about a pregnancy symptom, always seek medical attention!
Causes of early pregnancy cramps
Implantation
One of the common reasons to feel cramps during very early pregnancy is implantation.
Implantation is the process when the fertilized egg implants itself into the uterus. If you ask some pregnant folks, they may describe implantation cramps as: period like cramps during early pregnancy. If you are someone who experiences first trimester cramps, it may be implantation cramps.
Gas/Bloating/Constipation
It’s no secret that your hormones go crazy while pregnant. One of these hormones is progesterone.
During early pregnancy, and right before the beginning of a new menstrual cycle, progesterone rises. This rise in progesterone is responsible for some of those premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and early pregnancy symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:
Tender breasts
Changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea)
Nausea
Fatigue
Headaches
Since these are all progesterone-related, it can make it pretty difficult to decipher between early pregnancy and PMS symptoms!
Another reason you may be cramping in early pregnancy may be related to your bowels. Your bowels are affected by this increase in progesterone. Progesterone can cause your digestive tract to move a bit slower, which is why a large majority of pregnant folks report constipation during early pregnancy. This is why some folks also experience bowel changes before the beginning of their menstrual cycle.
With constipation and a slow digestive tract can also come gas and bloating. All of this trapped air and slow bowels can definitely cause some pain and cramping.
If you are experiencing gas, bloating, and constipation in early pregnancy, some things you can do to help are:
Stay hydrated
Eat fibrous foods like beans, broccoli, berries, and whole grains
Get up and moving
Sex/Masturbation
Sometimes, having sex or masturbating can cause some cramping. This can happen at any point during pregnancy. The main reason is because sex and orgasms cause the uterus to contract.
These mild cramps after sex and masturbation should not deter you from having sex/masturbating unless you are experiencing other symptoms in addition to cramps, like:
Bleeding/spotting
Severe abdominal pain/cramps
Pain during intercourse
Exercise
Experiencing some mild cramping while exercising is pretty common in early pregnancy. Typically, this mild cramping is either caused by your newly stretching ligaments and muscles or constipation.
As long as the cramping is mild and subsides within a few minutes, it should not be a cause for concern.
It would be a cause for concern and a reason to call your healthcare providers office or seek medical attention if you are experiencing:
Bleeding/spotting
Severe abdominal pain
Worsening cramps or cramps that are not going away
Causes of cramps during mid/late pregnancy
Braxton Hicks contractions
Braxton Hicks contractions are essentially just contractions that do not precede labor. It is normal to experience Braxton Hicks contractions at any time in your second or third trimester during pregnancy.
Braxton Hicks contractions:
Are not painful
Do not follow a specific pattern
Do not increase in intensity over time
Do not cause any cervical changes (where your cervix gets thinner or starts to open)
Typically disappear with movement, position changes, and/or hydration
Sex/Masturbation
Just like in early pregnancy, sometimes, having sex and masturbating can cause some cramping. This can happen at any point during pregnancy. The main reason is because sex and orgasms cause the uterus to contract.
These mild cramps after sex and masterbating should not deter you from having sex or masturbating unless you are experiencing other sypmtoms in addition to cramps, like:
Bleeding/spotting
Severe abdominal pain/cramps
Pain during intercourse
Uterine stretching/Growing baby
Throughout the duration of a pregnancy, your uterus grows from about the size of a pear to roughly 2 pounds, or about the size of a watermelon!
This stretching and growing is bound to cause some twinges and cramping.
Membrane Sweep
A membrane sweep is something your healthcare provider can do to possibly help jump start labor. A membrane sweep is performed when a healthcare provider uses their gloved fingers to disrupt the membranes that connect the amniotic sac to the uterine wall.
The reason a membrane sweep may cause some cramping is because it releases prostaglandins. Prostaglandins also help to soften your cervix.
A membrane sweep may or may not help jump start labor.
Labor
The most obvious reason for cramping during pregnancy is labor, but how do you know it’s actually labor? Some folks describe early labor as mild period cramps that eventually progress into more intense contractions.
You know these are real contractions when:
The cramps/contractions increase in intensity over time
The cramps/contractions get closer together over time
They do not stop with movement, position changes, or hydration
They cause changes to your cervix
Some pregnant folks experience prodromal labor. Prodromal labor can also be referred to as “false labor” because it is early labor that starts and stops before active labor begins. Prodromal labor can last anywhere from 24-72 hours.
How to relieve cramps during pregnancy
If you are not in labor, there are a few things you can do to relieve pregnancy cramps. More often than not, cramping in pregnancy is caused by dehydration. Not only are you lacking adequate fluids when dehydrated, but you’re also lacking electrolytes.
If you are experiencing cramping, try to be mindful about your hydration status. To do this, make sure you are urinating frequently and that your urine is light in color.
You can also try to supplement your electrolytes (potassium, calcium, and magnesium) by drinking electrolyte-rich fluids and including these minerals in your diet.
Some foods that contain potassium, calcium, and magnesium include:
Potatoes
Bananas
Spinach
Walnuts
Dark chocolate
Dairy products
You can also talk to your healthcare provider about taking supplements if the cramping becomes an issue.
When you should be concerned/when you should call your healthcare provider
Cramps accompanied by bleeding/spotting
Some pregnant folks experience bleeding/spotting at different times during pregnancy, but unless your healthcare provider is aware; always seek medical attention for any bleeding during pregnancy.
It’s important to remember that lots of pregnant folks (around 20%) experience some sort of light vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy and go on to have a normal, healthy pregnancy. If you experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, it’s totally understandable to be nervous about it and you should definitely contact your healthcare provider or seek immediate medical attention if you experience any bleeding during a pregnancy.
While it can be scary, it is most likely nothing serious. If it is something serious, prompt medical treatment may prevent a loss.
Some reasons you may experience bleeding during pregnancy include:
Ectopic pregnancy - This is when a fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy can be a medical emergency. If you are experiencing symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, seek medical attention right away.
Some other signs of an ectopic pregnancy include:Light vaginal bleeding
Pelvic pain
Lightheadedness/fainting
Severe abdominal pain
Shoulder pain
Implantation bleeding
This is typically very light pink bleeding that occurs prior to a positive pregnancy test. The flow should not be enough to soak a pad or tampon.
Miscarriage - Miscarriage occurs prior to 20 weeks of pregnancy, usually by the 12th week. Symptoms of a miscarrige include:
Vaginal bleeding/spotting
Pain or cramps in your abdomen or lower back
Fluid and/or tissue passing through your vagina
Molar pregnancy- This is a very rare occurrence where a fertilized egg develops into abnormal tissue instead of a fetus. Some other signs of a molar pregnancy include:
Vaginal bleeding, typically dark brown or bright red
Severe nausea and vomiting
Pelvic pressure/pain
Rapid uterine growth
High blood pressure/preeclampsia
Ovarian cysts
Anemia
Incompetent cervix - This is when the cervix does not remain closed throughout the duration of a pregnancy. An incompetent cervix can lead to preterm birth and/or early loss of a pregnancy. Some signs of an incompetent cervix include:
Pelvic pressure
Sudden onset of back pain
Abdominal cramping
A change in vaginal discharge
Vaginal bleeding
Placenta previa
This occurs when the placenta attaches either partially or completely over the cervix. The most common sign of placenta previa is painless, bright red bleeding in the second trimester.
Sometimes, the placenta can move before the end of a pregnancy. If the placenta remains over the cervix, a cesarean section is necessary.
Most pregnant folks go on to have a totally healthy pregnancy, despite bleeding, with placenta previa.
Placental abruption - This occurs when the placenta partially or completely detaches from the uterine wall. Placental abruption does not always cause pregnancy loss. If you have signs of placental abruption, you should seek medical care immediately.
Signs of placental abruption include:
Back pain that comes on suddenly
Abdominal cramps that come on suddenly
Abdominal/uterine tenderness
Contractions
Preterm labor - Preterm labor can occur anytime before 37 weeks of pregnancy. All signs of labor, including light vaginal bleeding, can occur. If you are experiencing labor symptoms before you are considered “full term”, seek medical attention.
Bloody Show
If you are in labor, you may experience a “bloody show”. A bloody show is when a small amount of blood and mucus are released from the vagina. This typically happens a day or two before going into labor, unless your provider gave you a vaginal exam and “stirred things up.” This happens because the cervix is slowly dilating and softening. This does not necessarily warrant a call to your healthcare provider's office.
Losing your mucus plug
It is also normal to lose part of your mucus plug long before going into labor. Your mucous plug can actually regenerate during pregnancy!
Severe cramping/abdominal pain
No matter what stage of pregnancy you are in, severe abdominal pain is not considered normal. If you experience severe abdominal pain at any time during pregnancy, you should seek medical attention.
Cramping/abdominal pain accompanied by high blood pressure
Cramping/abdominal pain accompanied by high blood pressure may be a sign of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia typically begins after week 20 of pregnancy.
Some other signs of preeclampsia include:
Headache
Vision changes
Swelling in extremities
Nausea/vomiting
Shortness of breath
Decreased urine output
If you are concerned that you may be experiencing signs of preeclampsia, you should seek medical attention. Preeclampsia can escalate if not treated and be potentially dangerous to you and your unborn baby.
The Takeaway
Cramping during any point in pregnancy can be a little frightening, but it is important to know what is normal and what is not.
Your uterus and other muscles are stretching to accommodate a human which can cause some muscle/ligament pain.
Typically, mild and intermittent cramps during pregnancy is not a cause for concern.
Reasons you’d want to seek medical attention and/or reach out to your healthcare provider include:
Severe cramping/abdominal pain
Cramping/abdominal pain accompanied by bleeding or spotting
Cramping/abdominal pain accompanied by high blood pressure
Always remember, if you are ever concerned about anything related to your pregnancy, it is okay to contact your doctor for clarification and reassurance.
🤍 The Motherboard Team
