Cramps in Early Pregnancy

Cramps during early pregnancy is common and normal. Some women experience cramping seven days after ovulation. However, if cramping occurs when a woman is pregnant, then it is called implantation cramping. During pregnancy, the egg attaches itself to or gets implanted in the uterus, which is why cramping is felt. Often women worry that cramping is an indication of miscarriage. However, this is not the case. The initial stages of pregnancy are often accompanied with cramping. The onset of cramping is different for each individual. Some women experience cramping right after they receive a positive pregnancy test. This is because their uterus begins the preparations to carry the baby for the next nine months.

Cramps during Early Pregnancy

The cramps felt during a pregnancy is similar to the ones experienced during menstruation. Quite a few women believe that cramping is a sign that their monthly period is round the corner. They wear a pad all day long but there is no period. The cramping is caused due to the uterus' preparation for the baby / hormonal changes / implantation. At times, the cramping is accompanied by slight spotting as well. This is called implantation bleeding. When a woman experiences cramps and her period is late, then it is the right time to take a pregnancy test.

Cramping while pregnant is caused because of the uterus. The muscles of the uterus expel anything within the uterus, which tend to distend it. Cramping is the aftereffect of implantation, when the ovum gets fertilized by the sperm and the embryo connects itself to the female uterus. Moreover, the body is preparing itself to accommodate the embryo, who would develop into a new individual in the uterus, in due course of time.

To make room for the growing baby and placenta, the uterus has to stretch itself. The uterus has to also be prepared for the enriched food and blood supply, since it is in the uterus that the embryo will be nourished. Several ligaments support the uterus, which stretch to accommodate the baby. When the ligament called round ligament stretches and expands, abdominal pain during pregnancy occurs. Thus, ligament pain due to uterine muscle stretching is another cause for cramping.

Cramping in early pregnancy is often accompanied with spotting or slight bleeding. The occurrence of such bleeding can be a symptom of implantation bleeding. Women who have given birth to more than one child experience strong, shooting pain in the hip or groin region. The pain is intense when the woman sits or lies down, but subsides in walking or standing position. This intense pain is because of the weakening of the tendons in the groin region. This weakening of the tendons with each pregnancy leads to severe cramping.

Ways to Ease Cramping During Early Pregnancy

Exercising is one good way to combat these cramps and strengthen the tendons in the groin region. It will not only help reduce the intensity of cramping, but will also make labor and birth easier. In order to soothe cramps in early pregnancy, one can have a warm water bath or a hot shower. When the warm water cascades on the back, cramping gets eased. One could even use a heating pad on low or hot compress on the lower back region to reduce the pain associated with pregnancy.

However, if the cramping intensity increases even past the sixth week, or if spotting becomes heavier, then it is an issue of concern. Moreover, cramping on one side of the abdominal region is a sign of ectopic pregnancy, which needs immediate medical attention. If this symptom of ectopic pregnancy is neglected, it can lead to rupturing of the fallopian tube. Women may also experience odd cramps in the upper abdomen, which can become severe and extend right till the shoulder region. The reason behind this can be gallbladder disease which is seen to affect many pregnant women. Pregnant women should avoid greasy food so as to soothe cramps in early pregnancy.

The onset of cramping occurs differently for different women and is a natural phenomenon. Since the uterus begins stretching to accommodate the baby, cramps in early pregnancy is expected. However, intense cramping should be brought to the doctor's notice immediately.