What do your pregnancy cramps feel like?

(March 24, 2010)

It is quite usual for some women to get some cramping during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, while in some it may even continue into the second and third trimesters. Some women begin to worry when they get pregnancy cramps, and fear that they will have a miscarriage. But that is not so. Unless the pain and discomfort is not too severe, or does not occur for very long periods, there is no cause to get worried.

Cramping during pregnancy is common and is caused because the uterus is growing to accommodate the baby. The uterus has to stretch and grow to quite a large size for nine months, and mild cramping can occur even in the second and third trimester.

The muscles under the uterus also stretch, grow and become stronger in order to bear the weight of the baby. This is another cause of pregnancy cramps, and is called ‘round ligament pain’.

Some women feel what is called ‘implantation cramping’. This happens about seven days after they have ovulated, and the cramping occurs when the egg is attaching itself or getting implanted in the uterus.

It is quite difficult to say what your pregnancy cramps may feel like. In fact, you may not feel it all. Pregnancy cramps differ from person to person. It may also differ in the same person for different pregnancies.

Not all women feel pregnancy cramps. For some, they may be so mild as to go totally unnoticed. Some may feel it only for a few days or a few weeks in the first trimester, while in others it may continue for all nine months. Some women report a dull ache, while for some it is a sharp and short pain.

Many women have confused it with menstrual cramps. They have realized that it is due to pregnancy, only when their periods did not come as expected, and later pregnancy tests proved positive. It is quite possible that you may confuse it with menstrual cramps, because the feeling is almost similar.

Some women feel the cramps all over their abdomen, while for some it could be near the pelvis. A few have also reported feeling a little dizzy or light-headed when the cramping occurs.

However, all this is quite normal. You need not worry, until the cramping becomes too intense and really unbearable. If it does, it is best to consult your doctor, and rule out chances of any other complications.

Submitted by P T on March 24, 2010 at 03:30

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