How do pregnancy cramps feel

Pregnancy Cramps: What They Mean and When to Worry

When you’re pregnant, your body undergoes many changes as it makes room for your little one (or two or more!). While some of these changes may be no big whoop, others, particularly things like cramping, can have you quickly searching Google for their causes.

While some mild pregnancy cramps are a normal symptom of your ever-expanding body, other cramps could indicate a serious problem. Pregnancy cramps can give many women anxiety, so it’s important to know the common reasons for their occurrence and what you should do about them.

We asked Srijaya Soujanya Nalla, MD, an OBGYN at Banner Health Clinic in Loveland, CO, to help explain the normal causes for cramping, abnormal causes and treatment recommendations for both.

[However, if you’re experiencing severe cramping with or without bleeding, stop reading this article and call your doctor immediately.]

What’s considered normal cramping during pregnancy?

“Early on in your pregnancy, it’s natural to feel some mild cramping in your lower abdomen at infrequent times as your body prepares for your growing baby,” Dr. Nalla said.

As your belly grows, so does your uterus. This may cause you to feel some slight pulling, tugging or stretching similar to menstrual cramps.

“Later in your pregnancy, you may experience some mild lower abdominal discomfort due to the tightening of your uterus. These are normal as long as they occur in irregular intervals and subside on their own,” Dr. Nalla said. “A common cause later in pregnancy is due to round ligament pain, a muscle that supports the uterus. As it stretches, it can cause some mild aches and pains.”

Other causes for mild cramping include:

Implantation bleeding
Gas, bloating and constipation
Sex
Exercise
Braxton Hicks contractions

What should I do for mild cramping while pregnant?

Time your cramps to see how regular they are and how often you feel them. “As long as they don’t fall into the abnormal category, there are some things that you can do to make them better,” Dr. Nalla said. Some of these activities include:

Rest: Try to sit, lie down or change positions.
Soak in the tub: Take a warm soak in the tub or a warm shower.
Take some acetaminophen: Products like Tylenol are commonly used by pregnant women for pain and fever but talk to your health care provider first.
Practice deep breathing: Use relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga or controlled breathing.
Stay hydrated: Pregnant women need 50 percent more water. Keep a bottle of water on hand wherever you go.

When should I be concerned about cramping during pregnancy?

While cramping can be common, there are some serious causes of abdominal pain you shouldn’t ignore.

“Any cramping that is severe in intensity, occurs at regular intervals and progressively gets worse with time is abnormal,” Dr. Nalla said. “In addition, any amount of cramping associated with vaginal bleeding, increased/watery discharge, or pelvic pressure is not normal either. ”

Some causes for abnormal cramping may be due to:

Ectopic pregnancy
Miscarriage
Preeclampsia
Bladder infection or urinary tract infection

What should I do if I’m concerned about the cramping?

It’s normal to experience some mild cramping during pregnancy, but always speak with your health care provider if you are ever concerned or are experiencing the above warning symptoms.

“In some cases, an ultrasound can be done to help determine the cause for severe cramping,” Dr. Nalla said. “Sometimes severe cramping can be the first sign of an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage. Other times, it could be non-pregnancy related issues like a bladder infection or constipation which are quite common in pregnancy.”

When it comes to your health and the health of your baby, it’s better to err on the side of caution and talk to your health care provider.

You can find a Banner Health specialist near you by visiting bannerhealth. com or for general pregnancy-related questions, you can call the Banner Health Nurse Now at 844-259-9494 for free, 24/7 medical advice.

Cramping in Early Pregnancy: What’s Normal?

Symptoms can vary so much from pregnancy to pregnancy that it’s often hard to know what exactly is going on in there. If you find yourself noticing every twinge, cramp or ache, you’re definitely not alone. What kind of pain is considered okay and when should you actually worry? Most of the time, cramping during early pregnancy is no cause for concern. In fact, it can even be a good thing. Here’s what you need to know about cramping in early pregnancy, including what’s typical and what you might want to talk to your healthcare provider about.

Is cramping in early pregnancy normal?

Yes, actually. Cramping in early pregnancy is generally normal and usually isn’t a sign of a problem. “Internal changes are happening to prepare the body to grow a baby for approximately nine months,” explains antenatal and postpartum doula Ana Genoa-Taney. So, cramping and other aches and pains may simply be due to changes happening in your body as you’re growing a baby. Cramping, in particular, can have a few different (totally harmless) causes, including:

Implantation cramps: Cramping can be a really early sign of pregnancy—really early, like only a week or two after conception. Here’s a quick “how babies are made” refresher: After the egg is fertilized in the fallopian tubes, it travels into the uterus and needs to implant itself into the uterine wall. This implantation can cause a little bit of early pregnancy cramping and possibly some light spotting too.
Growing uterus: “Cramping in early pregnancy is usually due to changes in your uterus,” says Dr. Sarah Yamaguchi, MD, FACOG. You might not look pregnant yet, but your body is changing rapidly in that first trimester. As your uterus starts growing and stretching to house that growing baby, a bit of early pregnancy cramping may become par for the course.
Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can sometimes cause your muscles to cramp. Your body uses a lot of water during pregnancy—in early pregnancy, water plays a big role in the healthy development of the placenta. So, it’s easy for pregnant people to feel dehydrated very quickly. Get those ounces in however you can (adding lemon for flavor helps).
Tummy troubles: Gas, bloating and constipation are no joke when you’re pregnant (it’s such a beautiful time!), so you may feel crampy due to digestion woes. “Pregnancy itself tends to make pregnant people more constipated,” Dr. Yamaguchi notes, “but prenatal vitamins can also exacerbate intestinal symptoms, which can feel like uterine cramping sometimes.”

There can sometimes be more serious causes of cramping in early pregnancy. These include:

Ectopic pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancy is when the egg implants into a fallopian tube or somewhere else that’s not the uterine lining, causing some pretty serious pain. A sign: the cramps are intense and on one side of the abdomen. If you’ve already had an ultrasound confirming your pregnancy, you don’t need to worry about an ectopic pregnancy.
Miscarriage: Cramping in early pregnancy is sometimes due to miscarriage—a spontaneous loss of pregnancy. Usually with miscarriage, the cramps are accompanied by bleeding. If you’re experiencing cramps and bleeding, be sure to call your healthcare provider.
UTI: A urinary tract infection (a. k.a. bladder infection) can cause cramp-like discomfort. And you’re more prone to them while you’re pregnant, so this is definitely a possibility. You may be able to tell the difference between a UTI and other cramping in early pregnancy because, with a UTI, you’d probably have burning when you pee too. The pain of a UTI is usually felt in the lower abdomen.

What do early pregnancy cramps feel like?

Early pregnancy cramps usually feel like pulling or stretching in the belly. They’re often more of an ache than a pain, and you might find them similar to menstrual cramps. You may notice them when you change positions or when you sneeze or cough. If they’re mild and you don’t have any other symptoms, they’re probably no cause for alarm.

But, there are some signs that what you’re experiencing may not be your average cramping in early pregnancy and that there’s a problem. They include:

Severe pain
Pain that doesn’t go away
Cramping sensations in the vagina
Bleeding or unusual discharge
Diarrhea or other stomach problems
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Pain in the shoulder or neck

Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the above. In fact, if a certain symptom concerns you, you should always call your healthcare provider. After all, they are there to support you.

How long does cramping last in early pregnancy?

How long your cramping will last depends on its cause. For example, implantation cramps usually last only about one day, while UTI cramps would last (and probably get worse) until you get medical treatment.

Early pregnancy cramping caused by a growing uterus is intermittent, meaning the cramps happen here and there and don’t usually linger for long. If you’re experiencing mild cramping in early pregnancy and have no other symptoms, you can try to ease the discomfort by laying down or sitting, taking a warm bath, doing gentle yoga or relaxation techniques or drinking plenty of water.

As they say, this too shall pass—but know that cramping in early pregnancy may be replaced with other common pregnancy symptoms, like round ligament pain in the second trimester and Braxton Hicks contractions in the third trimester. So be sure to be kind to yourself and get lots of rest during your pregnancy. After all, your body is working hard and that deserves all the naps.

This article was reviewed for factual accuracy in April 2022 by Dr. Christine Sterling, board-certified ob-gyn, member of the Babylist Health Advisory Board and founder of the Sterling Life, a resource for pregnancy and parenting.

Sources:

Ana Genoa-Taney: Antenatal and postpartum doula: http://mommysbundle.com/
Dr. Sarah Yamaguchi: MD, FACOG: http://www.DTLAgynecology.com
Mayo Clinic: Ectopic Pregnancy: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ectopic-pregnancy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372088
Mayo Clinic: Miscarriage: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pregnancy-loss-miscarriage/symptoms-causes/syc-20354298

This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more about how we write Babylist content and the Babylist Health Advisory Board.

Interventions for leg cramps during pregnancy

What is the problem?

Leg cramps manifest themselves as sudden, intense involuntary contractions of the leg muscles. This is a common problem during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. They are painful and can interfere with daily activities, disrupt sleep, and reduce quality of life. Various types of interventions are used to treat leg cramps during pregnancy, including medications, electrolytes (magnesium, calcium, sodium) and vitamins, as well as non-drug therapies such as muscle stretching.

Why is this important?

The aim of this review was to find out which treatment for leg cramps during pregnancy is effective and safe.

What evidence did we find?

In September 2019, we searched for evidence and identified eight randomized controlled trials in 576 women 14 to 36 weeks pregnant comparing magnesium, calcium, calcium with vitamin D or B vitamins versus placebo or no treatment, and compared vitamin C with calcium. All drugs were given as tablets to chew or swallow.

Magnesium supplements may reduce the incidence of leg cramps in women compared with placebo or no treatment, although studies have not been consistent. Different studies have assessed the effect of magnesium supplementation differently. Some studies have shown magnesium to help reduce the incidence of leg cramps, while others have shown little or no effect. Data on the effect of magnesium on pain reduction was also inconclusive, with only one study showing a reduction in pain intensity, while others showed no difference. Differences in the occurrence of side effects such as nausea and diarrhea were negligible or non-existent.

Calcium did not always reduce the incidence of leg cramps in women after treatment compared to those who did not receive any treatment. It also found that the evidence was of very low quality, so we cannot be sure of the results.

More women who received B-vitamin supplements made a full recovery compared to those who received no treatment; however, these results were based on a small sample size and the study had design limitations.

Frequency of leg cramps did not differ between women receiving calcium and women receiving vitamin C. with placebo.

What does this mean?

The quality of the evidence was low to very low. This was mainly due to small study sample sizes and study design weaknesses. Four studies were well-conducted and presented their reports. The remaining four had flaws in their design: in several studies, women were not best assigned to different treatment groups, and in two studies, women knew whether they were receiving treatment or not. Adverse effects, such as the effect of treatment on complications of pregnancy, childbirth and child, were not reported. Several studies have focused primarily on serum calcium and magnesium levels. The frequency and intensity of seizures and duration of pain were not uniformly reported, and there was often no information on whether they were assessed during treatment, at the end of treatment, or after treatment was discontinued.

It is not clear from the evidence reviewed whether any oral interventions (magnesium, calcium, calcium with vitamin D, B vitamins, vitamin D, or vitamin C) are an effective and safe treatment for leg cramps during pregnancy. Supplements can have different effects depending on how women usually take them. None of the trials looked at forms of treatment such as muscle stretching, massage, relaxation, or heat therapy.

Translation notes:

Translation: Luzan Maria Alexandrovna. Editing: Yudina Ekaterina Viktorovna. Russian translation project coordination: Cochrane Russia - Cochrane Russia, Cochrane Geographic Group Associated to Cochrane Nordic. For questions related to this transfer, please contact us at: [email protected]

Leg cramps - symptoms, causes, treatment, first aid, what to do with cramps

Cramping is familiar to most people, it is an unpleasant sensation that is caused by involuntary muscle contraction. It lasts, as a rule, not for long, but it delivers a lot of negative emotions.

What are convulsions?

This is a sharp contraction of the muscles, which is not subject to a simple relaxing effort. The cramp is accompanied by pain, can last from a few seconds to ten minutes. With a strong muscle contraction, a large amount of decay products are released, this is the biological mechanism of convulsions.

What are the causes of seizures

This condition can occur both in patients and in completely healthy people. Muscle contraction can be localized or generalized, when entire muscle groups are affected. In children, such convulsions occur at high temperatures, and in adults, a similar condition is a sign of a serious illness of the nervous system.

Causes of seizures include:

Deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals, most often calcium or magnesium;
Sedentary lifestyle or too intense exercise;
Pregnancy and related changes in the female body;
Taking certain medicines that remove potassium salts from the body;
Various diseases, including diabetes, varicose veins, overweight and flat feet.

If you are concerned about frequent cramps of the limbs, contact a specialist who will find out the cause of the unpleasant phenomena.

What to do with night cramps?

If a muscle has cramped, it will be impossible to consciously relax it. The only way is to use physical force: straighten your toes with your hands or pull the toe of your foot towards you. After the cramp has passed, the limb can be massaged, this will help restore normal blood circulation.

How to prevent seizures?

Prevention of seizures exists if you understand the risk of their occurrence and the reason that can lead to this. For example, with flat feet, it is important to choose the right shoes and use orthopedic insoles. With varicose veins - avoid excessive physical activity. During pregnancy - observe the regimen and take the necessary vitamins. In any case, if you want to avoid night cramps, you need to adjust your diet to include foods rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium. Instead of sweets, give preference to dried apricots and dates.

Diagnosis of the cause of seizures

In case of an unpleasant condition, it is first of all recommended to contact a therapist who will prescribe a series of tests and conduct the necessary diagnostics. These are blood and urine tests that will show the presence of concomitant pathologies, as well as ultrasound of the veins of the lower extremities. After the cause of seizures is found, the patient is recommended to be examined by a specialized narrow specialist or taking vitamins and a diet that can help with a banal lack of trace elements.

Treatment of night cramps

Seizures can be a sign of the development of serious diseases, it is extremely important to diagnose them in a timely manner. Depending on the cause, the appropriate treatment is selected. In any case, you can reduce the risk of painful leg cramps by practicing a daily contrast shower. In addition, it is important to change the diet.