What cause cramps in early pregnancy

Uterus pain in early pregnancy: Causes and treatments

Uterus pain in early pregnancy is a common experience, and it has a range of possible causes. While most of these are not serious, some will require medical attention.

During early pregnancy, the uterus is much smaller than it will be in the second and third trimesters. Therefore, pain in this part of the body is unlikely to be due to pressure from the uterus pushing on other organs or the fatigue of excess weight in the uterus.

Uterus pain, however, remains one of the most common symptoms in early pregnancy. In this article, we look at the possible causes, which include changes to the muscles and hormones.

The most common causes of uterus pain in early pregnancy include:

Round ligament pain

Share on PinterestRound ligament pain is one possible cause of uterus pain in early pregnancy.

Round ligament pain happens because the uterus is growing, and the ligaments that support it must shift to accommodate the growth. This pain is usually a sharp, stabbing sensation that can happen on one or both sides of the uterus. It may be sudden and usually only lasts a few seconds.

In many cases, round ligament pain appears without warning. Some women notice more pain when they cough or sneeze or when they roll over or change position in bed. The pain can also occur when a pregnant woman moves from a sitting to a standing position.

Although it can be uncomfortable, round ligament pain is not dangerous or a sign that anything is wrong.

Pelvic floor pain

Many women experience pelvic floor pain during pregnancy. Symptoms can appear early on, especially in a second pregnancy. A stretching uterus is one cause of the pain, but hormonal changes can also affect how the muscles of the pelvic floor feel and behave.

The sensations of pelvic floor pain vary, and a woman might feel them near her uterus or in her bladder, vagina, back, or abdomen.

Some women with pelvic floor pain have a history of pelvic floor injuries, such as tearing or an episiotomy during childbirth. Many have weak pelvic floor muscles, which can cause additional symptoms, such as bladder leakage when jumping or sneezing.

Pelvic floor pain will not hurt the developing fetus, but it can get worse as the pregnancy progresses.

Cramping

Early in pregnancy, many women experience cramping that feels similar to menstrual cramps. The expanding uterus or rising progesterone levels may be responsible for this symptom.

Some women worry that cramping is a sign of pregnancy loss. Severe cramping that gets steadily worse over many hours may warn of a pregnancy loss, especially if there is bleeding. For many pregnant women, however, cramping is a temporary discomfort and not a sign of a problem.

Other possible causes of uterus pain during early pregnancy include:

Ovarian torsion

Ovarian torsion happens when an ovary or fallopian tube twists around the tissues supporting it. In some women, this happens following an ovarian cyst, but in others, there are no previous symptoms or warning signs.

Although pregnancy does not cause ovarian torsion, it can occur during pregnancy. Ovarian torsion is a medical emergency because it can cut off the blood supply and destroy the ovary. The ovary may rupture, which can lead to life threatening bleeding. Prompt emergency treatment is important for the survival of both the woman and the developing fetus.

Ovarian torsion causes sudden, sharp, overwhelming pain that may get steadily worse. The pain does not go away or get better with massage. For some women, the pain is intense enough to cause vomiting or fainting.

Ectopic pregnancy

Share on PinterestWomen over 35 are more at risk of an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy happens when an egg implants and grows somewhere other than the uterus — usually in the fallopian tubes. Factors that increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy include:

being over the age of 35 years
previous pelvic surgery
being a smoker
a history of ectopic pregnancy or pelvic inflammatory diseases
endometriosis
sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
in vitro fertilization (IVF)

An ectopic pregnancy is not viable. If it continues to grow, it may damage organs or cause life threatening bleeding.

Once a pregnancy implants in the uterus, it will not move to another location. If an ultrasound confirms that the fetus is developing in the uterus, a woman does not need to worry about ectopic pregnancy.

Other causes of pain

Numerous health issues, many of which do not have a direct association with pregnancy, can cause pain in the abdomen when a woman is pregnant.

Some pregnant women may think that their uterus is higher in the abdomen than it actually is and, thereby, mistake other forms of abdominal pain for uterus pain.

Below are some other potential causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy and their symptoms:

Liver pain from gallstones or other liver problems, which can cause aching pain in the upper right abdomen, sometimes along with dark urine.
Kidney pain from a kidney infection or kidney stones, which typically cause intense pain in the mid-to-upper back, painful urinating, and a fever.
Bladder pain from a bladder infection, which may lead to pain in the bladder or abdomen and pain or difficulty urinating.

A pregnant woman may also mistake gastrointestinal pain for uterus pain. Constipation is a common pregnancy complaint that can cause a range of sensations in the stomach, including sharp or shooting pains.

The right treatment depends on the cause of the pain. Women who experience normal early pregnancy aches and pains, such as those that are due to pelvic floor discomfort or round ligament pain, may find relief by:

shifting the knees toward the chest to reduce pressure on the uterus
frequently changing position
massaging the affected area or surrounding muscles gently
using over-the-counter pain relievers under the supervision of a healthcare professional
eating more fiber and remaining hydrated to prevent constipation
getting plenty of rest to reduce muscle fatigue

A healthcare professional must end an ectopic pregnancy, either surgically or using medication.

Surgery can treat ovarian torsion. In some cases, the surgeon will be able to save the ovary, but in others, this organ may require removal.

Share on PinterestA woman should talk to a doctor if she experiences any intense cramping during pregnancy.

A woman should see a healthcare professional at least once during her first trimester to confirm the pregnancy, assess its viability, and ensure that the fetus is growing in the uterus. This appointment provides a good opportunity to discuss aches and pains and to ask what is and is not normal.

A pregnant woman should call a doctor about uterus pain if:

there is intense cramping
the pain gets much worse
abdominal pain occurs alongside blood in the stool
there are signs of liver problems, such as upper right abdominal pain

She should go to the emergency room if:

there is heavy bleeding, similar to a period
the pain is unbearable or comes on suddenly and does not go away
symptoms include a fever
there is blood in the urine
there are symptoms of a kidney stone, such as intense back pain and cramping

For most women, uterus pain in early pregnancy is a temporary discomfort that comes and goes. The pain may change as the pregnancy progresses. Some women find that it gets better. Others notice an improvement during the second trimester and then an increase in pain as the uterus expands in the third trimester.

When pain is intense or occurs alongside other symptoms, it is important to see a healthcare professional.

Uterus pain in early pregnancy: Causes and treatments

Uterus pain in early pregnancy is a common experience, and it has a range of possible causes. While most of these are not serious, some will require medical attention.

Uterus pain, however, remains one of the most common symptoms in early pregnancy. In this article, we look at the possible causes, which include changes to the muscles and hormones.

The most common causes of uterus pain in early pregnancy include:

Round ligament pain

Share on PinterestRound ligament pain is one possible cause of uterus pain in early pregnancy.

Although it can be uncomfortable, round ligament pain is not dangerous or a sign that anything is wrong.

Pelvic floor pain

The sensations of pelvic floor pain vary, and a woman might feel them near her uterus or in her bladder, vagina, back, or abdomen.

Pelvic floor pain will not hurt the developing fetus, but it can get worse as the pregnancy progresses.

Cramping

Early in pregnancy, many women experience cramping that feels similar to menstrual cramps. The expanding uterus or rising progesterone levels may be responsible for this symptom.

Other possible causes of uterus pain during early pregnancy include:

Ovarian torsion

Ectopic pregnancy

Share on PinterestWomen over 35 are more at risk of an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy happens when an egg implants and grows somewhere other than the uterus — usually in the fallopian tubes. Factors that increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy include:

being over the age of 35 years
previous pelvic surgery
being a smoker
a history of ectopic pregnancy or pelvic inflammatory diseases
endometriosis
sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
in vitro fertilization (IVF)

An ectopic pregnancy is not viable. If it continues to grow, it may damage organs or cause life threatening bleeding.

Other causes of pain

Numerous health issues, many of which do not have a direct association with pregnancy, can cause pain in the abdomen when a woman is pregnant.

Some pregnant women may think that their uterus is higher in the abdomen than it actually is and, thereby, mistake other forms of abdominal pain for uterus pain.

Below are some other potential causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy and their symptoms:

Liver pain from gallstones or other liver problems, which can cause aching pain in the upper right abdomen, sometimes along with dark urine.
Kidney pain from a kidney infection or kidney stones, which typically cause intense pain in the mid-to-upper back, painful urinating, and a fever.
Bladder pain from a bladder infection, which may lead to pain in the bladder or abdomen and pain or difficulty urinating.

shifting the knees toward the chest to reduce pressure on the uterus
frequently changing position
massaging the affected area or surrounding muscles gently
using over-the-counter pain relievers under the supervision of a healthcare professional
eating more fiber and remaining hydrated to prevent constipation
getting plenty of rest to reduce muscle fatigue

A healthcare professional must end an ectopic pregnancy, either surgically or using medication.

Surgery can treat ovarian torsion. In some cases, the surgeon will be able to save the ovary, but in others, this organ may require removal.

Share on PinterestA woman should talk to a doctor if she experiences any intense cramping during pregnancy.

A pregnant woman should call a doctor about uterus pain if:

there is intense cramping
the pain gets much worse
abdominal pain occurs alongside blood in the stool
there are signs of liver problems, such as upper right abdominal pain

She should go to the emergency room if:

there is heavy bleeding, similar to a period
the pain is unbearable or comes on suddenly and does not go away
symptoms include a fever
there is blood in the urine
there are symptoms of a kidney stone, such as intense back pain and cramping

When pain is intense or occurs alongside other symptoms, it is important to see a healthcare professional.

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 the 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]

Convulsions during pregnancy | What to do with leg cramps in pregnant women

Why cramps appear during pregnancy and how to prevent or reduce pain.

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018

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Cramping is a severe sharp pain that most often occurs in the calf muscle, as well as in the neck, back, hands, back and front of the thigh. Unpleasant contractions can disturb the expectant mother at any stage of pregnancy.

Seizures occur day and night, last a few seconds or minutes, and the sensitivity in the muscles after the episode lasts up to a day.

Causes of pregnancy cramps and solutions

Pain can occur due to a lack of certain vitamins and minerals in the body of a pregnant woman, and may also indicate a serious illness. Let's look at the most common causes and find solutions to the problem.

Deficiency of vitamins and microelements

A woman carrying a baby needs much more nutrients than usual. And the lack of calcium and magnesium often becomes the culprit of leg cramps during pregnancy.

What to do?

Take your prenatal vitamin supplements (as directed by your healthcare professional only!) and eat foods rich in essential nutrients. For example, with a lack of calcium, which ensures the work of muscle cells, painful contractions may disturb. Therefore, such a microelement is a must in the daily diet.

Do not forget about magnesium, which helps in the absorption of calcium by the body. Magnesium is rich in parsley, basil, dill, avocado, lentils, beans, coriander.

Toxicosis of pregnant women

When a woman vomits, she loses useful trace elements, previously obtained from food and vitamin-mineral complexes. It is very important not only to quickly fill this shortage, but also to reduce toxicosis at the beginning of pregnancy.

What to do?

Try eating neutral, non-nauseous foods in the morning: crackers, bread, raisins. During the day, eat fractionally, in small portions. If toxicosis is debilitating and prolonged, inform your doctor.

See also: Toxicosis - norm or pathology

Low hemoglobin level

Sometimes cramps of the calf muscles in pregnant women are accompanied by dizziness and weakness. The cause of this condition may be a low level of hemoglobin. A blood test helps to identify this.

What to do?

Low hemoglobin is an indicator of iron deficiency in the body. Enrich your diet with iron-containing foods: egg yolks, beef, liver, buckwheat, nuts, pomegranate juice. And also follow the doctor's recommendations.

Increased progesterone levels

As soon as a woman begins to bear a child, the concentration of the hormone progesterone increases and blood flow in the legs worsens.

What to do?

To improve blood metabolism in the calf muscles, try to do light physical activity. Walk outdoors and do morning exercises. Also, applying a cream against varicose veins, a roller under the legs for easy lifting, massage, and contrast baths will help prevent or weaken nighttime leg cramps during pregnancy.

Some studies show that light exercise before bed for a few minutes can prevent sleep cramps.

Taking diuretics

Faced with edema, some mothers take drugs that remove fluid from the body. But along with excess water, a woman also loses valuable substances. And when the balance is disturbed, convulsions appear.

What to do?

No need to fight excess fluid - just reduce your intake! But do not overdo it, because in the opposite situation, metabolic disorders may occur. Additionally, adjust the daily menu: exclude from it pickles, black bread, sauerkraut, herring, that is, everything that retains fluid in the body and provokes you to take an additional portion of water.