Cramp during Pregnancy

Cramp or mild abdominal (stomach) pain during pregnancy is normal. Most pregnant women experience it, and now you are experiencing it. There is nothing to worry about. When cramping becomes intense, then there is a matter of concern. It’s the first sign of miscarriage.

On this page, you will get the following:

• What are Cramps during pregnancy?
• Cause of Cramps during Pregnancy
• Types of Cramps
• How do you manage Cramps during pregnancy?
• What you should do during Cramping?
• How long did the Cramps last?
• Is cramping in pregnancy normal?
• When to seek medical help?

What are Cramps during pregnancy?

Cramps are muscle contractions or pain in both sides of the abdominal (stomach). It is similar to period or menstrual pain. It happens due to your uterus growing and also for your baby’s development. Cramps are usually felt in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or lower back. Remember, most women experience it during their pregnancy, and I also felt it during my pregnancy. It’s a normal issue; you need not panic about cramps.

Cause of Cramps during Pregnancy

• During implantation in pregnancy causes cramping
• Urine infection leads to cramping in pregnancy.
• Gas and bloating in pregnancy lead to cramping.
• After sexual intercourse, you will feel cramping in your lower abdomen.
• In pregnancy, your digestive system slows down, and you face constipation that leads to cramping.
• Uterine growth leads to cramping.
• Dehydration leads to cramping.
• Physical activity leads to cramping.
• Increased circulation to the pelvic area can lead to cramps.

Different Types of Cramps

Mild Abdominal Cramps

Mild abdominal cramping is very normal. It happens in the lower abdomen. There is nothing serious. It’s harmless. You will experience it throughout pregnancy. It is also similar to menstrual cramping.

Leg Cramps

In pregnancy, your blood flow increases, and after the 1st trimester, your circulation develops so you will feel leg cramps. Leg cramps usually occur at night. It’s common in the 2nd and 3rd trimester.

Round Ligament Pain

Round ligament pain is like stabbing pain in your lower abdomen. It also causes sharp and severe pain in both or one side of your lower abdomen. It mostly occurs in the 2nd trimester and 3rd trimester when the stretching ligament in your pelvic supports your uterus.

Braxton Hicks Contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, and you will experience them throughout Pregnancy. It’s a painless contraction and happens in the second trimester. After physical activity or sex, you will feel them more.

Gas and Bloating

During pregnancy, your body is going through a lot of changes. Hormonal changes increase day by day throughout Pregnancy. It leads to indigestion, and you suffer from gas and bloating. It leads to cramping.

Constipation

Because hormonal changes and prenatal vitamins make your digestive system slow down, it leads to constipation. And you feel cramping in your lower abdomen.

Severe Abdominal Pain

Severe abdominal pain is harmful if it is accompanied by bleeding. It is a sign of miscarriage. You are going through intense and persistent pain. Immediately take medical help.

How to Manage Cramps during Pregnancy?

• Keep hydrated

If you are facing cramping, you need to drink 8 to 12 glasses of water to keep yourself hydrated. This helps manage cramping.

• Comfortable footwear

To avoid leg cramping, you should use comfortable footwear. It prevents leg-related cramping.

• Soft massage

Take a soft, gentle massage to relieve cramping. It will give you comfort and reduce cramping.

• Healthy diet

Make sure you are eating healthy food during pregnancy. Avoid fast food and too much spice in your food. Keep calcium and magnesium-rich food in your diet. Prepare a healthy diet chart and follow it.

• Light exercise

You need to walk and do prenatal yoga; these can improve circulation and decrease cramping.

• Proper rest

You must sleep enough and take proper rest. During work, take a break so that you don’t face cramping issues. Adequate rest helps your body prevent cramping-related issues.

• Don’t smoke

During pregnancy, smoking is harmful to the baby. Ignore smoking to relieve cramping.

• Talk to your doctor

If you are suffering for a long time, talk to your doctor.

What You Should Do During Cramping?

If you feel a mild cramp during pregnancy, you can follow these:

• Take rest
• Drink plenty of water
• Change your position while sitting or lying.
• Take a warm bath
• Stretching your muscles can prevent cramping.
• Put a hot water bag (do not feel burn sensation) at the side of cramping.

These may give you some relief from the pain (cramping).

How Long Did the Cramps Last?

How long your pregnancy cramps last depends on causes. Usually, in early pregnancy, cramps last a few minutes or a few hours. When you go through implantation cramps, there is light spotting, and it lasts a few hours to a few days. And you will experience it before you miss your period. 

In the first trimester, cramps feel like period cramping and last a few minutes to a few hours. 

In round ligament pain, you will feel intense pain in both or one side of your lower abdomen. It lasts a few seconds to a few minutes. Some other causes like Braxton Hicks contractions, which are also known as practice contractions, prepare your body for labour. It lasts a few seconds to a couple of minutes. 

And also, you will experience third-trimester cramping, labour contractions, and postpartum cramping, which lasts 30 to 80 seconds, a few minutes, or a few days. All these are normal and harmless. I also experienced this kind of cramping during my pregnancy, and all these did not last long.

Is Cramping in Pregnancy Normal?

Yes, cramping in pregnancy is normal. There is nothing serious. If you go through severe pain or bleeding, that is a matter of concern; immediately take medical help.

When to Seek Medical Help?

When you face these signs and symptoms, immediately contact your doctor:

• If you have bleeding and pain, consult with your doctor.
• If you have too much pain that doesn’t go away.
• If you have shoulder and neck pain with cramping.
• If you have vaginal discharge, cramping, bleeding.
• If you have cramping along with dizziness.
• If you are facing regular contractions before 37 weeks.

In pregnancy, you need to be careful. Cramping is the most common thing in pregnancy. I also felt it during my pregnancy. Most of the women experience it. If there is anything serious, contact your doctor without any delay. Remember one thing, after a hard time, there is always a good time. Keep patience during pregnancy.