Can you cramp and be pregnant

However, there are some instances when cramping can be a concern. Cramping typically occurs when the uterus expands, causing the ligaments and muscles that support it to stretch.

It may be more noticeable when you sneeze, cough , or change positions. During the second trimester , a common cause of cramping is round ligament pain. The round ligament is a muscle that supports the uterus, and when it stretches, you may feel a sharp, stabbing pain, or a dull ache in your lower abdomen. Cramping that is relatively minor and happens every now and then is probably nothing to be worried about.

Some additional causes of normal cramping in pregnancy include:. If you experience minor cramping during pregnancy, there are a couple of things you can do for prevention and self-care:.

While cramping can be common, there are some serious causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy:. If you experience the following types of cramping, you should contact your doctor right away:. Pregnancy Cramps. What Causes Cramps During Pregnancy? If you experience minor cramping during pregnancy, there are a couple of things you can do for prevention and self-care: Try to sit, lie down or change positions.

Soak in a warm bath. Try doing relaxation exercises. Some women experience a few minor twinges, while others feel intermittent pain that comes and goes over one to three days. If you have cramping that isn't followed by your period, it may be related to implantation.

Hou notes it might be too early take a home pregnancy test , since the hormone hCG needs to reach high enough levels for detection.

Home pregnancy tests are most accurate if taken after a missed period. Visit a doctor if cramps are sharp and radiate throughout your pelvis and abdomen. This may signal ectopic pregnancy , which means the embryo implanted outside of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancy may also involve vaginal bleeding, shoulder pain, dizziness, and weakness. By Nicole Harris Updated March 10, Save Pin FB More. Credit: Shutterstock. By Nicole Harris. Comments 1. Sort by: Newest. Miscarriage: Miscarriages often happen because of abnormal development in an egg or embryo usually caused by chromosomal abnormalities.

The cramping associated with miscarriage actually happens when blood and tissue leave the uterus, causing it to contract. Aside from cramping, the most telltale sign of miscarriage is heavy bleeding that doesn't let up.

Contact your doctor right away if you suspect miscarriage. Women are less likely to experience cramping or other uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms during the second trimester. One exception is for women who are pregnant with multiples , since the uterus grows more rapidly and will reach third-trimester proportions in the second trimester.

Here are some other causes of second trimester pregnancy cramping. Round Ligament Pain: This benign pain occurs around week 13 when the ligaments that support the uterus stretch as the uterus grows upward.

Round ligament pain is usually quick, sharp, and one-sided. Urinary Tract Infections. Mild UTIs can also cause cramps during pregnancy in the second trimester. Other symptoms include painful urination, the frequent need to pee, and lower abdominal discomfort. Contact your doctor if you think you have a UTI. Uterine Fibroids: A more serious, but rare, cause is uterine fibroids. These harmless overgrowths of tissue can start breaking down in the second trimester usually between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy because there's not enough blood to sustain their growth.

The pain is pretty severe. Any woman who has a history of uterine fibroids should watch for pregnancy cramps at this point, because she may need hospitalization to manage the pain effectively until it passes. It's very common for women to experience cramping in the third trimester—often in the form of Braxton Hicks contractions. These "false contractions'' don't actually progress into labor, but they help prepare your body for delivery. While Braxton Hicks contractions only last between 30 seconds and two minutes, you can relieve symptoms by drinking some water and resting.

Of course, if third trimester cramping doesn't quickly subside, you could be experiencing preterm labor. Call your doctor right away and express your concerns; they might want to evaluate you right away.

Other serious causes of cramps during the third trimester include placental abruption when placenta separates from the uterine wall and preeclampsia a condition characterized by sudden high blood pressure. Call your doctor for cramping accompanied by bleeding, severe headaches, shortness or breath, swelling, or vision changes.

Sometimes cramping is normal during pregnancy. According to experts, you shouldn't worry about cramping after sex. That's because semen contains prostaglandins that stimulate the uterus. She adds that it's completely fine to have sex, and if you have cramps afterwards, try getting off your feet and hydrating.

It's also a good sign if changing position makes cramps better or worse. This generally means you're experiencing cramps related to stretching of the uterus or its supporting ligaments, which is completely normal during pregnancy. Finally, if you feel better after passing gas, the pain is likely related to a gastrointestinal problem instead of the uterus, says Dr.

On the other hand, certain scenarios indicate that something more serious could be happening.