Pregnancy Week by Week

It is a very normal thing to have some cramping during early pregnancy. This may be mild like just some uncomfortable abdominal pain or you may feel like you have gas, which can actually be a cause as well. The first trimester you may have pain and even a little bit of spotting or bleeding that is similar to when you have a period. However, usually the type of cramping during early pregnancy is very light. And it is considered abnormal if you have it past the first trimester. But it is very normal when it occurs in the first few weeks.

It is never considered normal to have any kind of severe cramps when you are expecting a child. If this is the case, no matter what stage or trimester you are in, you should call your doctor immediately. It can mean that there is something seriously wrong. But mild cramping during early pregnancy is nothing at all to be concerned about. It is usually infrequent.

While you are in the first trimester this type of pain can be caused by one of several different situations. Gas or bloating very commonly cause mild cramps to occur. Constipation is a condition that can occur throughout all three trimesters, and must constantly be guarded against. But it can also cause some mild cramps to occur. Since the uterus is undergoing many different changes and moving around to make room for the baby’s growth, these can be caused by ligaments or muscles that could be strained. This usually does not cause cramping during early pregnancy, but can very likely do so in the later trimesters when the baby is growing faster.

Another common cause is from the implantation. These occur shortly after the embryo implants itself in the lining of the uterus. These should pass soon, and most of the time the mother may not even know she is expecting when they occur.

There are some times to be concerned with this condition. If you are still in your first trimester and your cramps are accompanied by bleeding and the cramps seem to be in a rhythmic pattern you could be having a miscarriage and should call your physician or health care provider immediately. It can also be a sign that the embryo attached outside the uterus which is called ectopic. Either one of these are serious and you should call the doctor if you have cramps that begin shortly after you start bleeding.