Cramping in early pregnancy is a normal occurrence. Cramping can occur when the uterus begins to stretch and grow after implantation. During the course of your pregnancy, your uterus will grow to 1000 times its original size, which means that some cramping pain is to be expected. You may be worried if you feel this cramping, but mild cramping similar to menstrual cramps, very early in your pregnancy, is not cause for alarm. After checking with your health care provider, you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) if the pain is bothersome. If cramping is severe, or if you experience any bleeding, discharge or spotting, you should contact your health care provider. Women who have had a previous miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy (also called a tubal pregnancy) you should contact your doctor or midwife with any cramping. Other problems to be aware of and that should warrant a call to your health care professional include pain off to the side as opposed to the middle, as this could indicate an ectopic pregnancy. Pain in the lower groin is very common later in pregnancy, as while the uterus must grow, the ligaments that support the uterus have to stretch. This is called round ligament stretch, round ligament pain, or round ligament syndrome and is different that early pregnancy cramping.

Posted in Pregnancy

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