Pregnancy is the most exciting, wonderful and beautiful period in a woman’s life. The very thought of expecting a child and being a new mother brings a lot of happiness to your mind. But it is always associated with a totally new health condition and the related discomforts and uneasiness. Cramping is one of the most common health condition experienced by pregnant women.
These cramps can be both mild and severe and resembles the ones which you experience during your period. Cramps can occur at any time in your pregnancy. Sometimes you may even experience them in a very early stage, i.e. about 6 to 7 days after ovulation. Generally, after fertilization, the egg implants itself in the wall of the uterus which is referred to as implantation cramping. This results in cramping. Moreover, the expansion of the uterus which occurs during pregnancy in order to accommodate the growing baby can also cause cramping.
Generally, the pregnancy cramps are normal in most of the cases and are not always dangerous. But to be on the safe side, you should always be alert and monitor yourself carefully. Every cramp does not necessarily lead to a miscarriage. There are various types of cramps like pain of the lower back, uterine pain and extreme vaginal pain. Shooting pain in the groin and hip area is experienced by many pregnant women carrying twins or triplets. These pains tend to be more intense when the expecting mother stands up suddenly from a sitting or lying position but gradually decreases on walking. By maintaining a proper exercise regime which in turn will help in strengthening the muscles of those areas, this type of pain can be lessened to a great extent.
Causes of Cramping during Early Pregnancy
During early pregnancy, cramping may be the result of both common health disorders and some serious problems.
1. Implantation cramping
As referred earlier, this type of cramping occurs when after fertilization the egg implants itself in the wall of the uterus. This type of pain can be both mild and severe and is experienced in the lower abdomen and does not last for more than one day. Every pregnant woman does not experience this kind of pain and its intensity varies from person to person.
2. Probable miscarriage
Cramping during early pregnancy along with bleeding can be a sign of a probable miscarriage. So you need to be very cautious, if there is any kind of vaginal bleeding or spotting and consult your doctor immediately.
3. Stretching of uterus
The cramping which occurs due to the stretching of the uterus for accommodating the growing baby is called ’round ligament pain’. This kind of pain is experienced by almost every pregnant woman and it lasts throughout the pregnancy.
4. Ectopic pregnancy
This is a very abnormal kind of pregnancy wherein the baby grows and develops outside the uterus (sometimes in the fallopian tubes). Cramps in the lower back and sides of the pelvis region can be a sign of ectopic pregnancy. Sharp abdominal pain along with spotting or bleeding can also occur along with the cramps.
5. Gas and constipation
Constipation occurs in most of the pregnant women due to hormonal changes and also for taking iron supplements. Gas is also a very common problem. Both of these problems can cause cramps during pregnancy.
Causes of Cramping during Late Pregnancy
There are various reasons of cramping in late pregnancy like:
1. Round ligament pain
The uterus grows continuously throughout the pregnancy to provide space for the growing baby. This leads to stretching of the ligaments of the uterus. This results in cramping. This is not so severe pain.
2. Preterm labor
Labor before time can also cause cramping. In this case, sometimes back pain and diarrhea also occur.
3. Braxton-Hicks contractions
Irregular uterine contractions that occur in the second and third trimesters can cause cramping. This is also known as ‘false labor’.
4. Labor
During early labor, cramping and back pain are very common and usually lasts for half a minute.
Treatment for Cramps
When the pain becomes unbearable, you need to take your doctor’s advice. And if you observe heavy spotting or bleeding in the early stages, then seeking medical help is a must. The various treatments available are as follows:
- If you experience ligament pain or back pain, then taking a hot compress or a heating pad will definitely help decrease the pain.
- By taking a warm bath, you can relax your ligaments and muscles and get relief from the pain.
- By drinking lots of water and fruit juices and by eating sufficient amount of fresh fruits rich in fiber content will help you in relieving constipation and thereby decreasing the intensity of the cramps.
- It is generally believed by most health experts that by avoiding sexual intercourse during pregnancy you can relieve cramps.
- Avoid stress as much as possible because stress can aggravate the pain caused by cramping. And also maintain a healthy diet schedule along with adequate amount of sleep and rest.
- You can benefit by using tylenol after taking your doctor’s approval. But you should always stay away from aspirin and products made of aspirin like advil, ibuprofen, motrin, etc., because they can cause severe bleeding and also birth defects.