“There are several main causes of pelvic cramping during pregnancy and fortunately most of them are very benign and transient,” assures Andrew Croak DO, MS, FACOOG, a board-certified, fellowship-trained urogynecologist in Toledo, Ohio. “Most pelvic cramping during pregnancy is confined to the uterus, which stretches with the growth of the baby and may occasionally contract or cramp.” Of course, there are times when that eyebrow-raising sensation or pain might be cause for concern, and you should never hesitate to call your doctor if you’re worried about miscarriage — especially if you’re also spotting or bleeding or the pain is severe. But without any other symptoms, it’s more likely something else. Here, how you can identify six major causes of cramps during pregnancy and the best course of action for each. In other words, your body’s just getting ready for delivery. The APA says that Braxton-Hicks contractions tend to be infrequent, unpredictable, non-rhythmic, and more uncomfortable than painful. Unlike labor contractions, they won’t increase in intensity or frequency, and they’ll taper off and then disappear altogether. “As the uterus grows and stretches to accommodate the baby’s growth, it may rotate or pull on the round ligaments of the uterus which attach the uterus to the pelvic sidewalls,” explains Dr. Croak. “Also, uterine expansion and the pregnancy hormone relaxin may cause the ligaments of the bony pelvis to mal-align or ‘sheer,’ thus causing crampy pain of the muscular skeletal pelvic floor.” More from CafeMom: If You’re Pregnant & Your Toilet Seat Turned Blue, You Are Not Alone More from CafeMom: 20 Baby Girl Names That Exploded in Popularity This Decade “A urinary tract infection can cause some cramping and pain in the lower abdomen,” explains Dr. O’Rourke. “It is often associated with a frequent sensation of needing to urinate, burning when urinating, and sometimes blood in the urine.” More from CafeMom: The Most Bizarre Pregnancy Side Effects You’ve Never Heard Of You should call your doctor if you have fever, chills, lower stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, contractions, or if after taking medicine for three days, you’re still experiencing burning when you urinate. Any combination of the following symptoms is a sign of preterm labor: menstrual-like cramping along with increased pressure and abdominal pain, five or more uterine contractions in an hour, watery fluid leaking from your vagina (indicating your water’s broken), low and dull backache below the waistline, pelvic pressure that feels like your baby is pushing down, abdominal cramps that may occur with or without diarrhea, and/or an increase or change in vaginal discharge. If you’re concerned — and especially if you’re having vaginal bleeding accompanied by abdominal cramps or pain — calling your health care provider is always the right move, even if it ends up being a false alarm. It’s important to note that severe cramping and bleeding during the first trimester might indicate miscarriage, Dr. O’Rourke says. Most miscarriages occur within the first 13 weeks. “Be sure to call your doctor if you have severe cramping that does not improve and/or bleeding like a period, as this may indicate that you are having or are at risk of a miscarriage,” she notes.
title: “Cramps During Pregnancy 6 Causes That Aren T Miscarriage” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-01” author: “Charles Kent”
“There are several main causes of pelvic cramping during pregnancy and fortunately most of them are very benign and transient,” assures Andrew Croak DO, MS, FACOOG, a board-certified, fellowship-trained urogynecologist in Toledo, Ohio. “Most pelvic cramping during pregnancy is confined to the uterus, which stretches with the growth of the baby and may occasionally contract or cramp.” Of course, there are times when that eyebrow-raising sensation or pain might be cause for concern, and you should never hesitate to call your doctor if you’re worried about miscarriage — especially if you’re also spotting or bleeding or the pain is severe. But without any other symptoms, it’s more likely something else. Here, how you can identify six major causes of cramps during pregnancy and the best course of action for each. In other words, your body’s just getting ready for delivery. The APA says that Braxton-Hicks contractions tend to be infrequent, unpredictable, non-rhythmic, and more uncomfortable than painful. Unlike labor contractions, they won’t increase in intensity or frequency, and they’ll taper off and then disappear altogether. “As the uterus grows and stretches to accommodate the baby’s growth, it may rotate or pull on the round ligaments of the uterus which attach the uterus to the pelvic sidewalls,” explains Dr. Croak. “Also, uterine expansion and the pregnancy hormone relaxin may cause the ligaments of the bony pelvis to mal-align or ‘sheer,’ thus causing crampy pain of the muscular skeletal pelvic floor.” More from CafeMom: If You’re Pregnant & Your Toilet Seat Turned Blue, You Are Not Alone More from CafeMom: 20 Baby Girl Names That Exploded in Popularity This Decade “A urinary tract infection can cause some cramping and pain in the lower abdomen,” explains Dr. O’Rourke. “It is often associated with a frequent sensation of needing to urinate, burning when urinating, and sometimes blood in the urine.” More from CafeMom: The Most Bizarre Pregnancy Side Effects You’ve Never Heard Of You should call your doctor if you have fever, chills, lower stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, contractions, or if after taking medicine for three days, you’re still experiencing burning when you urinate. Any combination of the following symptoms is a sign of preterm labor: menstrual-like cramping along with increased pressure and abdominal pain, five or more uterine contractions in an hour, watery fluid leaking from your vagina (indicating your water’s broken), low and dull backache below the waistline, pelvic pressure that feels like your baby is pushing down, abdominal cramps that may occur with or without diarrhea, and/or an increase or change in vaginal discharge. If you’re concerned — and especially if you’re having vaginal bleeding accompanied by abdominal cramps or pain — calling your health care provider is always the right move, even if it ends up being a false alarm. It’s important to note that severe cramping and bleeding during the first trimester might indicate miscarriage, Dr. O’Rourke says. Most miscarriages occur within the first 13 weeks. “Be sure to call your doctor if you have severe cramping that does not improve and/or bleeding like a period, as this may indicate that you are having or are at risk of a miscarriage,” she notes.
