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10/18/2008 - by Anne Marie Nielson
  
Pregnancy Cramps

Cramps in pregnancy are a common occurrence. They can be worrisome, however. Depending on the cause of your cramping, you may or may not need to check in with your doctor or midwife.

There are a number of normal causes of cramping during pregnancy. Some women feel a little cramping when the embryo implants into the uterus. Almost everyone feels a stretching, spasm-like cramp that may occur on one or both sides of the belly. This is caused by the ligaments that support the uterus stretching as they lengthen. These cramps most frequently occur with sudden movements on your part or when you are getting up. Gas pains can feel like severe cramps, as can constipation. Braxton Hicks contractions can sometimes be mistaken for cramps. This is a tightening of your uterus as it practices for labor. Like any trained athlete, your uterus must strengthen the muscle layers and prepare for the big event.

To relieve some of these discomforts, try the following. For constipation, drink more fluids and eat foods containing fiber like fruit and vegetables. Get more exercise. Just walking around the block can help get things moving. Walking can help relieve gas too. Ligament cramps can be prevented by moving carefully and slowly when changing position. Once they occur, it may help to rub in the vicinity of the cramp.

Cramping that may be more serious in nature may be signs of ectopic pregnancy (the egg implants in the Fallopian tube instead of the uterus), impending miscarriage, preterm labor if you are less than 37 weeks into your pregnancy, and if you are further along, labor.

An ectopic pregnancy will become increasingly painful beginning about a week after fertilization. This is because the growing fetus is expanding the Fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy is a serious condition, and you should seek immediate medical attention if you suspect this may be happening. Symptoms to watch for include severe, localized pain in the lower abdomen, a sudden stabbing pain in the lower abdomen, bleeding that may occur before or during pain, nausea, vomiting, faintness or dizziness with pain and bleeding, and tenderness over the Fallopian tube.

Miscarriage occurs most commonly in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, due to a fetus that is not developing properly. Pain may be severe or light, and you may experience bright red bleeding. If the pain is severe and your bleeding soaks through a couple pads in an hour, seek immediate attention in the emergency room. If you pass any clots or grayish material, take it in with you for examination. Any lesser symptoms will warrant at least a call to your care provider. Call them as soon as possible to report bleeding with pain or cramps; continuous pain for longer than a day, even without bleeding; if you experience bleeding like a heavy period, or light bleeding for more than three days. Sometimes late miscarriages occur, between the 12th and 20th weeks. If you see pink or brownish discharge, get it checked out. If you begin to bleed more heavily, seek medical attention immediately.

Preterm labor means you are having contractions that are occurring between the 20th and 37th week. You may see bleeding or a change in vaginal discharge, feel the baby low and have a dull backache, or it may feel like menstrual or diarrhea cramps.

At From Pregnancy To Baby, we try to provide you with all of the latest information about going through your pregnancy from your first trimester to the first years of your new babies life. We also provide the highest quality books and products to help you through that time.

Source: http://www.frompregnancytobaby.com/Articles/Pregnancy-Cramps .html