Breast tenderness, nausea, and a metallic taste in your mouth — early pregnancy is full of weird and wonderful symptoms. You might have done your research to help you to prepare for the next nine months, but you might not have been expecting cramps during pregnancy.
You may be no stranger to aches and pains around the time of your period, but did you know that mild abdominal cramps during early pregnancy are normal? Your body is going through some monumental changes, and you may be more aware of any new twinges and aches than ever before.
While cramps during pregnancy are considered to be pretty common, it’s to be expected if they leave you feeling a little worried. To get to the bottom of this, Dr. Nazaneen Homaifar, obstetrician and gynecologist, Inova Health System, Washington, DC, US, explains what early pregnancy cramps might feel like, what causes them, and how to cope with them. Grab your hot water bottle and settle in.
What do early pregnancy cramps feel like?
Your body goes through a lot of changes in early pregnancy as your baby starts to grow. While you may not have a bump yet, your baby is developing rapidly, and because of this, you’ll likely experience a lot of new symptoms. One really common symptom is cramping. Dr. Homaifar explains that it might feel like the cramps you have during your period. You might describe them as:
- A dull ache
- Sharp abdominal and vaginal pain
- A pulling or stretching feeling
Cramping might last a few minutes or a few hours and it may feel better if you change positions or try to poop. You might feel them in your bump, lower abdomen, lower back, or legs. It’s really important to remember that usually, they aren’t something to be worried about, but it’s totally understandable if you do feel freaked out.
Reach out to your doctor and explain what the cramps you’re experiencing feel like and when they happen. They will be able to support you and may ask you to come in to be examined. You can learn more about the different symptoms you may experience during early pregnancy using an app like Flo.