{"id":62496,"date":"2024-01-10T12:53:56","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T17:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=62496"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:17:15","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:17:15","slug":"cramping-in-early-pregnancy-causes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/cramping-in-early-pregnancy-causes\/","title":{"rendered":"What causes cramping in early pregnancy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cramping during early pregnancy can be worrying, but it’s a common pregnancy symptom, and women who cramp often deliver a healthy baby near their due date. <\/span>Minor early pregnancy cramps<\/span><\/a> may feel like menstrual cramps, and you may also feel bloated or <\/span>gassy<\/span><\/a>. Some women also describe cramping as a pulling sensation in the pelvic area or similar to low back pain, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Like period cramps, the cramps tend to come and go, and the pain can be uncomfortable but generally manageable without even needing to take over-the-counter pain medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes cramping in early pregnancy?<\/span> <\/span><\/h2>\n

There are several causes of cramping in early pregnancy, and most have to do with what’s happening in your body in the weeks after conception. You might not “look” pregnant yet, but your body goes through significant changes in early pregnancy, both physically and hormonally.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, you may experience cramping when your fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, says Shandra Scruggs, a registered labor and delivery nurse and doula, and the founder of<\/span> Simply Birthed<\/span><\/a>. This is known as implantation cramping. According to the <\/span>American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)<\/span><\/a>, implantation occurs about one or two weeks after conception, and light bleeding or spotting might accompany the cramps.<\/span><\/p>\n

Scruggs says that cramping may also happen as your uterus expands to support your growing fetus, adding, “Hormones, especially progesterone, can make the uterus contract a bit, leading to mild cramps. These hormonal changes can slow down digestion, causing gas and constipation, which might bring on belly discomfort.” As the uterus enlarges over time, the ligaments that hold your uterus in place stretch as well, which often causes quick, sharp pains in your abdomen.<\/span><\/p>\n

While most causes of cramping in pregnancy are related to uterus expansion and hormones, cramping in pregnancy may indicate something more serious. “Causes that could be of concern could include an infection, ectopic pregnancy, or miscarriage,” says <\/span>Ila Dayananda, MD<\/span><\/a>, an OB-GYN and chief medical officer of <\/span>Oula Health<\/span><\/a>. However, in these cases, Dr. Dayananda says the pain is usually more intense and is accompanied by other concerning symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, the <\/span>symptoms of a miscarriage in early pregnancy<\/span><\/a> usually involve bleeding that becomes progressively heavier, along with abdominal or back pain and cramping. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube.<\/span> This occurs because the egg usually meets with the sperm in the fallopian tube and then the fertilized egg migrates down the tube and implants on the uterine wall. According to the <\/span>American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)<\/span><\/a>, symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include cramping on one side of the abdomen, bleeding, shoulder pain, and feeling weak or dizzy. If you have any signs of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, you should contact a healthcare professional promptly. An ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency and needs to be dealt with urgently. Women who have missed a period and have moderate to severe abdominal pain need emergent evaluation in the emergency department.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s not clear whether some women are more likely to experience cramping in early pregnancy than others. Still, there may be certain factors that make you more likely to experience this early pregnancy symptom. According to the <\/span>American Pregnancy Association<\/span><\/a>, early pregnancy cramps may:<\/span><\/p>\n