Where are early pregnancy cramps located?

Bad Cramps During Early Pregnancy: What Are Those First-Trimester Lower Abdominal Pains You Feel?

Many pregnant people experience numerous symptoms in the first trimester, such as nausea, morning sickness, breast tenderness, constipation, cravings, and weight gain. But what if you experience cramping in this early stage of pregnancy? In this article, we will go over what it means if you have cramps during early pregnancy.

What they feel like
Are cramps normal?
Causes
Signs
Treatment
When to see a health care provider

What do early pregnancy cramps feel like?

If you’ve been pregnant before, you’re probably very familiar with this cramping pain. Cramping during early pregnancy feels a lot like normal period cramps. The pain is usually located in the lower abdomen and typically only lasts for a few minutes.
Are cramps normal during early pregnancy?

Stomach cramps during early pregnancy are relatively common. If you get a few stomach cramps during the first trimester of pregnancy, it’s probably not a cause for alarm. These cramps are typically part of the normal physical changes in the body that occur in preparation for the baby.

Very early in your pregnancy, you may get cramps as well as light bleeding when the embryo is implanted into the wall of the uterus. This process can sometimes lead to implantation cramps and bleeding. As the pregnancy progresses, you may also feel cramping as your uterus changes and stretches to accommodate the baby.

In the following sections, we will talk about the causes of pregnancy cramps and when to call your health care provider.
Causes of cramping in early pregnancy

It is common to experience mild pain or cramps in your abdomen during pregnancy. In most cases, abdominal pain in early pregnancy is caused by normal bodily changes such as:

Implantation — When a fertilized egg forms a blastocyst and implants into the lining of the uterine wall, it can cause a bit of cramping in your lower abdomen. This is known as implantation cramping and is often one of the first signs of pregnancy.
Uterine growth — During the first two trimesters, there is rapid uterine growth to accommodate the growing fetus. This can also lead to early pregnancy cramping. As the ligaments and muscles that support the uterus also grow, you might experience sharp pain when you stand, change position, or sneeze/cough.
Orgasm — If you have sex while pregnant, you may experience cramps after an orgasm. The pain may feel similar to a period cramp and usually goes away quickly. This doesn’t mean that you have to stop having sex if you’re pregnant, though. That being said, if the pain is severe and accompanied by bleeding, consult with your health care provider immediately.

In rare cases, early pregnancy cramps may be caused by the following pregnancy problems:

Early miscarriage — In some cases, cramping may mean a miscarriage. But this is not always the case. When cramping is severe, prolonged, and/or occurs along with bleeding or vaginal discharge, make sure to seek immediate medical attention. An early pregnancy miscarriage is most likely to occur in the first trimester.
Ectopic pregnancy — An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. For instance, it may attach to the uterine tube, abdominal cavity, or cervix. An ectopic pregnancy may result in severe abdominal cramps that may be accompanied by bleeding. If you experience severe cramping, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Signs of first-trimester cramps

Stomach pain in early pregnancy can be worrying, especially if it’s your first pregnancy and you’re not familiar with the physical sensations. While cramping during early pregnancy is usually normal, it’s still good to pay attention to your pregnancy pains.