Period like pain but BFP

[cogitosum]

I did a first response HPT yesterday morning - 3 days before period due. I'm not sure why I did it as I was convinced my period was about to come as I was having the cramps I'd normally have at that point. However it was a clear positive. I did another one in the afternoon - a clear blue digital which was also positive and said it was 1 - 2weeks (although think it would be slightly later as it's meant to be accurate in the morning and HCG levels get diluted later on). Period like cramps continued throughout day but no bleeding or spotting. Still having slight crampng but not as heavy as it would normally be just before period.

I have a 34 day cycle but I think I ovulate early in cycle as I have spotting mid month about 3 weeks before period which is earlier than calendar suggests I'd ovulate. Also I did the home ovulation tests last month around the time i was meant to ovulate according to calendar (a week later than the spotting) and it showed i didn;t ovulate.

I did another test this morning - just a cheapy and have a very faint line -this one's only meant to work from day period is due (which it's not yet) but it was very faint -had to turn lights on an squint!

sorry for essay! I guess what I'm trying to ask is is it normal to have cramping if I am pregnant? I've read a lot about chemical pregnancies and this is my biggest worry at the moment. I read somewhere that 50 - 60% of early pregnacies are lost - so does this mean that over half of peopel who do an early reponse HPT don't go on to be pregnant?

I've got a dr appointment on Tuesday but finding the waiting very difficult!

[Selky]

I had cramping so was fully expecting my period at any time and was thoroughly shocked when I did a test and found that I was pregnant. I did my test 1 day after my period was due to start though.

HTH

[CusheyButterfield]

I had fairly strong cramps around the time of my BFP. 6 month old DD is now going hell for leather in her jumperoo as I type.

[x2boys]

yep perfectly normal i had period type crampsat the start of both my pregnancies i have two healthy boys aged 5and 2 congratulations

[cogitosum]

Thank you for sharing your experiences - it's really helped put my mind at rest a bit...
Cushey - that's wonderful! Congratulations on your DD
Selky - congratulations on your pregnancy - do you mind me asking how far along you are?

[cogitosum]

Sorry x2boys X post - That's fantastic thank you!

[Vessel]

I was terrified about period-like cramps during early pregnancy and my midwife told me she thought my body was 'trying to decide what it wanted to do' which didn't help at all but I have a lovely 11month old to show for it and from what I've read and found out about aches and pains during pregnancy, it's all quite normal and nothing to worry about mostly, especially if it's not accompanied by any bleeding (which can also be nothing to worry about!). I think when you're pregnant though, there's always something to scare you.

[Adayforthinking]

Implantation feels very much like period pains and can even cause some spotting.

It's most usual, along with various other period type symptoms.

However there are also a lot of pgs that do go wrong at the early stage, which of course we wouldn't necessarily know about before the introduction of early testing. It was just be seen as a slightly late period.

I really hope that this is a viable pg for you and CONGRATULATIONS!

[cogitosum]

thank yoyu Vessel - yes my sister has twin girls and told me not to panic too much as first you worry for the first 12 weeks and think you'll calm down after that, then you think it'll be once the baby's born and then you realise you're actually going to be slightly worried about your baby forever!

[LondonKitty]

It can be perfectly normal... Some people complain about 'implantation' pain. Your uterus also starts to expand early on and there is pain associated with that. I had pain with mine too around that time.

I am torn between wanting to reassure you and knowing all too well that pain can be bad too... I am afraid it is just a waiting game, but I wish you the very best of luck.

[cogitosum]

Thank you. I think /hope that if I haven't had any bleeding on Tuesday I'll feel a bit better as then I'll actually be late! Although I know it's stilll by no means a sure thing. Very scared of getting hopes up.

I took pictures of the BFPs and have to look at them to ressure myself it actuallly happened - still a bit in shock I think

[Flightty]

Cogito, (are you C. Ergo sum? or is that someone else?) anyhow,

I'm the same as you - got a positive on a cheap test on Thursday. I'm due on on Monday! So it feels really weird knowing already.

I've been having some fairly strong and painful cramps but nothing I didn't have with ds2, who is nearly 5 now. It's normal. Don't worry pet

Is this your first baby? Congratulations, anyway

[Flightty]

Oh and by the way, I'm notsure about that 50% figure. I would imagine that a lot of people don't know they are pregnant because either they don't suspect it and don't test (ie they're not late to start with) or else, maybe it includes pregnancies which happen in terms of conception, but don't implant?

You can have an egg fertilised which then gets to your uterus and doesn't attach...that wouldn't produce a positive result though as you only start making HCG when you've got an implanted egg/embryo.

So I imagine it includes those too. I don't know though.

Only thing I can say is that you got a positive result early on, and that means it's implanted and strong enough to be making HCG. We are all at risk of miscarrying, of course, but you have no reason to think this is more likely in your case just because you got an early BFP

[Pinot]

It's quite normal to feel lots of 'clanking around' down there when you're BFP. So it may not be a bad thing - it could just be lots of things are thickening and getting prepared for the months ahead.

Hold on to positive thoughts as negative ones are bad for your headspace.

[Pinot]

Congrats Flightty!

[Flightty]

Thanks Pinot still in denial here!

[cogitosum]

Thank you so much feeling a bit better about it all. Congratulations flightty - I'm not cogitoergosometimes - I'm a bit of a lurker so am aware of her but created my nn before I saw hers - may need to change it!

[Flightty]

Thanks, and hello

I didn't think you sounded like her but had to ask!!

[Selky]

Hi cogitosum - my pregnancy is coming up five in August!

[OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere]

Another one who gets lots of cramps early on.
Particularly with my first.

[cherrypieplum]

Hiya, I had very crampy pains on and off for a week so was convinced I would start mt period and was very surprised to get a positive test!

30 weeks + now and all is well (touch wood!)

Good luck!

[FlangelinaBallerina]

Yes it's normal. I had back cramps for about 10 days before POAS at Day 36, as well as sore breasts. And also a sore fanjo at Day 34, which for me is usually a sign that I'll be starting my period in a few hours. Lots of the symptoms of early pregnancy are the same as those for PMT and periods. so you can't assume your tests are false positives just because you feel periody. It's also possible that you ovulated at a different time to when you thought you would.

[kittysaysmiaow]

I had terrible period pains for two weeks after my bfp. Had to have constant hot water bottles and couldn't manage without paracetamol each evening (they were worse at night). I've just had an early scan and touch wood all looks well. The pains just eased off of their own accord in the end, but it did feel like my body was trying to have a period.

[ThatllDoPig]

I had bad periody crampy pains with all three of my pregnancies. It is everything stretching and starting into baby action! Don't worry. Congratulations!

[WorrisomeHeart]

Yep, I had cramping up to my AF being due and then for about a week after getting BFP. I was so convinced it was on its way? I actually only tested because I had an appt for fertility tests that afternoon!! 'twas a very nice phone call to make to cancel!!

[cogitosum]

Thank you to everyone for sharing your experience! Worrisome Heart that's fabulous congratulations!
I went to dr and all seems fine - no bleeding or anything so touch wood I'm feeling a bit more positive!