5 weeks pregnant and cramping

[Cinnamon1991]

Hi folks...just wanted some advice really. Little history on myself, I am 29 and have had 2 miscarriages and no kids so far. Me and DH have been trying to get pregnant again for a while now and it has taken about 9 months...which was a shock for me because the first 2 times I got pregnant very quick.

In any case both my pregnancies ended in heartache...both physical and emotional pain. I am now pregnant again at 5 wks and feel so on edge and anxious that I cannot even begin to explain. What makes it worse is ever since about ovulation I have been getting terrible cramping similar to a coming period, I was convinced this month was a fail too but then 7 days passed and still no AF, I was excited that I was pregnant but I am just experiencing horrible periods pains. There is no bleeding just cramps. Anyway I feel really sad and down in the dumps and my previous two experiences with loss keep flashing in front of my eyes and I'm just terrified again. I cannot bear another experience like that.

I have decided to quit work after talking to my husband and be on bed rest, but I feel like a major inconvenience to all my co workers as it will come at a time when we are short staffed anyway due to covid.

Also does anyone know of any testing I can do even if private to see if everything is adequate levels? For e.g. progesterone maybe? As my previous MC were both around 8 to 9 wks. Also has anyone else had these cramps which are pretty bad and feel like a period pain? Is this something I should be concerned about...as I am freaking out and feel crazy. 😓😥

[motherofdxughters]

I had period pains all throughout the first trimester with all of my children. Some pains were very painful, others were just mild cramping but for months I'd be checking for blood every time I wiped.

Can you book yourself in for an early private scan? They can usually pick up a heartbeat from 6 weeks which is a very good sign and cost around £60-80.

[TheDaydreamBelievers]

I'd recommend talking to your GP @Cinnamon1991 - at what stage did you miscarry your previous pregnancies and do they know why this was? I know some women are prescribed progesterone if this was the difficulty previously?

[TheDaydreamBelievers]

Ps - lots of cramps is totally normal in early pregnancy!

[Cinnamon1991]

Thank you guys I appreciate the advice really. @TheDaydreamBelievers I miscarried around 8 wks first time and 9 wks second time. They never did any testing as they kept telling me they would only do testing once it's 3 miscarriages in a row...ridiculous really. But I think I will ask them to measure progesterone as a precaution and perhaps book an early scan if it gets worse. Thanks xx

[SunnySideUp2020]

@Cinnamon1991 you could have your blood hcg and progesterone measured.
Normally progesterone is supposed to prevent uterus from cramping. Perhaps yours is on lower end? If that's the case they can prescribe some i think.
Obviously a little bit of cramps is normal but nothing that should put you on bed rest.
If you could get the gp to do it or privately?
It could put your mind at ease for the beginning?
You can have hcg repeat after 48 hours to see the progression as well...

[Cinnamon1991]

@SunnySideUp2020 I think I will definitely book an appt with the GP tomorrow to talk about progesterone, as I am experiencing cramps, although feel ok now and they seem to have died down for now.

Thing with my GP is that they are the most uncompassionate lot I have ever met, I raised my concern with him when i was struggling to get pregnant only for him to tell me 'it's all in my head' and how I am 'a drain on the NHS' which is why I am happy to get tested privately because I feel they just won't care to even test me. Miserable lot!

The bed rest thing is just something I have got in my head to he honest, my last 2 miscarriages I came home from work feeling extra exhausted and just started bleeding, so I have got it in my head that maybe if I am more relaxed and at ease I can somehow protect my pregnancy? Crazy I know...but I feel like it's something I have to do just so I can feel I did everything I could have done and not blame myself in the end....which I will probably do anyway but atleast I can say I didn't put any pressure on myself etc.

[Cinnamon1991]

Also has anyone experienced elevated temperature...I can't get my temperature below 37.1 right now it is 37.2 ....I feel somewhat feverish but no idea why as I haven't been out the house for a week now.

[SunnySideUp2020]

@Cinnamon1991 after my MC i asked for some tests like thyroid day 21 etc and was refused by gp. So i went private.
I guess the NHS budget is tight and unless you've had some real big issues or 3 MC they won't offer any tests...

[Semele5069]

I'm 9 weeks now but had pretty bad period like cramps until about week 6. I was convinced a number of times I'd see blood when I next went to the loo! I think it's just normal, although I also worried after 2 early miscarriages this year. Just had a private scan today and all is looking good for now though.

[Cinnamon1991]

@Semele5069 aww I'm so glad to hear everything is going well! I know it is so hard to not be continually anxious and worry yourself sick especially when you have been through pregnancy losses. I hope all goes well and you get your little rainbow baby.

[alphabetti]

I had cramps in early stages of pregnancy even with stabbing like pains going into my thighs. Very early on I was convinced my period was just going to be late due what I was feeling. I had cramps until about 7/8 weeks. I have 2 older children but had a miscarriage prior to this pregnancy and convinced myself this one would end too but I’m now 31weeks. I hope you have a smooth successful pregnancy but I would speak to your GP or ring the community midwives and see if you can get some advice incase there is anything they can offer you that will help.

[lenny12345]

@Cinnamon1991

Hey hun,

Hope your feeling okay. The worry is real isn't it!! I have had 6 miscarriages and currently pregnant with my first baby that I've seen a heartbeat with.

I know this sounds ridiculous and I know it's the hardest thing ever to do but try to relax and breaaath. I agree, giving up work will help or at least getting signed off for a couple of weeks? I was signed off for a week before seeing my heartbeat and I believe it was the best thing for my pregnancy.

I've also been prescribed progesterone and asprin and I ABSOLUTELY believe this is what has saved this pregnancy.

I take one asprin at 7:30am and one at 7:30pm.

I also take 400mg of progesterone in the morning and 400mg at night. If I'm honest I would really push for this. Call another doctor if needs be. Go to your local epu and ask for it or ask your midwife.

I had to push soo hard for it, and in the end I advised that I was prescribed it by a consultant but because of covid I couldn't get hold of them. The A&E doctor prescribed me it straight away in the end and then my doctor prescribed me it on a repeat.

Also just so your aware I Had LOADS of cramping and even abit of spotting during my pregnancy ( even till today). I've had hardly any symptoms but everything is all okay.

Good luck I really hope it's okay!!

[TheDaydreamBelievers]

Push push push the GP - temperature in pregnancy is elevated but not as high as yours. Also if the GP says anything like that again complain immediately. I'd formally complain if someone said I was a drain on the NHS!

[TheDaydreamBelievers]

(Sorry to be clear I dont mean theres necessarily a problem! Just that I'd want them to look into it)

[Cafeaulait27]

I cramped loads at this time like a coming period, I put it down to all the changes happening down there xxx

[Cinnamon1991]

@lenny12345 thanks so much for your advice! And 6 miscarriages?! How absolutely awful...the ordeal u must have gone through but here's hoping this pregnancy results in a beautiful baby.

Did you get your progesterone levels tested before being put on it? Or did you simply just request it without any testing to see if your progesterone levels were low?

Also with aspirin, what is that used for? To thin out the blood? In which case did you get tested to see if your blood was too thick before being prescribed it?

It is really hard not to worry yourself over it all really, but I will try my best to relax.

@TheDaydreamBelievers...I think I will definitely complain if he said that again, but this time I will request to be seen by a woman...the audacity of it all really!

[Daffodil21]

Hi, I'm in a very similar position to you. I'm also 29 and had 2 MCs before, currently very early on, probably not even 5 weeks yet. I phone my GP about progesterone and they are basically not interested, and neither is the fertility clinic I have been referred to. I have an appointment with a different private clinic on Thursday night, where I am hoping they will prescribe me progesterone. The clinic is called Nova Fertility, it's based in Manchester but they do video appointments. A very helpful lady on MN recommended them to me. It's quite pricey (£150 for initial consultation, and then the lady on MN said her medication was a further £400) but if it helps, then it's worth it. And if not I know I've tried everything. It took me about a week to get an appointment, so in the meantime I'm eating a LOT of progesterone boosting foods - lentils, cabbage, spouts, whole grains and seeds etc to hopefully tide me over until I (hopefully) get medication.

If your GP isn't any help, it may be worth booking an appointment with them.

Good luck!

[Cinnamon1991]

@Daffodil21 I know GP's are so very unhelpful aren't they...no compassion at all. All so rude and grumpy all day everyday. But thanks for the advice hun, good luck on your pregnancy, the only way forward is to pay out of pocket I guess....and if it saves your pregnancy, than I will gladly pay.

[sarahjsdddd]

Hi @Cinnamon1991 hi @Cinnamon1991, how are you getting on now? I'm going through exactly the same as you did! Hope things are going well

[Cinnamon1991]

@sarahjsdddd...hey love, I'm currently 9 weeks today and I'm doing ok I guess. The cramping has gotten better, although occasionally I do get the odd period cramp feeling here and there. I am still very cautious and trying to take things easy and not do anything that over exerts my body in any way, because I am so terrified, also I had a miscarriage last year around 8 to 9 wks and so am even more anxious. Just hoping everything is ok with the little bean. Time is going ever so slow and I always feel down in the dumps...guess that's a part of the pregnancy package.

But yeah I would day don't worry too much, I told my midwife about my cramping situation and she said it was quite normal and a lot of women experience them. Only be concerned if you bleed and cramp...but let's not think about that! However the random on and cramping and discomfort is said to be common, so don't worry too much xx