Cramps but no period

[Lilypad15]

I’ve been getting cramps since Saturday morning. I’m now 3 days late and still getting mild cramping on and off. They’re not the same as my normal period cramps, they feel a bit different, almost like a stretching/bloating. I usually have brown spotting for a day or two before I get my full flow and don’t usually get any cramps until my heaviest flow day.

My cycles are regular (28 days give or take a day). Been ttc for two years so I’m fairly used to my cycle and what my pms symptoms are. I also know that anything “weird” or different is not necessarily a good thing, just a new thing your body decides to do lol.

Anyway, I’ve not had this before. About a year ago, my cycle was 34 days but that month I ovulated late (was getting ewcm at about cd18, ovulated on 20th). I had ewcm around cd12 this month and no more ewcm since so I don’t think ovulation failed and was attempted again although I know it can just fail and that is what would make my period late.

Me and OH had sex yesterday and usually that at least kick starts my brown spotting. I’ve had an upset stomach since Saturday morning and usually a BM will also kick start my brown spotting. Neither has though. I KNOW the only way for me to see if I’m pregnant or not is to take a test but after two years of trying and countless negative tests, I refuse to take one until I’m at least a week late.

I was just wondering if anyone had had something similar and ended up being pregnant or not pregnant? Don’t want to sit here for the rest of the week getting my hopes up tbh. It’s probably totally normal and my period will show up at some point, right?

I don't want to get your hopes up but I had cramping when I was pregnant with my DD. It was also around the time I was due on. I already knew I was pregnant so I was worried at first but the doctor said it was probably my uterus stretching to make way for baby and its fairly common.
It took us two years to conceive DD so I know how you feel. Really hope it's your month 

Thank you for your reply :) really don’t want to get my hopes up but it’s the first time I’ve been late with no sign of it coming in the two years I’ve been ttc. I hope it means something but trying not to be too optimistic

Cramping was my first symptom! I didn't take a test for ~5 days after the cramping started as I was certain AF was about to come.

Also had some white discharge but only a small amount which was odd since around AF time I used to be completely dry (sorry TMI).

Best of luck! :)

I'd just go and test if I were you. If it's negative then you can stop getting your hopes up and at least you will know. Really hope you get a BFP!!

I got period type cramps the night before my period was due. The fact I didn't actually start bleeding led to me to test and it was a bfp-followed by lots of pulling and stretching twinges!

Your post sounds promising! Good luck!!!

Whenever I’ve taken a test before, I’ve started spotting like an hour later, once I even started spotting AS I did the test 😂 I guess deep down I’m kind of liking the idea that I might be and taking a test just to see a negative will ruin my day lol I think that if it’s not here by Friday, I’ll give in and take a test. I’m cd31 today so not hugely late but by Friday I’ll be almost a week late so I’ll feel a little bit more confident testing. After two years of absolutely nothing, I’m finding it hard to believe that this time could actually be something!

Never mind, just got a tiny bit of brown spotting. Stupid of me to let myself get my hopes up after two years of not getting pregnant really, thanks for your replies anyway ladies

@Lilypad15 lots of hugs to you ❤️ I know it's hard but each cycle is a new chance, at least that's what I'm telling myself after a year of TTC...I really hope you get your BFP soon xx

Thank you but after two years, I’m officially giving up. Hope you get yours soon though xx

I had period type cramps following some spotting. I assumed I was due on but nothing came. That was a Tuesday. Saturday I got a BFN. Sunday I got a BFP. I assume the spotting was implantation.

So sorry to hear that @Lilypad15. I trust that you have seen a doctor and had tests done? If the reason is unexplained, then I've heard that often when people stop trying and keeping track of things, they end up conceiving. Might be to do with the stress of TTC. Otherwise, the NHS should hopefully offer some help?

Really hope you will get a BFP soon xx

Thanks Artemis. We have had all of our tests done, no problems were found. We stopped actively ttc in June as wanted to try the “relaxed” approach. Even went on holiday to Spain and I was conveniently ovulating at the time. Still nothing. I have a 10 year old daughter from a previous relationship so we aren’t entitled to any help from the NHS. They’ve done all the tests they’re willing to do, we can’t afford IVF. The consultant said he would expect me to have conceived within 2 years and I haven’t. So this is kind of the end of the road unfortunately x

That really sucks, @Lilypad15 :( can't imagine how hard that must be!

I think you're making the right decision stopping TTC. You never know though, it might still happen naturally. The chances of conceiving are 25% each month, so you might just be very very unlucky.

Hope everything works out for you whatever happens

Thank you :) still waiting for my period to show, still getting cramps, not really getting any brown spotting anymore. Lots of clear wipes lol the spotting I’m getting is very watery, not really spotting as such. I’m worrying a bit as I’ll be 5 days late if it doesn’t show tomorrow (and I’m not sure it will as I usually have heavy brown spotting the day before full af) and I’ve never been more than a day late. I know that the cramps and slight brown watery “stuff” means I’m unlikely to be pregnant so I’ve ruled that out but I’m concerned what else it might mean, it can’t be good to have 17 years of very regular periods to suddenly be 5 days late for no reason. I’m already worried about perimenopause even though I’m not 30 until next year as a woman I work with went through menopause when she was in her early 30’s. At this point I just want my period to show up and stop dicking around

Good luck Lily

I don’t want to get your hopes up unnecessarily, but the cramping and brown discharge are actually very good signs, I had both with my first bfp.

I’m keeping everything crossed for you x

Not trying to get your hopes up, but I'd try another test on Saturday if it still doesn't show.

The discharge could be implantation bleeding, and you wouldn't get a positive test until a day or two after implantation.

Hope everything works out!

Agree with pp if AF doesn't show by Saturday I would do a test.

Thanks ladies, I haven’t actually taken any tests at all yet. I’m too scared to because I hate that feeling of seeing that lonely line. I will definitely test on Saturday if it hasn’t shown up by then because that’ll put me at being a week late and I’ll feel more justified about testing :)

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you, @Lilypad15!! Really hope this will be it!!

My period just showed up about 5 minutes ago without any warning. Knew it was too good to be true, oh well! Thanks for your well wishes anyway, ladies x