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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Period like pains at 20 weeks pregnant

12 replies

1Catherine1 · 31/10/2010 12:32

Hey ladies,

I have been having some uncomfortable pains since last night that feel like really bad period pains. I'm 20 weeks pregnant exactly and phoned NHS direct because I felt too uncomfortable to move. They told me I had to speak to a doctor and since they're a nurse led team I should phone my out of ours service. I knew then I was going to get no help what so ever because my out of hours service are less than useless but I phoned them anyway. They phoned my back and told me to take some painkillers and if it gets worse phone them back - really took a doctor to tell me that?!!

I took some paracetamol and went to bed. I've woken up this morning and the pain is back. Once I've had some breakfast and a drink I'm going to take some more but I'm worried that I'm coving up pain I shouldn't ignore. Can anyone either tell me this could be normal or tell me I'm overreacting or just something more helpful than "take some painkillers". This is my first pregnancy and so far my pregnancy has been problem free (as in nothing out of the ordinary). I haven't had my 20 week scan yet - that is booked for Friday.

OP posts:

hildathebuilder · 31/10/2010 12:34

go to hospital and get it checked out. Any abdominal pain ought to be investigated. I really doubt that this is a problem without more but my consultant was always telling me to check anything which was like cramping and its better to be safe

Natzer · 31/10/2010 12:35

Hi Catherine

It sounds like stretching pain to me, the baby is growning fairly rapidly at 20 weeks and especially as it is your first pregnancy your body needs to adjust. I ended up in hospital at 10 weeks with the same thing, but was told perfectly normal to have such pain. Was told then to rest and take paracetamol for the pain as it was perfectly safe. If you are really worried though always best to get it checked out.

needsatrim · 31/10/2010 12:39

Hi catherine.
It may just be stretching/ ligament pain or the start of spd but I would definately give delivery suite a ring, their number will be on your pregnancy notes and ask them for advice. They may not want to help as you are only 20 weeks but it is a good place to start. At least you can talk to someone who knows about pregnancy.
Definately get it checked though.

Original poster

1Catherine1 · 31/10/2010 12:57

Thanks all..

I phoned the delivery suite and they were very helpful and told me to come in and they'll check it out. Just getting ready now and going up there. I'm glad you were able to reassure me though it is probably just more intense stretching pains than I'm used to. x

OP posts:

Original poster

1Catherine1 · 31/10/2010 17:22

Just got back from the hospital. Everything is fine. I felt so much better when I heard baby's heart although it took her a minute to find it which felt like forever. She said everything seemed fine and everything was as it should be so I shouldn't worry. This made me feel much better and was exactly what I needed to hear.

I think the worry has exhausted me so I'm feeling pretty tired now. Going to rest on the settee and relax for the rest of the evening.

OP posts:

Natzer · 31/10/2010 17:26

i'm really glad that everything is OK Catherine. Enjoy your rest x

JeelyPiece · 31/10/2010 19:06

Catherine I'm 20+2 and had similar pains for a couple of days this week. They were uncomfortable enough to take paracetamol and be wriggling around in my seat. Of course I panicked and was convinced I was going into early labour or at least had a UTI that was irritating my uterus. I took a sample to the doctor and it was all clear.

He poked around and said everything felt fine and that women did sometimes report pains or uncomfortable Braxton Hicks (I don't know if that's what it was) at this stage. I feel fine now and haven't had any more pains since Friday, also checked the heartbeat at home Thursday night.

My previously unnoticeable bump seems to have got bigger the last few days so I am thinking it was a growth spurt.

Just thought it might make you feel better to hear you're not alone! Have my scan on Tues so will be fully reassured then, but not really worried.

niamh29 · 31/10/2010 20:21

Hi Catherine, it's Niamh from the march group, with my first one night I rolled over in bed at 20 weeks and woke up with very bad pains, they eased a bit by morning but went straight to doc and she was very dismissive, after a day or 2 I realised it was a pulled muscle and I had done it when I rolled over in bed. The muscles in your stomach are very weak when your pregnant and more susceptible to aches and pains. Glad to hear everything is ok!

smoggii · 31/10/2010 20:39

At around the same time I had terrible pains, it did turn out to be stretching pains but noone tells you how much they hurt, 'stretching pains' makes them sound really light, they are not but i agree with the advice given above to anyone who as them to get them checked, i'm glad i did, it puts your mind at ease which is so important because you don't need stress at any stage of your pregnancy.

I'm now in week 33 and in utter agony again -just the baby pushing on my ribs and diaphragm....'just' it bloody hurts!!!

The joys of pregnancy xxx

StacyFoley · 17/01/2014 12:40

Hi I'm 20 weeks tomorrow and have been experiencing some uncomfortable aches in my lower right side that only mainly appears at nite. I'm not sure if these are just stretching pains as they seem to ease off by morning?

xxx28xxx · 18/01/2014 08:47

Hi Stacyfoley

I'm 23 weeks and for past week I've had very light stomach cramps similar to period pains, one night they were right sided only and was quite uncomfortable but manageable with paracetomal. I spoke to mw and she told me it's normal and growing pains but if it got worse and there was any bleeding to call triage. I think what u are experiencing is normal but if u are worried call ur mw or triage and they will be able to reassure u.

Simplyblessed · 24/09/2017 05:45

I'm also 20 weeks and it feels like the stretching pains have increased, which makes sense because it feels like I'm getting bigger and bigger every week. It is quiet uncomfortable though And I was definitely starting to get worried. Reading these posts helped to put my mind at ease a great deal. Like one of you said, you turned over in bed and think you may have pulled something.... Same here lol. It almost feels like a burning off and on pain when I stand upright and/or move my torso from one side to the other. Pulled muscle and growing pains most definitely. Thanks for posting.

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