Is this normal?

[apricotears]

Hi girlies,

I am 20 weeks along and so far everything has been going well. Last night I started getting some minor cramping in my belly. I didn't think anything of it, as I assumed it was just things stretching etc. By the end of the evening the pain was crippling and the only way I could handle it was to lay down with my legs elevated. I ended up going to bed, because I couldn't handle it anymore and wanted sleep to put me out of misery!

I have woken up this morning and do feel slightly better, however I still have a very tender belly and a pain on the right hand side (although far less intense than last night).

I am trying to be reasonable, but am actually shit scared but I am beginning to get myself a bit worked up about it all. I am planning on calling my doctor this morning and running the situation past him to see if I need to go and see him. This is my first, so I really have no idea what pain is considered normal, and don't want to be that woman who got all worked up about a harmless cramp!

Do you think this sounds normal?

It sounds to me like you should ring your midwife, straight away. Not because I necessarily think there's anything wrong, but because if there isn't, reassurance will help you.
I personally would be inclined to call maternity triage, as the community midwives around here aren't contactable apart from for one hour each morning (and are useless as you like anyway) so I tend to bypass them.

Remember, if a problem is worrying you, it is a big enough problem to seek help for.

Hey apricot, didn't want to read and run. I'm no expert, this is my first too, but I don't think any pain should be that sharp? I'd ring my gp and/or mw. Put your mind at rest. I'm sure it is nothing, but it's better to have it checked pet.
Take care x

When you say you'll call this morning, are you in the UK and therefore waiting all night, or are you abroad? Just call them now.

I am abroad Loopy My pregnancy is handled almost solely by my GP, who is absolutely wonderful. When the practise opens in an hours time, I am going to give him a call. I feel a lot better about phoning, now that I have had a few replies telling me I am not being an idiot!

Hope it's all OK. :)

What happened apricot? What did your doctor say? Hope all is well.

Hi guys,

All is well, thank goodness The doc could not explain the intense cramps; said it was an unusual pain for normal stretching etc. Baby is okay though, and the pain began to subside over the day. Things seem back to normal again now; very relieved. Scary situation when you don't know what on Earth your body is doing?!?!?

Thanks for the support ladies x

I had something similar in my first pregnancy. I think it was something digestion related (like trapped wind) but it was very intense for a few hours. I was in tears with it.
Glad you are ok.
S