Period cramps at 16 weeks, very uncomfortable - is this normal?

[EmilieFloge]

I'm 16 weeks pg and the last couple of days have been really uncomfortable, with the sort of pains you tend to get towards the end of pregnancy afaik...you know, a bit like Braxton hicks, the ones that make you want to sit down on the nearest bollard in the street, because it hurts too much to keep walking?

They almost feel like contractions. It's horrible and has been going on pretty much constantly.

I just wondered if this was normal really and what causes it to happen so early - I'm sure I didn't have this till at least 25, 30 weeks last time!
Ouch ouch ouch

I would get it checked so that you feel better, but I do remember getting sharp pains about that time that I was told were the ligaments stretching-does it feel like it could be that? Could you whizz and get checked to make sure?

I have had period cramps and various twitches all the way through and am now just under 30 weeks. I also get regular stitch in the bottom of my bump.

If you are worried give them a call but it is normal to feel all sorts of stretching at that stage. x

Thankyou guys...had a doppler thingy done with MW yesterday morning, and didn't mention it but it just got worse all day, so I posted here!

I know the baby is Ok which is good...have looked it up and I think it's just early BH, which is unfortunate, as they only get worse dont they

I think the sharp pains of round ligament are possibly a bit different, as it doesn't feel like that (thankfully!) though as you say, everything is stretching so I guess it is normal.

Thankyou so much for replying x

I'm glad you are feeling better about things this morning Emilie

The braxton hicks can indeed start about your stage and those too can smart somewhat. Mine haven't got any worse yet but when I do get them they stop me in my tracks. I have had them since about 14 weeks though this is #4.

A good excuse to have a sit down with a cup of tea

Good that you saw your MW yesterday and all was well, but if I were you I would just call her and tell her what you've been experiencing. She'll know whether you need to be seen further at all. I did have funny, somewhat sore stomach-hardening moments (not terribly painful) a bit later in the pregnancy which I thought were BH and it turned out to be mini-contractions that were having some effect and shortening the cervix etc. Confirmed by an internal. I had to rest a lot after that, slow things right down and take magenesium 'til 38 weeks. I really wouldn't just ignore sharp pains if I were you. Just call - it will take 5 minutes and will probably be reassuring.

Did your midwife test your urine? BH's should not be so constant and can sometimes be a sign of an infection.

Something,

I get stomach hardening too, will tell MW tomorow,....

Goodness, I didn't realise that they could be proper contractions. how on earth would anyone know the difference?

that is a bit worrying but they do feel familiar, just, they have been pretty constant and it seems earlier. Gizzy - in awe at your fourth, three is definitely enough for me!

She did test my urine and it was all fine apparently so I think I'll just see how it goes for now. Perhaps I'm just dehydrated, I heard that can cause cramps?

It hasn't been so bad today, still comes and goes especially when out and about, it's funny but when I'm standing somewhere like in a queue or a shop, it almost makes me feel like I'm going to faint, it's very hard to describe. Like the muscles in your legs go wobbly for a minute.

So much fun being pg isn't it

Not trying to scare you all with additional worries! But that is what happened for me. It wasn't a problem and I went to term and stayed at work and everything, but I had to stop a lot of what I was doing (walking to and from work, swimming fairly vigourously etc.) Sofa time kicked in for the last 8 weeks or so and that was OK too. The stomach-hardening never really stopped but it eased off and the cervix opening closed again and it lengthened back to normal when I started resting.