Cramping - What's considered 'severe'?

[Robow]

Hi, I'm 6 weeks gone (first pregnancy) and have had cramping for the last 48 hours. It's woken me up the last 2 nights and woken the BF also due to moaning in my sleep. During the day it's been more like a bad period but at night it is really quite painful. I fully expected to bleed but there's been no spotting. Is this normal? I read that you're supposed to call Doc if cramps are 'severe' - what constitutes 'severe'?? Anyone got any advice / reassurance? :)

To me that sounds severe - if you are moaning in your sleep then I definitely think you should seek a medical opinion. I had some cramps during the early stages but they were no different to the mild cramps I'd get the day before my period started. They'd last about half an hour or so and then go - they wouldn't be permanently there. It might be worth ringing your pregnancy assessment unit for some support, they are very good at giving advice over the phone and will be able to tell you if you need to see a doctor or not.

I'd say severe is when you (to hell with what anyone else thinks) can't cope with it. When you can't be comfortable watching telly, when you don't want to/can't move or do the things you normally would, when you cry in pain, when you think 'fuck it, I've had enough'.

Thank you. I've just been to the doctor on call. He did two pregnancy tests and they were both false. He said there is nothing wrong with me and he can't give me an explanation as to why I would have had two positive tests previously (which my own GP was more than happy to accept as full proof of pregnancy). He also couldn't give me an explanation as to why I would have missed my period and have severe cramps and he said they were most likely bowel cramps. He made me feel like I was making it up and assured me that there was no reason to be upset as I would probably get pregnant within the next few months anyway (???!!!). I am so upset. He was so awful and so unhelpful. I had to ask what I should do if I continue to suffer from cramps again tonight and he said to take two paracetemol. I can't wait to go to my own GP on Monday. I feel so lost now.

Oh my god, that's absolutely awful treatment. I am honestly in shock that a doctor could be so rude and so dismissive of a previous positive result. If I were you I'd explain it all to your EPU, they may be happy to do an early scan to confirm whether you are or aren't pregnant. I really, really hope you get more reassurance from your own GP, I'm not surprised you are feeling lost and upset after hearing the on-call's verdict. You poor thing. I hope you have your boyfriend with you, or family, to give you some support. x x

I'm appalled by the unprofessionalism! At 6 weeks gone you should see a heartbeat on a scan. If you don't have an epu, could you afford an early confirmation scan? Hope you're ok x

Thanks. I am ok. V upset but OK. Boyfriend is great, just have to stop him from heading up to the Doc on Call and punching someone! I'll be making a complaint on Monday and I'm sure my own GP will book me in for an early scan if I ask him on Monday. Can't believe this. I was better off 2 hours ago with just being unsure about the cramps than I am now. It's going to be a long wait for Monday. Thanks so much for your replies

How are you feeling today Robow?

That's terrible, Rowbow ! Do they not realise how devastating the news 'You're not pregnant' to someone who thinks they are is?! And now you're left wondering wtf is going on. Poor you Hope you manage to get into EPAC asap for an answer.

I am seconding trying your local Early Pregnancy Unit (Epu) to check what is going on - I don't want to alarm you but shouldn't they be ruling out an ectopic pregnancy if you are experiencing severe cramping? It could also be that your doctor's test was wrong. When I had a nurse at my GP practice test my urine at 6 weeks it showed up as negative too - I had absolutely no doubt I was pregnant as had many positive tests myself, so I do wonder if their tests are sensitive enough or if they hold it in the wee long enough.

Hiya op.

How are you?