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Original poster

Period-like pain - is this normal?

48 replies

Minicooper · 02/04/2007 16:39

Went to GP this morning after uncomfortable night with lower abdominal pain - much like period pain. No bleeding, but she says is almost certainly early mc. Am only 5 weeks - first pg. Feeling pretty low and wondered if anyone has any thoughts?

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HoraceWimp · 02/04/2007 16:40

If you have had no bleeding, I would just try and relax. Some abdominal pain is completely normal in early pregnancy, it doesnt automatically mean a miscarriage

Nbg · 02/04/2007 16:42

Hmmmm, thats not nessecerily true.
Its quite normal to have period type pains round about when your period would normally be due.

I've had them for the last few days and found out yesterday I'm 11 weeks pg.

Theres still hope, especially if your not bleeding.

Original poster
Minicooper · 02/04/2007 16:44

Thanks, guess its a waiting game to see what happens in next few days - she said would probably bleed within the week if early mc was right.

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mandler · 02/04/2007 16:45

I would agree with the others - I had exactly the same for a few days at 5 wks and I have made it to 12 wks relatively unscathed! Everyone is different of course but try to relax, take it easy and hopefully all will be fine. Good luck x

tokentotty · 02/04/2007 16:47

Honestly, I had these loads at the beginning of my pregnancy and for quite a few weeks. Is really nothing to worry about if there's no bleeding like the other posters have said. Am now 21 weeks with all manner of other aches and pains - there's a whole lot more to being pregnant than anyone ever tells you that's for sure !!!

Original poster
Minicooper · 02/04/2007 16:47

Tnanks,Mandler, did you go for early scan? I have one on 20th April - seems a long wait!

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mandler · 02/04/2007 16:50

I did but later (10 wks) for very very light bleeding. This is my first pg and rarely have I had the same symptoms week after week! Weirdly, no books, doctors etc seem to mention the period pains, but most mums I have spoken to have had them...

Original poster
Minicooper · 02/04/2007 16:52

Thanks for reassurance - will just have to wait and see... Glad to hear your pgs all going well even after scares!

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Hoonette · 02/04/2007 16:55

I was the same as Nbg - had period-like pains around when my period was due, but didn't actually get my period. It turned out I was pregnant and I'm now 33+5. Good luck, mini

Original poster
Minicooper · 02/04/2007 16:57

Thanks, Hoonette - that's the kid of news I want to hear! How are things that end of the PG?

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betsycoe · 02/04/2007 17:21

Don't panic! I had them (and still get them from time to time) and I'm now 14 weeks. My midwife said it is completely normal and is due to ligaments stretching. As long as the pain isn't extreme and you don't have any bleeding you should be fine.

Warms baths help!

Original poster
Minicooper · 02/04/2007 17:23

Thanks, betsycoe - mentioned ligaments stretching to my GP this am but she said that was nonsense! Think I'd rather see your GP! Hopefully will pass...

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Hoonette · 02/04/2007 17:30

Things are good, mini - I found the first trimester the hardest, because you don't really feel pg (and you don't want to get too excited too early) but you feel really awful with sickness and such.

I find it much easier now I'm the size of a house - sure, you have your niggles, but at least you can see that you're going to get a baby at the end of it!

EdieMcredie · 03/04/2007 09:00

I cannot believe a GP would diagnose a miscarriage based on that! Of course nobody knows what is going on inside you but this kind of cramping is perfectly normal. I still get it at 17 weeks. Good luck I hope it's all OK. xxxxxx

jellybellybump · 03/04/2007 09:54

Mini, it's a bit strange to have a GP that's so negative. When I used to have (period pain) cramps she would tell me that it's to do with everything expanding and growing. I seem to be getting these kind of pains roughly every time a period was due for about 3 months. Hope everything goes well for you.

Glimmer · 03/04/2007 09:59

Minicooper good luck to you. Chances are you will be completely fine. Can't believe the incompetence of your GP diagnose mc and send you home!! Unfortunately, the same thing happened to me diganosed with ectopic and send home (luckily the diagnosis was wrong I had a serious problem but of another kind). It's a crime! Good luck to you and all the best!

Original poster
Minicooper · 03/04/2007 10:00

Thanks. Still no bleeding this morning and pain is coming and going. I agree, I thought GP very negative (not mine as he is away on holiday) Pain is quite severe at times. Did you experience that? My period pain has always been quite bad, so maybe its related to that? I just feel in limbo at the moment - at least if I knewone way or the other could start to move on...

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tokentotty · 03/04/2007 10:20

Hey Mini, glad to hear you've no further bleeding today - another great sign eh ? I also found this ligament pain really quite painful and sharp regularly so again, don't let that convince you that all is not well ok? Positive thoughts for you ! why not call your Doctor's again and just ask to speak to the practice mid-wife or get her mobile number. I'm sure they'll be much more understanding and helpful to you then your bl**dy GP

marieg76 · 03/04/2007 10:40

Hi - I got period like pains too at the beginning of my pregnancy (13 weeks and had a really positive scan yesterday). There was no bleeding when I had these twinges and the midwife reassured me that all was just fine.

JoLou74 · 03/04/2007 10:49

I was in severe pain on and off for most of my pregnancy due to everything stretching. Resulted in very healthy baby
Apparently you don't get that in subsequent pregnancies cos everything's already stretched.
Good luck!

Plibble · 03/04/2007 10:59

Minicooper - I had lower abdominal pain at the start of my pregnancy - from the time my period was due until a couple of weeks later. At first I assumed my period was coming and took a lot of pain killers - I remember complaining to my DH that my period pains were worse than normal. I think it was caused by the embryo implanting (I'm sure they sort of burrow in there...) and then things starting to stretch.

If the pain continues and is on one side then please go back to your GP.

Original poster
Minicooper · 03/04/2007 11:00

Hmmm, I like this idea, JoLou - maybe I'm just so tiny (I wish!) that there's lots of stretching to do. Sounds like all may not be as cut and dried as GP made out. Thanks for support - only discovered MN this weekend after DH read an article about it - has turned out to be a lifesaver.

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scorpio1 · 03/04/2007 11:02

mini,at 5 weeks i had such bad pain i went to hospital,thinking i was miscarrying.it was just stretching and that 'baby' is now nearly 5!i wasnt bleeding though.

i got the same pains in 2nd pg too,but was more relaxed,and they werent so bad.it feels like really bad period pain to me.

Maybe go to an EPU?please go back if you continue bleeding or pain is focused on one side.

Original poster
Minicooper · 03/04/2007 13:26

Great advice, Scorpio - have just spoken to local EPU - much more positive than GP though obviously not making any promises. They've told me to go in for a (very) early scan and check up tomorrow, so feeling much better about things. Thanks so much everyone.

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scorpio1 · 03/04/2007 13:34

thats really good,so pleased for you.scan will definitely reassure you

let us know how you get on please!

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