Tell me about early pregnancy cramps

[Frizzy1986]

I'm only 5+2 with baby number 2 but am finding i am way more anxious than the first time round. We were trying for almost a year (with a break in between due to a new job) so I'm not sure if that's got something to do with it, but every niggle feels like the pang of doom.
I've been having some cramps. They come and go quite regularly and are not hugely painful but quite sharp an achy and feel like before af would arrive.
I'm preparing myself for the worst in case, which is silly really as there is no knowing at all. I'm aware than my body is doing what it needs to and there is nothing I can do to change what's happening, good or bad and that if it doesn't pan out then its my body saying something wasn't going to plan in there, but I just can't shake the concern over these cramps.

How bad should cramps get? At what point would you be concerned?
I'm an anxious person who has been treated for it before so I'm aware that I tend to go straight to the extreme, so need to train my brain not to freak out! Just need some facts and experiences for my mind to rely on.

I’ve had 3 children and two miscarriages. With my pregnancies that were successful o had pretty severe cramps at times, took my breath away. Obviously the first time I was quite scared and thought it was a bad sign. It was kind of a bit like ibs as sometimes after it being really painful I would go to the toilet.

The two pregnancies that ended in miscarriage I didn’t have any cramps until I was actually miscarrying. So they weren’t the first sign at all. In fact the second time i didn’t have any at all because I had no idea until a scan.

So that’s meant to be reassuring! Cramps on their own are not a cause for concern.

I am at a similar stage to you and feel exactly the same. I very nearly wrote a similar post to you last night. Reading online you can take it either way but this morning I'm feeling a lot more positive. Mine have felt a lot like period cramps and I completely didnt expect early pregnancy to be so painful. So I have no real reassurance but you are not alone.

Hi @Frizzy1986. I could have written your post! I'm 5+3 and in the same boat. I've had occasional spotting here and there (sometimes pink, sometimes brown) as well as feeling pretty crampy from time to time and like period is due. I had a MC just over a year ago and we've been TTC number two for a couple of years all in all.

I got a dark positive cheapie test on Friday so I'm hoping that it's all just within the range of normal.

I'm 8+2 and been having frequent cramps like that often, sometimes when I get up from sitting down I get a sharp pain down by my pelvis too and have been getting them since I found out around five weeks.
I keep telling myself that it's just the uterus stretching out!
I'm with you- it makes me super anxious.
Have you seen your GP yet? I'm seeing mine next week and hoping she can refer me somewhere to talk about antenatal anxiety because I feel crazy half the time haha.

Thanks all.
It's strangely reassuring to know that cramps werent your sign of miscarriage itsabongthing but I'm really sorry that you had to go through it.
Sorry for your loss as well glitterandunicorns
I wish there was an obvious and clear advanced warning system for what was to come. I'm pushing to try and remember the first time but I can't remember a thing (it was 5 years ago though)
My booking appointment isn't until March when I'll be 9 weeks. We've got a private scan booked at 8 weeks for my crazy mind and because it was £30 on Groupon! Also Ive got a feeling that I won't get a scan until 13 weeks as last time there was quite a wait and i had my booking at 8 weeks.
I spoke to my gp before we started ttc to see about my anxiety meds and she advised that it's obviously better if you don't take them so I've been off them for almost a year now.
It's.good to know that I'm not alone and that my cramps are probably within the realms of normality.

I’m 6 weeks and had a mmc 5 months ago - that time no cramps. This time I’ve had mild cramps and spotting so I’m praying that this one is getting snug and cosy in there😀 Like you I’m a generally very anxious person and I’m so scared of going through what happened before again but all you can do is try and relax and think postive 😘 xx

I am 12 weeks today, my scan is tomorrow. I had frequent cramps - pretty strong ones - from 10pdo (when I got my BFP) until around 6-7 weeks. They’ve calmed down a lot now in frequency and in strength. A lot of the time now I don’t feel pregnant at all, but I’ve had no issues. Hopefully all will be well tomorrow at the scan.

The cramps were the stick out symptom of pregnancy for me, felt just like I was about to start my period most of the time for the first trimester, sometimes quite severe but not excruciating agony. I've not had a miscarriage but on 4th pregnancy and this has been the case everytime. Xx

@Justus22 thank you for ageing your experience. That is very comforting to hear!

Despite it only being a year since my MC, I really can't remember how it started, but tbh I was so devastated that I actually think I've sort of blocked it out of my mind.

My husband reminded me that when I had my son, I had cramps and spotting in the first trimester and everything turned out fine. I can't remember how bad the cramps were or if the spotting was similar to what I'm having now, which is very unhelpful of my memory!

@MummaGiles good luck for your scan tomorrow!

@Babycakes1989 and @itsabongthing I'm so sorry to hear of your losses.

*sharing, obv, not aging!

Really sorry for those who have experienced losses. Hopefully things continue well for everyone and this is just part of it.
It definitely sucks that I can't remember it all from last time. At least then I might not be so easily worried.

I'm 13 weeks with my first and I keep getting cramps too as if AF is about to come. I've been told they're normal , first scan on Tuesday will tell

Yes oh my goodness! I'm way more anxious and panicky this time, every niggle I go to the loo to check!

Think it's normal to worry more with the second, as you know the risks etc

Hey there,
With my LO i was also very anxious. I had 3 emergency scans in total due to bleeding and cramping. LO is now 13 months and just fine :-) i found the cramps were worse when my period would have been due. My doctor was able to book me an early 7 week scan because of my anxiety, maybe yours can do the same?

They’re completely normal and a good sign all is implanting well. I had them with all of my pregnancies, successful and miscarriages. It’s just a normal part of the process. Also worth noting I had missed miscarriages so had no severe cramping whatsoever. My friend had a spontaneous miscarriage and the cramping was seriously excruciating, far from the regular light cramping of implantation.

Both DC I had such severe cramps that I was convinced I was having a miscarriage, I was on the floor with the pain. They are both absolutely fine so I am guessing it was implantation or stretching pains. The midwife only said to worry if I got shoulder pain which I never did.

Just to update, I had my scan this afternoon and everything was absolutely fine. Happy little baby in there.

@MummaGiles that's brilliant news! So pleased for you.