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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

first time mum to be; WORRIED

42 replies

littlemac2 · 10/01/2020 10:55

Hi everyone,

I am looking for some advice on early pregnancy symptoms and also ClearBlue weeks indicator tests!

I 'think' I am around 5 weeks pregnant, going by last period (2nd December 19). I had taken a clearblue test on the 3rd Jan and that come back pregnant 2-3 weeks (so around 4-5 weeks I think?) however I've been experiencing very sore 'period like pains' especially through the night which wake me up. They come and go and when they do come they are very very sore like intense period cramps. I phoned the Maternity Unit at my local hospital and they said to take paracetamol and try not to worry since there is no blood.

However I am worried, I don't know what I'm supposed to be feeling this early on and the thoughts of eptopic pregnancy and miscarriage have gone through my head Sad this lead me to take another clearblue test and it come back 2-3 weeks again!

I'm so confused, I thought it would be showing 3+ by now and I'm reading so many scare stories I'm driving myself insane here! This is already extremely hard since I'm doing this alone as my partner 'isn't ready' as discussed in another thread.

Please ladies any help would be much appreciated!

x

OP posts:
Umberta · 10/01/2020 11:27

Hi I'm first time mum to be too, but just wanted to say I dont think you need to worry. Those clear blue weeks things are known to be unreliable, everyone says so. Also cramping is 100% normal, I think you only need to worry if it's mostly one side and/or you're getting shoulder tip pain. Also if you were miscarrying then you'd likely be bleeding quite a bit (I know not always, but likely). Just don't worry I think and keep living as normal!

Umberta · 10/01/2020 11:29

The normal cramping is because your womb is stretching in readiness (I read). I had it a lot at 5-6 weeks but it's barely there any more now (I have food aversions and a bit of nausea instead!) I recommend you get some books to read, I have this lovely one called Day by Day Pregnancy which is helpful for explaining all this stuff and reassuring me!

sjmco · 10/01/2020 11:41

The cramping is totally normal... I've had 3 miscarriages and currently at 30weeks, which i experienced cramping. unless there is any blood I wouldn't worry...

Boymummy3 · 10/01/2020 11:45

You could Of just been at the beginning of the 2-3 weeks hence why it hasn't changed yet but I wouldn't relie on CB digital tests anyway. Cramping can be normal early pregnancy and In fact throughout pregnancy. The day I tested with my 2nd I was in agony with period cramps thought I was going to have a really bad period when in fact I got a positive test instead hesa happy 3 year old. Try not to worry and relax

Original poster
littlemac2 · 10/01/2020 11:50

Thank you so much everyone with your replies so far! so hard to stop your mind from running away with itself! I feel totally fine apart from the cramping, it's just the intensity that worries me, I keep checking for bleeding but nothing.

I have an appointment with the midwife a week today for a chat, not a scan, but I'm sure she would be able to listen to my concerns? I just with they'd scan you before 12 weeks, it seems such a long daunting time to wait! Sad

OP posts:
sjmco · 10/01/2020 11:53

Yeah a week will seem like forever! I didn't wait for a 12 week scan... I went private as soon as I found out I was pregnant.. but I had 3 miscarriages prior so I was so worried. Try to relax and not worry too much (easier said than done I know) xx

iambex · 10/01/2020 11:56

Have you looked into going to your local hospital EPU? They will scan you there and hopefully put your mind at ease.

Original poster
littlemac2 · 10/01/2020 11:58

hi, iambex

I phoned the EPU and they basically told me to take paracetamol and again not to overthink or worry and that I will receive my scan at around 12 weeks. it's just the long wait till then!

OP posts:
Iggi999 · 10/01/2020 12:03

Absence of bleeding is a good sign. Say you got a scan today and there was an embryo looking fine - it doesn't mean you wouldn't miscarry tomorrow (have had that experience!) so a scan isn't the reassurance you seek. It is so hard to wait though I really do sympathise.

Annafs · 10/01/2020 12:06

I had a lot of cramping between 4-6 weeks, and now I’m 8+5 and it’s completely gone (replaced by constant vomiting instead!)

Original poster
littlemac2 · 10/01/2020 12:37

Again, thank you so much for your replies!

you're so right, I need to think positive and stay hopeful and just wait it out, I will voice my concerns to the midwife next week at my appointment. Hopefully these next 8 or so weeks will fly by!

Has anyone experienced similar symptoms like very sore cramping? I love sharing stories because being a first time mum to be I'm trying to take everything in and keep my mind open with 'everything' that can potentially happen etc! love to you all x x

OP posts:
Lolacat1234 · 10/01/2020 13:02

With my son I had quite strong settling pains at around 5 weeks. So much so that I was convinced my period was coming. All was fine, he's 8 now x

Original poster
littlemac2 · 10/01/2020 13:23

Lolacat1234

Thank you for your reply! That is very reassuring to say the least. I guess everything just goes through your mind, but I just have to be patient and what will be will be.

My breasts were originally very sore but they seem to be fine now, no darkening of the areola's which I have read is very common in early pregnancy? x

OP posts:
sel2223 · 10/01/2020 14:35

This is my first pregnancy and I had constant cramping at the beginning, like the kind you get just before you come on so I was constantly rushing to the toilet expecting to see blood.
I'm now 8+3 and I still get occasional cramping but not as much. My other symptoms started at about 7 weeks and it was like someone just flicked a switch one day and everything came at once

fonxey · 10/01/2020 15:30

I felt lots of ctamps, on and off. If they come and go and aren't continuous, with no blood then there's no point in worrying as it is normal. I'm not saying it isn't worrying.

When i got pregnant i read everything that told me about early pregnancy and so fortunately i wasn't surprised by the pains. Take it as a good sign that your body is behaving as it should.

It's scary begging a ftm. Pregnancy is weird especially in the beginning. Before i got pregnant, all i knew about it was morning sickness and i didn't even get that very much. Just extreme hunger and crazy tiredness.

I do remember around that stage my belly started feeling very floppy. It was weird. During the early weeks your body is undergoing so many changes. It's amazing. But lots of worrying. Look forward to your 12 week scan or book yourself a private one when you are seeking 8 weeks.

Original poster
littlemac2 · 10/01/2020 15:50

Hi fonxey

Thank you for your reply! they do come and go but they are there more than they aren't, if that makes sense? I guess I just didn't expect to have 'period like pains' as part of a symptom of pregnancy! but you're right, there's no point in worrying and try and stay calm till my 12 week scan! x

OP posts:
goingtoneedabiggercar · 10/01/2020 15:55

I had a lot of cramping early on. I even had bleeding and was completely convinced I was miscarrying. I bought a great big box of doughnuts and went home to cry.
The result of that pregnancy is 7 weeks old and breathing like the son of Darth Vader (he has the cold). I know it's easier said than done but try not to panic. Take each day at a time.
I had a private scan at 8 weeks which confirmed a heartbeat as miscarriage is less common once you've seen a heartbeat but I started bleeding 5 days later and the earlier reassurance was gone.

Original poster
littlemac2 · 10/01/2020 16:07

Hi goingtoneedabiggercar

thank you for your reply!
I'm feeling very much more relieved hearing that a lot of people do in fact experience cramping in the beginning weeks! I just wish there was a way to check that the cramping isn't an underlying issue. That's all that goes through your mind!

congrats on your little 7 week old! I hope he gets better soon, much love x

OP posts:
fonxey · 10/01/2020 16:59

The cramping i think went away for me by about 7-8 weeks. I'm but sure (and obvs if yours doesn't still most likely normal every pregnancy is different.) They were replaced by extreme hunger. As in you will gnaw your other half's arm off if there isn't food nearby. Hard if you are on holiday in Switzerland ever they have zero concept of room service or snack provision, and shops all seem to be bloody shut after a certain time. I remember waking up in the night and just munching on boiled sweets. And ask that bloody snacks are paprika flavoured so you don't want them anyway.

IslayBrigid · 10/01/2020 18:05

I'm having cramping on and off still and I am nearly 7 weeks! To tell you the truth when I don't have cramping I feel less reassured as I find it so weird that a little being is in there and I can't feel it yet!
I spoke briefly to a midwife today just as she called to schedule my booking appointment, and she said if it's severe and doesn't go away e.g. lasts for hours and is very bad, then call doctor/ emergency. If it's intermittent and not too bad then it's fine. My pains feel like period cramps but they come and go.
Don't worry but if it is very bad, I'm sure they will give you an early scan if you insist! X

IslayBrigid · 10/01/2020 18:06

Also yes very very common to have cramping, it is the uterus stretching!

troppibambini · 10/01/2020 18:15

Im a mum of four and everything you have said sounds really normal. I felt the first few weeks of all my pregnancies feeling like I was going to come on my period. I had cramps that were quite painful sometimes I also had what felt like pulled muscles low down on my tummy.
No one tells you that the first trimester can be quite uncomfortable!!
It's really hard to know what's normal and what's not!!

ELW85 · 10/01/2020 18:18

Agree with the others, your body is adjusting to having a baby in there for the first time.
If you’re really worried though, you could have an early scan at 6/7 weeks. You’ll probably need to go private though as the NHS won’t do the scan unless you’ve been bleeding etc.

Cheesey21 · 10/01/2020 18:19

I had these cramps right up until I was 10 weeks. It felt particularly daunting because I didn't really suffer with period pains beforehand but I'm now 26 weeks with a very wriggly little one telling me they're ok 😄

ginandgingers92 · 10/01/2020 18:21

Hey OP, early pregnancy is such a worrying time: I'm 30 weeks with my second but despite having done it before, I was still googling and stressing about every little twinge in the early stages (still am to a degree!). 12 weeks is such a long time to wait for the hospital scan. I can not recommend an early private scan enough. I had 2 this time around and found it really reassuring. They can be quite expensive but for me it was worth it just to settle my nerves. All sounds normal though, your body just stretching getting ready for a growing bubba!! I'm sure everything is fine 😊

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