BFP and cramping - need reassurance!

[lavenderlilaclily]

I got a fairly strong bfp on a first response on Friday at 12dpo. So I think I'm 4 weeks exactly today.
I'm feeling really nervous though as I'm having quite a bit of cramping. It does come and go, and feels a lot like period cramps, with some lower back pain at times as well. It's also localised quite a bit more to my right side where I'm feeling a constant sort of twinging.
I remember having a bit of cramping and twinging with my first pregnancy but I don't think this much so I'm starting to get really anxious. My anxiety is also heightened because I lost my last pregnancy at 23 weeks only 4 months ago, which was awful, so I'm terrified of losing another.
I'm driving myself a bit loopy by thinking the right sided pain might be a sign of an ectopic or something....please reassure me!! is this cramping normal??

I’m so sorry for your previous loss
Cramping is very normal in early pregnancy. If there’s no red blood, take that as a good sign

Hey! I’m 33wks now. I had period pain-like cramping around 4-5wks too. I also had weird twinges on my left hand side up until 8ish weeks, which worried me enough to have a private scan to check all ok with baby. It was 🙂 I was worried about the cramps but they seem fairly common from what I’ve read here/the pregnancy group I’m in. Definitely worth speaking to a dr/epu/midwife though or getting a private scan if the one sided pain persists, as much for your reassurance as anything? Again, this seems fairly common and is maybe the baby bedding in nicely? 🙂but I agree it’s disconcerting.

Sorry to hear about your loss, it must be really hard. I hope all goes well this time round.

Thank you both 💕

@Thisisjaaam I haven't got any bleeding or spotting so that's comforting thanks!

@BananaCustard85 ah this is reassuring to know that you had similar symptoms, thank you. And congratulations, exciting that you're so close to meeting your baby :) My bereavement midwife had promised me an early scan around 8 weeks so I'm going to ring her tomorrow to book that in...but even waiting that 4 weeks seems torture! But I guess I'll just monitor it and if it persists I'll ring my EPU and see if they can do anything earlier. The first weeks are so nerve-wracking I just want to fast forward!!

Yeah when I got my BFP the first 12wks felt like an impossible stretch ahead, like the days were going really slooow. It was definitely better once I’d had the early scan at 8 and a bit wks. And this is my first, no loss to deal with like you, which must make it harder. The time WILL pass though 🙂 and cramps and even minor bleeding/spotting is normal, the chances are everything will be ok.

Just echoing what others have said. I had really bad cramps around 5/6 weeks pregnant and was convinced I was having a miscarriage and was waiting to see blood. The pains always seemed to wake me up around 2.30am (apparently something to do with hormones being really active around that time) and one night I had to take paracetamol for the pain and would start feeling faint and start sweating because I was getting myself into a panic. I've now got a beautiful 9 week old baby boy, so don't worry. I found that lying down with my hips and legs raised and knees bent helped the pain go away.

@BananaCustard85 thanks for the reassurance I really appreciate it

@WhiteHorse92 oh wow that sounds intense! That's interesting about the hormones being active around nighttime - I have found that the cramping is worse at night and in the morning when I get up and then eases off during the day. It's so anxiety inducing and stressful! I'm really glad it all worked out well for you, congratulations on your baby boy!