3 weeks 5 days - extreme cramping

[BumbleAw]

Hi all,

I'm very new to this, my first pregnancy.

I'm 3 weeks 5 days and Last night I was woken up with the most extreme lower abdominal cramping, it made me feel like I was going to be physically sick and contemplated going to A&E. That said it only lasted around 10 minutes (and seemed to get better after a bowel movement - sorry tmi) so im hoping its to do with that. However, I am now terrified that it could've been a misscary or sign of eptopic pregnancy. No blood.

Woken up this morning and seem ok again, but just wondering what I should do/what is happening

Oh bless you. I would see how you are today (and seek medical advice if any worrying symptoms) and test again in a few days. I am sorry to say, when I had similar, it was a miscarriage but it may not be the case for you. But I would maybe prepare yourself for that outcome just in case.

Thanks for replying!

It's so scary not knowing! As mentioned, this is my first pregnancy so I really don't know what is normal and what isn't. I'm just so anxious that something is wrong

I'm so sorry you miscarried ♥️ Do you mind me asking how you knew? I dont currently have any bleeding and pain has now gone, so im just wondering (other than a scan which isnt due for weeks), is there any way to know for sure? You of course don't have to answer that if it's too painful x

Hi,

I had the exact same sort of lower cramping pain in very early pregnancy (from about 4 weeks). It was so painful one night that I felt nauseous and felt like I was going to faint, but similar to you, completely relieved itself after a bowel movement. I was cramping quite severely for the week which would sometimes stop me in my tracks, so I spoke to midwife who called EPU and they booked me in straight away for a scan. They couldn't see anything initially as it was too early but I had a blood test and fortunately my hCG levels doubled in 48 hours. They booked me in for a further scan as it was currently a pregnancy of unknown location. I think the next scan was about 6 weeks and they confirmed the pregnancy was healthy and in the correct location. I'm now 11 weeks pregnant and the cramping has completely stopped (probably stopped around 7/8 weeks). I didn't have any bleeding throughout. So just wanted to provide some reassurance that sometimes cramping in early pregnancy is fine, despite being absolutely terrifying! This is also my first pregnancy - wishing you all the luck xxx

@BumbleAw when I miscarried, there was some bleeding and what felt like labour pains. I went to the EPU who scanned me and took blood, and then I had to return 48 hours for more bloods which confirmed it. I think anyway. It’s all a bit of a blur.

It’s hard to say at this point, it could be something bad like an ectopic pregnancy
or it could just be normal stretching or even just gas, which can be surprisingly painful.
I developed excruciating pains in the first few weeks, eventually got a scan because I was so worried about ectopic and there was no problem, they just said it was one of those things. Try not to get too panicked, you’re too early for them to be able to do anything or see anything, so I’d probably just give it a few days and see if it eases. You could ask for bloods but my gp wouldn’t do anything until after 6 weeks.
fingers crossed for you it’s all ok

I developed terrible lower abdominal pain in early pregnancy - so bad I would cry. It would come on in waves and I'd think I was going to vomit too. I was living in another country at the time, and although my doctor spoke good English, I never really understood from him what caused it. I really assumed at first it was a miscarriage, but it was nothing.

I think also pregnancy really does a number on your digestion - I such gas in my 1st trimesters, both times!

So it could well be nothing at all. See how you do today. It's not hugely helpful, but pregnancy is very weird.

I hope you're okay today.

Thank you, that's really reassuring. Fingers crossed all will be ok. Wishing you all the best for your pregnancy, hope everything goes really well and you and baby are both happy and healthy, its such a mad journey ♥️ xx

The agonising tummy I had in early pregnancy was due to all the alcohol free alternatives I was drinking: fizzy drink giving me horrendous trapped gas. Have you been having fizzy drinks?

Hope you are doing ok @BumbleAw ?

I had similar pains in early pregnancy , I was even scanned to make sure it was in the right place. In the end I was told it was just ligament pain along with trapped wind and constipation. It did pass eventually

So sorry, I missed this! Yes, so far so good, no bleeding or any more cramps, I'm at 6 and a half weeks now and nausea (assume morning sickness) is taking over. Thanks for checking in, hope you have a lovely Christmas xx

Oh great news! Have a fabulous Christmas.