It is important to know that not all pains are bad in early pregnancy. Indeed, as soon as a fertilised egg has successfully implanted in the
womb, a woman's body begins to change, and the pregnancy hormones begin to take effect.
You hear of some women not knowing they were pregnant for months, and it's true that unless you have severe symptoms, you might go through
the first three months of pregnancy like a breeze. However, tiredness, sore breasts, nausea, bleeding and stomach pains can all be symptoms of
pregnancy. And even those last two - bleeding and stomach pains - don't always signal a cause for worry.
Click here if you want to know more about how to read signs of Bleeding in Pregnancy.
Stomach cramps in early pregnancy
Many women are used to having stomach cramps during their regular periods. The kind of cramps you get in early pregnancy aren't usually as
painful as menstrual ones and are probably caused by the ligaments stretching as the uterus grows. If it feels more like mild tugging than a stabbing
pain, then you probably have nothing to worry about.
When cramps are a cause for concern
Sadly, miscarriage does affect anything up to 15 per cent of all pregnancies, though if you have never experienced a miscarriage or have had a
successful birth previously, then the chances of enduring a miscarriage is only five per cent. Check the ThinkBaby article on Signs of Miscarriage.
Cramping can be one of the signs of miscarriage, and severe cramping (especially on one side), can be a signal that you have experienced an
ectopic pregnancy (where the egg has implanted outside the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes).
Even severe pain and continued bleeding does not always signal a miscarriage is taking place, but it is advisable to call your GP or midwife team (if
you have been assigned one already) if you experience one or more of the following:
- The cramps are accompanied by tenderness low down in your belly
- There is heavy bleeding like a day's heavy period
- You have seen some spotting either continuously or on-off, either recently or a few days before the cramps
started
- If the pain is severe and lasts for more than 24 hours or is more severe when you strain on the toilet or when you
move about
- There is a sharp pain particularly on one side Your doctor will probably ask you this, as speedy treatment if an
ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed can potentially save the fallopian tube
- If there are clots of pink or grey tissue in your discharge or you feel dizzy
If you have an ectopic pregnancy and the problem is not found soon enough, the fallopian tube can split and cause internal bleeding.
In this instance, other symptoms (as well as abdominal pain) might include feeling hot and feverish, and a pain in the shoulder caused by blood
aggrevating the muscles of the diaphragm.
If you are worried or in pain
If you do not know how to read the signs of your pain, call NHS Direct on 0845
4647, or call your GP surgery, which should carry an emergency number even when the doctor's office is closed.
If you have already had the pregnancy confirmed and have been referred to a midwife or midwife team (even if you have not yet had your first 'booking
in' appointment), you can call them on the contact numbers you have been given.
What can be done?
If your GP, midwife or another doctor at your local hospital feels there is a real cause for concern, there are many tests which can be carried out to
check whether or not your baby is OK. These include non-invasive treatments such as an ultrasound scan.
It is important to remember that the majority of pregnancies are seen through to a safe and successful conclusion. Once your doctor or midwife is
happy that you and your baby are fine, you will probably be advised to simply rest as much as possible.
If you have a miscarriage in early pregnancy, there is, sadly, not much that can be done to save the baby. However, it is important that you are seen by a doctor or at your local hospital to check that your body is OK.
