Cramps During Pregnancy

Cramp is a sudden, sharp pain, usually in your calf muscles or feet. It is most common at night, but nobody really knows what causes it.

It usually helps if you pull your toes hard up towards your ankle or rub the muscle hard. Regular, gentle exercise in pregnancy, particularly ankle and leg movements, will improve your circulation and may help to prevent cramp occurring.

One of the first causes for cramping during pregnancy is implantation cramps. These happen during the first 10 to 14 days after fertilization. The implantation is the process of the fertilized egg implanting itself into the uterus. You should not have too much bleeding after that point, which may last a day or so. You may have a slight amount of bleeding during pregnancy at this stage but it should be a very light bleeding that is not heavy, and is a light color.

A sign of a healthy pregnancy, which may cause cramping, is a stretching uterus. As your baby grows, your uterus must expand with that growth and therefore needs to expand through contracting and expanding. Sometimes, mild cramps can be associated with this situation as the stretching of the ligaments can become sore and cramp on you. This too is a normal sign of pregnancy and may even be something

There are some situations which may be signs of complications of pregnancy. This may include a miscarriage. Bleeding during pregnancy that is heavy, or that is constant may be a sign of miscarriage as well and a pregnancy complication. If you have cramping during pregnancy, and spotting or bleeding, this may be a warning sign. Not all situations result in a miscarriage, but if you are concerned that this may be the case, visit your doctor as soon as possible. Most doctors will want you to come in to give you an exam to rule out a miscarriage.

Pregnancy complications can cause cramping too; for example, if you have an ectopic pregnancy, which is where the fertilized egg implants itself outside of your uterus. These pregnancies will not survive and they could be a health risk for you. Talk to your doctor immediately if you are facing cramping that is accompanied by abdominal pain, perhaps on just one side of your body and any bleeding.

Related Posts:

1. Bleeding During Pregnancy