Why pregnant women have cramps

Typical early-pregnancy side effects , such as constipation , can cause cramping. You may also experience cramps while keeping up with your normal exercise routine. This can place additional stress on your muscles.

Cramping during exercise is a signal for you to stop and take a well-needed rest. Yeast infections or urinary tract infections UTIs may also cause cramping.

UTIs can quickly lead to an infection in your kidneys. This increases your risk of going into preterm labor. Your doctor should test your urine at every appointment to make sure that there are no signs of infection. Sexual intercourse can also lead to cramping. Many women who are lucky to have a healthy, normal pregnancy can continue to have sex right up until they deliver, according to the nonprofit HealthyWomen.

But during pregnancy, you may find that sex feels somewhat different. It may feel less than pleasurable, due to your expanding tummy. Later in your pregnancy, orgasm can possibly cause you to feel mild contractions. If you feel any of these symptoms after having sex, talk to your doctor. Even though mild cramps are a normal part of pregnancy, you should still talk to your doctor about your discomfort. If you begin to see spotting or bleeding along with your cramps, it could be a sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.

With a normal pregnancy, your ovary releases an egg into the fallopian tube. When sperm fertilize the egg, it moves into your uterus and attaches into the lining. Exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Madden CC, et al.

Exercise in the heat and heat illness. In: Netter's Sports Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed May 9, DeCherney AH, et al. Normal pregnancy and prenatal care. New York, N. Schwalfenberg GK, et al. The importance of magnesium in clinical healthcare. Natural Medicines. What the color of your urine means. The National Kidney Foundation. Marnach ML expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn.

In women carrying single babies, this occurs in the third trimester. Sometimes, severe cramping can signify an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when the fertilized egg implants in one of the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus.

Ectopic pregnancy is a very serious, dangerous condition that requires immediate surgery as the pregnancy cannot be sustained. Cramping on one side should also be reported to your doctor as it might mean an ectopic pregnancy. Cramping accompanied by vaginal bleeding should also be immediately reported to the doctor. The doctor can diagnose it or rule it out by ordering an ultrasound or hCG blood test.

Most importantly, always contact your doctor for unusual cramps or ones that don't go away. I'm glad this was posted I tried contacting my doctor a couple times.. I've had solid cramping all day for the last three days. Not coming and going like contractions.. I wasn't sure if it's normal, and maybe it is, but at least I just took some Tylenol - hopefully that'll work. I'm 34 weeks tomorrow. She's measuring big, so I'm ready when she is. Hopefully sooner than later Pregnancy cramps are nothing to worry about unless they are persistent.

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