Cramping

[birthjunkie27]

Is anyone else feeling a lot of menstrual like cramping? I don't recall having this with either of my first two (until early labor), so it's freaking me out a little bit. Last night in bed I actually had to "breathe" through a couple of them...It starts out way low, then radiates down my legs and around to my lower back. I'm only 30 weeks (as of tomorrow). I've had enough Braxton Hicks to know that these do NOT feel like Braxton Hicks. They were going on and off all night, but I didn't time them or anything...didn't want to jump to conclusions. And they never got any worse. Now that I'm up and about for the day they are more managable, and less frequent.

I don't want to be bombarded with "Call your midwife or Dr." because I don't want to make a fuss out of what is probably nothing. My instincts are telling me that it's nothing. Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this.

Cross posted in Nov/Dec clubs.

[crsta33]

I'm not going to tell you to call, but I will tell you that if that were happening to me I would call (and I'm the queen of *not* calling the midwife).

I did have cramping in my thighs one night that felt very much like my period starting. It was only in my thighs and I didn't call the midwife, but I should have. I told her later and she told me to please call her if it happened again (and I will if it does).

Take care of yourself.

Christa

[zjande]

That's exactly what I experienced before I posted my "anyone else have bouts of contractions?" thread. They are totally different than the usual BH cx! I had a whole bunch of them one night that were mostly regular, but since then I've only had a handful. They feel like low, low mentrual cramps, & it feels like there's an ache that travels down my thigh bones. I went through the same battle in my mind as you also about whether to call the MW or not. My intuition told/tells me that it's not a big deal, just 3rd trimester weirdness, & I ended up not calling the MW. I was however due for another fetal fibronectin test that week, only because my dd was born preterm so my MW is watching my carefully, so I did go in for that test, but it was negative & my cervix is still entirely undilated. The 3 hours of mostly regular weird cramps hadn't affected my cervix at all.

Anyway, I just wanted to say "Me too". If your crampy feelings become super regular, or your instincts start telling you something else, then I would call the MW, but I doubt it will ever come to that.

[flyingspaghettimama]

I had this too, and told the MW about it. They suggested drinking LOTS more water, half a gallon or so per day, I think? I hadn't been keeping up so well, so there was something to be said for that. It's been better since then.

[MrsMoe]

I had it, too and my Dr. made me go get checked out to make sure I wasn't in labor and that I didn't have an infection. I ended up being just fine, but I haven't had any of these cramps since either.

Cramping like you are having your period isnt' considered "normal" and can be a sign of pre-mature labor or an infection in the amniotic fluid.

[kel]

My experience is similiar - I've had some strong menstrual-like cramping, and it is not considered "normal", but a possible sign of pre-mature labor. I told my midwives, got checked out for a UTI, which I didn't have - but they told me to drink lots of water, too. I'm not telling you to panic and call, but I'm sure your midwife would want to know - it's one of the things on the list usually to call about - menstrual like cramping before 37 weeks. xo

[Queen of Cups]

Drink LOTS of water and stay off your feet - just what the other ladies have said!

I had mestrual-like cramps all through a weekend at 34 weeks last pregnancy and asked my midwife to check me and I was at 3-4cm and 80% effaced. Be careful! I usually never call or schedule a last-minute appt, either, but I had a dream that I went to see her and I took that as a sign to call and go in. I was put on partial bedrest plus some meds and managed not to deliver for another month.

[flapjack]

Me too. Actually, I had it a lot with Isaac from about 35 weeks and ended up in labour at 38 weeks, so even if you normally go late then there's a chance, this time, you might not.
The understanding my midwife and I have is that if I can make them stop (bath, bed, booze, whatever it takes) then it isn't labour. If I can't sleep through them, they don't stop when I sit down, or self-help doesn't make them go away I need to call.

[spiritmomma]

I read this thread the other day just for info (i can be a lurker : ) and then yesterday I had a horrible ache in my abdomen. I hadn't felt anything like for a long time. I am never really a cramper when I do have periods, but this aching was all day and felt just like a menstrual cramp. I have not had any BH. Is this just the warm up party then?
And when is it normal to begin having BH? I am only 33 weeks...

[crsta33]

I think BH occur all through the pregancy, you just don't notice them until you get further along, especially in a first pregnancy. BH usually don't hurt, they are mostly just an uncomfortable tightening. Mine start at the top of my belly and give me kinda an "ooof" feeling (I think b/c I suddenly have more room to breathe ) It seems to me that if the baby is moving while I'm having a BH, then I perceive more "pain" than discomfort.

Christa