How much cramping is normal?

[sarahcecile]

Okay,

I should probably know this, but I wondering how much cramping is normal at this stage in a healthy pregnancy? I have a 2 year old, and I know I had cramping, but can't remember what it was like.

I had a chemical pregnancy in December and so I am really nervous - I have an LP defect and this is the my second cycle taking sublingual progesterone. Last cycle it lengthened my 9 day LP to 12 days, which is good. I'm hoping it will this cycle too.

So I had a temp drop this morning, but still well above coverline, and I am having cramping and did yesterday. I still feel pregnant. Oh - and I tested very very faintly positive at 8 dpo, 9 dpo, and then this morning at 10 dpo it seemed even fainter - is that bad? They are dollar store tests, btw.

I would love reassurance, I am trying to be optimistic. I was feeling really really low this morning.

So - anyone have any thoughts?

- Sarah

[Bella Catalina]

Mama congrats on your and welcome I haven't had any cramping with this pregnancy but I cramped with both of my first two. I have heard you shouldn't put too much faith in the darkness of the lines - they may come from different dye lots and the amount of dye in tests can be different even within the same 2 or 3 pack.

I had a LPD as well and NPC has "fixed" it. I will be on NPC until at least 10 weeks. If you're worried, call your doc/mw tomorrow and get a lab order to test your hcg and progesterone... I have my second beta scheduled for tomorrow and it's given me great peace of mind to know that the NPC has done enough for my progesterone levels after a chemical and then a m/c.

[sarahcecile]

That's a good idea, then maybe I will know, even if I do m/c, whether or not my progesterone levels are high enough.

Thanks for the advice.

[selena_ski]

could it be gas? i have had a ton of cramps, but i think most of it is just gas.

[AugustineM]

I have had a lot of cramping. More than I remember with either of my other two. Hopefully it is totally normal!

[Delaney'sMommy]

I didn't have a lot of cramping, only slightly. I'm hoping it's normal & fine though! :

[sarahcecile]

I've paid attention to it and actually seems like it's just that my uterus aches, as odd as that sounds.

Hopefully he or she is just remodeling...

- Sarah

[Patchfire]

I know exactly what you mean about the uterus aching... it's not really crampy, but it's not 'normal' either.

I see you are in GA - what part? We are up outside of Atlanta in Cobb County.

[AugustineM]

Yes, the aching and "not normal" uterus feeling is what I mostly feel too!

[jmo]

I know exactly what you guys mean about the achey uterus! This is my 4th pg and the only time I've noticed this. Is it likely the uterus is achey b/c it's just expanding? I'm a bit paranoid as I've had 2 losses, so it's nice to hear I'm not the only one feeling this!

[Carolann S]

I have the same "achey uterus" feeling. It's almost like a stretching feeling and it freaks me out. I do remember having this when I was pregnant with my daughter and everything was fine with that pregnancy. I'll be sending good vibes your way.

[Delaney'sMommy]

I had the achey uterus feeling last night & if I hadn't just read this thread, it would've worried me! But, since I had read this yesterday, I was able to distinguish that it was an achey uterus type feeling as opposed to an actual cramp. Thanks ladies!! Guess this is normal!

[alleybcat]

I was just complaining to my husband about the pain I was feeling and this thread is making me feel a little better. My pain is very very low on my right side though. I had a nightmare about a tubular (?) pregnancy a few weeks ago so it has me freeked out that maybe the pain is my fallopian tube about to rupture. Arghhhh....

[Jaysmylilpunkin]

My uterus feels like it itches... I have some cramping, but the majority of the time it is itchy! Because I had a C Section, someone commented that it was the scar tissue stretching... weird huh?

[Delaney'sMommy]

Originally Posted by Jaysmylilpunkin

My uterus feels like it itches... I have some cramping, but the majority of the time it is itchy! Because I had a C Section, someone commented that it was the scar tissue stretching... weird huh?

How interesting. I imagine that would be quite an odd sensation!!

[tessie]

Lots of cramping on and off here. However, I suspect at least some of it is linked to the progesterone pessaries I'm on as the pregnancy was a result of ivf.

Everything I've read though says cramping is normal - not that it stops anyone worrying.

[hattifattener]

Was troubled by mild cramps last night. I sorta freaked out, because I am also a two-previous-losses mama, but DH looked it up on the internet ('cause that's NEVER wrong or misleading, right? ) and said it was probably just the uterus growing and stretching.