[SoonToBe]

<p>I am 5 weeks pregnant. I am planning a very natural pregnancy with a homebirth.  I already have my midwife picked out.  I told her about the pregnancy and will see her in a couple weeks.  She is at a conference right now and I had a question so I called a midwife (hospital) I have seen before.  She wasn't available, but her nurse called me back.  I was calling to ask what was normal cramps and what was something to worry about.  I told her I have had period like cramps, but had a sharp pain on the right side last night after sneezing and sitting up.  She said I probably just pulled a muscle and period like cramps are normal.  She said you worry when there is a lot of bleeding or severe cramping.  I don't have either of those.  It does sometimes feel like it's off to one side more, but not always and sometimes the other side hurts.  It actually feels like the pain I get when I ovulate...or at least that's the best way to describe it.  She then says that I should go to the ER to rule out an ectopic pregnancy just in case.  What the hell?  Ugh.  I didn't plan on having an ultrasound as my midwife (homebirth one) does not do them as a routine measure.  I feel great except for some cramping.  I have had NO spotting at all.  (Ooh, right now I just had more pain the other side...it's definitely not only one side).  I have no fever. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hate the medical model of pregnancy.  Ugh.  This is why I was not going with that practice.  There is a time and place for it, but rushing to the ER "just in case" seems a little excessive.  I don't want to be stupid.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Has anyone had an ectopic pregnancy that can enlighten me?  I really don't think that's it.  I feel like I would know if something was really wrong.  The cramping I have is no worse than period cramps and I've had much worse pregnancy cramps.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks for any reassurance.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bree</p>

 

[ZinniaGarden]

<p>Hi Bree it is probably nothing BUT, you did call so I assume you were worried?  The nurse will assume that since you called, you want them to do everything they can and the only thing they can do for you is the ultrasound.  It sounds like you wanted her to just calm your fears and tell you not to worry but from the nurse's point of view, the best way to calm your fears without overstepping her professional boundries is to rule out problems.  If it did turn out to be ectopic and she said not to worry, it could mean problems for her.  And saying you have pain that feels like it is in your ovaries could be a red flag for her.  Hope you feel better soon.</p>

 

[kriket]

<p>hum, If you are having sharp pain on one side of your body, you should go get the U/S to rule out the ectopic. By the time you see blood it will be too late and you will have ruptured your fallopian tube.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am not a medical intervention fan either. But there are worthwhile advances They can save your tube and your fertility if they catch the ectopic sooner rather than later.</p>

 

[xmasbaby7]

<p>I have not had one. My grandmother had one with no awareness that she was pregnant and just suddenly collapsed from internal bleeding and was rushed to the ER in a dramatic fashion. I am sure there is a much earlier warning sign to look for if you are watching for it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I would sleep on it and just wait. Judging how you feel later.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The best answer to most things related to pregnancy and birth is to wait. : )</p>

 

[dakotablue]

<p>DDC hopping.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Honestly if the pain feels one sided than an ultrasound maybe a good idea. Ectopic pregnancies can be very dangerous, and you could loose a tube.  I was checked once for ectopic with 'good' indicators for it (it ended up being a popped cyst not pregnancy) and the pain was one sided and stabbing, rather than stretching like I have since felt in pregnancies and pressure on the side hurt.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>More than likely its nothing, but if you were concerned enough to call than maybe something in you thinks there is something going on.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, its the medical model that tries to account for the rare cases, the rare chances and that is where they are the best and great for. Its the whole treating every case like its a problem that ends in c/s.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Best case scenario you have 1 early ultrasound and everything is great. (I'm sure it probably is)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>BUT not doing anything could be bad...Then again if your really really against going than maybe wait and see if the pain continues or worsens Then head right over. AND if your symptoms aren't like above and do go away then everything I'm sure is just fine.</p>

 

[SoonToBe]

<p>Thanks.  I called more to shut my brain up than out of real worry.  I told her the cramps were usually just all over period-like ones, but they were sometimes more on the right side, but not always.  I actually didn't get a chance to describe them as ovulatory like pain.  I did tell her that I also felt similar pains on the left, but more often on the right and none hurt badly.  It feels like a heating pad would cure it all...or a warm bath.  I actually feel like there is not something really wrong going on, I just don't know what normal is since it's my first.  I wish I could have talked to my midwife instead of the nurse because I trust her a bit more and she knows me better.  I know that legally the nurse likely has the obligation to tell me to get evaluated to rule out concerns especially without her ever meeting me.  Reading other posts on here and other forums made me see that cramping and even off center cramping is totally normal.  I just wanted her to tell me too so I had more ammo for feeling less anxious.  Now I'm more anxious.  That back-fired.  This sucks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bree</p>

 

[SoonToBe]

<p>I should add that I have no tenderness, just cramping.  In fact it feels good to touch it.  Can I take a bath?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bree</p>

 

[noahs.mom06]

<p>My midwife says a warm bath no more than 15 minutes is good </p>

 

[tracymom1]

<p>Period like cramps are very normal in early pregnancy.  Certainly sharp pain on one side could be indicative of an ectopic, but most likely not.  It could be a corpus luteum cyst or round ligament pain or just your body adjusting to your uterus expanding a little.  In most cases, ectopic pregnancy is accompanied by some transient spotting/bleeding and bad pain.  I think a lot can be said for having a little peace of mind, especially in early pregnancy.  I would say that the very best indicator of a serious problem is your mama instinct - follow your heart and do what you think is best.  A trip to the Er may be annoying and irritating, but at least you would have a better idea of what is going on.  It may be worth the trade-off, KWIM?</p>

 

[amayhew]

<p>Sounds like round ligament pain, but is this your first pregnancy? I have major round ligament pain when getting up from a laying down position but I think it is more common with multiple pregnancies. An early u/s to rule out an ectopic may put your mind at ease... hope it is nothing like that!</p>

 

[scheelimama]

<p>Just to "yeah that" to what everyone has said.  Period like cramps are VERY normal in early pregnancy.  With my first pregnancy, I had them through the entire first trimester and it was rather disconcerting and disappointing since I thought I would finally get a break from the awful period cramps.  With subsequent pregnancies I've had them only first the first week or two.  I have had sharp pains too, which I am fairly certain is round ligament pain.  Your muscles loosen up in pregnancy and it's much easier to pull them, especially while they're working so hard to stretch and accomodate the growing uterus.  However, like other said, if you feel like you need some reassurance, don't feel bad about going in to get an u/s.  </p>

 

[SoonToBe]

<p>Thanks everyone.  I did a little more research and I think everything is just normal.  Every twinge and ache and pain I am having right now is something I have felt when not pregnant.  I haven't had anymore sharp pains like I had last night which I think was actually me pulling a muscle because of how I was laying.  I was sitting in the airplane seat with my feet on the floor kinda and I was flopped over into hubby's lap...so I was sorta twisted.  I have had that exact sharp pain before, I just was worried because now I'm pregnant.  It hasn't happened since last night.  I now just feel like I have period cramps, but they hurt more because I can't blast them with heat and take an Advil.  I took a bath and it helped while I was in it.  I took a walk and then helped too.  I get occasional twinges on the right side, but sometimes on the left too...much more frequent on the right though. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>So in summary, I would say I for sure have cramping that is no worse than period cramps (just more uncomfy because I can't take anything to help) with occasional twinges on the right side (and less frequently on the left).  The twinges feel like something between pulling, ovulation pain, and sharper period cramps.  I had ovarian cysts in the past and it actually feels a little like that, but it's been so long I can't remember exactly.  The twinges are fleeting. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am taking labs tomorrow and HCG is one of them.  From what I've read, it's common to have a lower than expected level if it's ectopic.  I think I'm going to lay low and see how things go.  If they get worse or if I get a new pain, I will consider going to the ER (or just see if they can take me in at the office tomorrow).  Otherwise, I think I'm probably just experiencing normal cramping.  I think I'm too early for an ultrasound to show anything anyway. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks ladies.  I appreciate it!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bree</p>

 

[javilu]

<p>Could you be dehydrated?  I would try upping my water, take some calcium, and try deep breathing for the pain.  Hope you feel better and things are sorted soon.  =D</p>

 

[SoonToBe]

<p>Um, maybe it's period cramps (normal) combined with gas<span>  <img alt="oops.gif" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/oops.gif">...been tooting up a storm.  [blush, blush].  Cramping much better, if not gone, over night.  This morning I just feel like I need to "go".  I guess we'll see how today goes, but my gut says things are probably okay...just my head "what ifs" all the time.  I'm still a little anxious, but much less so.  Gonna go buy some pregnancy books today.  Any recommendations?</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Bree</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[SoonToBe]

<p>I am feeling much, much better today!!!  Here is my labwork from this morning:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>HCG     1811      (500-10,000 for 3-4 wks and 1000-50,000 for 4-5 wks)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Progesterone 18.8    (first trimester 11.22-90)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Both seem a little low to me with those ranges, but I found something from the American Pregnancy Association that said anything from 18-7340 is normal for HCG at 5 weeks and anything from 9-47 (with average of 12-20) is normal for progesterone..  The progesterone range above is for all of the first trimester and I'm only 1 week late for my period right now.  I am on compounded progesterone and I took it the night before, but not this morning before the draw so maybe my levels are actually higher with the cream.  Please tell me everything looks okay. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Can you take too much progesterone if it's the natural compounded kind?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bree</p>