What's normal....what's not?

Jamie - posted on 07/08/2010

That's totally normal, you'll feel some stretching and even ligament pain as you go along. The full feeling is also very normal and in my experience doesn't really go away. You may also experience something closer to period cramping any time during your pregnancy, but especially at the beginning. Your uterus is constantly having mild braxton hicks contractions even from the beginning. I feel mine every so often, even at 17 weeks. The common wisdom is that you shouldn't worry unless you're having very heavy bleeding (soaking a maxi pad in an hour or less) and very heavy cramping.

Jacquie - posted on 07/08/2010

I had something like that but mine were about as painful as menstrual cramps. I was terrified every time it happened. At about 15 weeks it came less and less often and at about 20 weeks I stopped feeling it all together. It's just the uterus stretching and growing to support the baby.

Roberta - posted on 07/07/2010

Thanks so much guys! Like Erika said it isnt like my menstrual cramps...and i do notice more when i have to pee or if i havent had a bowel movement! It makes me feel alot better seeing other people are experiencing this and your not like "OMG its a miscarriage!" since thats all i could find on other sites...but im not bleeding and its not severe...i just dont feel..normal. Thanks again guys!

Samantha - posted on 07/07/2010

i had that. it's just stretching. everything is expanding getting ready for the baby to grow. that's how my doctor explained it to me.

Erika - posted on 07/07/2010

I had that same sort of cramping in the beginning, it wasn't as bad as my menstrual cramps but it was still annoying. I wanted to keep workingout but I was worried that regular sit-ups would make it worse so I tried to avoid using my abs when I didn't feel well. Now I'm 13 weeks and I started feeling those cramps again but this time they're a little different and I was told it's round ligament pain. Some mild cramping can be normal, but if it gets really painful or your start bleeding make sure you check with your doctor.

Brandi - posted on 07/07/2010

Mild cramping is normal! Don't be surprised if you feel it again around 15 weeks (or it continues through out your pregnancy). It's caused by your ligaments stretching. I've had it off and on and I'm 15 weeks. I was worried myself but the baby is growing like a weed and seems to be doing what it's supposed to.

Mary Renee - posted on 07/07/2010

I don't know about all that. But I found out I was pregnant a few weeks after I started the semester my senior year in college. I remember that when I got dressed for my first day of school I was bloated and had a little pouch when I never did before (but I was really small to begin and had no fat on my stomach to begin with). Then when I drank caffiene I would feel so sick and maybe that "full" feeling. And that was BEFORE I even knew I was pregnant. I can't say I felt any cramping or anything though. It might be completely unrelated to the pregnancy.