Pregnancy is an incredible experience, but it can also be filled with unknowns. Many women find themselves wondering what changes their bodies are going through, and what symptoms are normal. One common experience in the early stages of pregnancy is twinges and pains in the abdominal area. While these pains can be concerning, they are generally normal and nothing to worry about. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most common causes of abdominal twinges in early pregnancy and what can be done to manage and alleviate the discomfort.
When to see the doctor for early pregnancy cramping
If you experience any of the following signs during your first trimester, you should visit a doctor:
During your regularly scheduled appointments, you should also discuss any concerns you have with cramping with your doctor.
Early pregnancy loss is more common in people over the age of 40. They should be particularly attentive to potential symptoms.
Your doctor will inquire about the severity and duration of your cramping if they are worried about pregnancy complications. In order to identify the source of your pain, they might also carry out any of the subsequent tests:
Your doctor will use these tests to assess the status of your pregnancy.
Early pregnancy cramps may be relieved without medication. Try the following home treatments to relieve pain:
Drinking plenty of fluids may also help with cramp prevention.
Try over-the-counter pain relievers if your cramping is more severe or persistent. Some of the following medications may need to be avoided, but others are completely safe during your first trimester:
Most pregnant women can consume small amounts of acetaminophen without worrying about harming themselves or their unborn child.
Aspirin can contribute to maternal or fetal bleeding. The drug is probably safe in low doses, but use it cautiously. If you are spotting, you might also want to stay away from it
During the first trimester, these NSAIDs are safe for use by expectant mothers. However, they have been linked to a higher risk of premature ductal closure, a rare but serious fetal heart condition, during late pregnancy. Your doctor might suggest different painkillers if they are concerned about this.
Loss of appetite for favourite foods
Pregnancy can really mess with your eating habits, that’s for sure. As well as pregnancy symptoms such as craving foods you may not usually like, you can actually lose a taste for some foods and drinks that are usually a big part of your normal diet, sometimes put off by their smell. People sometimes go off staples such as coffee, tea, or fatty foods. “Changes in tastes and a heightened sense of smell are very common and can persist throughout pregnancy but do tend to be strongest early on”, Dr Knight explained.
What else could it be?
When anxious or stressed, people frequently experience a loss of appetite. This is so that you can cope with the stress, anxiety causes emotional and psychological changes in your body. These factors can frequently affect your stomach and digestive system, which may result in appetite loss. Your appetite should return to normal once you’re feeling more at ease.
Tummy twinges, pinching and pulling
During the first trimester of pregnancy, some people feel something similar to their muscles being pulled and stretched inside their stomachs. These tingles, also known as “abdominal twinges,” are nothing to be concerned about. About 1 week stomach pain can be felt sometimes.
Layla Rumble, midwife at The Portland Hospital, which is part of HCA Healthcare UK, said, “Abdominal twinges and mild pains are very common during pregnancy and usually nothing to worry about. Twinges and abdominal pain are usually caused by constipation, ligament pain, or trapped wind – all of which are normal parts of pregnancy.
As far as pregnancy symptoms are concerned, twinges and pains can be reduced by regular light exercise, eating smaller, more frequent meals, consuming a lot of fiber-rich foods like fruit and vegetables, and drinking a lot of water to help empty your bladder on a regular basis.
It’s crucial to seek medical advice from your midwife or GP if you experience severe, persistent pain or pain that is accompanied by bleeding in order to rule out any serious conditions. ”.
What else could it be?
Particularly if you’ve concentrated on ab exercises, you might be feeling some tension if you’ve been vigorously exercising or straining your muscles.
A tight stomach is not always a sign of pregnancy; it can also be caused by other things like digestive problems, stress, or hormonal changes.
A change in the color of your vulva and vagina can be one of the more subdued pregnancy symptoms as well as one of the early signs of pregnancy. Normally pink, your vulva and vagina turn dark purplish-red as your pregnancy progresses. This happens there is increased blood flow to the area. When the vaginal tissue appears bluish in color, midwives refer to this change as Chadwick’s sign, also known as Jacquemier’s sign. It’s one of a number of alterations that may suggest that you are probably pregnant. It usually happens between six to eight weeks after conception.
What else could it be?
A change in color can result from all the care we give to our vaginas. You may have reddening or a rash if you’ve been using razors or hair removal creams. Watch out for laundry products that can affect hormone balance as well as those that aren’t. Look for gentle products to prevent irritation to your vagina.
This purple-blue discoloration of your vulva (and vagina, which can be seen during an examination) can be seen as early as four weeks of pregnancy, but unless you are regularly looking at your vulva, you may not be aware of it because it won’t feel any different, Lesley explains. Even though a lot of women go through this color change, not having Chadwick’s sign does not necessarily mean you are not pregnant. ”.
You might experience an increased urge to urinate in the early stages of pregnancy, feeling as though you need to use the restroom constantly. You could notice this feeling, especially at night time.
Dr Prudence Knight, GP at Lancaster Medical Practice tells us. “As pregnancy symptoms go the need to wee a lot can be common and is caused by changing hormones in the early days, as are tender, swollen breasts which are sensitive when touched.”
What else could it be?
In a 24-hour period, it’s normal to urinate six to eight times; if you’re doing so much more frequently, it may be because you’re consuming too much fluid or caffeine. Additionally, you might have a bladder infection or an overactive bladder. Speak with a GP about your symptoms if they are uncomfortable or if you have any concerns.
An odd, sour, slightly metallic taste in your mouth in the early stages of pregnancy could be one of the strangest pregnancy symptoms. This occurs as a result of the pregnancy hormone progesterone, which causes dysgeusia, a taste disorder that leaves a bad aftertaste in the mouth. Experts now know that pregnancy hormones affect our sense of taste, so they may change drastically throughout your pregnancy. However, dysgeusia usually disappears after the first trimester.
What else could it be?
According to the NHS, other reasons could be gum disease, colds or sinus infections, indigestion, and due to certain medications. There are also serious illnesses that are linked to tasting metal such as problems with your liver or kidneys, so it’s best to speak to a professional if you have any concerns.
The pregnancy hormone progesterone may make you feel bloated, round, and full in the stomach. There’s a chance you could be pregnant if you feel swollen in this area.
What else could it be?
Lots of foods can bloat you, so if you’re experiencing this feeling after eating foods such as grains, beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, or even artificial sweeteners it may just be wind. Bloating can also be a sign of food intolerances or conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). If you think it might be IBS, take a look at our IBS symptoms and remedies guide to see if any of this can help to relieve the bloating you’ve been experiencing. A low FODMAP diet is also recommended to alleviate symptoms.
One of the most perplexing signs of pregnancy, but you might actually experience period-like pains around the time you anticipate your period. Although this is one of the less typical pregnancy symptoms, it should not be disregarded. Numerous people report feeling this pain as their wombs grow and stretch their ligaments to make room for the baby.
What else could it be?
Although back, stomach, and thigh cramps are frequently associated with period pains, this type of discomfort is common for people. Exercise or overexertion may be to blame if it isn’t your period.
As the womb grows, the ligaments holding it together move and stretch, and there is more pressure on your bladder, low abdominal cramps can be one of the typical pregnancy symptoms experienced in the early stages of pregnancy, according to Lesley. Rest and a warm heat pack or hot water bottle should help these pains go away. If they don’t, speak with your midwife or doctor so that infection, thrush, or other issues can be ruled out. ”.
You might notice a change in your breasts as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Your nipples could be tender to the touch, hurt, or change shape and swell, which would make your bra fit less snugly than usual. Dr. “Your breasts may hurt around the time of your period, and they typically get bigger during early pregnancy,” said Knight. ”.
What else could it be?
Many early signs of pregnancy are similar to when you’re having a period or are due on your period, so it could be your pill or your period. It is advised to carefully read the enclosed leaflet to learn about side effects as some antidepressants and other medications can also cause breast pain.
Implantation occurs about a week after conception when the embryo pushes against the uterine (or womb) wall. Your underwear starts to bleed slightly or develops a few blood spots as a result. Even stomach cramps could occur while the embryo is moving.
A recent study (opens in new tab) shows that vaginal bleeding in the first trimester occurs in about one fourth of pregnancies. And while there is no definitive research proving that bleeding is always implantation, anecdotal reports from pregnant mothers suggests this. Bleeding can spotting can be one of the more confusing pregnancy symptoms.
What else could it be?
Your period (although some women still experience light periods throughout their pregnancy) changes as a result of the Pill, including instances where you forget to take it or take it during your seven-day break, get sick, or experience sex-related bleeding. It can also be a result of any hormonal changes.
This is the most typical pregnancy symptom and frequently the first sign you may notice. Around 4-5 weeks after the embryo has attached to the uterine wall, the wall begins to thicken and cushion the embryo so that it does not rupture and cause a period.
What else could it be?
Your period may change or even stop altogether due to stress, a change in contraception, or rapid weight gain or loss. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re pregnant, but if you want to be sure in any case, it’s best to take a test.
One of the more common pregnancy symptoms, nausea is experienced by some women the entire time they are pregnant while others are able to avoid it. Morning sickness typically appears between two and eight weeks into your pregnancy. According to one theory, it is brought on by a rise in the hormone progesterone. It appears that progesterone relaxes the uterine muscles to prepare for labor, but it also relaxes the muscles in the stomach, causing sickness and nausea.
Dr Prudence Knight, GP at Lancaster Medical Practice tells us “Morning sickness is also common and can take on several forms for different people, such as feeling nauseous at certain times of the day or all day. Vomiting, dizziness, or a combination of all these things.
What else could it be?
You may feel sick to your stomach due to food poisoning, stress, or other digestive problems.
One of the early pregnancy symptoms that can begin as early as the first week is feeling more exhausted. This is because your body is working extra hard to prepare for the baby.
“Pregnancy is a tiring process and can take its toll on energy levels as your body changes,” adds Layla Rumble. Thus, feeling tired and exhausted while pregnant is very common, especially in the first trimester when hormone fluctuations are the greatest.
Most pregnancy symptoms, including fatigue, begin during the first trimester due to the rapid rise in oestrogen levels, which is followed by a continuous rise in progesterone levels throughout the remainder of pregnancy. ”.
What else could it be?
You may experience fatigue or sleepiness due to stress, depression, the common cold or flu, or other illnesses. It may also happen if you woke up in the middle of a sleep cycle or had a poor night’s sleep.
While back pain is one of the very common pregnancy symptoms, it can also be one of the early warning signs of pregnancy. Back pain is typically felt in the later stages of pregnancy due to the extra weight. The pain will be comparable to the stomach aches and cramps you experience during your period. And it’s just that your body is preparing for the baby because of that.
What else could it be?
Backaches may occur if you are due for your period, or they may also do so if you experience physical or mental stress and tension.
As pregnancy symptoms go, it’s quite common for people to suffer from leg cramps during pregnancy and you might notice it a lot more in the early stages. According to a Harvard study, this has been linked to having less calcium in your blood because it’s being taken by the baby.
What else could it be?
Your legs’ muscles may tense up and spasm as a result of overusing a muscle or being cold, particularly at night. Dehydration or simply staying still for an extended period of time without moving your muscles enough may also contribute to it.
According to the National Library of Medicine, as pregnancy symptoms go this is a common one. The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy. If you’re tired too you might be more sensitive to light and noise.
What else could it be?
There are many causes of headaches, including tension, dehydration, and eye strain. In addition to routine changes, excessive screen time, stress, alcohol, and other factors can also cause headaches, which are common. However, consult a doctor if you’re worried about the frequency of your headaches.
Having random pregnancy cravings is another one of the most common early signs and pregnancy symptoms. It’s caused by your body craving what it needs. Some people say they crave mud when they’re pregnant, and this may be due to a lack of iron in their blood. Others want combinations like fish and ice cream. This could be because of a lack of protein and sugar.
However, it doesn’t necessarily imply that your cravings will be strange and wonderful; even a simple hankering for cheese may indicate that you need to take in more calcium, particularly if it coincides with your cramps. This can start early on and last throughout your pregnancy. While you should give in to these cravings and listen to your body if you can, if you ever feel unsure, consult a doctor or midwife.
What else could it be?
Poor diet, lack of a certain nutrient, stress, depression. Sugar cravings may also be a sign of diabetes, so you should talk to your doctor if you have any worries about any unusual cravings.
If you’re trying to conceive a child, you may have been tracking your basal body temperature even though you may not have noticed the difference yourself. This is the temperature of your body at rest. Your body temperature changes throughout your cycle, and if it has been elevated for at least 18 days, you are probably pregnant. When you are ovulating or pregnant, your body temperature may be between 97 and 99 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.
What else could it be?
If you have a cold or the flu, your temperature is likely to increase. At various times throughout your cycle, it will also slightly increase.
Uterine cramping is one of the early signs of pregnancy that many people will experience. Even period-like cramps or even pain on one side might be experienced. This type of cramp is most frequently caused by your uterus expanding. In a healthy pregnancy, you should anticipate experiencing this common pain. You might also feel “full” or “heavy” around your uterus, and it’s not unusual to hear early in pregnancy that some women feel as though they are about to start their period.
What else could it be?
Premenstrual cramps may occur if your period is about to start.
You may already be aware that changes to the breast tissue are one of the earliest indicators of pregnancy as well as one of the most prevalent pregnancy symptoms. Your breasts may start to expand toward the end of the first trimester or the start of the second trimester. This is because the breast’s internal tissues are getting ready for nursing.
What else could it be?
Breast tenderness and swelling may also indicate that your period is coming.
Your nipples may change, which is one of the first indications of pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, they could also grow and darken. Don’t be alarmed if you see tiny, white spots on your areola that resemble goosebumps or pimples; they are completely normal. They’re called Montgomery’s tubercles.
What else could it be?
Changes in nipples should be examined as part of your regular check against breast cancer, follow these easy steps to checking your breasts for peace of mind.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, low libido is frequently experienced. You might experience some minor pain from sensitive breasts, and being exhausted and nauseous might make you less interested in having sexual relations.
What else could it be?
There are lots of other reasons why you have gone off sex, from exhaustion to stress.
One of the early signs of pregnancy for some people is tingling in their nipples. The increase in blood flow to your breasts brought on by the surge in hormones in your body results in this tingling sensation.
What else could it be?
The tingling sensation might simply be related to your menstrual cycle, or there’s a minuscule possibility that an infection is to blame.
You may experience shortness of breath in the early stages of pregnancy due to an increase in progesterone in your body, which makes you breathe more frequently. Additionally, you’ll increase the volume of air you inhale with each breath. Although the sensation may be a little strange, it is typically harmless.
What else could it be?
Breathing difficulties can also result from allergies, asthma, chest infections, common colds, and anxiety disorders. However, if it’s interfering with your daily life, you should discuss your symptoms with a medical professional.
FAQ
What does a twinge feel like in early pregnancy?
Can you feel twinges at 4 weeks pregnant?
How long do early pregnancy twinges last?