Cramping While Pregnant

Cramping typically occurs when the uterus expands, causing the ligaments and muscles which support it to stretch. It may be more noticeable when you sneeze, cough, or change positions.


During the second trimester, a common cause of cramping is round ligament pain.

The round ligament is a muscle which supports the uterus and when it stretches, you may feel a sharp, stabbing pain or a dull ache in your lower abdomen.

Cramping that is relatively minor and happens every now and then is probably nothing to be worried about. Some additional causes of normal cramping in pregnancy include:

• Gas and Bloating
• Constipation
• Sexual intercourse

Managing Cramping while pregnant

If you experience minor cramping during pregnancy, there are a couple of things you can do for prevention and self-care:

• Try to sit, lie down or change positions
• Soak in a warm bath
• Try doing relaxation exercises
• Place a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel on the ache
• Make sure you get plenty of fluids

Serious concerns for cramping during pregnancy

While cramping can be common, there are some serious causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy:

• Ectopic pregnancy – this type of pregnancy happens when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies can cause painful cramping and is a serious medical condition which must be treated by your doctor.
• Miscarriage – vaginal spotting accompanied by mild or sharp cramping can be a sign of a miscarriage (although some pregnancies which have spotting and cramping can also result in healthy pregnancies). If you have severe cramping and or heavy bleeding, you should contact your doctor immediately. Continue reading