Period like cramps - common/normal?

sasky · April 2014

I'm 33 weeks and just started getting period like cramps today. They're not bad cramps that have me doubled over or anything, but they're there. It's been since around noon and it's constant, not intermittent. I'm probably just working myself up because it doesn't feel like anything major, but I haven't had these before.

I haven't had any increase in discharge and nothing past the normal back pain. I haven't felt any kind of contraction that I can tell. Babies are still kicking a bunch.

I've been drinking water like crazy and taking it easy physically.

Is this just a normal thing as I get further along?

MommyWannaB10 · April 2014

I had them earlier in this pregnancy and the doc thought they were just BH, I wasn't dilating or anything. With my son though, those started at like 35w and the doctor I saw then thought they were nothing as well. 2 weeks later, my water broke and when I went into l&d they were picking up the cramps as my contractions. However, they still weren't doing anything to my cervix for dilation and I had to get pitocin. The cramps & water breaking may not even have had anything to do with each other, just a coincidence.

SmallCityLiving · April 2014

I had the same thing starting week 35 and my water broke at 35w 3d with no other signs. I didn't have any contractions until my water broke so I assume that was the cramps. The cramps didn't come and go but I imagine in hindsight that those were contractions. Definitely worth letting your dr know and maybe asking for a NST.

badbridey · April 2014

BH shouldn't be consistent, you should probably get checked out if these feel different. With a multiples pregnancy, it's just better to be on the safe side. My labor started out with very mild cramps,which I didn't really think were anything to worry about, but 3 hours later I was dilated to 8cm. I would definitely give my doc a call. Let us know how it turns out. GL

PurpleIris30 · April 2014

I would call since they are consistent, not going away with water and rest, and they are painful. Any one of those things was on my list to call to be checked.

Rynleigh · April 2014

Go in and get checked. Depending on your pain tolerance, early labor can feel exactly like menstrual cramps (so can braxton hicks). Having them regularly throughout the day at 33w with a multiples pregnancy warrants a trip to be monitored. I would NOT wait and see. Keep drinking the water and get in to be seen.

(as an anecdote, I spent the entire day before delivering DD #2, a singleton, having menstrual-like cramps, from about 10AM until 10PM - sometime between 10PM and 11PM, those "cramps" transitioned into active, debilitating labor, and my daughter was born about 6hrs after that. I have a high pain threshold, and my midwife refused to believe that I was in labor until I was literally in the hospital getting an epidural)

StacyH0507 · April 2014

I started getting some last night and mentioned them to my doctor today, he checked to see if I had dilated at all because he said that cramps like that are usually contractions and if I get more than 4 in a hour I need to come in.

whitehousem · April 2014

Could be normal/nothing or could be a sign of PTL. It's worth getting checked out. I started contracting at 32w and they were discovered during an NST at 2min apart... Straight to L&D. But I've been hanging on at 3cm dilated ever since and will be induced at 37w this Sat. I'm glad I caught it early though bc they were able to give me steroids and procardia to slow the contractions. Who knows what would have happened if more time had passed considering it appeared to be real labor on the monitors and I wasn't even in pain, just some pressure that started building.

mpetri · April 2014

I had those at 29 weeks thought nothing of it....went to bed..would wake up during night to pee and they would still be there...didn't think anything of it ....went to Dr a few days later and was 2-3cm and contracting every 2-3 mins regular. Thankfully they were able to stop and after being on bed rest and in and out of hospitals I delivered at 35 weeks. don't ever think that light cramping isn't something to worry about

sasky · April 2014

Thanks guys. They were much better yesterday evening after resting and lots of water. Never felt them last night when I got up to pee. I just assumed I was overreacting (despite all of your warnings!).

Woke up this morning and they're back. Calling the OB first thing.

amandam1982 · May 2014

I'm in my second trimester and experiencing these cramps. I've been told that they are normal and as long as they aren't severe or accompanied by bleeding I should be okay. Now I'm not sure!

carrotcake06 · May 2014

I've done the same thing - brushed period cramping off as nothing serious, especially since they were picked up on the monitors during NSTs. Mine were intermittent but coupled w an increase in discharge. I was right where you were too - at 33w.

My water broke at 34w and I was at a 6 within 45min of my water breaking.

I'm glad you're calling - and most likely they'll have you go in to be checked. I was able to get steroid shots which I believe wholeheartedly helped my boys need only minimal NICU time.

sasky · May 2014

Update - I went in to be monitored. They were picking up irregular contractions, basically whenever I let them know I was feeling cramps. But the good news is that my cervix is closed, the FFN came back negative, and the babies are both fine. So I was sent home with the instructions to DRINK A TON OF WATER!! I swear, it's the pregnancy cure all.

I am definitely glad I went in, especially when hearing some of your stories. My mind is at ease now, even though these damn cramps are annoying!

carrotcake06 · May 2014

@sasky glad you went in and that everything is good w the babies!

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