5 Weeks Pregnancy Cramps

Updated on September 13, 2008
D.P. asks from Albuquerque, NM
35 answers

Hi Mamas,
I can't get into my OB until October. I am just 5 weeks pregnant and am having cramps. Much like period cramps with occassional sharp pain in my upper left torso. I am very concerned and don't remember cramps with my first pregnancy. The cramps have been going on for several days off and on. No blood is present. Has anyone experience this? Thank you.

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E.T.

answers from Salt Lake City on

I just went through this! My OB told me that with the second pregnancy when the uterus is expanding it becomes much more noticeable. I had the sharp pain just like you on one side and then I would have it on the other. I also had terrible back pain. It all felt like a horrible period- with no blood. He told me as long as there is no blood I shouldn't worry. It is the uterus expanding. I hope that helps!!

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K.B.

answers from Phoenix on

I had cramps with my pregnancy around week 4-6. I also had the sharp pains. It was my first pregnancy so I was concerned also. I was able to get into see my OB at week 6 and she told me it was all normal. Not every women experiences the cramps but she said it is completely normal. She told me the sharp pains where from the things beginning to stretch and change. Also normal. Hope this helps.

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L.G.

answers from Albuquerque on

I also had trouble getting in to see my doc when I was in the early weeks. I called EVERY day with my symptoms and asked if there were any cancellations that day. It didn't take long to be seen. Good luck!

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N.S.

answers from Tucson on

I had cramps like that with my third one right at 5 weeks. It was the ligaments pulling....or so I was told. Everything was fine.
But this being your second, you might want to call the OB and see if they can check you out.

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K.O.

answers from Phoenix on

I would definately call your doctor and let them knwo. They made need to check and make sure it isnt a tubal pregnancy

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M.C.

answers from Tucson on

Please get into your OB now or ask for a referal for someone else. It could be a stomach or gastro thing, but do not mess around with symptoms that are not normal to your pregnancy. A good OB (even a mediocre OB has time for a woman concerned about possible complications. Be proactive.

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L.M.

answers from Albuquerque on

Call your OB and describe the cramps. They will probably ask you to go to OB Triage at the hospital you are working with. If no answer from OB then just GO TO OB triage at whichever hosp you want. Good Luck.

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M.J.

answers from Tucson on

Drink lots of water and get plenty of rest. contractions can happen anytime during pregnancy especially if you are dehydrated.

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L.M.

answers from Phoenix on

You might want to try to get this checked. This is what happened to me with my 1st pregnacy. They did an ultra sound to see if it was an ectopic pregnancy & it was too soon to see if it was but they set up another ultra sound a few weeks later. The doctor told me not to lift anything or has sexy until another ultra sound was done. Everything is fine she is now 11yrs old. Good luck.

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A.B.

answers from Phoenix on

If you had blood I would say go to urgent care, but if it is just cramping that can be normal. With your first you may not have been aware of it so early on depending on when you found out you were preggers. I am prego with #3 and I had some minor cramping and even a light period in the beginning before tests confirmed I was pregnant. With this one I had spotting around the same time as you are having cramping, went to the er on the overnight doctors urging and they told me I was 50% likely to miscarry...When I saw my ob a few days later all was well and he said he wished the er doc had not told me that because it was very unlikely...I would call and ask the ob's office to see if they can suggest if you should go to urgent care or not.

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A.A.

answers from Tucson on

I did experience that with my first pregnancy, all the way up to the 6th month... I was always concerned as to it leading to a miscarriage - but my doctor said it was just my body's way of reacting / preparing for a bigger uterus. Every pregnancy is different, so I hope this is nothing bad for you, that it's just your body getting ready again... Good Luck and stay positive!

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M.E.

answers from Anchorage on

Hi D. -

Does your doctor know you are having cramps? If not, call them today and tell them. If so, and they won't see you, get a new doctor. Cramping can be the beginning of a spontaneous abortion so it is nothing to wait on.

Blessings,

M. M. Ernsberger
Holistic Healthcare Practitioner

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D.S.

answers from Albuquerque on

Actually, that's quite common to feel period like cramps at about 5 weeks. That happens due to implantation of the egg into the lining of your uterus. Please try to relax and don't worry unless you see some kind of spotting. If you need more detailed info, search for "implantation" in one of the pregnancy sites and it may give you some comfort. Good luck and congratulations!

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B.S.

answers from Santa Fe on

I would recommend going to another OB/GYN or midwife immediately for piece of mind. It could be pain from your uterus stretching, but it could also be something serious. It isn't worth the risk to wait and see. But, if you've spoken with your doctor and he says its not an emergency, he would of course know better than I.
Take Care,
B.

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D.M.

answers from Phoenix on

If I were you and I went through this several times and not to scare you had three miscarriages due to this. I would go to urgent care if your dr. won't see you. This could be minor, but I wouldn't take any chances, Good Luck D.

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J.L.

answers from Tucson on

Hi! When you called your OB did you tell them that you were cramping? Call them back and ask to speak to the triage nurse. Cramping, depending on the intensity, is not normal. Mild stretching cramping is ok cuz things are moving around in there. Like your pelvis will soften at the "joints" so that the baby can pass through safely. That can cause some discomfort, but, I would call and tell them you need to be seen ASAP. Good luck.

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T.R.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi! First~ Congrats!! Second~ I have a 6 month old daughter & during my first & second trimesters of being pregnant I cramped ALOT. They were more intense than any menstral cramp I had ever had. My doctor said it was not a concern, it was just my ligaments stretching. So as long as there is no blood, I don't think you should be too concerned. But I would just phone your doctor just to let them know anyways!

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T.A.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi
Ihad a similar problem but i had a combo of gas and heart burn i would drink a carbonated drink to try to burp and tums and it helped to not wear a bra as much as possible and it took me a while to figure this out, because it would get a little worse the furture along i got. if this does't work for you call the dr. and really complain they should try to fit you in.
Good luck
T.

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T.M.

answers from Tucson on

I had them all the time in my pregnancies, especially my first one. I was never sick during my pregnancies. I just had these horrible cramps. They ended around 12 weeks for me. During my first pregnancy, I was afraid all the time because of them. They were so bad sometimes I couldn't sit up. I had to lean back in chairs or lay down. They stopped though and I had two beautiful and healthy children.

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K.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I'd call them again to tell them you have painful cramps, try to get them to work you in or call with a cancellation. The other thing you could do is to have them send you for an ultrasound and blood test to check Hcg levels, they may be able to give you a little piece of mind. The cramping can be normal, With my first 2 pregnancies I had period cramping up until about 8 weeks, but not sharp pains. My 3rd pregnancy ended at 6 weeks, I started bleeding at 5 weeks but NEVER had painful cramps, almost no cramps at all. It's hard to say whether it's normal or not without talking to your doctor.

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A.W.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi - I just wanted to give you some reassurance that cramping can be completely normal with pregnancy. I have had 2 healthy pregnancies and 2 miscarriages. With the miscarriages I actually had less cramping than with the pregnancies and the cramping was a lot worse with my second baby than my first - to the point where I sometimes couldn't walk. I would be concerned if you see any type of bleeding small or large as that is more a sign of miscarriage than cramping. I'm sure that's what your dr will tell you as well. Of course, if you're really concerned, ask to talk to the triage nurse at your OB's office and see if she can fit you in (they are always better at getting you in than the front desk). I wish you the best.

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L.C.

answers from Phoenix on

I don't claim to be an expert, but I've had 4 children ages 10,6,4 & 10 months old. I remember having cramps at times, but not that early in my pregnancies. It could be nothing, but I would suggest seeing your doctor ASAP if they are still going on. Did you tell your doctor's office that this was happening? Even if they can't get you in for your regular prenatal care appt until at least your 8th week,they should be able to sqeeze you in for an emergency. If not, you might consider getting a new doctor especially if you don't feel that you are getting the treatment you deserve. Pregancy is supposed to be a wonderful time! Good luck.
-L.

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V.R.

answers from Albuquerque on

If you told your OB that you were cramping they should have gotten you in sooner if they were concerned. Maybe you should call another OB just to be safe.

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K.C.

answers from Phoenix on

That happed to me with my second pregancy, I only had cramping, no blood. I also didn't feel pregant like I had the previous 2 or 3 days, sick ect, so they wanted me to do a ultra sound, and they told me there was no heart beat. So I had to have a D and C.

Hope that isn't it. But I would get it checked.

Good Luck.

K.

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J.V.

answers from Phoenix on

I'm on my sixth pregnancy. During my first one I went throuth the same thing and a week later I miscarried. If you can't go to your OB you should go to the ER.

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K.P.

answers from Phoenix on

I had these with both my children it was my ligaments stretching to make room for the baby. Lasted a few weeks then went away. With my first they thought it was tubular till they check me and all was fine.

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N.B.

answers from Tucson on

It could be normal implantation, or spontaneous abortion as mentioned; or could be ectopic pregnancy (cramps will probably be severe in that case) where the embryo attaches inside a fallopian tube instead of the uterus. You definitely need to get to a dr if you think that's a possibility. If they are more mild cramps, I wouldn't worry as much.

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W.W.

answers from Tucson on

Congrats. I, too, am 5 wks pregnant. The cramp-like pains could just be gas. I have them as well. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Good Luck.

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J.V.

answers from Phoenix on

I had very similar cramps with my daughter.The cramps where on my left side near my ovary. I went to urgent care (where they determined I was pregnant)and they sent me to the Emergency room due to my cramping. When I was there they did an ultra sound even though the baby was too small to see. They determined that I had an ovarian cyst plus a pregnancy. The cyst was what was causing all the cramping and discomfort. They did say that it could be an ectopic pregnancy but by 7 and 1/2 weeks I went back to the doctor and they did an another ultra sound. They could see a healthy baby and the cyst was there until 4 months. It slowly got smaller and finally went away as the baby formed. I now have a healthy happy 19 month old little girl. Good luck to you if you are concerned see another doctor.

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A.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I had a lot of cramps all the way through both of my pregancies, so it may be nothing to worry about. But I was able to get in to see the nurse practitioner at 6 weeks with both of my pregs. Even if you can't get in to see your OB, you should be able to see an NP.

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D.P.

answers from Tucson on

I had the same thing during my second pregnancy. I also did not think anything opf it as my sisters had the same thing during their second pregnancies as well and they said it was just that I am more aware of what is happening to my body and actually feel the stretching and the insides moving around to make room for the baby growing and all. If you stress about it, it can lead to spontaneous abortion. If you are really worried and the doctor won't see you go to the ER or a clinic nearby you to put your mind at ease now. You can also call your doctors nurse line for pregnant women, they all usually have a 24 hour nurse line to call with questions like this. If the nurse thinks it is really serious, she will make an appointment and fit you in the same week.

D.

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A.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

In my first pregnancy I remember going to urgent care because of terrible cramps. However they couldn't do anything (like check for the heartbeat) because it was too early. They did a blood test and then had me come in again a few days later to make sure the hormone levels were increasing and that showed a healthy pregnancy.

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K.P.

answers from Albuquerque on

It's worth calling your doctor and insisting to be seen. It may just be normal pregnancy pains which are more likely in a second pregnancy, but it could also be a tubal or abnormal pregnancy. For peace of mind and your safety an ultrasound can make sure everything is all right.

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A.S.

answers from Phoenix on

Hey D.,

I had a similar experience during my second pregnancy and panicked, but for me, it was just egg implantation, which can cause cramping. However, since you never want to take any chances, I'd get into your OB and tell them what you are experiencing. If they won't see you, I'd get a new OB. Most doctor's offices keep a couple of appointments open each day for urgent issues, so your OB should be able to accommodate you before October. Be assertive. When I was experiencing my cramping and I went to my general practitioner, they couldn't tell me anything and couldn't do anything, so I'd go to the experts...

Good Luck, my sister.

A.

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D.H.

answers from Phoenix on

It could be an ectopic pregnancy - in the fallopian tube - also known as tubal pregnancy. It will most certainly terminate as there is not room for it to grow. Call your doctor and tell them you are concerned about this and the sharp pains. They will get you in.

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