Cramps in early pregnancyare familiar to most women who have been pregnant.  In fact, they can often be the first sign that you have actually conceived.Cramps in pregnancycan take several different forms.  Most commonly, they can feel much like menstrual cramps, and it is these that you will most likely feel first.  As the pregnancy progresses, you might also experience stomach cramps, as your digestive system adjusts to the new situation.

Cramps in early pregnancycan range from very mild to quite severe.  In any case, if you don’t already know you are pregnant, experiencing menstrual-type cramps at the wrong time in your cycle can be one of the earliest indicators of pregnancy.  Cramps can make themselves known as early as 8-10 days after conception.  If you continue to feel these cramps as the pregnancy progresses, don’t worry; it is quite normal for cramps to occur as adjustments are made in your abdominal cavity for a growing baby.

Cramps in pregnancycan also take the form of the usual abdominal cramps.  When you become pregnant, your body starts to produce larger quantities of progesterone, and that can create some changes that might result in cramping.  One of these changes is that digestion is slowed down, so more nutrients and liquid can be passed on to the fetus.  Because your digestive system is not working like it used to, you may experience some cramping in your abdominal area as your digestive system does its work at a slower pace.

Constipation is one of the most common problems that pregnant women face.Cramps in pregnancycan often be the result of constipation.  Since your body is taking longer to digest, and is removing more fluids to add to the bloodstream, the waste will move out of your digestive tract much more slowly than is normal, and some cramping could result.  When you attempt to stop the constipation through more consumption of fiber, your body might swing into the opposite direction, causing diarrhea.Cramps in pregnancycan often be attributed simply to the upheaval going on in your bowels, as waste is moved out a bit more quickly than you would have liked.

Cramps in early pregnancycan also be an indicator of a more serious condition, like an ectopic pregnancy.  An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg doesn’t make it to the uterus where it needs to grow, and stops in the fallopian tubes instead.  You will probably find this out in the first six weeks.  If treated early on, and ectopic pregnancy can be managed without harm to your or the baby.

Cramps in pregnancywill most likely be experienced by most women, at any given time. The key is knowing what to expect and understanding how your body works, so you can be in tune with the changes that are occurring.  While most cramps are no cause for alarm if you experience any that seem to be unusually severe, be sure to consult your doctor right away.