Cramping is an early symptom of pregnancy. After an egg is fertilized it continues on its way to into the fallopian tube and into the uterus to where it attaches itself to enjoy the nutrients waiting for the newly fertilized egg.
During this process the ligaments in the uterus stretch to accommodate the new addition. These cramps play a very important role in alerting you to the fact that you are pregnant. This is to allow you to go ahead and take a pregnancy test for confirmation that you are pregnant.
In mid pregnancy you may start to feel some mild contractions, but they are called Braxton Hicks contractions and they are your body's way of preparing for the actual delivery.
Later in your pregnancy, around the third trimester, the Braxton Hicks contractions can be somewhat harder and are often confused with real contractions. Though they feel like real labor, they are not.
Braxton Hicks contractions are not regular when timed and usually stop for as long as a day or two before returning. While they can be annoying, they are harmless.
With an actual labor pain, the muscles in the uterus are contracting to expel the baby. Labor pains are not at all like the early contractions or the Braxton Hicks contractions.
Genuine labor pains last longer and eventually regulate themselves to the point where they can be timed at specific intervals. They don't stop just because you changed positions.
You will think that you are in labor several times before the actual onset of labor.
Yes cramping is a pregnancy symptom by: Veronica
Cramping can be one of the first pregnancy symptoms. It happens when the uterus is changing and the ligaments stretch. However cramping can also be from a period, a pulled muscle, stomach gas, or some other problem. It would be a good idea to talk to your doctor or nurse about it.
