| Cramps are one of the most common signs of | | | | Another common sign of pregnancy is nausea. |
| pregnancy. They are also one of the first. Cramps can | | | | Normally, nausea and vomiting occur between 5 and |
| occur as early as 8 to 10 days after conception. | | | | 15 weeks of pregnancy. Severity of nausea |
| Cramps are familiar to all women who have been | | | | experienced varies for every woman. Mild nausea and |
| pregnant. Normally, these cramps feel exactly the | | | | vomiting during the course of pregnancy is termed as |
| same as menstrual cramps. The uterus has to expand | | | | "morning sickness." |
| to accommodate the growing fetus. When the | | | | In most women, nausea is usually the worst in the 9th |
| pressure on the walls of the uterus increases | | | | week of pregnancy, but improves in the third trimester. |
| excessively, cramps occur. As the pregnancy | | | | Causes for nausea are attributed to psychological |
| advances, you may experience cramps in your | | | | factors, changed hormone levels and adjustment of |
| stomach and abdomen. This is because the digestive | | | | bodily organs and systems to the new situation. Other |
| system starts adjusting to the new situation. Digestion | | | | causes of nausea should also be considered, |
| slows down because food (fluids and nutrients) has to | | | | especially if vomiting starts after the 10th week of |
| be passed on to the growing fetus. | | | | pregnancy and is accompanied by other symptoms |
| In early pregnancy, cramps may be mild or severe. | | | | such as fever, headache, high blood pressure, |
| Cramps can also be caused due to hormonal changes | | | | constipation or enlarged thyroid. |
| that occur during the course of pregnancy. Levels of | | | | Mild nausea does not require treatment; however, if |
| progesterone shoot up during pregnancy, and this may | | | | any of these symptoms are seen, a doctor must be |
| result in cramps. | | | | contacted immediately: |
| Cramps can be relieved by applying heat or taking | | | | 1. Repeated vomiting especially with blood. |
| medication such as acetaminophen; however, you | | | | 2. Symptoms of dehydration such as infrequent |
| must consult a doctor before taking any medication | | | | urination and darkened urine color. |
| during pregnancy. | | | | 3. Inability to ingest food or to keep it in for 12 hours. |
| Cramps in pregnancy can also be caused due to | | | | 4. Severe pelvic pain or abdominal cramping. |
| constipation. Since the process of digestion is slow | | | | The aim of the treatment of pregnancy-related |
| during pregnancy, the body ends up adding more | | | | nausea is to allow the expectant mother to eat |
| water to the bloodstream. This results in constipation | | | | enough to get all the required nutrients. |
| and consequently cramping. | | | | Most women overcome cramps and nausea |
| Excessive cramping can also be a sign of a serious | | | | associated with pregnancy fairly well without requiring |
| condition called ectopic pregnancy. In this condition, the | | | | any medical treatment. Interestingly, it has been seen |
| fertilized egg fails to reach the uterus and starts | | | | that women who experience mild nausea and vomiting |
| growing in the fallopian tubes. This can be painful and | | | | during their pregnancy are less susceptible to |
| cause severe cramps. Though cramping is a normal | | | | miscarriages and stillbirths than women who don't |
| sign of pregnancy, if it is accompanied by excessive | | | | show these symptoms. |
| bleeding, a doctor must be consulted. | | | | |