Ectopic pregnancy

[gabbileigh]

I'm a huge hypochondriac. I was diagnosed with pcos last year. Out of no where, after trying for well over a year, we found out we're pregnant. I'm between 5-6 weeks at this point. For some reason I have steady period like cramps for the past two nights. They start about 7 and I fall asleep with them at 10. When I wake up they are gone. During the day, I do have a few pains but nothing crazy. I have also had no spotting or bleeding. I'm afraid the night cramps are the start of an ectopic pregnancy. Anyone had one before? Is the pain continuous, like all day and night? Or just at certain points? Did it start out as just period cramps?

[gabbileigh]

Thanks ladies! That makes me feel a lot better! I have my first appointment booked for the 9th. I think I can wait until then.

[andradac]

Cramps are totally normal at this stage. I had them all my first trimester, it is the way we feel our uterus expanding(not sure why we feel them more when laying down in bed in the evening, probably that's when we relax enough to let it grow). Other pains you might feel are on your sides in the lower abdomen due to ligaments stretching(these can be quite painful when moving at times, but totally harmless). Unless you have unbearable pain or heavy bleeding, there are no actual reasons to worry.
But if you really need to be sure, book an appointment for an early trans-vaginal scan to see if the sac is implanted in the right place. You probably won't be able to see a heartbeat just yet, you need to wait until 7-8 weeks for that.

[spi84]

I am 6-7 weeks and have been experiencing period-like cramps for over a week. Two days ago I began experiencing a sharp pain in my right groin on top of my usual cramps. It was crippling and I was doubled over, unable to move, but no bleeding. I called the non-emergency medical helpline (I'm in the UK) who said I needed to be seen by my physician within 2hrs querying an ectopic. My physician came to the same conclusion which was pretty scary. I was sent to an early pregnancy hospital unit who performed a trans-vaginal scan. Unbelievably, I have a healthy little kidney bean growing in the right place with a thrashing heartbeat.
I also have have a non threatening fibroid which may be causing the pain as my uterus expands. Another possibility is that my bowel is resting on my right ovary which is still slightly inflamed after hosting an implanted egg.
The period like cramps are perfectly normal as your uterus is expanding in preparation for things to come. Try not to worry too much, especially as you've had no bleeding. Another option is to book in for a reassurance scan for some peace of mind. Having mine did wonders for my nerves!

[k8tyb]

I have had 4 miscarriages and my 2nd one I didn't even know I was pregnant. I just took myself to urgent care because I had pains the left side of my abdomen. When I got there they discovered I was pregnant and the pains got worse and worse, so bad they had give my I.V morphine and they called 911 and sent me to McMaster hospital code 4 because I was having an eptiopic pregnancy/miscarriage. In my experience the pain was excruciating and continuous.