Cramping, how much is normal and when to be concerned?

[April2]

I hope it's ok to post here. My daughter is almost 18. She's 23 weeks pregnant and has had cramping off and on all weekend. She had some cramping early in the pregnancy but seemed to go away. How much is normal and at what point should we be concerned? I really don't want to run down to the hospital over every little thing but do want to be cautious.
I told her to take it easy today and drink plenty of water and that we'd keep an eye on it. I just don't remember cramping in my pregnancies so I wasn't sure what was normal or not. Thanks.

[PrettyKitty1]

We are, April! Everything is all good. I can't wait to meet him/her.
Thank you :)

[April2]

I know! The time is flying! I hope you and your little one are doing well also. :)

[PrettyKitty1]

April,

I am following this thread :) My fingers are crossed. God bless that baby boy. He will be here in no time!

[April2]

Thanks Rosa. She was a little worried because she didn't feel like he was moving this week but she has an ob appointment next week. I'm sure everything is fine. Gotta just trust that! :)

[Rosa20]

well im 24 weeks and i get them all day long BUT im on baby number 3 too! So i can feel them more and i know that mine are very painfull...im not supposed to do much i dont think..when i do alot or am on my feet alot i get them alot more!! Maby you should check with her ob or her gp...i know they say its normal for me because this is my fourth pregnancy ( i had one m/c) but for her i dont know where its her first i would be more cautious! Keep us posted

[April2]

She came home from school today and said she wanted to lay down. She said she had been getting a lot of the braxton hicks today, though she drank a ton of water. Normal for 23 weeks? I don't remember getting them that early.

[April2]

Thanks JoyRenee! She's 2 months shy of 18 but she was telling me she couldn't wait till she could post here because it seemed more mature than the teen forum. She's pretty mature for her age.
We're trying to push the fluids. I think especially living in such a dry and high altitude. I've heard more babies are born premature in Colorado because of the high altitude.
We will keep an eye on things and she has an appointment next week. Thanks!

[JoyRenee]

Of course you can post here!!! I agree with other ladies. She needs to watch her fluids!

[April2]

Thanks everyone. We're watching it. She also doesn't feel like he's moving as much the last week or so but we took her in last week to check on that and they found the heartbeat just fine. They said you can go days without feeling it move this early, I guess, so I hope this is all normal. They said once she's 28 weeks they tell people they should have 10 fetal kicks in 2 hours or to come in. It's just harder to tell now this early, I guess. We just want to make sure everything's ok and not sure what all is normal or not. She has a regular ob appointment next week.

[tarajanes]

Its possible she is experincing braxton hicks,this can cause tense cramping.when the cramping goes round her back also.then I would ask to see a doctor.but if its off and on,i would say its braxton hicks.you have done the right thing for her to drink plenty of water.but a phone call for reasurrance would be a good idea.dont worry about contacting hospital or doctor about this.this is there job.best of luck..

[Rosa20]

Well im 24 weeks..well i will be on wed and last week or actually over the weekend i ended up in L&D  with a bunch of cramping and actual contractions!! But when i got in there only a few showed up! But my baby was moving around lots and the nurse and doc agreed that if your baby moves alot that can cause tightenings!! As for the cramping aparetly its stretching!! But they also told me to go home and not do anything to..never said for how long!! Lol . But you also need to be more carefull with your daughter because she is younger! Keep her hydrated and on her left side lying down and if the cramps get worst def bring her in to get checked! We always say better safe then sorry right!! :) good luck!

[cmorrow17]

I had minor cramping around then too during my pregnancy...

[alaysha]

Usually cramping around then is because she is dehydrated. Having her lay down and drink water is a great idea! If she keeps cramping after hydrating herself you may want to call her doctor.