A Doctor Explains Cramps During Pregnancy and Other Discomforts

You’re standing up from the couch, or maybe just shifting your position in bed, when a sudden ache in your belly stops you for a second. If that feeling worries you, that’s completely understandable, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Cramps during pregnancy are one of the most common sensations you’ll feel as your body works hard to grow your baby.

Understanding what your body’s going through can help put your mind at ease. Here, OB-GYN perinatologist Dr. Vicar Ong at Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center explains why pregnancy cramps happen, what other body changes during pregnancy to expect, and exactly when it’s time to call your doctor.

Why Cramps During Pregnancy Happen

Once you understand what’s actually going on inside your body, these cramps get a lot less scary. Dr. Ong explains, “the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and nearby organs stretch and shift to make room for the growing uterus.” This means your uterus doesn’t just grow, it moves everything around it to make room for your baby. That movement can bring on mild cramps or a dull ache that feels a lot like your period.

You may notice these period-like cramps as early as the first trimester as your uterus grows. If the cramps are brief and mild, it’s usually nothing to worry about. It just means your body’s doing exactly what it’s meant to do for your little one.

Other Discomforts That Come with Cramping While Pregnant

Cramps may just be one of the discomforts you’re feeling, though. As your pregnancy moves along, you may also feel other aches and pains. Dr. Ong shares that “other common discomforts during pregnancy include pelvic pressure, Braxton Hicks contractions, leg cramps, bloating, heartburn, and constipation.”

You may not feel these all at once, so it helps to know when each one tends to show up.

• Bloating: You may notice this as early the first trimester, since pregnancy hormones slow digestion down, Cleveland Clinic notes. 
• Heartburn: You’ll likely feel heartburn a bit later, since it affects over half of pregnant women by the third trimester. 
• Braxton Hicks contractions: You might feel these contractions around the third trimester. 
• Leg cramps: You might experience leg cramps starting in the second trimester and continue into the third, according to the Mayo Clinic, usually striking at night and catching you off guard mid-sleep.
• Pelvic pressure: You’ll recognize this feeling easily—as a heavy, low ache or sense of weight settling in your belly or lower pelvis as your baby continues to grow.

None of this needs to ruin your day. Once you know they’re typical and when to expect them, it’s a lot easier to relax into them instead of worrying.

Curious about other pregnancy symptoms outside of cramping, like spotting or swelling? Read this guide on pregnancy signs.

Round Ligament Pain or Braxton Hicks? Here’s How to Tell

Know the difference! Round ligament pain is sharp and one-sided, while Braxton Hicks feels like your whole belly is tightening.

You might mix up two of the most common causes of stomach cramps during pregnancy: Braxton Hicks contractions and round ligament pain. If you’re not sure which is which, it helps to know their patterns, so you can tell them apart more easily.

Round ligament pain

If you’ve felt a sharp, sudden pain on one side of your lower belly, hip, or groin, you may be experiencing round ligament pain. This pain is most common during the second trimester, and tends to hit right after a quick movement—standing up fast, coughing, laughing, or rolling over in bed. But it usually eases up within a few seconds to a couple of minutes.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Braxton Hicks feels different. Instead of a sharp stab on one side, it feels like your whole belly is tightening and then releasing, almost like your bump is giving you a gentle squeeze. These contractions come and go without warning, and they never get intensely painful. They tend to ease up once you change position or take a short walk.

Here’s the easiest way to tell them apart: round ligament pain is sharp, one-sided, and shows up right after you move. Braxton Hicks is more of a whole-belly squeeze with no clear trigger, and it eases with rest. If what you’re feeling doesn’t quite fit either pattern, or it starts feeling more intense over time, that’s your cue to check in with your OB-GYN.

How to Relieve Cramps During Pregnancy

Staying hydrated and resting eases most everyday bloating, leg discomfort, and cramps during pregnancy.

The good news is that relief is usually simple, and Dr. Ong breaks it down by what you’re dealing with. For cramps and everyday aches in general, she keeps it straightforward: “Getting enough rest, staying well hydrated, and changing positions slowly can help reduce discomfort.”

For pelvic pressure and Braxton Hicks, she recommends resting and avoiding anything too strenuous or demanding. For leg cramps, a gentle calf stretch, a light massage, and plenty of water usually do the trick.

For bloating, heartburn, and constipation, a few small changes go a long way:

• Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of a few big ones.
• Drink more water throughout the day.
• Load up on fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Stay active with light movement, like a short walk, if your pregnancy allows it.
• Skip spicy, fatty, or acidic food, and stay upright a while after eating, to ease heartburn specifically.

Warning Signs That Mean It's Time to Call Your Doctor

Most cramps during pregnancy are nothing to lose sleep over, but a few signs mean you shouldn’t wait it out. Dr. Ong is clear that you should call your OB-GYN right away if you notice:

• Watery vaginal discharge
• Vaginal bleeding
• Regular and painful contractions
• A noticeable drop in your baby's movement
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Fever or chills
• Painful urination
• A severe headache or blurred vision
• Swelling in your face and hands

Knowing which signs are worth watching out for and when to pick up the phone can help you catch potential pregnancy complications early or get timely treatment.

Talk to Your OB-GYN About Any Pain That Worries You

Most cramps during pregnancy are due to your body stretching, adjusting, and making room for your baby. But if a cramp feels off, lingers longer than it should, or shows up alongside any of the warning signs mentioned earlier, call your OB-GYN.

A simple habit that helps? Write down when a cramp hits, how long it lasts, and what you were doing when it happened. This habit makes it easier for you to share what’s going on if you do need to call your doctor. Remember, no question is ever too small when it’s about keeping you and your baby safe.

Every pregnancy comes with its own set of surprises, and you don’t have to figure them all out on your own. Connect with other moms about cramps during pregnancy on the ParenTeam Moms and Dads Facebook group, and swap notes on what’s helped you feel better.

About Dr. Vicar Ong
Dr. Vicar Ong is an ob-gyn with 7 years of experience, subspecializing in Maternal and Fetal Medicine. She trained at the University of Santo Tomas and Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, with fellowship training at Philippine Children’s Medical Center. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society and holds subspecialty certification from the Philippine Society of Maternal and Fetal Medicine.